Someone at the dealership is gonna get yelled at

So, I was out this weekend driving a bunch of roads scouting for my dads archery rut elk hunt out by Greer AZ, and also scouting for my otc archery bear and turkey come august when the real elk scouting begins.

Anyways I got a hole punctured in my tire from a rock. They are the stock Wrangler AT w/Kevlar. This wouldn't have been a big deal, flat tire oh well. However, turns out I was missing a very crucial piece in the spare/flat tire kit. I was missing the silver security socket thingy that gets put on the end of the hook. This made things A LOT more difficult seeing as I was ~25 miles from the nearest paved dirt road and ~30 miles from camp where my dads truck was at.

I recently bought a $60 Amazon air compressor that I didn't really think I would need, just use every once in a while, just about saved our asses. We had to keep stopping every ~7-8 miles or so to re fill up the tire to about 18-19psi was all that we could get while air was hissing out. Anyways a few hours later and a few more gray hairs on my 25 year old head, we got to my dads truck where we were able to fit a small bolt cutter up in there and was able to break the chain holding it up. And no we could't take his truck to go get it patched because every tire place was closed for fourth of July Parades.

Anyways, the tire is getting patched today and someone at the dealership is not gonna be happy after I get a word with them.

So moral of the story for all of those like myself that thought that Toyota is the smartest and greatest truck company god put on this earth for us to use and abuse to our hearts desire, make sure you have all the stuff needed should you get stranded like I just did.



Air Compressor link:

$74 Slime 40045 Home Tire Inflator, Wall Mounted 120v, SUV, 4x4 Air Compressor, Heavy Duty, 2X Pro Power, Heavy Duty, with Analog 150 psi Dial Gauge, Long Hose and LED Light, 120V, 4 min Inflation

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXIS8XO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Why is the dealer going to get chewed out? Did they install it for you and forget to give you the key?

 

ummmm before I go on a trip, especially in a new-to-me vehicle, i make sure things such as spares are filled up. this would mean i'd have to lower it and realize i need things to do so...was it in your glovebox? I know some dealers leave these kinds of things in a small bag in the glovebox.

 

If you have a compressor you might as well get a plug kit.

$11 Slime 1034-A Tire Repair Reamer Plug Kit, Medium Heavy Duty Strings, T Handle Type and Plug Bond, 8 Piece Set

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ET525K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_hb2aFbFS9HA6A

 

I don't think that this is part of the predelivery checklist, pretty sure no one is gonna get "chewed out", sounds like it was missing from the factory, things happen, they'll get you a new one but ultimately was kind of on you to ensure you had all the proper equipment for venturing off road and the risk of needing to change a flat, etc.

 

This could have saved you a lot of headache

 

Sounds like the problem was between the steering wheel and driver's seat for not checking before you ran off into the woods.

 

This is some good PSA action in here. Just went on a 3200 mile road trip out to Utah and through Glen Canyon (first time in Utah, totally addicted now) and definitely glossed over these items thinking "I have a spare, we're good". So fixated on gas, water, etc I never even stopped to ask if I can actually get the spare out or thought to buy a patch kit. a buddy had a portable compressor which is definitely on my short list before I do another trip too.

 

Unless you have some really expensive rims, you'll find the locks are more of a hassle than they're worth. They're easy enough to take off if you have a larger socket to hammer over them. Don't have these on a taco and took them off of my other vehicle due to the pita factor.

 

Yup, I was way out in some logging roads out in MT, miles and miles w/ no cell service of course. Not in my Tacoma, but a good ol' diesel dodge Well, lucky me I brought a plug kit and had a compressor.. Easy peasy and never posted on the Internets about it till today...

 

Removing the spare tire and jack is one of the first things you should do after getting the new truck home, since you will most likely get a flat in the middle of the night on a deserted road (Murphy’s law).

Glad you were able to make it out and tell the tale though.

 

The dealer is going to get chewed out?!
Get ya shit together, bruh.

 

For years I never knew there was a masterlock padlock on the chain to lower my spare until the Costco tire shop mentioned it. I absolutely didn't have the keys & I called my dealership & they had no idea why it was there either. Quickly removed with an angle grinder but I would have been screwed if I ever tried to change a tire roadside. Definitely check your shit.

 

Lol you gonna yell at yourself?
Me: "You dumbass! How could you not have a crucial piece of equipment necessary to change a flat!"
Me: "I'm not a dumbass and you should have checked!"
Me: "sorry."

 

Did you check in the bottom of the bag o tools with the jack for the spare tire key?

 

For those of you saying the problem was me, I absolutely agree. I should've been smarter and actually checked if I could actually get the spare out. And I did have a plug kit but the actual damage was about a 3/4" cut, not a hole puncture, so I didn't really think I could plug that. Before the trip I just opened my owners manual to make sure I had all the necessary equipment, even my owners manual doesn't show this silver spare tire key in the flat repair section, so I thought I was good. And no the spare tire key was not in the bag, believe me I tried to make that thing appear out of nowhere.

And no, I'm not gonna yell, that was just an exaggeration. I am gonna ask them to replace the chain though.

 

Im not sure this is gonna go how you imagine it in your head:

You at the dealership

YOU: " YOU FORGOT TO PUT MY SPARE KEY"
THEM: " did you check for it before you left the dealership?"
YOU: "NO"
THEM: "Did you check for it before you left your trip?"
YOU: "NO"
THEM:"you know you signed a paper that says you took delivery of the truck and everything was there right?"
YOU:"YES I DID BUT I WANT TO BLAME SOMEONE ELSE"..

 

Checking the spare tire, jack, and tools is on the dealer pre-delievery check list. The spare tire lock is a port installed accessory that comes as a kit with both the lock to be installed on the lift mechanism as well as the tool that attaches to the factory extension hook.

 

Agree.

 

OP, I might be in the minority but I really appreciate you posting this. As someone who doesn't think of all these kinds of things this was a good reminder for me. I am glad it worked out and that nothing bad happened -- it could have been worse and thankfully it wasn't.