Tailgate lock?
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 501
Likes: 7
From: Deep East Texas
Tailgate lock?
I know tailgates are stolen from newer truck but what about our older trucks? When I was getting my bed cover installed, a guy was getting a tailgate lock installed. I was just wondering if any of you guys were concerned about getting your tailgate stolen.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,952
Likes: 589
From: Greater Austin, Texas
Just put a stainless steel hose clamp on the right side hinge. Get the kind with a hex nut and turn that downward (so a screwdriver cannot access) and tighten it with an open-end wrench. That'll take care of it and much less hassle and expense than a lock.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 991
Likes: 6
From: San Antonio, Texas
I will follow suit; have a million of these clamps in my parts cabinet.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 501
Likes: 7
From: Deep East Texas
I have heard of the hose clamp trick before. It is a good idea. Thanks. Still, I'm curious if older tailgates like ours are stolen much? I think I'll opt for the hose clamp and hope that is all I need.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 991
Likes: 6
From: San Antonio, Texas
I've driven to some pretty sketchy areas around SA, and left my truck parked; nothing so far (knock on wood).
Around here, new truck and new truck parts theft is REALLY common. The border being so close makes selling the parts off for extra jack real easy and virtually untraceable.
Around here, new truck and new truck parts theft is REALLY common. The border being so close makes selling the parts off for extra jack real easy and virtually untraceable.
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Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 501
Likes: 7
From: Deep East Texas
Thanks Josh. There's not a ton of thefts in my area but what there is, is usually done by crack heads. I will put a hose clamp on soon as a deterrent.
I've driven to some pretty sketchy areas around SA, and left my truck parked; nothing so far (knock on wood).
Around here, new truck and new truck parts theft is REALLY common. The border being so close makes selling the parts off for extra jack real easy and virtually untraceable.
Around here, new truck and new truck parts theft is REALLY common. The border being so close makes selling the parts off for extra jack real easy and virtually untraceable.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 226
Likes: 4
From: Glendale, AZ
My F350 has no tailgate, as it's a flat bed. But on the Ram, I took an alternative approach - failed to pay proper attention, and backed the truck into the trailer tongue a few times, as well as a couple trees. Bam! Tailgate damaged enough to not be a theft target!
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 501
Likes: 7
From: Deep East Texas
Not the approach I was looking for but I guess this would work. 
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
Glenn if you are like me and never take the gate off, I had a thought that we could round the hex out so a small cresent wrench or such won" work either. Then if we ever need it off dikes or something like that will do it. At least we can possibly eliminate or deter one more potential theft if they try.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX
lol. Around here, the tweakers wouldn't care, as it's still worth 5 bucks at the scrap yard, which is what they seem to do with anything metal that isn't welded or bolted down to anything.
Now that scrap prices have dropped substantially, I don't see them being stolen so much now. But on the newer trucks with backup cameras, they are still targeting those for the electronics in them. But most newer trucks have locks as well...
