Community Forums

seb1899 · 05-24-2014, 03:57 PM

I searched "spare tire security" but did not see any answers/suggestions.

I carried a spare tire & wheel unsecured on 2 bumper pull trailers and a fiver never had a problem but who would steel a 'Chinese Bomb'?

I now have an expensive Michelin tire and an 8 lug Ford dualie wheel mounted on the back of my Tioga Montara via a Draw-Tite bracket that is secured with a Reese locking pin but I do not know how to secure the tire and wheel that is mounted on it.

I am not worried abour theft when parked at a State Park or private campground but when out for dinner or grocery shopping it gives me pause.

The various 'locking wheel nuts' I have looked at will not work because they could be removed w/vicegrips or the various methods shown on uTube. Some sites say to use a quality cable bicycle lock but bolt cutters can defeat that.

I have seen a couple of lock apparati that cover the bolt but what does everyone here use?

It pi$$es me off to have to look at tire and wheel security but a $200. tire and a $130. wheel would not meet a deductible claim but I just HATE to be stolen from.

Maybe I should get a vanity plate that reads .380 ACP or 9mm kurz.

Does any one here have a solution?

Brockx · 05-24-2014, 04:14 PM

If they want it bad enough, they will get it. A large diameter covered cable and a high quality padlock will turn 99% of them away.

Old Radios · 05-26-2014, 05:36 AM

Ours is locked in a compartment out of sight but the trailer spare is bolted to the trailer and I just use a cable and padlock. Will stop the "Hey there's a wheel, let's grab it" thieves but if a professional thief is out looking nothing will stop them.

mgscott4 · 05-26-2014, 05:44 AM

Locks are designed for honest people. Anybody dishonest, will get it, no matter what you do.

I have a used spare tire (245/70/19.5), no wheel, slid up between my frame rails. I wrapped it in cellophane to keep it clean. It is held in place with 2 tie down straps. If someone wants it more than me, they can have it.

It was a pain to get it up there. Have to do it while laying on your back, using my legs to help lift. It took 2 of us to get it up there.

TQ60 · 05-26-2014, 08:54 AM

Quality cable is difficult if not impossible to cut with bolt cutters.

Use hardened lock and place lock where a bolt cutter cannot get to it.

Also add a SET of locking nuts.

Removing one takes some time and effort but if wheel is secured with 3 bolts and each has lock type nut then effort now much more.

Make sure you touch the key before you depart so you know you have it and where it is.

You will not prevent possibility of theft but you will make yours just too much trouble to mess with

TQ60 · 05-26-2014, 08:58 AM

On our old boat trailer we replaced one of the studs with a longer one of grade 10 that we cross drilled a hole for padlock.

Inside wheel it is difficult to get cutter in there with proper bite.

Now thanks to storage wars they show a grinder used and no lock is imune to that.

The lock in the bolt if short hasp is very difficult to get to and if covered and out of sight then recon difficult.