I just had the exact same problem with mine... My carrier is less than a year old. I have yet to contact aluminess, but will do so soon. Seems like an easy enough fix, the latch has a removable plate.
Had my crack about a year ago just before a baja trip. Did not have time to send to aluminess so had a local fabricator fix. He put a gusset to add support. That held about a year and his weld cracked. Had a chance to take it to aluminess and they fixed it while I waited. Major reinforcement over the cracked tube. No charge to me and even replaced the latch mechanism for free. Not sure what the new tire racks look like but the older one I have def had design flaw. Aluminess owned it and took great care of me. Hopefully they have addressed the flaw in the new models.
Had my crack about a year ago just before a baja trip. Did not have time to send to aluminess so had a local fabricator fix. He put a gusset to add support. That held about a year and his weld cracked. Had a chance to take it to aluminess and they fixed it while I waited. Major reinforcement over the cracked tube. No charge to me and even replaced the latch mechanism for free. Not sure what the new tire racks look like but the older one I have def had design flaw. Aluminess owned it and took great care of me. Hopefully they have addressed the flaw in the new models.
They went to square tubing.
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2005 E350 RB 6.0 PSD for extended fun
1989 Landcruiser FJ62 for local fun
2011 VW TDI Golf for hwy fun
I do not have Aluminess bumpers so I do not know how the box is attached but I think the issue with the evential loosening/rattling is due to the center of gravity of the box. On my set up I angled the support arms almost at a 45* to support the box in the base center. I really never hear it or see it rattling/vibrating. I will ask a friend to follow me some day and check this!
All steel construction. Pivot pins (hinges) welded through to base of tubing. Swing down combination ladder tire caddy for easy lifting of tire. Streamlined to have minimal overhang for departure angles. Very happy with the outcome of it now going on 5 years with no issues!
Love the built in ladder on the tire carrier. Nice addition.