Abstract: An underfloor spare tire stowage or carrier assembly for a vehicle of the type having a relatively short rear overhang of the body behind the rear wheels. A tire cradle of bent rod construction directly supports the tire and consists of crossed arm portions which extend under the tire to provide vertical support. The rearward parts of the arm portions are integrally formed in bent rod fashion to provide vertical portions which position the tire horizontally and prevent its rearward movement. The forward parts of the arm portions are connected to guide members which are slidably mounted upon spaced parallel legs of a tire cradle support. The tire cradle support is also of bent rod construction and defines a generally U-shaped member including the spaced parallel legs which are pivoted at their forward ends to part of the vehicle frame. Handle means projecting through an opening in the trunk floor supports the rearward portions of the tire cradle and the support.

Abstract: A vehicle spare tire carrier and stowage assembly for supporting a tire beneath the floor and to the rear of the axle. The tire is supported in a generally box-like structure having a bottom, side walls, a front end wall but with an open top and rear ends. The support structure is hinge-mounted at the top edge of the forward end wall for selective lowering of the rear portion by a handled actuator which is attached at a rearward portion of the tire support and projects through an opening in the vehicle floor. Once the rear portion of the tire support engages the ground, the tire is easily slid rearward to clear the vehicle overhang by application of a rearward force to the end of a flexible plastic strip member which extends beneath and around the forward end of the tire and is attached at the other end to the vehicle forward of the rear bumper.