Lock your tailgate
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
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.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,061
Likes: 39
From: Laramie, WY
I lock my truck when I'm in town even though I'm in a rural area and we don't have much trouble like that...but there are college kids around. I highly recommend it in large urban areas. Also think about the off road lights you might have on your truck, they can easily disappear.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Duarte,CA
Same here, everywhere I go I always make sure I lock my tailgate. I'm so glad that my new tailgate came with power lock. I also purchased this gizmo for extra security. It would minimize the risk and very easy to install.
Tailgate Theft Prevention, get a Gate Keeper
Tailgate Theft Prevention, get a Gate Keeper
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 8
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!
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 2
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.
Attachment 286226
Attachment 286226
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New User
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: PA
Agreed, first thing I did to the truck after picking it up. If you can fit a socket in there, you can angle the screw head far down enough that you'd have to cut it off to remove it without having special tools on you.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,934
Likes: 1,351
From: NY/Canada border
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.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 562
Likes: 45
My neighbor had the tailgate stolen of his '15 350 during the day where he parks for work. It was over $3k (insurance claim) to replace it. The hose clamp will slow them down, but they are easily cut if the bad guy is prepared and wants it bad enough. My '17 350 came with one of the locking hose clamp style locks from the dealer. I had to remove it when I had the LineX done, but they never put the key in the truck. The lock was very easy to cut with wire cutter, I had the tail gate off in under a minute. I'm happy the '17+ trucks have an auto locking tailgate linked to the door locks (on some trim levels anyway).
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 175
Likes: 6
My XL has a power tailgate lock. I just assumed it was standard??
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 8
Any welders in the house?
I foresee a biz just welding the tailgate on permanently. Then put a small placard on the floor of the tailgate that points that out. (so that they don't rip up your truck trying to yank it out)
I foresee a biz just welding the tailgate on permanently. Then put a small placard on the floor of the tailgate that points that out. (so that they don't rip up your truck trying to yank it out)
