Getting the best wheel locks for your car is worth the investment. It is far more affordable than buying replacement wheels and rims because they’re stolen. Your shining rims and wheels are a target for criminals, so protect them with wheel locks. Below, find our guide on what to know about these locks and how to pick the best ones.
Top 5 Best Wheel Locks Recommendation
- McGard 74041 Chrome Cone Seat Trailer Wheel Locks
- Gorilla Automotive 61631 Acorn Gorilla Guard Locks (12mm x 1.50 Thread Size)
- Trimax TCL65 Wheel Chock Lock
- Coocheer Heavy-duty Car Tire Wheel Lock Anti-theft Lock
- Safstar Wheel Lock Clamp Boot Tire Claw Trailer Auto Car Truck Anti-Theft Towing
Why buy wheel locks ?
As mentioned earlier, buying wheel locks is more affordable than buying a new set of wheels and rims. With wheel locks, you can be certain that your expensive tires and car are safe from thieves lurking around and looking for easy targets. These thief deterrent devices are also worth the one-time investment because they don’t only protect your car but are also long lasting for their durable materials. They’re also reliable to work on demand and very easy to use. If you’re looking to secure your valuable wheels and car as a whole, don’t think twice getting one of the wheel locks we’ve picked for you.
Types of Wheel Locks
Before we get to our list of the top picks, let’s first discuss the types of wheel locks to buy. Later, you’re free to choose the best steering wheel locks that you find suitable for your wheel and rim type. For now, what are the types of these products you’ll find on the market?
Spline Drive
Many of these are available in a no-compromise design, which can fit even small diameter recesses in tuner wheels. They also offer a closed end design but posses more stud engagement and gripping power. One also has an excellent seating surface versus socket design lug nuts. Models are commonly lighter by 30%, so they’re chosen for reliability and safety. Types include involute, parallel key, crowned, serrations, helical and ball splines. Splines can supply torque with uniform circumferential transfer to the car shaft versus a key. Their different types also allow better sliding ability, allowance for any misalignment, rotational concentricity transfer and stronger drives.
Alloy Wheel Locks
You’ll find these best wheel locks 2018 directly through your car’s manufacturer. Alloy wheel locks, as the name suggests, are made of solid alloy finish. However, you need a specialty socket so that you can remove the lock when needed. They are used in securing your alloy wheels.
Locking Lug-Nut
On the exterior surface, it is smooth and is designed commonly with a rigged pattern on its interior. In that case, it is hard to take out the lug nut without using the unique key. Locking lug nuts appear as a standard and offer additional security for their rigged pattern. One cannot be broken or removed using a traditional wrench. Usually the locking lug nut comes with a design or with a rounded head.
Clamp Wheel Lock
This type of wheel lock must be installed around your wheels and rims for added security. It is also called a boot, a type of device that won’t let you drive or move your car without removing the clamp. While a little bit harder for daily use, it can offer optimal protection especially if you’re parking your vehicle in a less trafficked or dangerous community as well as in unfamiliar places.
According to Wikipedia, this type of wheel lock is also called a wheel boot, a Denver boot or a parking boot. It is designed for preventing a car from being moved. The device surrounds the wheel, preventing it from being towed or driven away by a thief.
Why Do You Need Anti-Theft Lug Nuts ?
As mentioned, buying the best anti-theft lug nuts, like a Rimlox wheel lock, is cheaper than buying replacement wheels and rims. They also give you peace of mind when parking in remote, less crowded and dangerous places. It is not one or two incidents when car owners are shocked finding their wheels and rims missing or worst their cars driven away or towed by a stranger.
Installing these wheel locks make it harder for these thieves to harm your car because they are hard to break and remove without the special key. As taking out a wheel lock is impossible, they will find an easier target and leave your car alone.
Protect your car and hard-earned investment by installing lug nut locks, tire lock, parking in high traffic areas and installing vehicle-tracking systems. Most importantly, install an anti-theft wheel lock for added security other than replacing expensive tires and rims.
