How do you remove spare tire?

Is there any way to remove the chain from the winch system? I swear thats the clinking noise I keep hearing when I go over bumps. I don't run my spare under the bed anymore so the chain just hangs there

 

Why not just undo the 4 bolts holding the whole lift assembly to the crossmember?

 

Same issue today at the tire shop. I wanted to replace my 245/75/16 with an equivalent to 285/70/17 . I used the rods to lower the tire, couldn't see without a flashlight and the rods kept coming apart.
When I got home I drilled holes in the rods so the thumb screws are more like bolts than thumb tighteners. Rod does come apart unless I want it to.
Stem down , spare is 285/75/16 $31 tire and installation cdn

 

For those of you who are wondering why your spare should be stowed with the outside facing up; this protects the valve stem from damage by road (or off-road) debris. If you flip it over and it's that much easier for you to get to it, it is also that much easier for anything (or anybody) else to get to it. I was going to flip mine over and then I thought, "Why tempt fate?" Just a thought for those wishing to be cautious.

 

With it flipped you give stowaway animals a nice dry safe place to ride, make a nest & make baby animals.....why would you deny them that?