You are correct on both of those... Now way I'd offroad with the tire underneath, but for daily driving a swing out sucks and on the roof is A to much of a pain to get down and back up and B to much weight up high.....
Keeping a few large tire bags inside the truck somewhere can always save you if mud is a problem. Weathertech liners look like another good alternative
Just let me know. I have parts ready to go. I can offer it $30 cheaper if you have somebody that can weld. I will mark all parts where they should be welded on.
I have been debating on making a removable interior spare tire mount for my Hi-Lift mount. Here is how I designed my Hi-Lift mount. Super easy to access and out of the way. It would be pretty easy to incorporate a spare tire mount but I just haven't committed to having the spare inside the cargo area yet. Feel free to use any part of the design.
I haven't made the tire mount yet but this would be what it would look like with the tire in the cargo area.