Swingout Rear Bumpers & Spare Wheel Carriers for Cayenne and Touareg: A Buyer's Guide
Where does the spare go once you fit bigger tyres? What a swingout rear bumper carries, how it differs from a standard rear bumper, and which version fits your Cayenne 955/957, Touareg 7L or GX550.
Fit bigger all-terrain tyres to a Porsche Cayenne or VW Touareg. One practical question follows straight away. Where does the spare go? Would a swingout rear bumper help? A space-saver is no use on a gravel track. It is two hours from tarmac. A full-size off-road wheel takes up most cargo floor. You bought the car for this cargo floor. That is the job a swingout rear bumper does. It moves a full-size spare and a jerry can outside. It replaces the factory plastic with steel at the same time.
This guide covers what a swingout actually carries. It shows how it differs from a standard off-road rear bumper. Which version fits each generation is also covered. What living with one is like every day is also discussed. Every figure here comes from our own product specifications. We build these bumpers in our own factory. Tyre weights are linked to their source.
Why owners move the spare outside the car
Three reasons come up again and again from Cayenne and Touareg owners building for travel:
- Matching spare. Once you upsize, a spare that matches the other four wheels is the only spare that lets you carry on normally after a puncture. Running a different-diameter wheel on a full-time four-wheel-drive car is something to avoid for more than a short distance — your owner's manual will tell you the limits for your car.
- Cargo space. Fridges, recovery boards, water and camping gear all compete for the load floor. Getting a 26 kg tyre out of there frees real space.
- Access. A spare on the back can be reached without unloading the car first — which matters most when you are tired, it is dark, and the ground is not level.
Two ways to build the back of the car
We make two types of rear bumper for these platforms. They are separate products. The swingout replaces the standard bumper entirely. It does not bolt onto it. Deciding up front is worth it.
| Standard off-road rear bumper | Dual swingout rear bumper | |
| Spare wheel carrier | No | Yes — full-size wheel and tyre |
| Jerry can mount | No | Yes, on the second arm |
| Bumper static rating | Up to 200 kg | Up to 200 kg |
| Swing arm rating | — | 50 kg (110 lb) per arm |
| Construction | High-carbon manganese steel, 50 mm tube with 3 mm wall, 5 mm plate, e-coated | |
| Install time | 2–4 hours | 3–5 hours, two people |
| Best for | Departure angle and rear protection, spare stays inside | Long trips, bigger tyres, a full load inside the car |
Both have a raised hitch mounting point for a better departure angle and reinforced recovery points. If you never leave graded roads and your spare still fits inside, the standard bumper is the simpler choice. If you are upsizing tyres or travelling loaded, the swingout is the one that solves the problem.
The load ratings, in plain numbers
Two figures matter, and both are static ratings — weight the steel carries, not a towing figure:
- 200 kg (441 lb) — what the bumper itself is rated to carry.
- 50 kg (110 lb) per swing arm — each arm is rated on its own, so the spare goes on one side and a jerry can or recovery gear on the other.
How heavy is a real spare? Tyres vary more than most people expect. For example, tiresize.com lists the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 in 285/65R18. It is 58.2 lb, about 26.4 kg, for the tyre alone. Add the weight of your wheel. The wheel maker publishes it. Or stand on a bathroom scale with and without it. You then have the real number. Compare it with the 50 kg arm rating. Most 18-inch all-terrain setups sit comfortably inside it. But check rather than assume. Heavy-ply tyres and steel wheels add up fast.
Our 2-inch lift kits typically take tyres up to 275/65R18. The 3-inch kit takes around 285/70R18. Both depend on wheel offset. See the 2-inch vs 3-inch lift comparison for details.
