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I had my tailgate stolen on my 2015 Silverado which I believe I inadvertently left unlocked for them. Maybe I would have deterred them if I remembered to lock it or maybe not, I'm not sure how easily the locks are picked.
My question is for the keyless tailgates like on my Platinum. Are these easy or hard targets? I'm very curious.
If some one wants to steal it, they will. With power locks it is less likley, you can make it harder for thieves by putting a hose clamp around the hinge. The automakers are making easier to keep tailgates locked with central locking also locking the tailgate when exiting if a person is in the habit of locking the doors.
That's funny, one of the things I hate on my 2015 F150 XLT is that every time I want to put something in the bed the stupid thing is locked. yet if I lock the truck, it locks the tailgate. I always figured, why? I don't have a cap or a cover, how am I protecting anything in an open bed? I never thought about the tailgate it's self! One time I was at a Ford dealer and all the trucks in the lot were parked tailgate to tailgate, and tight. I asked why and they said "so that the tailgates don't get stolen". The world is unfortunately full of people that think they should have what you have without having to earn it for themselves.
Home Depot and Lowes parking lots are prime picking places for thieves. I'm sure the 2015+ tailgates are more expensive t hen the older ones, but, the 2009-2014 tailgates are about $900 to buy and have painted and that's without the bling.
In nearly thirty years of owning pickups, I had never heard of tailgate theft as a big problem. It wasn't until I got my current ride (first one with a tailgate lock). Mostly because like eeyore150, I was getting irritated about reaching for the tailgate latch at the Lowes with my hands full and finding it locked.
Then, while looking for ways to disable it, I started seeing that tailgate theft is apparently an epidemic that I've been lucky enough to avoid. I decided to just change the way I approach my truck in the parking lot by having my keys out before I get there.
I'm still perplexed that there is such a large market on stolen tailgates. How many guys are losing their tailgates and needing black market replacements?
Super Duty tailgate theft is huge, because they fit the '99-'16 year models. Older trucks could have the updated look and pull out step easy.
Same problem with the '80-'96/97 tailgates. They would fit on '64 and up beds. Many of those got stolen here. Especially the ones with the brushed aluminum panel on the back. I came home one day to find mine hanging by a single cable. Theif must have gotten spooked. A hose clamp fixed that problem.
You have to lock the tailgate down here close to Mexico or it will be gone. Since this F150 is relatively new and the tailgate doesn't back fit previous trucks, theft will be limited for some time. Those who want the step or want the Platinum tailgate may still try to steal them.
A friend of mine had his Super Duty tailgate stolen from his driveway a few years ago. It had a step and a camera. $3600 is what his insurance payed for it to be replaced.
Super Duty tailgate theft is huge, because they fit the '99-'16 year models. Older trucks could have the updated look and pull out step easy.
Same problem with the '80-'96/97 tailgates. They would fit on '64 and up beds. Many of those got stolen here. Especially the ones with the brushed aluminum panel on the back. I came home one day to find mine hanging by a single cable. Theif must have gotten spooked. A hose clamp fixed that problem.
You have to lock the tailgate down here close to Mexico or it will be gone. Since this F150 is relatively new and the tailgate doesn't back fit previous trucks, theft will be limited for some time. Those who want the step or want the Platinum tailgate may still try to steal them.
A friend of mine had his Super Duty tailgate stolen from his driveway a few years ago. It had a step and a camera. $3600 is what his insurance payed for it to be replaced.
Around here aluminum is fetching around $.40 cents per pound. Not much money but scrap money is free.
I had a hose clamp attached to my previous vehicles. I know they can easily get them off but with some of the criminals out there if it takes any amount of effort they will go to the next. I have been looking for some clamps that are tamper resistant but can only find some from the UK called tamtorque.
I think I might be leaning toward using these when the time comes. After tightening the clamp you can pull of the little plastic piece and only leaves a square metal peg.
Does the tailgate unlock just like the doors if you have the key fob in your pocket and grab the tailgate handle?
Mizzou - thanks for those pics. I hadn't heard of the hose clamp trick and wondered how you guys installed them. I think I'm going to do that to mine.
If I remember correctly you put the clamp on the tailgate pivot spot for the tailgate with the tailgate in the up position. You try to turn it enough where you can't get to it with the tailgate open but also so it is difficult to get a tool on it with it closed. You will want to slowly open and close it to make sure the clamp doesn't dig into the truck when it turns with the tailgate. It took me a couple of times of trial and error to get my just right. A comfy creeper was a plus for me. I just didn't want a clamp you could use a screw driver or socket on. If I could get a torq type fastener that would just increase the difficulty of the would be thieves.
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