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A lock might help slow them down and if you slow them down enough, hopefully they will move to easier pickings. Obviously, lock the gate with the OEM lock, many folks don’t. Get a locking bed cover of some kind. If they have easy access to the panel on the gate, they can unlock it quickly. I have a locking device on mine but I modified the lock in such a way that the only way to get it off is to cut it off. I don’t remove my tailgate so it works for me. Sure, someone could still get it but between the banging, grinding, and cutting to eventually get it off, I will probably already be standing behind them with a shotgun before they are finished.
I ordered a McGard off of Amazon yesterday...so we'll see i guess.
I do have a BakFlip MX4 installed as well....so they'll have to work abit to get it.
I’d skip McGard and the like. Those things are plastic. I can’t imagine being concerned enough about tailgate theft to buy a lock and then settling on a piece of plastic to do the job. Yikes.
Any thief willing to grab a tailgate can open Bakflip tonneau covers with a coat hanger and 10 seconds. Those open by simply pulling a tension cable. They don’t lock. Slip a coat hanger between the seal and off you go. Easy peasy.
I’d go with something metal. Either just use the old hose clamp trick or go with something like Gate Keeper. Use some Loctite red (permanent) on the hardware.
You can also use some J-B Weld on the end of the bolt so a tool will no longer work to remove the bolt or you can grind the end of the bolt off so no tool will work and you must drill it out to get it off. Again, I would only do this if you are one that never removes their tailgate.
Sorry if I'm late to the party, I'm a new '19 owner. Is tailgate theft a significant issue with these trucks?
I guess so if there are vendors making kits for it.
Are certain models more targeted than others?
Can one of you get a new owner up to speed?
thanks
jimmy p
I’d skip McGard and the like. Those things are plastic. I can’t imagine being concerned enough about tailgate theft to buy a lock and then settling on a piece of plastic to do the job. Yikes.
I’d go with something metal. Either just use the old hose clamp trick or go with something like Gate Keeper. Use some Loctite red (permanent) on the hardware.
I went with this ( Gate Keeper ) also, Plastic and Desert Heat is never a good combination.
I’d skip McGard and the like. Those things are plastic. I can’t imagine being concerned enough about tailgate theft to buy a lock and then settling on a piece of plastic to do the job. Yikes.
Any thief willing to grab a tailgate can open Bakflip tonneau covers with a coat hanger and 10 seconds. Those open by simply pulling a tension cable. They don’t lock. Slip a coat hanger between the seal and off you go. Easy peasy.
I’d go with something metal. Either just use the old hose clamp trick or go with something like Gate Keeper. Use some Loctite red (permanent) on the hardware.
Tailgate theft isn't a big problem here.
It's more something to give myself something to tinker with in the garage.
Thanks for the tips though.
Sorry if I'm late to the party, I'm a new '19 owner. Is tailgate theft a significant issue with these trucks?
I guess so if there are vendors making kits for it.
Are certain models more targeted than others?
Can one of you get a new owner up to speed?
thanks
jimmy p
Yes, it is crazy but true. Dallas/Ft Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio are really bad. I always park against a wall or barrier if possible. Airports are the worst, malls too.
Yes, it is crazy but true. Dallas/Ft Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio are really bad. I always park against a wall or barrier if possible. Airports are the worst, malls too.
I just read the other thread linked in this thread.
\Crazy.
I have owned a pickup of some type constantly since 1988 and never heard of someone getting their tailgate stolen.
That Gate Keeper for $27 looks like a no brainer for piece of mind.
The way I use my truck it isnt usually left anywhere for very long without me near it, but better safe than sorry I guess.
Google is your friend. Lots of articles about tailgate theft. Particularly with all the technology Ford and GM are putting into these things, it’s a healthy business to steal and resell on Craigslist, et al. As with anything else, it’s highly dependent on where you live, where you park, where you work, and so on.
I park in my garage at home. I work at private business in Boulder. I’m on the lower side of the risk for tailgate theft, so I haven’t locked mine down, yet. Yet. For $25, I will eventually grab the Gate Keeper.
