A spare wheel carrier includes a spare wheel support member mounting brackets adjacent one end thereof having L-shaped slots. Pivots mounted on the vehicle are engageable with the ends of either legs of the slots to locate the support member different distances from the floor of the vehicle so as to support different thickness spare wheels.

A storage apparatus for flatbed trailers includes a storage box which swings out to the side from beneath the trailer bed for loading and unloading. When in an up, traveling position, a lip on the front of the storage box engages a flange of the trailer side rail to support the front of the box, while a U-shaped frame connected to the trailer framework provides support beneath the rear of the box. Two arm members are pivotally mounted between the trailer framework and the sides of the box, and support the box while not in the up position. The pivotal attachments of the arm members to the box are located so that the box is unbalanced with the front biased downwards. Curved rail members, supported by the trailer framework, engage rollers attached to the rear of the box to control its upward movement. Dual-acting air cylinders are pivotally attached between the trailer framework and the arm members. Retraction of the air cylinders disengages the front of the box from the side rail and allows it to drop, thereby disengaging support from the rear of the box. Expansion of the air cylinder then pivots the attached arm member and box down and outward until the box is exposed. Subsequent retraction of the air cylinder pivots the attached arm member and storage box up and beneath the flatbed trailer. Manual lifting of a handle member on the front of the box engages the rear of the box with the U-frame support and, while so lifted, expansion of the air cylinder reengages the front of the box with the trailer side rail.

An improved tire rack (10, 100) is disclosed for use on any vehicle, but which is particularly suitable for use on a pickup truck (12). Brackets (24, 26 or 130, 131) are mounted on the frame members of the truck and support a rod (28) and arms (32, 36 or 102, 104) for pivotal motion between a storage position and a release position. In the storage position, the spare tire is held horizontally against the bottom of the bed of the truck. When moved to the release position by rotating a worm gear (72) to pivot the sector gear (66) on the rod (28), the tire rack moves the spare tire below and behind the bumper of the vehicle for ready access.

A tire and tool carrier for trucks and the like. The carrier is in the form of a box-like support which is supported under the frame of a truck. It is comprised of a stationary box-like base to which is hinged a rear cover or door. The hinge point is to the rear of the mid-point of the tire in order that the tire may be tipped or moved. A floor of the cover has an arcuate tire positioning flange-like rim which serves to position the tire and also provides corner spaces at the rear and side walls of the cover to provide a storage area for tools. The cover provides a security protection to lock the tire and tools in a completely enclosed and restricted area. A spring means is provided as an assist to the cover in closing it from the open position after the tire is removed.

A spare-wheel carrier is provided for mounting to the underside of a pickup truck adjacent the rear end thereof. The carrier is comprised of an elongated support beam which mounts to the frame of the vehicle in a manner to be disposed parallel to the wheel axles of the vehicle. A cradle frame is suspended from said support beam in a manner such that it can be pivoted downwardly and rotated rearwardly of the vehicle to facilitate easy access. A coil spring counteracts the downward force of the cradle frame. A locking mechanism ensures against unauthorized removal of a tire stored within said cradle frame.