Are locking lug nuts worth it?

I am buying a set of SSW wheels soon that require conical lug nuts. Since this is my first set of nice wheels I was considering buying their locking lug nuts to throw an extra step into any potential wheel thiefs plans.

Are these worth it?

https://sswoffroad.com/collections/misc/products/steel-locking-lug-nuts

 

They make the keys for all locking lugs commonly available. They will only slow them down a little.
Make it a real pain and get as many different lugs as possible.

35s are great theft deterrent, too heavy and have to lift the truck too high

 

If someone is out trying to steal wheels they probably are equipped to do so and will eventually get them if they are set on those (your) wheels with enough time for the task. That said, what they can’t plan on is the difficulty you make it in order to accomplish that. If you don’t have locking lugs then it’s a pretty easy task and they will have them off rather quickly. If you do, it’s going to take more time to do so and that time it takes to do it is what they want to deal with the least as it increases their chances of getting caught (likely shot here in the Gun-Shine state).

One, or even better two different key, locking lugs are cheap insurance.

 

Toyota and Honda vehicles get their wheels stolen often. Most Toyota and Honda vehicles come with locking lugs from the dealer FWIW.

The SSW wheels look good, but I'd be more concerned with the OEM wheels being more of a target.

 

Locking nuts only prevent YOU from being able to remove the wheel in an emergency if you lose the key.

 

unfortunately they don't provide much security

 

They might prevent a lazy thief from stealing them.
They will only slow down an unprepared thief.
But a determined thief? He'll be laughing as he drives off with you wheels.

A lug nut of any kind, wont stop someone from stealing them. Not if they want them.

There are other things that will stop them. But not a "locking" lug nut.

 

Anything that is going to require more time to remove has deterrent value IMO. I'd say $25 is worth the added, albeit minor, layer of security.

 

Thieves nowadays are bringing very nice tools along, we frequently find them using Hilti, Bosch, Milwaukee Fuel power tools that they steal from places/people that buy good tools. Harbor Freight sells a master wheel lock set, and with current laws and employer rules regarding shoplifting, you can bet these kits are in the hands of thieves.

If they target your vehicle for wheels, they'll have what they need.

I agree, if you have heavy off-road tires, they're going to break their backs stealing them. If they're OEM, they're easier to steal. However, cars are an easier target being lighter and lower to the ground makes wheel theft far easier.

I'd look around at the places you leave your truck. Even in the relatively "lawless" PNW, I don't consider wheel locks necessary. Personally I've been more inconvenienced by the misplaced wheel lock key as I've never had wheels stolen.

It's like getting a locking gas cap. Used to work until about 10 years ago when thieves began stealing cordless drills and found it easier to just drill a hole in your tank. Honestly I'd be more worried about that as gas is universal, wheels and tires not so much

 

Some advice don’t shoot people stealing your wheels Can you spell jail

 

I agree with all that you said. Will only add that I installed a locking gas cap to keep some asshole from putting anything down the filler neck into the tank.

 

More fun to torture them!

 

They will not stop even the dumbest thief. Absolute waste of money.

 

Depending on where you live the risk of your wheels being stolen is pretty low. If you live somewhere that theft is likely, talk to your insurance agent about adding the wheels to your policy.

 

My 2025 TRD Pro came with locking lug nuts. They weren't on the factory or dealer sticker (zero options on factory and only tint on dealer). Not sure if it is standard equipment on the pros or it was a PPO/Port mistake. Just spent $47 to get four lugs to replace the locks.

 

As a retired (disability) 35+ year master auto tech, wheel locks get lost, misplaced, and they break, most are fairly easy to remove, we have ways as well as they make and sell tools to remove them... That being said, if someone really wants your wheels, they can do a test run to remove the wheel locks, if they don't have the right tool ATM, then they can just come back with the correct tools to remove the wheel locks, I would remove all the wheel locks before jacking the vehicle up to remove the wheels... These guys have whatever it will take to remove your wheel locks faster than you can most of the time...
If you live in a high risk area for stolen wheels, then don't buy them...

I've not seen or heard of any wheels being stolen in years in my area...

 

100$ and I can remove any wheel lock.

If someone's after your wheels, the wheel lock won't stop them. All it does is make maintenance harder for you at home, or at a dealership/mechanic

My (maybe) hot take is that wheel locks are 100% useless and not worth the hassle.