Spare Tire Secondary Latch Modification

[trail_turkey]

I've faced and overcome the dreaded "spare tire stuck" issue on my 03 Silverado. We all know dumb design with the secondary latch mechanism. Here's my question:

 

My last to GM trucks did not have the secondary latch. Has anyone modified the latch: ie cut off the little hook that catches on the receiver? I've never heard of a spare tire falling off GM truck. I'm dreading the day I need the spare and can't get it down.

[Ianf]

I had the spare bust loose on my '01 Astro while going down a dirt road with my trailer. It hit the front A-frame on the trailer and bent it in 6" and the tire bounced quite a way down the road. Good thing noone else was on the road or thye would have been clobbered. The cable actually broke just above the tire holder bar due to age.

[sidi]

I cut the nub off that hooks on for the secondary latch. A coil on the spring that activates the latch was broken so could never use my spare on an '07 Silverado. Dealer wanted $200 for the spare carrier assembly. I posted some pics last spring here. Everything is good now and i have stopped kicking it to check if it is under tension every gas up. SF