Which swingout rear bumper fits your car
Every one of these bumpers is built for a specific generation. Porsche and VW facelifted these cars for 2008. The rear mounting points changed with it. So a 955 bumper will not bolt to a 957. The Touareg version is built for the generation you select.
| Your car | Swingout (spare carrier) | Standard |
| Porsche Cayenne 955 (2002–2007) | 955 Dual Swingout Rear Bumper | 955 Rear Bumper |
| Porsche Cayenne 957 (2008–2010) | 957 Dual Swingout — V1 or V2 | 957 Rear Bumper |
| VW Touareg Gen 1 (2002–2007) and Gen 1.5 Facelift (2008–2010) | Touareg Dual Swingout Rear Bumper — choose your generation | — |
| Lexus GX550 (2024+) | GX550 Dual Swingout Rear Bumper — 3-gallon jerry can included | — |
We do not currently make a rear bumper for Cayenne 958. We also don't make one for Touareg Gen 2 (7P, 2011–2018). If you are not sure which generation you have, check our chart. Our Cayenne, Touareg & Q7 fitment chart decodes chassis codes. Or email your VIN to info@overlandtrek.com.
The 957 has two swingout designs — how to choose
On the Cayenne 957 you will see V1 and V2. They are built identically. Same steel, same 50 mm tube and 3 mm wall. Same 5 mm plate, same 200 kg ratings. They have 50 kg-per-arm ratings. They also have the same bolt-on fit. Only the profile differs. Neither is stronger or newer in specification. Pick the one you prefer the look of.
Living with a swingout every day
The usual worry is that a swingout turns the back of the car into a chore. In practice:
- The tailgate still works normally. Swing the arm open like a door, then open the tailgate as usual.
- The arms come off. They are fully removable and go back on in minutes, so you can run the car without them between trips.
- The factory exhaust stays. Only the clip-on lower trim is removed — the muffler, tips and emissions parts remain in place.
- No cutting or drilling. It bolts to the factory mounting points and is fully reversible. Allow 3–5 hours, and have a second person to help lift.
- Weight on the arms. Keep each arm within its 50 kg rating, and check the latches before every trip — rough corrugations work everything loose eventually.
One legal point is worth checking before you fit any rear carrier. In most countries, your number plate and rear lights must be visible. Rules differ from place to place. Check your local requirements. This is especially true if you plan to hang anything extra on the second arm.
Building the rest of the car around it
A rear bumper is usually one part of a wider build. If you are planning the whole car, these guides help:
- Bull bar or full-width bumper? — choosing the front end.
- Roof rack load ratings explained — static vs dynamic, and what 200 kg really means.
- Cayenne 955/957 overland build guide — the full build order.
Frequently asked questions
Will the swing arm carry my full-size spare?
Each arm is rated at 50 kg (110 lb) for a full-size wheel and tyre. Weigh your wheel and tyre together and keep it under that figure. If you plan to run a tyre larger than about 285/70R18, email info@overlandtrek.com with the size before ordering.
Can I tow with it?
The bumper has a raised hitch mounting point. Its 200 kg rating is a static figure. This is for weight carried by the bumper. It is not a towing rating. Your towing limit comes from your vehicle. It also comes from your hitch. So check both carefully.
Can I start with the standard bumper and add swing arms later?
No. The swingout is a separate bumper. It replaces the standard one. It is not an add-on. Decide which you need before you order.
Does it fit the Cayenne 958 or Touareg 7P?
No. Our rear bumpers cover the Cayenne 955 and 957. They also cover the Touareg Gen 1. And the Gen 1.5 Facelift. The Lexus GX550 is also covered. There is no 958 or 7P rear bumper currently.
Do I have to remove the exhaust?
No. Only the lower clip-on factory trim comes off. The muffler, tips and all emissions components stay in place.
How long does delivery take?
The bumpers are in stock and made in our own factory. Delivery is 4–8 weeks worldwide with tracking, and duties and import taxes are covered by us.
Not sure which one you need? Email info@overlandtrek.com with your car. Include its year and your tyre size. We will tell you which bumper fits. We will also say if your spare is inside the arm rating.
