Originally posted by akaMud:
[b]I went to Camping World and got a bolt on folding tire carrier built for RV's ($30). I spent another $30 or so at Lowe's on angle iron, mending straps and bolts and voila', Xterra tire carrier.
The mending straps are bolted through and through the solid part of the bumper and to the tire carrier which is also bolted to the trailer hitch step plate. (I don't know how you'd do it without the towing package). The tire carrier folds down so I can open the hatch. I've backed it into gully walls and bounced the heck out of it and so far so good.