I'm still futzing around with my tire carrier. I made a handle and latch arrangement that works well enough to make me think I might get the carrier and bumper project finally finished.

The handle does seem to stick out a bit, but when the spare tire is mounted it will come down close to the handle and I wanted the handle easy to get a hold of.

https://shufti.wordpress.com/2015/04/03/vanagon-rear-bumper-swing-away-tire-carrier-latch/

Alistair