How to Choose the Best Wheel Locks?
Choosing the Right Wheel Clamps
Get the right one for the job because these wheel clamps come in a wide range of sizes and shapes. There are models for motorhomes or RVs, caravans, small cars or trailers. You must also ensure accurate wheel measurements and wheel type to check for compatibility. Remember, there are wheel clamps for steel wheels, alloy wheels and more. So, you need to determine the tire size – diameter and width.
For trailer clamps, they are usually smaller than clamps for caravans or car and are adjustable to fit a trailer. However, there are models to fit small wheels, which can be more portable and lighter than larger models are.
Choosing the Right Lug Nut Wheel Locks
There is no way to determine the fitment of any wheel lock or lug nut in general. Only you or the installer, who has access to the vehicle wheel, can determine the fit. As a rule of thumb, you need to check on several things, such as the thread pitch, thread size, length, dimensions, color, finish and seat type.
Overview
Take note of these things when buying a wheel clamp or a wheel lock. Always check for proper fit and determine the type to work based on your vehicle type, wheel and rim size and other factors mentioned above.
Quick tips
Check out the pitch and thread size using a thread pitch gauge to find in a hardware store. You may also take a lug nut to the store, and then spin it into any bolts available. The thread diameter or size can be taken from the exterior diameter of the wheel stud thread. Common sizes are 10mm-14mm or 7/16″, and so on.
Determine the seat type where the lug nut contacts with the surface of the wheel. Tapered or acorn seat, ball seat or mag seat are typical seat types.
Confirm your lug nut or wheel lock dimensions for a proper fit. Take the measurements of the overall length and outside diameter.
Upon determination of sizing and measurements, you can then check on a wide range of styles, colors or finishes.
Our Top Five Best Wheel Locks Choices
1. McGard 74041 Chrome Cone Seat Trailer Wheel Locks
Outsmart ill-minded wheel thieves with the McGard 74041, which proves to be one of the best trailer wheel locks for most users who have tried its durability and reliability. McGard is a name to trust since 1964 for manufacturing boat trailer wheel locks, which exceed OEM standards.
Proudly supplying more than 30 car lines the world over, the brand again has proven its reputation with the 74041 wheel locks. These are easy and convenient to use, as they work like lug nuts. However, they need a unique key tool, both for installation and removal. They can protect your expensive wheels from thieves and keep your car safe.
The set comes with a steel collar can guide the key into the pattern easily, while its collar can hold the key for quick use. This model also has a precise key design, allowing for a number of patterns. Its lock also has a narrow pattern groove to prevent any removal tools from accessing the pattern.
The 74041 is a complete kit with one lock for the spare tire, four locks for road wheels and one unique key for all locks.
Things We Liked:
- Restricted chemistry steel
- Unsurpassed security level
- Rust protection
- Suitable for double-axle trailers and sports/utility cars
- Thread size 1/2″ to 20 and hex size 13/16″
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Expensive
- Not long-lasting
- Incorrect sizing may be a problem
2. Gorilla Automotive 61631 Acorn Gorilla Guard Locks
Gorilla Automotive 61631 is a decent wheel lock on the market. For years, the brand has been a staple name regarding locking lugs, which possess uncompromising quality in production and manufacturing. There is no doubt that the 61631 guard locks are some of the most sought after by vehicle and fleet owners.
This Acorn Gorilla will outwit any group of wheel thieves always on the lookout for victims. It is an excellent wheel lock, which has an exterior security design, making the model difficult to screw out without using the specified key.
Aside from a reliable design and construction, the Gorilla guard wheel locks are durable for its chromed and callous steel make for lasting beauty. The Acorn Guard 61631 can be shipped to the entire US at an affordable price.
