i was putting a hitch on my truck yesterday and saw a cap over something next to my license plate on the right side. opened it up and its for a key. what is it for. at first i thought it was for locking the tailgate but that has a lock right on it.

 

I'm not familiar with this year f150 but i've seen it on other cars and i bet it's for the spare tire winch, you put in the key and take it out (it's a plug) and it allows you to put in the crank arm to lower down the spare tire.

 

^^That's what it is.

 

If you live in an area where it snows, the salt will rust up the back tabs on that lock. Take it off and lube it once in awhile.

 

alright thanks guys. this is my first truck so im not completely familiar with it yet. i live in idaho so it snows pretty frequently so i will check it a little later.