Spare Tire Carrier for 2009 Tacoma PreRunner

Hello. I was wondering if there is a better way to manage the spare tire carrier on my Tacoma. For those of us who have had to change a flat tire (especially in the dark), it is a royal pain to lower the spare tire using the "tool" the truck comes with. It's hard enough to get that metal rod through the bumper portal and then try to "latch" it onto the eye-hook to lower the spare.

There had to be an easier way to manage the spare tire other than keeping the spare tire in the bed. Would appreciate all comments and suggestions.
Thank you, Ben

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/so...6-pelfreybilt-fabrication-58.html#post6509102

Or a tire gate.

 

Do you have a picture of a tire gate? Thanks for the response.

 

Do you mind loosing bed space?