Spare tire lifting system

A system for accessing a wheel of a vehicle includes a bracket, a bracket, and a hinge. The support is secured in a recess in a vehicle bed and is positioned below the surface of the vehicle bed. The carrier is configured to be attached to the wheel. When the carrier is attached to the wheel, both the carrier and the wheel are received 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 which runs essentially parallel to the floor and laterally over the vehicle loading area. The carrier is able to rotate about the hinge joint. The bracket and wheel are capable of pivoting about the hinge out of the recess and onto the vehicle bed. One or more rotating elements can be included in order to influence a rotating movement of the carrier.