What the purpose of this cross brace?

[scorpion]

It's the cross brace closer to the rear than the actual crossmember (halfway between the crossmember an the rear bumper).  It's attached with one 1/4" fastener on either side and is bowed (the bow looks uniform).  It was above the spare tire.  Given the single small fastener per side, it can't be structural.  My guess is it gives the spare a second thing to be sucked up into.  Anyone know?

[Jason S]

I'm fairly certain it's just for the spare tire on a longbed truck.  On my shortbed, the spare is up against the rear crossmember.

[slammed79]

Yep. Spare tire brace.