An automated hoist for a vehicle spare tire includes a linear bracket mounted beneath the vehicle chassis, proximal the rear bumper. A motorized housing can be automatically propelled backward or forward along the bracket. A retractable cable extending from the housing has a lifting plate at a distal end that is connected to the spare tire. When a driver engages a switch, the cable partially lowers the spare tire and the housing moves toward the rear of the vehicle. The cable is then completely lowered until the tire is at ground level and the lifting-plate automatically releases the tire.

A reconfigurable bed rack system and methods of manufacture and use that is dynamic, adaptable, lightweight, and easy to install are provided. The bed rack system may include a plurality of U-shaped modular telescoping support structures that allow for a height adjustment to the rack without uninstalling the rack from the truck bed. Through the telescoping feature of the U-shaped support structures, a height dimension of the bed rack system may be increased or decreased. One or more side and/or upper rails may extend between the plurality of U-shaped modular telescoping supports for attaching one or more mounting brackets to secure equipment, tools and/or supplies to the bed rack system. The rack system may also include a tire hoist bracket assembly including a hoisting system to store a spare tire against an upper, inner surface of the rack system.

An apparatus, system, and related methods for holding and maneuvering an industrial vehicle spare tire include a tire support positioned on an industrial vehicle. An industrial vehicle tire is removably securable to the tire support, wherein the tire support has at least two independently adjustable threaded members for controlling engagement of the tire support and the industrial vehicle tire. A winch is positioned proximate to the gate of the industrial vehicle. At least one pulley is positioned above the tire support, wherein at least one winch cable is connected between the winch and the at least one pulley.

A system for accessing a wheel of a vehicle includes a support, a carrier, and a hinge joint. The support is affixed in a recess of a vehicle bed, and is positioned below the surface of the vehicle bed. The carrier is configured to be affixed to the wheel. When the carrier is affixed to the wheel, both the carrier and the wheel are accommodated in the recess and move as a substantially rigid body. The hinge joint couples the support and the carrier. The hinge joint has an axis substantially parallel to the ground and laterally across the vehicle bed. The carrier is capable of rotating about the hinge joint. The carrier and the wheel are capable of being rotated about the hinge joint out of the recess and onto the vehicle bed. One or more rotational elements may be included to affect rotational motion of the carrier.

A reconfigurable bed rack system and methods of manufacture and use that is dynamic, adaptable, lightweight, and easy to install are provided. The bed rack system may include a plurality of U-shaped modular telescoping support structures that allow for a height adjustment to the rack without uninstalling the rack from the truck bed. Through the telescoping feature of the U-shaped support structures, a height dimension of the bed rack system may be increased or decreased. One or more side and/or upper rails may extend between the plurality of U-shaped modular telescoping supports for attaching one or more mounting brackets to secure equipment, tools and/or supplies to the bed rack system. The rack system may also include a tire hoist bracket assembly including a hoisting system to store a spare tire against an upper, inner surface of the rack system.

Exemplary spare tire cover systems for motor vehicles may include features for assisting in raising/lowering a spare tire to/from a vehicle mounted position. Exemplary system features may include, but are not limited to, a deployable ramp, a wheel stop, a wheel catcher, and a strut assembly for moving the deployable ramp between stowed and deployed positions. The spare tire cover systems may additionally include features designed for increasing the functionality of the system, including but not limited to integrated deployable steps and handrails, lighting, sensors, etc.

A cable hoist system for a spare tire carrier in a vehicle includes a housing; a drive cable; a reel assembly; and a drive mechanism. A first gear assembly of the drive mechanism includes a control plate member connected to a first gear using at least two frangible connectors. The at least two frangible connectors connecting the control plate member and the first gear provides a frangible connection in the first gear assembly such that, when the first gear assembly is subject to a force exceeding a predetermined value caused by momentum of a spare tire applied through the reel assembly and a second gear of a second gear assembly, the at least two frangible connectors break to allow the first gear to move relative to the control plate member such that the second gear and the reel assembly can rotate to allow for pay out of the drive cable.

A tire storage device includes a base plate, a frame, and a storage container. The base plate secures the device to the frame of a semi-truck behind the cab. The storage container is also coupled to the base plate and includes a door and latch to provide selective access to an internal volume for the storage and access of tools used to facilitate changing tires on the truck. The frame supports one or more wheels. A lifting mechanism is included to raise and lower the wheels to and from the ground. A motor is selectively operated to facilitate movement. A guard is optionally included to maintain hoses at safe distances from the storage device.

A spare tire mount that defines an internal storage space. The internal storage space provides mounting locations for a compressor and air tank assembly.

A wheel jack holder for a vehicle may include a holder base having at least one sliding member formed at each of first and second side portions of the holder base, whereby a wheel jack is configured for being placed on the holder base; and a pair of holder arms, each having a sliding rod formed at a first surface thereof, wherein the sliding rod is slidably inserted into a hole of the sliding member. The pair of holder arms may move away from each other when receiving force from the wheel jack to be fixed to a wheel rim of a wheel.