Tailgate thefts?
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 856
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From: Livonia, MI
Tailgate thefts?
Who knew? I suppose I don't have to worry about someone stealing my 18 yr old tailgate, but you never know:
Tailgate thefts soar in U.S. | The Detroit News
Tailgate thefts soar in U.S. | The Detroit News
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 856
Likes: 3
From: Livonia, MI
I wonder how much the guy mentioned in the article is selling his anti-theft device for?!! I'm sure it's more than a 10 cent hose clamp!
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,405
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There are two primary factors thieves are concerned with (don't ask me how I know); expediency and stealth. Disrupt either of those, preferably in an obvious way, and they move on to another target.
A 10 cent hose clamp, although not obvious, disrupts both.
A 10 cent hose clamp, although not obvious, disrupts both.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 856
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From: Livonia, MI
Do not underestimate scrappers. Here in Detroit, it's a booming business. People have stolen copper/steel right from abandoned homes that water/gas are still on. I'm kind of involved in the demo business of buildings and such, and contractors have to hire 24 hour security for demo'ed building sites just to keep the scrappers at bay. I'm guessing a tailgate weighs 50-60 lbs or so. At .39 cents/lb, that's almost $25. If a guy can get 10 per day, well you can see how they are valuable to scrappers even if they're beat to hell.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 398
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From: Kansas City, MO
I just fabricated a new slot hinge for my tailgate the other day. I wish I would've heard of this before, I'd have made it more difficult to remove. But then again my tailgate is missing all the letters and has some rust, I'm sure any meth head that gave it a double take would move on
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 4
From: boonville ny
Do not underestimate scrappers. Here in Detroit, it's a booming business. People have stolen copper/steel right from abandoned homes that water/gas are still on. I'm kind of involved in the demo business of buildings and such, and contractors have to hire 24 hour security for demo'ed building sites just to keep the scrappers at bay. I'm guessing a tailgate weighs 50-60 lbs or so. At .39 cents/lb, that's almost $25. If a guy can get 10 per day, well you can see how they are valuable to scrappers even if they're beat to hell.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
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From: Gilbert, PA
I was going to say the same thing. Typically scrap steal is $5 per 100lbs.
But yes, I have seen tailgates stolen. You figure if you have a nice one, they will easily bring 3-400
But yes, I have seen tailgates stolen. You figure if you have a nice one, they will easily bring 3-400
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 641
Likes: 3
From: Umicorn UtopiaFantasyLand
Well, I have a Maxon liftgate on mine, and by the time they try to get that off, they'll be selling the lead out of their ****. Meth heads around here have been stealing copper wire from live electrical boxes, some slight few have been successful, one tried to steal it from a sub-station the other day. He was crispy-critter.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 8
love the hose clamp idea ... putting one on mine for sure ...
the tailgate on my 89 custom is by far the nicest part of the truck. my old one was an unsightly mess of the wrong colour. got a replacement for it from the junkyard for $50 bucks and it is a shiny beauty from an xlt. a thief could get an easy $50 for it on craigslist.
around here, the scrap value of a tailgate is around $4.00; collect a few of those along with some other odds and ends and you have got yourself a nice chunk of that there crack cocaine !
never underestimate the desperation of an addict... whether the addiction is for crack, meth, nicotine or caffeine.
the tailgate on my 89 custom is by far the nicest part of the truck. my old one was an unsightly mess of the wrong colour. got a replacement for it from the junkyard for $50 bucks and it is a shiny beauty from an xlt. a thief could get an easy $50 for it on craigslist.
around here, the scrap value of a tailgate is around $4.00; collect a few of those along with some other odds and ends and you have got yourself a nice chunk of that there crack cocaine !
never underestimate the desperation of an addict... whether the addiction is for crack, meth, nicotine or caffeine.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,533
Likes: 17
From: SW Florida
A few years ago, our local paper had an article about cat converter theft. Of course most of them were stolen off trucks since they're easier to get under with a sawzall.
Then another article around that same time detailing the increasing number of airbag and HID foglight thefts.
At the local Ford dealer several years ago, there was maybe 5 or 6 F-Series trucks out back that someone stole the front bumpers off of.
And yeah around here steel doesn't bring crap for $$, but if you have enough of it then you can make some money. I didn't feel like scrapping my old burnt out rusted charcoal grill so I dragged it down by the street. Sure enough, not even 10 minutes later someone in a Super Duty with a trailer spots it and picks it up. Get enough junk like that and you've got some free cash. I'm ok with that, it's when you STEAL stuff that pisses me off, and seeing security cam videos where thieves get lit up by HV while stealing copper wire makes me smile. I love seeing s***bag people like that get what they deserve.
The hose clamp idea is good... I think I'll get creative with mine though.
Then another article around that same time detailing the increasing number of airbag and HID foglight thefts.
At the local Ford dealer several years ago, there was maybe 5 or 6 F-Series trucks out back that someone stole the front bumpers off of.
And yeah around here steel doesn't bring crap for $$, but if you have enough of it then you can make some money. I didn't feel like scrapping my old burnt out rusted charcoal grill so I dragged it down by the street. Sure enough, not even 10 minutes later someone in a Super Duty with a trailer spots it and picks it up. Get enough junk like that and you've got some free cash. I'm ok with that, it's when you STEAL stuff that pisses me off, and seeing security cam videos where thieves get lit up by HV while stealing copper wire makes me smile. I love seeing s***bag people like that get what they deserve.
The hose clamp idea is good... I think I'll get creative with mine though.
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