A fixing is provided for securing a spare wheel to a structure, for example a part of a vehicle, the fixing including a connector having a lug arranged such that rotation of the fixing relative to the structure moves the lug into a recess of the structure to secure the fixing to the structure; and wherein the connector further includes a resilient articulated arm arranged to act between the fixing and the structure to urge the lug into the recess when the fixing is connected to the structure.

Vehicle tailgate assembly that includes a sill flap and tailgate, where the sill flap has rollers that contact the tailgate while the sill flap and tailgate are opened or closed. The sill flap thus maintains rolling contact with the tailgate during opening and closing operations. In embodiments of the disclosure, the tailgate opens to leave a gap between the edge of the vehicle bed and the edge of the tailgate, and the sill flap is pivoted into this gap. While being pivoted into this open position, the sill flap rollers rotatably contact the tailgate, so that the sill flap maintains rolling contact with the tailgate rather than frictional contact therewith. This prevents damage to the sill flap and tailgate when opened and closed.

A vehicle body rear section includes a rear floor pan (11), a floor pan reinforcement member (20), and a towing load receiving section. The rear floor pan (11) has an upper surface to which the spare tire (16) is fixed. The floor pan reinforcement member (20) is fixed to a lower surface of the rear floor pan (11). The towing load receiving section protrudes downward from a rear section of the rear floor pan (11). The floor pan reinforcement member (20) extends at least partially from a support position of the towing load receiving section toward a front side of a fixed position of the spare tire (16). An easy-deformable portion (22) with lower bending strength than that of front and rear regions is provided in front of the fixed position of the spare tire (16) in a reinforcement region of the rear floor pan (11).

A vehicle body rear section includes a rear floor pan (11), a floor pan reinforcement member (20), and a towing load receiving section. The rear floor pan (11) has an upper surface to which the spare tire (16) is fixed. The floor pan reinforcement member (20) is fixed to a lower surface of the rear floor pan (11). The towing load receiving section protrudes downward from a rear section of the rear floor pan (11). The floor pan reinforcement member (20) extends at least partially from a support position of the towing load receiving section toward a front side of a fixed position of the spare tire (16). An easy-deformable portion (22) with lower bending strength than that of front and rear regions is provided in front of the fixed position of the spare tire (16) in a reinforcement region of the rear floor pan (11).

A vehicle shown herein is a side by side powersports vehicle having a utility bed recessed in the rear body portion below an upper surface, the utility bed forming a stepped portion relative to the rear body portion and having a maximum lateral width greater than a diameter of at least one of the wheels, and a minimum width less than a diameter of at least one of the wheels, whereby a spare wheel may be stored on the stepped portion of the utility bed. As shown herein, the utility bed is defined as a removable tub, which can be removed from the rear body portion. The utility bed has defined troughs in a floor thereof angled rearwardly wherein the utility bed has drains which drain away from any heat source of the vehicle. The seats of the vehicle allow longitudinal movement and tilt capability.

A vehicle shown herein is a side by side powersports vehicle having a utility bed recessed in the rear body portion below an upper surface, the utility bed forming a stepped portion relative to the rear body portion and having a maximum lateral width greater than a diameter of at least one of the wheels, and a minimum width less than a diameter of at least one of the wheels, whereby a spare wheel may be stored on the stepped portion of the utility bed. As shown herein, the utility bed is defined as a removable tub, which can be removed from the rear body portion. The utility bed has defined troughs in a floor thereof angled rearwardly wherein the utility bed has drains which drain away from any heat source of the vehicle. The seats of the vehicle allow longitudinal movement and tilt capability.

A vehicle body structure includes a rear floor panel on which a spare tire is placed at a predetermined position, an electric component fixed on the rear floor panel, and a cover member that is fixed on the rear floor panel and covers the electric component, wherein the cover member includes an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the rear floor panel so as to collide with the spare tire pushed out from the predetermined position, load durability of the rear floor panel is lower than load durability of the cover member, and a space into which the electric component is pushed is provided below the electric component with the rear floor panel interposed between the space and the electric component.

A vehicle body structure includes a rear floor panel on which a spare tire is placed at a predetermined position, an electric component fixed on the rear floor panel, and a cover member that is fixed on the rear floor panel and covers the electric component, wherein the cover member includes an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the rear floor panel so as to collide with the spare tire pushed out from the predetermined position, load durability of the rear floor panel is lower than load durability of the cover member, and a space into which the electric component is pushed is provided below the electric component with the rear floor panel interposed between the space and the electric component.

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 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.