Once you're on 37s, the factory rear bumper has nowhere for the spare to live — you can't fit a 37 under the bed cradle, and you're not driving without a spare. A rear bumper with a swing-out tire carrier solves that. AEV is the proven choice. Carli is the premium tier. Expedition One is the value pick.
The Power Wagon's factory rear bumper is fine for daily use but has two limits for an off-road build:
1. **The factory spare cradle under the bed won't fit a 37" tire.** Period. The bed-mount kit some shops offer is a workaround but eats most of the bed.
2. **The factory bumper is plastic-capped steel** — fine for parking lots, useless if you need to back up to a steep approach without dragging the bumper.
A purpose-built rear bumper with a swing-out tire carrier solves both. The three serious options:
**AEV Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier** ($2,800) — the reference. Heavy-gauge steel, integrated D-rings, swing-out tire carrier that supports 37s with two jerry can / utility brackets on the carrier face. Mounts to factory bumper bolts plus 4 additional frame bolts. Hi-lift compatible. The proven Power Wagon choice.
**Carli Suspension Rear Bumper** ($3,400) — premium. Same overall design philosophy as AEV but with proprietary geometry that matches their lift kits. Higher cost reflects build quality and powder coat. The pick if you're already running a Carli lift.
**Expedition One Trail Series** ($2,200) — value pick. Slightly less rigid swing-out hinge than AEV, but functionally equivalent. Good powder coat. 80% of the AEV's quality at 80% of the price.
**Iron Cross HD (no carrier)** ($1,100) — if you're willing to keep your spare in the bed, a rear bumper without a tire carrier is half the price. Loses the tire-carrier benefit but gains weight reduction and more straightforward install. Bad choice if you wheel hard (spare in the bed bounces).
Install: this is a 2-person job. The rear bumper assembly with carrier weighs 180-220 lb. Plan on 6-14 hours. Stage the bumper on a furniture dolly to wheel under the truck, then jack up incrementally. The 4 frame bolts often need drilling — most kits include the drill bit and template.
Honest framing: a rear bumper with carrier is $2-3k of armor that you mostly only need if you're running 37s. If you're on 35s with a bed-mount spare cradle that works, skip this until you actually go 37s.
| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| AEV Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier (Power Wagon-specific) | AEV | ~$2800 |
| Carli Suspension Rear Bumper + Tire Carrier | Carli Suspension | ~$3400 |
| Expedition One Trail Series Rear Bumper | Expedition One | ~$2200 |
| Iron Cross HD Rear Bumper (no carrier — budget option) | Iron Cross | ~$1100 |
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.