Nick02Ram

Hmm, maybe the 35" spare I got cranked up under there isn't the best idea.... But I've heard a lot of guys coat their cable in grease or spray it down with PB every once ina while to keep it from rusting away. The chain/cable lock isn't a half bad idea though, might have to try that. When I worked for the city I picked up I don't even remember how many spares off of the road.

mopar-or-no-car

I have had my spare out several times and checked the cable. I also have heard of many people losing there spares that way and seen videos of it on you tube.

The way I see it better safe then sorry, for $15 I can put a cable lock on and have a little extra piece of mind that my spare can't come off and potentially kill someone. Or am I just wasting my time.

CarlJensen

Not wasting money on a cable and it keeps a thief from stealing the spare also!

96_12V

Found mine frozen in place about 2 years ago while it was up on a lift. Cut if off with a torch and replaced the retractor unit itself. Put it all back up there and topped off with a cable lock going around the frame. This needs to be done as an added precaution. As far as people "not wasting money on a cable" you'll waste a lot more money when a lawsuit is filed when your spare tire goes through someone's windshield.

supr

I have 2 trucks. Each has a chain & lock on the spare, for safaety and also theft. I was chnging the diff fluid on the Nissan and could not get the lube bottles up without taking off the spare. The spare had not been down since I got the truck in 02. It took a lot of WD40 and some words to get it working.
Better in my driveway than the side of the road in the rain, or 20 miles in the back country of West Texas(AS in "No Country for Old Men").
Should proably take the spare down once a year for PM of the winch, make sure things are right.

Danderson

No rust in San Diego either. Thirty Baja trips on average lightweight fisherman roads did it in.

bostiguy

I had no idea I could stuff a 35" up there. I always carry mine in my bed which sucks, it takes too much room.

pwregan,
which highway?? 495??

scottsjeeprolet

I hit some bumps and my truck jumped. Looked in the mirror to see my spare steel dual tire rolling down the road.
The triangular steel piece that goes through the center of the tire broke. Very dangerous in my opinion!

s-cube

My truck's cable has had plenty of use and periodic inspection. The tires just seem to pick up way too many nails and screws.

Nick02Ram

You gotta mess with it, but I got it up there pretty tight. It is a bit too wide for the frame, so it'll hang lower on one side, but mine's tucked up pretty decent.

Clunk

Thanks for the reminder...I'll check mine this week.

pop99

Lost mine one time on a 2 day old 97 3/4 ton. Jumped the divider and hit 2 cars and a buss !! Insureance had several thousand dollars of damages to take care of.

bigjohn862

I replaced some parts on mine that were rusted,but i still lower it grease it and check air in spare.

cody_d

Mine was in the bed I bought the truck, the cable is free of rust, but frayed.