Product FAQs

There are lots of rear bumpers and tires carriers, what makes AEV’s special?

Aside from the quality of the materials and engineering, it’s important to consider just how much utility AEV’s Rear Bumper & Tire Carrier offer. With provisions for water storage, fuel storage, jack/shovel/pull-pal storage, capacity for up to a 40-inch tire, provisions for lights, antennas and flags and of course ease of daily operation, AEV’s Rear Bumper & Tire Carrier are hard to beat.

Other companies offer one-touch tire carriers that open with the tailgate. What’s the benefit of AEV’s design?

The biggest benefit to AEV’s design is the tie-rod. If you get a close look at AEV’s tie rod when the tailgate is closed, you will notice that it remains nearly perpendicular to the tailgate. If you take a look at other brands that use a tie rod, you will notice that in the closed position their tie rod goes parallel to the tailgate. Why does this matter? Well it all comes back to the ability of the tire carrier to operate without rattles. Because AEV keeps its tie rod perpendicular to the tailgate, our customers can use it as a tensioning device between the tailgate and the Tire Carrier. If our tie rod were parallel, no such tensioning would be possible. In that case our customers would have to depend on clumsy adjustable bump-stops, such as those found in other brands.

In my experience tire carries tend to rattle. How about AEV’s?

Most tires carriers that rattle do so because of a flimsy pivot point and the inability to tension the tire carrier against the body of the vehicle. AEV’s tire carrier solves both of those problems. To begin, AEV uses a massive spindle that rides in two large, precision-machined, bronze bushings. Unlike the wheel bearings commonly found supporting the spindles of most tire carriers, these bushings are one-piece and mate against the spindle over a broad surface area. This leaves no possibility for the spindle to squirm, rock or vibrate and it requires no ongoing adjustment to keep it snug. Secondly, AEV captures the tire carrier against that body of the Jeep through the use of a saddle block. Think of this as a landing pad that captures and aligns the tire carrier each time it is closed. But what really cancels out any possibility of a rattle is the fact that AEV uses a tie-rod to adjust the tension between the tire carrier and the saddle block. So if our customers ever experience even the slightest rattle, more tension can be easily applied.

Can I install the AEV Rear Bumper without the Tire Carrier?

Yes you can. You can also install AEV’s Tire Carrier with the JK’s stock bumper.

Why do I need a tire carrier?

If you have no plans to replace your stock tires and wheels and you have no plans to venture off pavement, you probably don’t need AEV’s Tire Carrier other than perhaps for looks. But if you plan to install larger tires and carry the kind of gear needed for off pavement travel, you need a mounting system that can not only support the weight, but carry it safely. Even if you just install larger tires, the weight of this alone can, and often is, enough to crack the sheet metal of your tailgate. It’s important to remember that AEV’s Tire Carrier takes the bulk of the weight off the tailgate.

Why did AEV use bent tubing at the corners of its Rear Bumper instead of stamped steel like on its Front Bumper?

Despite the inherent strength of AEV’s stamped steel bumpers, experience has taught us that even more strength was going to be needed at the rear corners. Why? Because when on the trail, the tail of the vehicle is often subjected to massive impacts as it comes down off of boulders and drop-offs.  We’ve seen what these impacts can do and the repairs are costly. To prevent this, AEV chose to go with ¼-wall, mandrel bent tubing that covers the whole underside of the Jeep’s rear corners. Further, the tubes pick up additional strength by tying directly into the chassis. This solution offers incredible protection.

How large of a tire can I carry on the AEV Tire Carrier?

AEV’s Tire Carrier was designed to easily handle up to a 40-inch tire.

What is the Accessory Mast for on the AEV Tire Carrier?

AEV’s accessory mast has a flat platform that sits just above the top of the spare tire. It was put there to create an ideal perch for a back-up light, a radio antenna and a sand flag. But we’ve now heard of customers even using it for a shower head while camping.

Does the bumper have enough clearance to run 37-inch Tires?

Yes, 37-inch tires are no problem assuming the vehicle has adequate suspension lift to run 37-inch tires.

What is the departure angle compared to stock?

For a straight line departure, AEV’s bumper equals that of the stock bumper. For a deflected angle departure, AEV’s bumper actually improves on the stock bumper.

Is the AEV Rear Bumper strong enough to be used as a lift point for my JK?

More than strong enough. Because both the bumper and its corners are tied directly into the chassis, AEV’s Rear Bumper is really just an extension of the chassis. AEV also includes special Hi-Lift Jack tongue retainers that prevent the jack from slipping out from beneath the vehicle when it is lifted high up into the air.

Does AEV’s Rear Bumper have strong, functional recovery points?

Yes, AEV’s recovery points are both. By utilizing ½-inch plate steel and tying it directly into the chassis, you can have absolute confidence during the most severe vehicle recovery operations. The weak link will most certainly be in your D-Shackles or your recovery straps. Shop for quality there too.

Doesn’t the shovel rattle around in the Tire Carrier’s Shovel Holster?

One would think so, but the design is more clever than most people realize. Once the handle of the shovel has been shortened to the proper length and the shovel inserted in the Holster, the blade of the shovel can be tensioned against the spare tire.  This, combined with the steep angle of the shovel, has proven more than adequate at keeping the shovel locked down – even during a durability test over 500+ miles of Arizona dirt tracks.

