Beware! Spare tire stolen

SoundGuy wrote:

TomG2 wrote:
Since I have never seen a spare tire and mount along the thousands of mile I have traveled, but have had things stolen, I will disagree with the folks who go along with the "It must have fallen off" theory. Two minutes with a nine sixteenths wrench and the spare changed owners.

Agree, hard to believe a spare along with it's mounting bracket could have simply fallen off and the OP not noticed. Likewise how could the OP not have noticed the spare & bracket was missing before he left the campground? One of my cardinal rules is to always do a quick walk around my rig before jumping in the truck to make sure everything as it should be - no forgotten chocks, all doors locked, TV antenna down, etc, etc. Had the OP done this he wouldn't have ended up in this surprise predicament - flat tire and no spare. :R

When they fall off at highway speeds they don't usually stay on the road but slide into the ditch or feild. The spare I found yesterday was approximately 50 yard's from the road in a wheat feild. Aluminum wheel with 14" tire. It's all speculation at this point anyway. Even if you don't believe they can fall off call your DOT office and ask how many they pick up every year. I will agree with SoundGuy statement that it is wise to do a walk around and check. I myself have found the bolts on my spare tire carrier loose. It would be wise for others to check their's.