Make sure your tailgates and spare tires are secured in SO CAL, the news is reporting we are having a rash of tailgate and spare tire thefts.

 

I saw that too. Thanks for posting it.

It's another in a long list of reasons why we're going to leave the San Fernando Valley and move south to the OC (Orange County, CA).

Tailgate, tire and wheel thefts climbing in San Fernando Valley

 

I was a Police Officer in So. Cal. For 33 yrs, moving to O.C. won't help. Crooks are EVERYWHERE, 300 organized gangs in O.C. alone. Mostly hispanic and asian. What's really being done about it....not much thanks to our chicken chit, hand ringing liberal politicians.

 

How do they go about stealing these when the tailgate lock is part of the trucks locking system and the release for the spare has a key plug plus a key to release the spare using the winch?

 

First off, criminals travel to nicer neighborhoods to get nicer stuff. So moving to a more upscale area doesn't lower your risk.

Our 2017 SD trucks are a bit harder, so it's less likely to get stolen. Tailgate and spare tire thefts are a crime of opportunity and less likely a planned theft of a specific victim. So, if they have to work harder to get your stuff, you are less likely to get victimized. Tonneau covers, dark tints, locked doors, alarms with stickers/lights in the truck all help. Most common reason this stuff happens is forgetting to lock the doors.

If you're super paranoid about it, purchase and install a separate tailgate lock.

 

There was a guy on here some time back that had his stolen in his driveway just a few feet from his front door... And he even had a video of the theft... he had one of those aftermarket theft prevention devices and they still got it off in just a few minutes. ... Brand new 2017 SD.

 

Had my 2011 SD tailgate stolen a couple years ago while in Ontario, CA a couple days. Taken while parked at the Sheraton Airport Hotel. I failed to lock the tailgate . . . but it can be defeated if they have enough time. To slow the as@^~oles down I bought a Master tailgate lock to secure the right hand side of the tailgate.

 

Sleepy....there was a post about this awhile back for the '17 tailgates with the lock. They jump up in the bed and take off the panel just behind the camera/handle. That gives them access to mess with the locking mechanism. Someone suggested putting a different screw head other then the torx that is on there...maybe to slow them down. Maybe put a screw with a square or other odd shape that holds the panel down.

 

The Master doesn't stop them. They have this thing down pat. Tailgates, esp. the one with the built in steps are hot items because of the cost to replace them. Up to 5 grand at a dealership.

 

So is there anything out there that does work "well enough" to make our trucks less of a target?

 

Never said it will stop them completely, but my prevent one guy over another from taking the tailgate. If they want it bad enough it theirs.

 

The tonneau cover and shock alarm I added should help prevent this I am guessing. Next step is the SIM card box that allows cell phone notification.

Don't mess with my truck!

 

what lock are you guys using on the hinge? My tailgates are always locked to reduce theft but a little help can't hurt.

 

IMHO, a hose clamp at 50 cents will work as good as any of the high dollar stuff. If they're a pro it's gone.

 

Pictures please of this interesting mod.