General Spare Wheel Nicked

[davemcd]

Hello

I have just had my spare wheel stolen from my Doblo. This was done without releasing the bolt from inside the boot and no damage seems to have been done to the carrier. I think they must have let the tyre down which enabled them to unhook the carrier. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding making the spare wheel more secure other than putting it in the boot.

Apart from that I still think it is the best value car on the road.

Regards

David

 

[alfavan]

GRRRRRRR I've just had my passenger mirror kicked off my Vectra by some little :devil: 'er so I'm on guard.

I remember seeing jeeps and other rural cars with chains hanging down from the spare wheel years ago - maybe they were just protecting their spares... You wouldn't get a farmer's spare without getting some lead too. Fair play. Shoot em all let God sort em out

 

[Maus]

Or look on the bright site, what are the odds you're spare is gonna get nicked twice!

 

[MRT]

Or look on the bright site, what are the odds you're spare is gonna get nicked twice!

Might be quite high if the same person comes back to do it as he knows how easy it is.

 

[Niall_G]

Might be quite high if the same person comes back to do it as he knows how easy it is.

Yes I agree. They'll know for sure that You'll be getting another.

How about putting the wheel with the valve facing up towards the floor of the vehicle? It will make checking the pressure a chore but then if the thieves can't easily get to it perhaps they'll go elsewhere. I'd also be inclined to look and see how the wheel could be locked to the carrier with a chain and padlock.

.

 

[Ozzie1989]

Do either as Niall_G said or wrap a chain around the bracket and secure it with a padlock. Can't get more secure than that

 

[davemcd]

Hi

I will look at putting a chain around the spare when I get a new one but I thought that might rattle a bit. I can't remember whether or not the tyre valve was pointing downwards as it would have been as was when it was delivered. I have to own up to not checking the spare tyre pressure.

I have also seen a device called the k-lok for cars with underslung spares. It is the only specific device I can find for securing the spare and costs about £40. Has anyone any experience of fitting it? Is it worth it or shouldI stick with the lock and chain?

Regards

David

 

[Obadiah]

From reading the instructions it seems that the K-Lok is fitted from inside the car. It would seem like major aggro if you had to empty the car of people and luggage on a wet night!!

 

[Ozzie1989]

It would seem like major aggro if you had to empty the car of people and luggage on a wet night!!

You already have to do that to get at the tools at least on the passenger version. A chain and lock wouldn't make any noise as long as it's tight enough.

To be honest (after recently putting a spare up and down on the cage) as long as it's done up tight (but not overtight as you'll distort the tyre) then you shouldn't have a problem as it's a pretty tight fit.

 

[Maus]

In stead of using a rattling chain why not use a steel rope (don't know the right word sorry) en put a piece of gardening hose or rubber over it for not rattling. And lock it with a container lock, the round ones very good. U can buy these things also for bike locking. U Know what I mean?

 

[Obadiah]

"You already have to do that to get at the tools at least on the passenger version."

Not if you think to take them out before you load up!!

 

[Ozzie1989]

Certainly if I was going on a long trip I would put the tools in the boot. But even day to day my boot gets filled with items, some heavy, some big, and then a car full of people... and it's not something I always think of

Yes, steel rope (as it's called) would be better than a chain. Go to Halfrauds and they sell a padlock and steel chain for a bike, something like that would be fine and they already come plastic coated.

 

[toad101]

on pug205s they used to put a plank of wood under the wheel and that worked fine

 

[dobbie]

If your going to use a padlock make sure its a stainless steel marine padlock otherwise your brass lock might permanantly lock spare to vehicle, not much use if you have a flat:bang: