How to unlatch the spare tire after the winch is let down

SOURCE: spare tire

I had the same problem with my 99 Grand Caravan SE and found this solution on a different site. It worked immediately. I used my hip to take the weight off the tire by laying under it sideways (because I don't have a third hand or a helper). Below is a cut/paste from the other site. Good luck!

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There is a safety catch on the plastic wench bracket for the dog bone.
Here is how to fix it:
The tire will lower about 2 inches then stop. Lower the cable another couple of inches. Lie on your back under the tire and lift weight off the cable. With your third hand (get a helper - I used one hand to lift the tire) reach up and over the tire to the wench down tube. You will feel a wire connected to a square piece of metal. Pull on that metal piece, it should pop back for you releasing the tire.(You may have to pull up-and-out if it has a little rust on it.)
While you have the tire down, clean up the mechanism and apply some grease.

PS Make sure the spare has 60lbs of air before using it.

SOURCE: How do I release the spare tire from under my van? 94 Dodge Caravan

It is underneath the van at the back. Open the rear hatch door and look for a little piece of carpet cut in a square on the right side. Lift that and there should be a bolt there that you can turn with the tire wrench. That will lower the tire.

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SOURCE: the spare tire will not come down but the cable runs freely

the tire has probably never been taken down kick it pry it yank on it !!!!!! its probably just stuck

SOURCE: Spare tire location?

With the new 2008 models, the spare tire was moved from the rear of the van to a spot below the front seats. The lug for the tire winch is located under a round cover in the floor just in front of and between the two front seats. If you look under the van, you will see the black tire-shaped cover for the spare.

SOURCE: How to release the spare tire

I will tell you how to remove the tire but it is a difficult task, best done at a tire repair shop where they have a lift so they are not working on their back. There is a spring-loaded, wire actuated metal clip that holds the
spare from dropping.
It actually prevents the mushroomed end of the plastic sleeve on the
tire cable from passing. You have to loosen the tire, then reach in
with your hand and squeeze the clip with one hand, and angle the
plastic sleeve with the other to release the tire. After I got mine
down, I took the wire piece out. I think the wire piece was supposed
to be some kind of release, but it doesn't work very well.