Abstract: An aircraft tug wheel cradle with a front ramp assembly and a rear gate assembly on a base plate, each hingedly mounted and movable between a wheel-mounting position and a wheel-confining position. A first side clamp and a second side clamp are hingedly coupled to the base plate on opposing sides of the vehicle wheel, and movable between a lower position and an upper position coinciding with the wheel-confining position. The first side clamp and the second side clamp are each preferably hingedly attached to the base plate at other than an ninety degree angle in order to grasp the vehicle wheel, such that the vehicle is prevented from lateral and upward, as well as front and back movement.