What is the weight of AEV’s Rear Bumper and Tire Carrier?

AEV’s rear bumper weighs 56lbs. and AEV’s Tire Carriers weighs 64lbs.

Will AEV’s bumper work with aftermarket flares?

Yes, wider aftermarket flares can be installed, but they will not line up with AEV’s water tanks. AEV’s water tanks were designed to look factory and line up seamlessly with the stock flares. Wider aftermarket flares will protrude beyond the tanks and will tend to look clumsy and mismatched to the vehicle.  But from a purely functional standpoint, wider flares will work just fine.

Why does AEV use bronze bushings instead of bearings for the pivot point in its Tire Carrier?

There are a variety of important reasons. The first is that unlike the wheel bearings most commonly used, AEV’s bronze bushings do not depend upon velocity to properly lubricate. AEV’s are riffle-drilled and this riffling allows for even distribution of the grease at the low velocity range where tire carriers operate. Secondly, unlike wheel bearings, AEV’s bronze bushings are wide and provide a very large contact surface across the face of the Tire Carrier’s spindle. This lends much better support. Third, unlike wheel bearings, AEV’s bronze bushings do not require adjustment to maintain proper tension on the Tire Carrier’s spindle.

What type of finish do the AEV Rear Bumper and Tire Carrier have?

These products are e-coat dipped then a Super Durable polyester texture black powdercoat is applied. This is unique in the 4WD aftermarket where bumpers are typically only powdercoated.

What kind of maintenance does the AEV Rear Bumper & Tire Carrier require?

Other than the occasional adjustment to the Tire Carrier’s tie-rod and some grease for the zerk fitting on its spindle, AEV’s Rear Bumper & Tire Carrier is a set-and-forget combination. Of course it’s always a good idea to look for scuffs in the paint and retouch as necessary, but that’s about it.

Why does AEV retain the factory receiver hitch?

The first and perhaps best reason is that it is factory engineered by Chrysler to work with the Jeep JK. To us, that lends a measure of confidence when towing.  But beyond that, there was really no good reason to relocate it. The stock receiver is tucked up out of the way, it provides a measure of vehicle protection below the bumper and it provides a lower tow point on lifted JKs. This last feature is nice because it means that you can tow a travel trailer or utility trailer without the need for such a long drop-hitch.

Are the Bumper’s two water tanks really strong enough to handle trail impacts or to stand on?

AEV’s water tanks are made from ¼-inch thick cross-link polyethylene. This is one of the toughest plastics you can find – tough enough in fact that it is used in white water kayaks. AEV even goes so far as to use this plastic in its Jack Base where it must support the weight of the Jeep!

Does the JK’s factory receiver hitch work with the AEV Rear Bumper?

Yes, AEV’s Rear Bumper was designed specifically to incorporate the factory receiver hitch.

How do I get the water out of the Bumper’s water tanks?

AEV sells a convenient water pump that screws into the large opening on the top of the left tank. This includes a feed hose and since both tanks are plumbed together, water is extracted from both tanks simultaneously.

Can I drink the water from the water tanks?

Yes, the water tanks integrated into our Rear Bumper are FDA-approved and safe for use as storage for potable water. It is good practice to empty the water tanks after use and regularly clean the tanks thoroughly with soap and water. Filtering and/or sterilizing the water prior to consumption is always recommended.

Is there a drain in the water tanks for cleaning?

No, but because the water tanks are plumbed together from beneath, the connecting hose can be disconnected and all of the water drained out. This makes cleaning reasonably easy.

Do I need to worry about freezing water cracking the tanks?

Despite the incredible strength of AEV’s water tanks, AEV recommends that you reduce the volume of water they contain when temperatures plummet below freezing. This may not be necessary, but it’s cheap insurance against a problem with the tanks, hoses or fittings.

How long does it take to install AEV’s Rear Bumper & Tire Carrier?

AEV’s dealers report that they can install both the bumper and the tire carrier in as little as five hours. However, AEV recommends that first-timers, doing the installation from home, should allow around seven or eight hours. But much of this will vary depending on the kinds of tools used and the level of experience found in the installer.

Where are AEV’s Rear Bumper and Tire Carrier made?

We are proud to say that both of these products are made by AEV, in the United States. This is a theme that runs through more than 90% of AEV’s products.

How can I be sure I’m buying authentic AEV products?

In the last couple of years copies of AEV’s bumpers have begun to appear from China. In most cases you will find them for sale on E-bay and Alibaba.com. And in most cases the company trying to sell these products will attempt to pass itself off as AEV. The first thing you should know is that AEV does not allow its dealers to sell on either of these sites except for the purposes of a short-term clearance on old or damaged inventory. Generally speaking, new AEV products are not available on these sites. If in doubt, contact AEV.  Beyond that, you should know that AEV has purchased these copies and has literally dissected them to evaluate how they are made. As you would expect, corners have been cut in the manufacturing process. Shapes are hammered out and edges roughly cut, welds are incomplete, holes are drilled rather than punched and finishes are substandard. But the real kicker is that despite these shortcomings, the prices are not too far below AEV’s. So shop cautiously and stick with AEV-authorized dealers. We list them on our website and you are welcome to call us at 248 926-0256 if you want further verification.