While doing the last oil change at the dealer, I always am right there with the tech, I usually check the truck out while it's up on the lift. This time I'm at the rear of the truck looking up and I'm thinking to myself, darn there's alot of room up there. Then it dawns on me that the spare tire is MISSING!! Either it just dropped out somewhere or someone stole it!! The tech comes back and we're looking at where the spare should be. We both notice a little plastic tube where the cable comes out of the winch but no cable. He thinks the cable broke and the spare fell out as the cable did not stick out of the tube, no frays in the cable as if it had been cut. We're looking for any kind of scratches underneath where if it fell out while driving it should've hit something but no marks anywhere. I can't believe it!! If it fell out while towing it should've made some serious damage to the trailer or if it fell out while driving empty, it should've made some mark underneath and I should of at least heard something. So now, not only do I have to replace the spare tire & wheel but I have to get a another winch too. Maybe you all better check your cables or install one of those spare tire locks. I don't know when I lost it but it was there a couple of weeks ago when the oil was last changed.

 

I have seen some trucks where the spare tire is loose. I can definately see the cable breaking in such a situation. Sort of like leaving the tail gate open will break the gate cables pretty quickly if you are on bumpy roads.

 

I had a member contact me about a replacement rim. His spare was stolen in Montgomery, Alabama.

 

Parts falling off a new truck isn't covered under warrantee? Search Craig's List for 'Dodge Michelin 17" ' and you will occasionally find good deals.
Back to morning brew;

 

I guess I'm the warranty @ 116k miles on the clock. The spare tire and winch would probably be covered under the 3/36, but I passed that mile mark within 4 months after purchasing the truck. I usually average about 10k miles a month and saw no real gain in purchasing an extended warranty when the truck would be over 100k miles in less than a year. I did get an extended warranty on my 04.5 but that's because it included 28 free oil & flter changes. Couldn't get that deal with this truck so passed on the extended warranty.

 

That's one of the reasons why I'm under the truck every time it's in for service at the dealer. I'm checkin' things out. I've got a pretty good relationship with a couple of techs at my dealership and they don't mind me being there when they're working on my truck. Especially when I'm sharing info with them, that I've learned from places like this, that they didn't know!!

 

I have a brand new spare, no rim but the tire is the stock never used michlen 265. Pm me if your interested. Im in sw pa.

 

On my second generation truck, my cable broke. Luckily it broke right at the joint of the wheel cup(the little thing that cups up to wheel to hold it in place. I grabbed another cup that was in my buddy's bed, threaded the cable through it, put some cable clamps on it, then epoxy filled the "bowl"(inner part) of the cup. Worked for another year after that, then I sold the truck. Funny thing though, I didn't feel anything whenever I lost the tire! I have no idea when it was lost! Best preventative maintenance for this is to make sure the tire is snug up under the truck.

 

Sorry to say this, but it probably was stolen. Some thief probably has some tool that goes into the opening in the bumper to lower the tire. Then he cut the cabel and off he went.

Happened to me a few years back. I now have a big cable lock on my new spare and I load up the locking mechinism with lots of grease every few months.

 

It is disturbing either way. To think one of those spares could just fall off; could you imagine the carnage behind you?

To think of some fool lowering your spare and cutting it off…Grrrr..!!!

 

I doubt it was stolen. If they were gonna lower it why would they then stop to cut the cable instead of just lowering it all the way. And then they cranked the cable back in? I'd put money on it that it was a little loose and snapped the cable from the jarring effect. ables can't take a constant snapping. Do a search on "lost my spare" bet ya find a few others out there.

 

Posted by Blue Puller:


Check your spare tire cables i lost my spare goin down the highway at about 60 mph cable broke !!!!
the bad part is i was towing i brand new 5th wheel from the factory to the dealership wiped out the bottom of the trailer and the frame and the back bumper so make sure there good!!
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Posted by Joseph H Smith:

Are there any other options for the spare tire winch other then the single cable winch from Dodge. I am about to buy my second one. Bad thing is is that there is no safety. When the cable goes you don't even know you have lost your spare. $$$$$. I was lucky enough the first time because my wife had to turn around on a dead end and was flagged down by a resident who was standing next to my spare tire. She lost one completely the week before from our 4 door S-10. This time the tire fell off as it was being winched down to change a flat. All three times the cable had frayed. Crappy design.
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I could go on, but you get the idea that this is NOT un common

 

how would you like to be the guy in a chevy aveo that took a 235 michlen and 17" aluminum wheel through the windshield. is say if they are fauling out chrysler had better address the problem b4 someones lawyer decides he has an idea to make a little income!