Lock your tailgate
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 289
Likes: 6
From: Berwick, Maine
Its good advice they are very expensive gates. I even lock my headache rack on. We had a smaller lock on one the other day and they hacked through the clamp that locks to the rear rack to the front. They managed to steel half of it (about $450 dollars worth) and then partially disassembled the front rack and bed rails. Fortunately they didn't have the right tools to get the whole rack off. I always keep a lock on mine and my gate locked for sure.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 8
From: Tomball, Tx
Most of the time they'll bust stuff up just for spite.
the hose clamp anti-theft system has been around since the 80s - tailgate theft isn't new....unfortunately too many consider it petty theft and just let the insurance deal w/ it.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
LOCK YOUR TAILGATE
I deal with law enforcement in a number of ways and learned something I was unaware of. I guess these new tailgates are desirable (especially ones with a camera) and there has been a sharp increase in incidents where unlocked tailgates are removed and stolen from newer trucks. Maybe this is common knowledge here but I a coming from an SUV and never really thought of it as an issue.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 2
Haha I'm in BC in a small city but crocks are crocks, I can't tell you how many propane tanks we stolen at our shop last year, cut through our cage. And a couple of months ago someone stole the batteries out of one of our box vans. Which isn't too big a deal other than they literally ripped them out pulling all the wiring out in the process. They probably got 30 bucks for 2-250 dollar batteries, the repair and battery replacement was about a grand. I hate thieves.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 289
Likes: 6
From: Berwick, Maine
Haha I'm in BC in a small city but crocks are crocks, I can't tell you how many propane tanks we stolen at our shop last year, cut through our cage. And a couple of months ago someone stole the batteries out of one of our box vans. Which isn't too big a deal other than they literally ripped them out pulling all the wiring out in the process. They probably got 30 bucks for 2-250 dollar batteries, the repair and battery replacement was about a grand. I hate thieves.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Can someone post pictures of theirs with the hose clamp? I might do the same if I need too. My truck is parked outside all the time and I was afraid someone might try to steal it. I often times park really close to the garage door so it’ll be hard to take off.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 2
Thanks, yes being in business is challenging enough without people stealing from you. That said we all know it is just a part of life, criminals are around and it is going to happen so all we can do is try our best to deter them by not making it too easy for them.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
From: Eagan, MN
I put 4 lbs of C4 in the inside of my tailgate. With a remote detonator that I can trigger with my cell phone, as long as the tailgate is within Verizon's coverage area.
If the tailgate is ever stolen, a simple call to the detonator renders the tailgate inoperable.
If the tailgate is ever stolen, a simple call to the detonator renders the tailgate inoperable.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 282
Likes: 2
I'm in an optioned out XL.
I don't have to worry about people stealing my tailgate. At least until I steal one of your fancy tailgates. My game plan is to swap gates with another white truck. Should take the owner months before he notice's his tailgate no longer has a step thing!
I don't have to worry about people stealing my tailgate. At least until I steal one of your fancy tailgates. My game plan is to swap gates with another white truck. Should take the owner months before he notice's his tailgate no longer has a step thing!
Lol........
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 282
Likes: 2
I bought a lock that goes around the hinge, similar to the hose clamp idea for my 2016. I kept it and it's now on the 2017.
There was a rash of thefts in my area a year or so ago. Turned out to be 3 military guys from the local base. Nothing much reported since the arrests.
There was a rash of thefts in my area a year or so ago. Turned out to be 3 military guys from the local base. Nothing much reported since the arrests.
Link to lock please.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,217
Likes: 4,221
From: Kaysville Utah
And a couple of months ago someone stole the batteries out of one of our box vans. Which isn't too big a deal other than they literally ripped them out pulling all the wiring out in the process. They probably got 30 bucks for 2-250 dollar batteries, the repair and battery replacement was about a grand. I hate thieves.
They just cut the cables and ripped the batteries out. They cut cables on 4 other machines that couldn't get the batteries out and left them but had ruined the cables.
Cost several grand to fix all the cables and replace the batteries.
I suspect they don't sell them for salvage value, But rather just want the battery acid to make meth with.
Time for some booby traps on the job site. Maybe some pits with rebar for them to fall in when they come in the dark
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 2
We had thieve come on our jobsite Tuesday night and took 6 batteries out of Dump Trucks, Track Hoes, etc.
They just cut the cables and ripped the batteries out. They cut cables on 4 other machines that couldn't get the batteries out and left them but had ruined the cables.
Cost several grand to fix all the cables and replace the batteries.
I suspect they don't sell them for salvage value, But rather just want the battery acid to make meth with.
Time for some booby traps on the job site. Maybe some pits with rebar for them to fall in when they come in the dark
They just cut the cables and ripped the batteries out. They cut cables on 4 other machines that couldn't get the batteries out and left them but had ruined the cables.
Cost several grand to fix all the cables and replace the batteries.
I suspect they don't sell them for salvage value, But rather just want the battery acid to make meth with.
Time for some booby traps on the job site. Maybe some pits with rebar for them to fall in when they come in the dark
Lovely, its frustrating know doubt. The biggest PITA of all of it is the down time and resources it takes to resolve these things. In our busy season we don't even bother with insurance because we don't have the time to go through the process.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 289
Likes: 6
From: Berwick, Maine
We had thieve come on our jobsite Tuesday night and took 6 batteries out of Dump Trucks, Track Hoes, etc.
They just cut the cables and ripped the batteries out. They cut cables on 4 other machines that couldn't get the batteries out and left them but had ruined the cables.
Cost several grand to fix all the cables and replace the batteries.
I suspect they don't sell them for salvage value, But rather just want the battery acid to make meth with.
Time for some booby traps on the job site. Maybe some pits with rebar for them to fall in when they come in the dark
They just cut the cables and ripped the batteries out. They cut cables on 4 other machines that couldn't get the batteries out and left them but had ruined the cables.
Cost several grand to fix all the cables and replace the batteries.
I suspect they don't sell them for salvage value, But rather just want the battery acid to make meth with.
Time for some booby traps on the job site. Maybe some pits with rebar for them to fall in when they come in the dark
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 415
Likes: 1
Had someone try and take mine (2006 superduty) the other night in front of daughter’s house. Luckily I had installed a hinge lock (made by masterlock). They were able to lower the tailgate even though it was locked but when they saw the other combo lock and realized that it would take some time (and make too much noise) to defeat it, they just walked away. That $20 lock saved me a bunch of money and aggravation! I F’in hate thieves! I do like the rebar and C4 ideas....