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Preventing theft of a tailgate mounted spare

33K views 107 replies 74 participants last post by  jameyg03 
#1 ·
Hi there! Just curious what my options would be to keep a spare tire/wheel from being stolen off the back of my soon-to-be Jeep? As soon as my new Rubicon shows, it will be getting some XD Series wheels with 35" Nitto tires. I got to pondering today & realized I will have a good bit invested in my spare that will be hanging fom the back. I would really hate to see it walk! :facepalm:


Should this be a concern? What is everyone else doing? Thanks.
 
#4 ·
Up to how much you want to spend really , you can buy one locking nut or three locking nuts

Also a cable lock not really for keeping a thief away but more of a big visual deterrent and slow down piece

So really you can do one of your liking or do all of them , but that is up to you and where you live and work

Me just a cable lock , not many 5x5 lug patterns and xd bully wheels out there
 
#8 ·
I see this question a lot but never met a person who had a spare stolen. Plus have you considered the weight of that Nitto? One of the heaviest 35s out there. (X2 on the tire carrier or new hinge.) Consider that as your theft deterrent. Try hefting 90 lbs of wheel/tire into a truck or Jeep.
Whatever you do- make sure you can get the locking mechanism OFF when you need to. The last two times I wheeled people had flats and no wheel lock key. Can you say hammer? Don't want to do that to your XDs.
 
#10 ·
This is what I use....simple and works perfect against all but the most determined thief, and if they want it then pretty much nothing will stop them from getting your spare.

I use a cable lock along with the factory lock lug...which is pretty much useless.
 
#12 ·
Locks Keep honest people honest and just make thieves damage the vehicle stealing the item. Insurance protects the owner.
 
#17 ·
3 locking lug nuts and a cable lock. Make it as hard as possible they will just pass on stealing your and move on to a easier one.
 
#19 ·
A good cable lock is surprisingly difficult to cut. Normal padlocks are very easy to cut, cables cant be cut with bolt cutters easily. Keep that lock lubed. My dad had a lock on a spare on an f150. Blew a tire couldnt get lock unlocked. Bahahahaha......

A very heavy tire might kill the thief. Lol.

Locking lugs can be defeated by tightening the two lugs next to the lock. Often this allows the lock to be loosened by hand. Solution? All lugs locking.

Have you folks considered that the wrangler soft top makes it the least secure vehicle on the market in the first place?
 
#24 ·
The Jeep Soft Top is the least secure vehicle, till you put in a Full Blooded German trained Rottweiler that weighs 148lbs. Then it is the most secured vehicle in town. I dare someone to try to get in my Jeep Soft Top, when "Hoss" is in it. If they want to live till their next B-day, they better stay away from it. As he likes to lay down in the rear where he cannot be seen, till its too late.
 
#27 ·
keeping the honest people honest

If someone wants your spare they are going to get it!

I have just one Gorilla locking lug nut on one of the 3 studs. That will keep the honest people from stealing my spare.

For the guy/gal that is not honest I believe the spare tire mount on my Jeep is plastic. I don't think any lug lock or wire strap is going to keep a thief from getting my spare.
 
#30 ·
If someone wants your spare they are going to get it!

I have just one Gorilla locking lug nut on one of the 3 studs. That will keep the honest people from stealing my spare.

For the guy/gal that is not honest I believe the spare tire mount on my Jeep is plastic. I don't think any lug lock or wire strap is going to keep a thief from getting my spare.

Its cast aluminum. And heavier than stock tires dont belong on it. Of course i have a 33x12.5 on mine....lol
 
#28 ·
I have a set of Gorilla spline lug nuts. They came in a package of 23, so they replaced every stock one, including the 3 on the spare.

They may not completely prevent a determined thief but not doing anything at all is like someone saying that a professional thief will find a way into your house, whether you lock the door or not, so just leave it unlocked.
 
#32 ·
Without a doubt ... it happens. I am the person that it will usually happen to. Bad luck follows me everywhere I go. :surrender:

Thanks to everyone who has provided great ideas. I am most definitely going to try to come up with something for locking up my spare.
 
#33 ·
Hi there! Just curious what my options would be to keep a spare tire/wheel from being stolen off the back of my soon-to-be Jeep? As soon as my new Rubicon shows, it will be getting some XD Series wheels with 35" Nitto tires. I got to pondering today & realized I will have a good bit invested in my spare that will be hanging fom the back. I would really hate to see it walk! :facepalm:

Should this be a concern? What is everyone else doing? Thanks.
Get one of these
http://www.news9.com/story/22132639/7-foot-alligator-found-in-car-on-tulsa-college-campus
 
#36 ·
My spare just got stolen 4 weeks ago from out behind my office, and it was on my mind to get it locked up. Grrr...
I'm not too bummed because the tire was pretty sun rotted anyhow and I was able to get a matching stock rim that night on CL for $50. Slapped a new tire on a few days later. I guess it was a good thing that I only had 4 tires replaced 2 months ago instead of all 5.
The other thing that I learned was-there are PLENTY of stock rim sets all over CL for cheap. Some unmounted and some with good rubber ready to go. So I think I'll be sticking to the stock rims and not worry if I tear one up on the trail. For me it's more economical(ha) than getting super duty off roaders.
I'll be looking into the gorilla lugs and that lug lock that was mentioned as well. But for now my spare stays in the garage unless I'm hitting dirt. I'm not scared of driving around town without the spare.
 
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