Well then there is a decision to make for some people. I personally just open the back door and stand up to reach an item on my rack or open a side door and step back on top of the tire from there. It's always sumpthin!
I use this rack more than I do the top rack for most daily trips but I like both. I will be hauling a second spare on most long trips and I just take it down from the side. I place it at the front of my rack for weight distribution and so I can reach the lighter weight camping gear in a water resistant bag at the back. I can't lift a 35 inch tire on a Hutchinson rim and go down a ladder but I can slide it off the side and try to do a controlled drop!
This old standard picture is how mine looks loaded.
I use this rack more than I do the top rack for most daily trips but I like both. I will be hauling a second spare on most long trips and I just take it down from the side. I place it at the front of my rack for weight distribution and so I can reach the lighter weight camping gear in a water resistant bag at the back. I can't lift a 35 inch tire on a Hutchinson rim and go down a ladder but I can slide it off the side and try to do a controlled drop!
This old standard picture is how mine looks loaded.