Careful all... tailgate thieves are out and about

[ctilsie242]

It seems that every so often, a bunch of tailgate thefts happen in a short interval. An acquaintance I know from a local watering hole was griping about how he now has to pay a good chunk of change for the tailgate... and have his vehicle repainted so everything matches.

I personally never lock the tailgate handle. It just means the lock tumblers in the handle eat the business end of a screwdriver. Instead, something like this, this, this, or even using a hose clamp (the McGard offering is pretty much a hose clamp with a funky bit surrounded by plastic to keep from scratching) will ensure that your day doesn't get ruined.

Of course, this hit home a few days ago when the tailgate on my truck which is normally up was in the down position when I got back to it (but it was still there). Were it not for the hinge lock, I'd probably be looking at spending $300 for a black el cheapo louvered tailgate, and be cursing that the backup camera is gone as well.

[kep5niner]

Tail gate theft picked up in popularity over 10 years ago, proportional to the increase in cost of the tailgates. About 5 years ago, I damaged a tailgate on an '05 F150 I had, and I was amazed at how difficult it was to find a replacement, and when I did, how expensive it was!

In my current rig, the cost is over $4,000 to replace the tailgate. That in and of itself makes it an attractive item that can easily grow legs.

I have a factory "clamp" with basically a safety hex-head type socket for it. Hope it never goes anywhere, as that would make for a bad day...

[blackeyed1]

A hose clamp saved my F250 tailgate from being stolen one night.

[BB_TX]

I put a hose clamp on mine several years ago. Turned it so the screw is in the least accessible position. And put a glob of epoxy on that screw head. They may still get it. But less likely as it will take some time and effort. And time is not their friend.

[DutchmenSport]

Thank-you ctilsie242 for the advise.

I've heard of tailgate theft before but never gave it much thought until I read your post. My Silverado has a locking tail gate, and with the shell on the back with the back gate that locks too, I've always felt pretty safe about my tailgate. But I looked at some YouTube videos just a while ago and decided a little extra prevention might save a bunch of cure.

I do not have a tail gate lock that goes around the pivot rod, but I do have radiator clamps. So I just slapped one on the pivot rod, made it good and tight, and twisted the tail up, making it hard to reach the end with a screw driver, and cutting it will be difficult too! It might not stop a thief, but he will have to work a bit harder, going through the shell gate lock, the tail gate lock, and now the clamp on the pivot rod. More than likely, it will not get stolen, but I can see the tail gate on the shell and the truck getting beat up pretty good though now!

Do I feel better now? Well, really not! Now I'll forever be thinking about this every time I park the truck!

[Beaker]

... I'd probably be looking at spending $300 for a black el cheapo louvered tailgate,

When they steal my $300 el cheapo louvered tailgate, I'll have to put my unused factory tailgate back on.

[clarkster]

ralphnjoann wrote:
I don't know how other trucks work, but Ford tailgates can easily be lifted off when you open them a few inches. A solution that I use, while not foolproof, will discourage a thief to where hopefully he will decide to move on to greener pastures.

Get a radiator hose clamp that uses a screwdriver or socket to tighten and is large enough to go around the metal tube on the passenger side that attaches the tailgate to the truck. Put the clamp around the tube and tighten it. The slot that allows the tailgate to be removed is now covered thus preventing quick and easy theft.

Great idea.....and cheap!!
I had a stainless hose clamp laying around and now it lives on that doodad tight and secure.
And the rotten thief will now need to be packing a 5/16th socket to get it off.

[CavemanCharlie]

What do they do with something like this after they steal it ???

If we want to stop this sort of thing we have to find a way to make it harder for them to sell it. Does no good to steal it if they don't have a outlet. The people that buy them from the thieves should get a long time is jail.

[Community Alumni]

Apart from my tailgate and tonneau cover locking, I have a hinge lock so it can't be removed when it's open. If someone really wants it I guess they could somehow get it off but it sure is a deterrent.

http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/MCG76029.htm

[ralphnjoann]

I don't know how other trucks work, but Ford tailgates can easily be lifted off when you open them a few inches. A solution that I use, while not foolproof, will discourage a thief to where hopefully he will decide to move on to greener pastures.

Get a radiator hose clamp that uses a screwdriver or socket to tighten and is large enough to go around the metal tube on the passenger side that attaches the tailgate to the truck. Put the clamp around the tube and tighten it. The slot that allows the tailgate to be removed is now covered thus preventing quick and easy theft.

[Lynnmor]

It's not just truck tailgates, a fellow snowmobiler had his aluminum ramp/tailgate stolen last week. Thieves like aluminum for it's scrap value.