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I've already done a SEARCH and looked at pretty much everything already discussed. I've considered the spindle approach that many are using on their tire carriers. I've even looked at the idea of the spindle with a locking hub. Got good ideas, but I need a few more ideas from the board.
Here's my problem, a local shop built my rear bumper/tire carrier about 5 years ago. I really like the bumper, but the tire carrier just wasn't designed very well. A lack of gussetting through the center allows it to flex A LOT and it's bad enough now that I can't even carry my spare on it because it bounces too much.
I am planning on rebulding it this weekend. There are some elements of the existing setup that I like a lot and want to keep. One of which is two upright posts that support the tire carrier. One side has the hinges, and the other has the latch. The main reason I want to keep these is because my rear corner protection is tied into these. The other thing I'll probably keep is the actual tire mount itself just so I don't have to build another one.
The corner protection has saved my body countless times and I want to keep it.
Which leaves me to just rebuild the framework that is the swingout portion of the tire/carrier. I'll most likely use 1x1" square tubing with 1/8" wall thickness. I want to increase the strength of the carrier so it doesn't bounce anymore with the spare on it, but also keep it as light as possible.
Here is a very crude 3D model of some ideas. The top one is the existing carrier, and the other two are just some ideas I had for rebuilding it. I don't have an engineering background and most of you have more fab experience than I do so I think you can help me out.
The only other thing I might add is a small cooler rack on the side opposite the tire.
Thanks for any help or suggestions
Here's my problem, a local shop built my rear bumper/tire carrier about 5 years ago. I really like the bumper, but the tire carrier just wasn't designed very well. A lack of gussetting through the center allows it to flex A LOT and it's bad enough now that I can't even carry my spare on it because it bounces too much.
I am planning on rebulding it this weekend. There are some elements of the existing setup that I like a lot and want to keep. One of which is two upright posts that support the tire carrier. One side has the hinges, and the other has the latch. The main reason I want to keep these is because my rear corner protection is tied into these. The other thing I'll probably keep is the actual tire mount itself just so I don't have to build another one.

The corner protection has saved my body countless times and I want to keep it.

Which leaves me to just rebuild the framework that is the swingout portion of the tire/carrier. I'll most likely use 1x1" square tubing with 1/8" wall thickness. I want to increase the strength of the carrier so it doesn't bounce anymore with the spare on it, but also keep it as light as possible.
Here is a very crude 3D model of some ideas. The top one is the existing carrier, and the other two are just some ideas I had for rebuilding it. I don't have an engineering background and most of you have more fab experience than I do so I think you can help me out.
The only other thing I might add is a small cooler rack on the side opposite the tire.

Thanks for any help or suggestions