Is this rack secured to the tire or the vehicle so it can't be stolen?
1626402
like all things, it can be stolen. there are straps holding it that can be cut, and nuts and bolts that can be loosened.
1626403
It is mounted to the tire. There is no locking mechanism. If you wanted to secure the bike, you would have to use a cable and a lock.
1626404
I agree with "vefer's" answer. Just get a cable & lock and you'll be all set. Otherwise, this is the nicest spare tire bike rack I've found for the $$! Only issue I've had with it is that the bolts do rust out. I put a coating of Teflon Lube Gel on them a few times a year to help protect them, or you might want to re-coat them with some Rustoleum paint. But it is a very good rack.
1626405
No, it has four straps that attach to the tire. So, it could be stolen. But I've never had a problem with anyone tampering with it. You could attach some kind of lock around it though....
1626406
There are 2 bolts that clamp it to the spare tire, you just can't pick it up and walk away with it. You would need a wrench to remove it. If you wanted you could run a cable and lock around it and through the center of the spare tire, that way someone would need a wrench AND big bolt cutters to remove it. And you could also use the cable to lock the bikes to the rack and tire.
1336569
There isn't a locking mechanism with the rack. It's easy to use the usual bike cable lock looped through a bracket at the hitch, when leaving unattended. That's a secure fix for me.
1296007
I have a heavy duty Thule fold down bike rack and carry 80 pounds of bikes with no problem on the back of my RV, so I imagine that a spare tire holder would be a piece of cake.
2098669
You should not plan on leaving it on the car. The vacuum will eventually dissipate and the rack will come loose. It it also subject to theft.
944308
There are locks but the cables are really flimsy. I had a mountain bike stolen off the rack last year in broad daylight in a busy tourist area. They cut clean through the cable. Security is definitely an issue with this rack.
2039809
Not sure what you are asking for sure. The pin that holds the rack to the hitch is threaded so it would take quite a bit to take the rack, as for the bike, I don't think there is a way to lock it to the rack. I love the rack, but never leave my bike on it for any length of time unattended.
42451
When folded up, this rack does NOT obscure the rear view. However, depending on the size of the spare tire, it may not fold up as designed.
100618
I have a rear rack, and I use it to secure items to the rear rack. It's very very nice. Actually - I have a front rack as well, and I'm thinking about getting another one for the front.
822996
It depends on how safe an area you are parked in. I removed the bike rack when I arrived at my destination because I was in a high crime area for bicycles and related equipment. I wouldn't leave the bike rack on when you are not planning on transporting bikes. It's easy to remove and also impedes access to the trunk so I wouldn't leave it on if you are not actively using it.
1867475
Unfortunately there are no security locks on this rack to prevent your bikes from being stolen. Only fasteners to hold them in place.
1796995
In short, yes the rack can be secured to the vehicle. You must purchase the cable anchor (trunk or window) from SeaSucker and then thread your cable/lock through the clip and the rack.
1952107
No, there is no built in system to lock bikes to the rack itself. The rack has a clever system for locking itself into the hitch so it cannot be stolen.
1971290
No - anyone could pop the release in back so you should take that with you. The rack itself is secured to the seat post with an allen wrench, but you could thread a cable lock through it as well.
2280186
The rack goes through the tire and does not come in contact with the circumference/ rubber of the tire. I see no reason why it should not functional even with the flat tire mounted.
807235
It has a strap & plastic clip on the front that attaches to the front of the rack. The. two smaller strap/clips that go around the rack supports connected to the rear tire
1242515
You can buy a separate hitch pin that locks that has a key to prevent someone from stealing it. I believe from Yakima. My wife's rack came with the locking hitch pin, but my son's rack did not.
1866766
I don't think so, when it folds up, it is pretty close to the vehicle....really don't think it would be secure outside of the spare tire range.