Just another WHAT IS IT thread

[ponytug]

The Taco Wagon has basically the same setup - without the lock. I lowered the spare down a bit to clean around it - this summer.

Man - I sure hope I never have a flat. That big 'ol tire is very heavy.

I question the need for a lock on the spare tire "system". I just can't picture somebody squatting down and operating the lift system just to steal the spare tire.

Depends on where you park your truck. At today's tire prices, it is an easy, and pretty anonymous theft. Friends have lost them stopped at a diner in transit.

All the best,

Peter

 

[mjonesnh]

The Taco Wagon has basically the same setup - without the lock. I lowered the spare down a bit to clean around it - this summer.

Man - I sure hope I never have a flat. That big 'ol tire is very heavy.

I question the need for a lock on the spare tire "system". I just can't picture somebody squatting down and operating the lift system just to steal the spare tire.

Happened to me. 1988 Chevy, working evening shift. got off work, get in truck and take off down road. Sparks following me, pull over. Someone let my spare tire carrier down and stole my spare. Had to go buy used wheel and tire to have spare. Way beyond pissed off.

 

[tallyho8]

That has absolutely nothing to do with your spare tire it unleashes another 150 horsepower.

I wish!

 

[George2615]

Happened to me. 1988 Chevy, working evening shift. got off work, get in truck and take off down road. Sparks following me, pull over. Someone let my spare tire carrier down and stole my spare. Had to go buy used wheel and tire to have spare. Way beyond pissed off.

That's why his has a lock where a key is required to remove it. If key isn't removed you can't access the device that lowers the spare.

 

[mrmikey]

Never having moved since 2012 I don't think the lock is even necessary. I'm thinking chances of getting it down using anything other than a grinder or torch is going to be pretty near impossible. If there's any air in the tire and if the rim isn't rusted beyond use.

 

[Oaktree]

What do prophylactics have to do with a flat tire?

Wow, I haven't heard condoms referred to as rubbers since I was in high school back in the 60s. Didn't think anyone still used that term.
Guy I worked with at a summer job when I was a teenager kept referring to finding "beetle skins" on the ground near his property (apparently a lovers lane). Took a while to figure out what he meant, he's the only person I ever knew who called them that.

Depends on where you park your truck. At today's tire prices, it is an easy, and pretty anonymous theft. Friends have lost them stopped at a diner in transit.

Never really gave that much thought. I've lost a couple spare tires over the years due to the suspension cable rusting away, but I sure noticed it when they fell off!!
While my truck doesn't have the spare lock, I did notice it on some when I was truck shopping last summer. It does have a tailgate lock.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^^^
I lost the spare in my company truck a few years ago just after I left my driveway; the entire frame crossmember it was attached to broke lose. The truck was 3 years old and ironically, I was headed to the office where it was going to be appraised for a trade-in.

 

[tallyho8]

I had a spare stolen a long time ago. I had a 1988 Ford Ranger 4 wheel drive Supercab and the spare was mounted to a bracket in the bed of the truck.

I needed a toolbox but I had to relocate my spare to put the toolbox in my bed. I simply put the spare under the toolbox and then when I bolted the toolbox down to the bed it tightened up the spare making it impossible hard to remove. The thief must have been awful strong because he pulled the spare out.

I had taken it out once to turn the valve around to make it accessible to check the air pressure in the tire. The only way I could get it out was to loosen the bolts that held the toolbox to the bed. The toolbox had to be opened to get to the bolts so no one could loosen them to take the toolbox or the spare, or so I thought.

 

[Jstpssng]

I had taken it out once to turn the valve around to make it accessible

As I was reading your first two paragraphs I wondered where the valve stem was. Stealing the tire was simple; he simply pulled the valve core and let the air out.

 

[tallyho8]

As I was reading your first two paragraphs I wondered where the valve stem was. Stealing the tire was simple; he simply pulled the valve core and let the air out.

I have to admit that I didn't think of that.