Remove the spare tire under a truck by using the wheel wrench and extension through the access hole, turning counterclockwise until the tire lowers to the ground.
Several pickup owners only discover the spare hoist while stuck on a shoulder at dusk. The process is mechanical, but clearance makes it an arm workout and stiff hardware can stall you. Whether you drive a Ram 2500, a GM full-size, or a vehicle with the spare tucked beneath the cargo area, the routine follows a similar sequence: locate the winch, insert the wrench, and rotate counterclockwise until the tire reaches the ground.
Where The Hoist Access Point Is
The spare tire access hole sits at different spots depending on the vehicle. For Ram 2500/3500 trucks, the owner manual directs you to reach between thelower tailgate and the bumper to find the winch tube. On some Kia models, you open theliftgate and remove afixing-bolt cover inside the cargo floor. GM full-size trucks commonly use abumper-level access hole that lines up with the hoist mechanism.
Check the owner manual when the hole isn’t obvious. The exact location, extension length, and tool design change with the model year.
The Step-By-Step Removal Process
You need three things before starting: the wheel wrench, the extension tubes (both usually live in the jack kit), and enough light to see what you’re doing. Remove the spare before you jack up the truck — this is a stated rule in the official Ram procedure.
- Open or remove anything blocking the access hole. Drop the tailgate or open the liftgate. Some vehicles also need a lock cover or spare tire lock removed first.
- Assemble the wrench and extension. Attach the lug wrench to the extension tubes, making sure the fit is fully seated. The wrong end or a loose connection won’t engage the winch.
- Insert through the access hole into the winch tube. Line the assembly up straight; angling it prevents the wrench from grabbing the mechanism.
- Rotate counterclockwise until the spare hits the ground. Keep turning with even pressure — don’t over-rotate, as the carrier can be damaged if you force it past the stop.
- Pull the tire out from under the truck. It hangs by a cable and retainer at the wheel’s center.
- Tilt the tire to release the retainer. Angle the wheel and slide the retaining piece out through the center hole. On a Ram, this tilt-and-remove step clears the retainer without rejigging the cable.
This sequence comes from the factory procedure for Ram 2500/3500 trucks, where the manual calls for the wheel wrench and extension tubes inserted through the access hole between the tailgate and bumper to rotate the winch counterclockwise.
When The Spare Won’t Lower
The hoist seizes when the cable binds or the mechanism sits covered in road grime. If the winch won’t turn, check that you’re using the correct extension end; some kits include two lengths and only one fits the hoist. For vehicles where the spare sits under the cargo floor, a stuck fixing bolt means the lock cover or lock itself has to come off before the wrench will seat correctly.
When the lowering mechanism won’t budge, spray the winch tube opening with penetrating oil and let it sit for ten minutes before trying again. The best replacement truck spare tires usually arrive as full kits, but if the original hoist is rusted solid, you may want to replace the entire mechanism rather than wrestling it each season.
Reinstalling The Spare
Putting the tire back requires reversing the steps with one added caution: keep thecable tight and the retainer aligned while raising it to prevent backlashing or binding. Slide the retainer through the wheel center, tilt the tire into place under the truck, then rotate the wrenchclockwise until you feel the hoist seat firmly. Give the wrench a few extra turns to rest the tire snugly. You should hear the winch stop clicking or feel resistance when the tire is fully seated.
| Vehicle Type | Access Location | Key Caution |
|---|---|---|
| Ram 2500/3500 | Between tailgate and bumper | Remove spare before jacking |
| Kia (under cargo area) | Liftgate, fixing-bolt cover | Remove lock cover first |
| GM full-size trucks/SUVs | Bumper-level access hole | Keep cable tight when raising |
If the under-truck hoist design, access-hole placement, or included tool lengths differ from what this article describes, the owner manual for your exact model is the ground truth. And when you’re ready to upgrade that aging spare or want a rugged full-size backup, our tested roundup of the best truck spare tires breaks down which holds up best on gravel, highway, and in the carrier.
FAQs
Do I need to jack the truck before removing the spare?
No — lower the spare to the ground before jacking the truck. The factory Ram procedure explicitly states you should remove the spare tire before attempting to jack up the truck, and the hoist mechanism works fine with the vehicle sitting level on all four wheels.
Which way do I turn the wrench to lower the spare?
Turn counterclockwise to lower and clockwise to raise.
What if my spare tire won’t come down all the way?
Stop forcing it. Over-rotating can damage the spare tire carrier. Pull the wrench and check the cable for binding or a snagged retainer — keeping the cable tight while lowering usually prevents this. Reinsert the wrench and try a slower, even rotation; if it still sticks, penetrating oil on the winch tube is the next step.
References & Sources
- Ram Trucks Owner Manual (2022 2500/3500). “Vehicle Maintenance: Spare Tire Removal.” Documents the access hole location, counterclockwise rotation, and cable/retainer removal steps.
- Ram Trucks Owner Manual (2022 2500/3500). “Pre-Jack Procedure.” States to remove the spare before jacking and covers over-rotation and cable-binding cautions.
- U.S. Army Manual. “Wheel and Tire Maintenance.” Details hoist operation for GM-style underbody spare carriers, including extension use and retainer alignment.