Lock on Tailgate Near License Plate

[MoJoDec]

I am hoping for a little help. I just got my 2005 Yukon XL SLT back from the shop, and my wife noticed a lock tumbler sitting on the rear bumper. We noticed a small black door next to the license plate that was open. I tried to fit the tumbler inside and it fit perfectly. I crawled under and looked. There's a tube that the tumbler fits into, but it doesn't attach to anything.

The key from the ignition is what turns the lock. This has us scratching our head a bit...can anyone give me any indication what this is for?

 

[mwilson62000]

You insert the jack handle in the tube and crank the spare tire down. The lock keeps anyone from stealing your spare tire.

 

[Rocket Man]

That’s the spare tire hoist. It has a lock so nobody can steal your spare. To lower the spare, if you have one, you take your jack handle, snap the two long straight pieces together and insert the larger female end into that tube until it engages the hoist, then the tire iron fits onto the male end and acts as a T handle so you can turn the extensions and lower the spare. Sometimes the hoist gets hung up, if so let us know and we can offer solutions.

 

[treehan77]

Good idea to see if it works before you are stranded! Lube it up when you do. I tried mine out and it was a PITA, now it works if I ever get a flat lol

 

[Fless]

This shows how to replace the hoist, but also shows how it works.

 

[Aquamania001]

I had my hoist replaced with one that does not have that "hook" to hold the tire up. My mechanic replaced it and no problems.