Abstract: A quick release apparatus mounted on or within the rear bumper of an automotive vehicle for releasing a spare tire located behind the rear wheels and subjacent the undercarriage includes a winch assembly that includes a drum housing a cable coiled upon a rotatable spoke extending through drum with the spare tire resting on and supported by a crossbar and the distal cable end extending through the center of the tire for attachment to the crossbar with the winch assembly also including a pivotal handle having a winch key and a release button so that setting the winch key disengages a ratchet mechanism mounted within the drum and interconnected to the spoke whereupon pressing the release button actuates the unwinding of the cable and the lowering of the spare tire.