Spare tire thefts?

[VJT]

I ordered 22 JL on 12-23-21; still waiting. I was wondering if appreciable number of incidents regarding spare tire thefts? I ordered Mopar lug nuts.

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[Deke]

I'm probably in the minority here but I think locking lug nuts are worthless. Easily defeated by a cheap universal socket.

Edit: I have not, nor do I know anyone who has had a spare tire stolen.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I'm with Deke. The McGard clover leaf type lug locks are just an inconvenience for you. Not so much for the thief.

The way they are defeated is so simple that it doesn't even slow down the thief. A 12 point socket that is slightly smaller than the lock is driven over it with a blow from a hammer and then unscrewed. It's done so fast that a simple vinyl tire cover would have the same security.

 

[OldBlue]

I look at them as cheap insurance. We don't often leave our Jeeps where someone could easily steel the spare, but I have McGard wheel locks on them anyhow. Cheap enough, and will stop many thieves.

 

[MilkSteak]

Thieves will be able to get just about anything. But make it a little harder for them and they might think twice

 

[BDinTX]

I've not heard of any spare tire thefts from Jeeps, I think it's more likely they'd take ALL of them vs just one, or the entire vehicle. I had a neighbor come out to find their SUV sitting on blocks. The thieves didn't even bring their own blocks, those were taken from the flower bed of a different neighbor.

The police said the crooks had probably ID'd the vehicle some time ago and listed the wheels for sale. When somebody paid for them, they went and stole the wheels to "fulfil the order". I've seen similar stories in the news for third row seats that are no longer manufactured.

Locking lugs may help but if they want your wheels they'd would figure out a way to defeat them before they come back to snatch take them. Or... odds are pretty good you would keep the key in your glovebox or center console too so they might just bust your window looking for the key.

Thieves suck.

 

[dsgrey]

I've heard of all 4 or 5 being stolen but never just the spare. Not much use for a single wheel/tire unless it's an exact match for your Jeep and you ruined one.

 

[BDinTX]

I've heard of all 4 or 5 being stolen but never just the spare. Not much use for a single wheel/tire unless it's an exact match for your Jeep and you ruined one.

To add to this... I'd like to think a jeeper wouldn't knowingly do that to another jeeper. Buying a set of 5 used wheels online, you probably wouldn't know they were stolen.

 

[Headbarcode]

When cutting through the shifty neighborhoods, I've seen sheathed cables and locks that were weaved through the wheel and the carrier. They were thick enough cables that would require a set of larger bolt cutters that wouldn't stow unseen in someone's backpack.

 

[Roky]

For one thing, there better be more than one thief, otherwise if someone takes my spare off by themselves will likely find themselves laying under it…….? ……. But yeah, even though it’s hackable, I still have lock lugs on, I just don’t want to be the one with the path of least resistance in the parking lot……..

 

[Steel8083]

I've been on this board a little over a year and I can only recall one spare being stolen.

 

[garyji]

I've got the Gorilla's. a little insurance and peace of mind, but . . . if they want em they are going to get em.

G.

 

[StrykerMP]

I always replace the stock chrome lug nuts with a complete set of Gorilla black splined lug nuts on our Jeep purchases. This provides a little more security with 23 keyed splined lug nuts. Though I admit this is just as much for looks as it is for security, as I do not like chrome lug nuts on black wheels.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I just say no to lug locks. I figure having them would bite me out in the boonies someday before not having them would bite me. At least I have insurance for the latter and it's likely to be in a place where I can get an Uber.

 

[mnjeeper]

For one thing, there better be more than one thief, otherwise if someone takes my spare off by themselves will likely find themselves laying under it…….? ……. But yeah, even though it’s hackable, I still have lock lugs on, I just don’t want to be the one with the path of least resistance in the parking lot……..

Had that thought as well. I think it would be easier to steal my Jeep and take all 5 later in a controlled setting.

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