Abstract: A spare tire carrier with an annular sleeve member is disposed about a flexible member. A stop is attached to the sleeve. The sleeve has one end, an opposite end, an inner surface and one of a polymeric layer, a contoured interior surface and a polymeric insert to prevent wear and failure of the flexible member. The interior surface forms a flared inside surface that extends from the one end toward the opposite end. The inside surface defines a first diameter D1 near the one end, a second diameter D2 extending away from the one end and a length L that extends between D1 and D2. The difference between D1 and D2 divided by L is in a predetermined range. A method of preventing failure to the flexible member with a contoured surface, a polymeric insert or a polymeric layer is also disclosed.