Silly question: What is this??- 1997 toyota tacoma

Hi there, sorry for the silly question, but this is the first time I've owned a tacoma, or any truck for that matter, and I have NO idea what this dangling cable behind the rear axle is. It just seems like it shouldn't be dangling like that. Thank you!

 

Spare tire hanger

 

Thank you, that makes a ton of sense now

 

yup , mine has a security lock that has to be inserted before you can roll it up....personally I like how the truck looks with out the tire.

 

Here in the great Rust Belt I have yet to have any that ever worked.

Last thing I want to do is crawl under there to check the air in the spare or need to remove it laying in the dirt and mud.

 

It sucks to do even on a new truck. It would be a miracle if my taco's spare tire crank system would work.