Things We Liked:
- Comes with a dual hex key measuring 3/4″ & 13/16″
- 60-degree conical seat
- Durable construction
- Wide thread size of 12mm x 1.50
- A complete package with four pcs of wheel locks and a unique key
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Sizing may be a problem
- Not rustproof
- A bit pricey
3. Trimax TCL65 Wheel Chock Lock
The TCL65 is as good as the Blacktop wheel locks for its quality and durability. It is a solid investment for those looking to receive maximum security for their boats, cars, and trailers. Many fleet owners also choose it for its heavy-duty steel and a great locking mechanism design.
For added durability, the Trimax wheel chock lock is powder-coated for rust and scratch protection. Intruders and thieve will have a difficult time to screw it out for its strong pick-resistant locking system. If you’re looking to protect your valuable wheel investment and keep it safe when unattended and parked even in less trafficked areas, then the TCL65 may be your best bet. In fact, you can quickly attach it to any of your wheels to keep it from being towed or driven away.
Things We Liked:
- Universal design fits any wheel
- Easy to attach and remove
- Three keys included for its pick-resistant lock cylinder
- Keeps the wheels from rolling
- Added security for its clamps tight to wheel
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Maybe too small for trailers
- Lock mechanism may be a bit hard to use
- Not long enough arms for a chock
- Edges aren’t touching together based on a few reports
4. Coocheer Heavy-duty Car Tire Wheel Lock Anti-theft Lock
This Coocheer anti-theft wheel lock can fit any types of cars, vans, trucks and SUV s with its great lock design. It is by Coocheer that has been around for years and since then has perfect this wheel and tire lock design.
The car tire lock will make it impossible for someone to drive away, tow your car or remove your rims because this anti-theft wheel lock can lock below the tire-lock on it.
This heavy-duty car tire wheel lock has a gliding design, which allows easy adjustment based on the tire and rim size installed on your car. In addition, this anti-theft lock is durable for its solid steel and vinyl coating, which protects it from rusting, rain or shine.
Things We Liked:
- Excellent security and powerful frame materials
- Durable and hold tight in place clamp
- Universal base system to fit any make or model
- Prevents ding, dent or damage PVC finish
- Fully stops tires from rolling, rotating or turning
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Maybe too small for trailer tires
- Pricey
- May fall off bigger wheels
5. Safstar Wheel Lock Clamp Boot Tire Claw Trailer Auto Car
Protect your shiny wheel and rim with the Safstar Wheel Lock Clamp! It is made with durable and quality steel that stands all types of weather. The wheel lock protects your investment without scratching or damaging it because it is self-coated as well. You can store and bring it anywhere easily for its size and portability.
The Safstar Wheel Lock Clamp is a reliable, heavy-duty anti-theft device. Once attached, it will totally stop your wheels from moving, turning or rotating. You might not want to be on the road without this anti-theft device. It is a strong locking system that secures and makes thieves go away. And with its highly visible color, they’d also think twice before approaching your car to steal your wheel and rim.
The lock clamp can fit most types of cars, such as RVs, motorcycles and cars. It can also fit lawn mowers, go karts, scooters, golf carts, boat trailers and small aircrafts. The anti-theft wheel lock weighs 5.3 Lbs and measures 9.5 ×19 inches. This Safstar anti-theft device can be modified in order to fit between seven to 11-inch tires. Each package comes with one wheel lock and two keys.
Things We Liked:
- Weather-resistant steel material
- Easy attach and set up
- Does not damage wheels or rims with self coating
- Easy to store and carry anywhere
- Red and yellow colors are visible
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Might not fit large tires
- Two ends crimping into the wheels are too short
- Pricey
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, the Gorilla Automotive 61631 Acorn Gorilla Guard Locks is the winner in our best wheel locks. It has an uncompromising quality, design, and construction. The guard locks also has an exterior security design and works only with its specific key, making it hard for thieves to remove it with a wrench or any key for that matter. It is also tough with its callous, chromed steel. For added convenience, it comes with a dual hex key, standard thread size of 12mm and a complete kit with four pcs of wheel locks and a special key. It also has an elegant finishing and appearance, making it a great investment, not only for added security but also for its aesthetic visual appeal that also deters thieves and tells them your car is protected.
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