Motor Mag Top 20 Tool - Spare Tire Release

[CapitalTruck]

I might have to buy this tool just to keep in my truck for emergencies. I wish I had thought of it.

 

http://thextonnew.com/stuck-spare-tire-release/

[kstruckcountry]

It's a cool idea, but I don't think it would have worked on mine. It jammed after being lowered about 6 inches. I've been working on another solution but for now it's strapped in the bed.

[Badass69]

Just buy a new winch without the lock...... or cut the tab off the lock itself that engages the secondary latch. If you have the winch off you can zip off the lock tab with a zip cut in a few minutes and have your spare tire winch functional once more.

[beasticles]

I finally dropped my spare after having the truck for almost a year this past weekend. Glad I did it in my driveway as it was a PIA. The "Secondary Latch" as GM calls it was a prime example in over-engineering. I plan to use my angle grinder to grind down the "Secondary Latch" tab on the device (takes one bolt to remove from frame) and re-install it. The cable mechanism seemed to work fine. I'd rather chance having my spare drop out the back of my car due to cable failure, than have to deal with that damn latch ever again. BTW - GMT-900 trucks only use the cable mechanism without a secondary latch if I understand correctly. I thought about buying the Dorman replacement tire mount device for $80 which is essentially the same as the GM device without the secondary latch, but it will cost me $0 to grind down the old device so it was a no brainer.