Spare tire stolen! should i replace with oem, or other alternatives?

Yes, Southern California. Next door to Ontario. I know that in the grand scheme of things, not a big deal but had my Tundra for over 10 years, tailgate never stolen never even locked, spare tire never stolen or put a lock on it. Traded for this Tacoma and both stolen within 2 months.

 

Keep looking on Craigslist, it'll show up..

 

Well, you're a ways from me, but I've got a storage unit by my W's old house in Simi Valley. I've got two 265/75-16 at's in there, less than 500 miles, and one is yours for free if you want to make the trip. One is a "Star" tire as I recall (never heard of that manufacturer before). Other one is a new (firestone I think) street AT type. Load range C I think. New. No rim, but you can have the tire if you can wait two or three weeks until I'm in that area again and want to take the drive over.

Long story, but had to buy them after blowing out 3 Goodyear Duracrap sidewalls on an elk hunt. Williams, AZ did not have a great selection of tires! They've been taking up space in storage ever since I got back and was able to throw on a set of Goodyear MTR's.

 

Oh, another option if you can wait a bit. I've got those 4 Goodyear MTR's on my 2002. Quite a few miles, and some cupping (still decent tread left), but will make for a super solid, off road worthy 265/75R-16 spare.

Picking up a set of Cooper ST Maxx for the new truck hopefully next week or so, and will transfer the 3rd gen's tires to the Gen1 before I sell it. I'm keeping one of the MTR's as a spare for the new truck...which leaves three somewhat rough but certainly trail worthy MTR's looking for a home before they find their way to the trash bin at America's tire.

 

Hmmm, I work in the next city over (Rancho). I'm going to start parking closer when I eat during lunch.

 

A full size spare is better than the steelie spare IMO, and a "lock to the frame" as @Garrett75x has done would be good to have.
Sorry for your troubles, some dash cams with motion detectors would be on my short list also.
Did a quick search fyi:

https://www.blackboxmycar.com/blogs/news/best-parking-mode-of-2016

 

Someone could steal my spare tire and I would never know until I got a flat.

 

How do you lock the spare?

 

i would say try and fine a used 16 trd off road wheel with tire and use that for your spare, no more steel wheel if you get a flat

 

lock the chain from the lowering mechanism to the spare!

 

I swapped to fullsize spare and locked mine to the frame with this:

$31 Trimax ST30 - Trimaflex Spare Tire Cable Lock (Round Key) for Boat Trailers, Motor Homes, Trucks, Jeeps, Vans, More - 36" x 12mm - Black/Chrome

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000ATZD5/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

OP... sucks sorry for your losses... be glad they didn't drill in the side of the fender and steal your gas..

So you went out for lunch and got your shit stolen at lunch time?

I'd be setting up for an ambush next lunch outing... like put something nice in the bed and leave the top open, lock said nice thing to truck bed and go somewhere with a 270 degree view of the parking lot....

 

yikes
I better throw some locks on my stuff
I think we might live in the same town (just West of Ontario)

 

Not sure where you're finding OEM spare wheels for 40-50$? You can find both 16" and 17" spare setups from other owners sure, but it definitely matters what size you run as it needs to be consistent size to the tires on your truck. Who runs a 17" spare with the other 4 tires at 16" ?

 

I have steel spare rims for my winter tires.

Also spares do not need to be the same rim diameter but rather the same tire diameter.

 

What the hell? didn't you just get your tailgate stolen too? Have you thought of investing in cameras and lights

 

When you get a replacement, wrap that chain back up through the tire and padlock it.