Abstract: A tire carrier assembly includes a rotation shaft and a housing have a bottom wall including a first aperture for receiving the rotation shaft. The housing also includes a sidewall extending upward from the bottom wall defining an interior space. The sidewall includes inner and outer surfaces. A sheave is disposed within the interior space of the housing and has a second aperture that receives the rotation shaft. The sheave also includes a gear member associated with it. Also included is a torque plate having a base, the base having opposing first and second surfaces and a third aperture formed therein. The third aperture has a gear portion formed around a periphery of the aperture. The torque plate also includes an arm portion projecting radially from the base. The gear portion of the torque plate is in operable engagement with the gear member of the sheave.

Abstract: In one aspect a pick-up truck comprises a truck body with a rear cargo bed and a stowable access step mounted for movement between a stowed position and an extended position. The access step has a tread portion dimensioned to receive at least one human foot and can be used, at least in the extended position, for stepping up for better access to the cargo bed. Optionally, the stowable access step is configured to form, in the stowed position, a portion of a running board. One or more stowable access steps can be provided on each side of the cargo bed. In another aspect, a stowable access step assembly is provided, having a first mounting structure configured to be fixedly integrated with the bed of a pick-up truck and a second mounting structure mounted for sliding or other movement relative to the first mounting structure. The access step is integral with the second mounting structure and moveable with the second mounting structure between an extended position and a stowed position.