A spare wheel catcher in a vehicle comprises a base adapted to be connected on a rear differential and a catcher plate. The base includes a support extending along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle at an assembled position and a connection member; and the catcher plate is connected with a first end of the support and forms an obtuse angle with a forward moving direction of the vehicle.

A vehicle lower portion structure includes a resinous floor panel constituting a vehicle cabin floor surface, and a metallic reinforcing member. The reinforcing member is disposed to be bridged between vehicle skeleton members on a lower side of the floor panel and is configured to support a vehicle-mounted object disposed on the lower side of the floor panel.

A device for absorbing shocks of a liftable and lowerable object such as a spare tire includes a reeling device that contains a hoisting cable, the reeling device rotatably attached to the vehicle chassis, an arresting device that under normal conditions prevents the reeling device from rotating relative to the vehicle chassis but enables the reeling device to rotate relative to the vehicle chassis under crash conditions thereby absorbing significant part of the energy of the shock.

A drawer assembly is provided for mounting beneath the bed of a truck and between the truck frame rails. The assembly includes a housing with an extendable and retractable drawer. The drawer is mounted to the rear bumper of the truck. The drawer can be opened manually, or alternatively, by remote control. The drawer assembly is hidden from view when closed and provides easy access for small objects when opened.

A cradle for a spare tire includes a hub, arms extending from the hub, fasteners configured to secure the spare tire to the cradle, and wheels on the arms to support the cradle for movement. The arms have adjustable radial lengths. The fasteners are adjustable for different tire sizes.

A cradle for a spare tire includes a hub, arms extending from the hub, fasteners configured to secure the spare tire to the cradle, and wheels on the arms to support the cradle for movement. The arms have adjustable radial lengths. The fasteners are adjustable for different tire sizes.

A bumper based tire carrier supports a tire and wheel set. The bumper based tire carrier includes a vehicle bumper that is bolted onto a frame of a vehicle. The vehicle bumper includes a hinge. A single bolt slot is incorporated into the hinge. A tire carrier frame is connected to the hinge with a single bolt inserted through the single bolt slot and an end joint of the tire carrier frame. A tire adapter is also connected to the tire carrier frame. The tire adapter is attached to support the tire and wheel set. Furthermore, a locking mechanism is integrated to the vehicle bumper. The locking mechanism fastens the tire carrier frame to the vehicle bumper.

A bumper based tire carrier supports a tire and wheel set. The bumper based tire carrier includes a vehicle bumper that is bolted onto a frame of a vehicle. The vehicle bumper includes a hinge. A single bolt slot is incorporated into the hinge. A tire carrier frame is connected to the hinge with a single bolt inserted through the single bolt slot and an end joint of the tire carrier frame. A tire adapter is also connected to the tire carrier frame. The tire adapter is attached to support the tire and wheel set. Furthermore, a locking mechanism is integrated to the vehicle bumper. The locking mechanism fastens the tire carrier frame to the vehicle bumper.

A lifting system for generating a lifting force on a portion of a vehicle includes a vehicle wheel and a force-generating mechanism structured to be received inside a rim cavity of the wheel. The force-generating mechanism is also structured to be operably connected to a frame of a vehicle. A bearing member is operably connected to the force-generating mechanism. The bearing member is structured to transmit a force generated by the force-generating mechanism to a surface in physical contact with the bearing member. The bearing member is also structured for operably connecting the wheel to the force-generating mechanism. Force applied by the force-generating mechanism may be sufficient to lift a portion of the vehicle off of a ground surface, or the force may only be sufficient to apply a parking brake force without lifting the vehicle.

A lifting system for generating a lifting force on a portion of a vehicle includes a vehicle wheel and a force-generating mechanism structured to be received inside a rim cavity of the wheel. The force-generating mechanism is also structured to be operably connected to a frame of a vehicle. A bearing member is operably connected to the force-generating mechanism. The bearing member is structured to transmit a force generated by the force-generating mechanism to a surface in physical contact with the bearing member. The bearing member is also structured for operably connecting the wheel to the force-generating mechanism. Force applied by the force-generating mechanism may be sufficient to lift a portion of the vehicle off of a ground surface, or the force may only be sufficient to apply a parking brake force without lifting the vehicle.