Spare tire carrier

An apparatus for carrying a vehicle spare tire, said apparatus comprising:

• a swing arm for being pivotably attached to the vehicle at one end and for being pivotable about a pivot axis;
• a pivot arm pivotably attached to the swing arm so as to pivot along a plane parallel to a radius extending from the pivot axis of the swing arm and supporting a spare tire for movement between a raised position wherein the spare tire is located above ground and a lowered position wherein the spare tire substantially contacts the ground;
• a tire support fixedly connected to the pivot arm for mounting the spare tire;
• a mechanism which secures the pivot arm to the swing arm once the pivot arm is substantially parallel to the swing arm;
• a mechanism which secures the swing arm so that it will not pivot;
• and
• a winch which provides a mechanical advantage in pivoting the pivot arm.