Tailgate stealing?!

Nickynick · #1 (**permalink**) 02-07-2012, 08:08 AM

i was just at the airport parking my truck and some guy comes up to me and goes "hey id lock your tailgate if i were you.." we got to chattin and he told me somewhere they were stealing tailgates.. on the news he saw in 6 minutes, a white van pulled into a dealership and stole 4 tailgates... WHAT THE HELL?

Does Locking that tailgate help or are you screwed if the guy is good..

Dylan08 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-07-2012, 08:16 AM

I have never locked a tail gate an never had a problem, I will say they are very easy to take off, and would take some1 with experiance less than 30 seconds to pop one off. And with the tailgates with steps and cameras selling for $800 ther is a market for them. I would lock it if u go somewher busy like that.

smotrs · #3 (**permalink**) 02-07-2012, 08:18 AM

I always lock, new tailgate cost like $3k at the dealer with the integrated step. I had a '92 Nissan back in the day and the tailgate was stolen, a new one at that time was $1k. I always lock now.

GregsSD · #4 (**permalink**) 02-07-2012, 08:18 AM

Locking it helps!!!
If they really want it they will get it but usually they don't want to destroy the handle when they take it because it will hurt the resale value

I keep mine locked all the time and I put a hoseclamp around the hinge just to make it that much harder to take quickly

Lt1rx798 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-07-2012, 08:20 AM

+1 on the hose clamp. It may just be what it takes for them to lose interest.

Dylan08 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-07-2012, 08:26 AM

I was gona add to put hose clamps on each side but y'all beat me to it.

**SuperCrutyPS** · #7 (**permalink**) 02-07-2012, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan08

I was gona add to put hose clamps on each side but y'all beat me to it.

You really only need one on the right side because that's the side that slips out of the hinge. The left side is solid and will only come off once the right side is out. It's up to you though.

There is this from JimmyJammer also:
http://www.jimmijammer.com/Product,%20GK.htm