Building A Receiver Mount / Folding Tire Carrier

Want a functional, space-saving spare tire carrier on your Ford Bronco II or similar SUV without welding?

This guide shows you how to build a folding tire carrier and receiver mount using off-the-shelf parts, basic hand tools, and a bolt-on receiver hitch.

By following this tutorial, you’ll learn how to:

  • Assemble a folding tire carrier using a Curt Manufacturing 31006 Spare Tire Mount and a folding receiver bar
  • Modify the carrier to fit your vehicle and receiver hitch
  • Mount your spare tire securely with carriage bolts and hardware
  • Maintain rear hatch clearance while using a receiver-mounted spare

This step-by-step guide is perfect for DIY SUV enthusiasts who want a reliable, easy-to-install spare tire solution without specialized welding equipment.

Parts used in this build are readily available from Amazon and automotive suppliers, making it an accessible upgrade for most Bronco II owners.

Folding Tire Carrier

Parts Needed

 

Hitch Haul Folding Receiver Bar

Hitch Haul Folding Receiver Bar

 

Curt Manufacturing 31006 Spare Tire Mount

Curt Manufacturing 31006 Spare Tire Mount

(3) Carriage bolts, nuts, washers, and lock washers to retain your spare tire to the carrier.

Explanation / Process

The tire carrier you’re going to build is made up from a Curt Manufacturing Spare Tire carrier, and folding receiver bar.

You’ll need a receiver hitch on the back of your vehicle. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to buy one. You can buy a complete bolt on hitch:

Receiver hitch

Or add one on to a step bumper:

Step Bumper Bolt on Receiver

The folding receiver bar is shown below with a receiver mount hitch haul tire carrier attached to it.

Folding receiver bar - up

Folding receiver bar - down

You’re going to modify the tire carrier by cutting the receiver bar off if it.

Cut the receiver bar

Once you cut the receiver bar off, you’ll need to drill a 1/2-inch hole up 2-inches from the bottom.

Drill a 1/2-inch hole up 2-inches from the bottom

Once this is done, you can bolt the tire carrier into the folding receiver.

Completed assembly

Once the receiver is mounted to the vehicle, you’ll need your (3) carriage bolts and hardware to bolt your spare tire on to the mount. You may want to cut off the section where a hitch ball mounts if your tire hits it and keeps your rear hatch from opening all the way.

Folding tire carrier with tire mounted - 1

Folding tire carrier with tire mounted - 2

Where To Get The Parts

Folding Receiver Bar – Amazon

Curt Manufacturing 31006 Spare Tire Mount – Amazon

Update

Since this article was originally written I see that there are companies making a Folding Tire Carrier like the one below.

 

About The Author

Founder / Administrator at  | Staff Profile

Jim Oaks is the founder of TheRangerStation.com, the longest-running Ford Ranger resource online since 1999. With over 25 years of hands-on experience building and modifying Ford Rangers — including magazine-featured builds like Project Transformer — Jim has become one of the most trusted authorities in the Ford Ranger off-road and enthusiast space.

Since launching TheRangerStation.com, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road adventures contributed by owners worldwide. TheRangerStation.com has been referenced in print, video and online by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, and experience-based information.