Truck/TV Tailgates Being Stolen

[dpam]

This was discussed a while ago, but maybe its time for a refresher.
Watching the news in Calgary this morning the Calgary City Police identified that 2600 truck tailgates were stolen in Calgary during 2013. The police said the tailgates are valued at $1,000 to $3,000 and if they have a rear camera they are more expensive. The police said if the tailgate is not locked it takes a thief 5 minutes to steal the tailgate. The police also said the majority of the thefts were in residential neighbourhoods.

My understanding is that these thefts are happening across Canada and the USA.

[DQDick]

Yes, it is becoming common because of the money involved and it being hard to identify the tailgate as yours. You can get $300-400 for them without any questions asked. I'll be selling some Monday for Fish and Wildlife and even if I come in an unmarked truck the fact that I have several to sell won't be an issue.

[bncinwv]

Wow, I didn't know Fish and Wildlife was so brazen in their fundraising endeavors!!!
Bingo

[Jolu]

Sure sounds fishy!!

[BB_TX]

Same problem in this area. I was amazed at how easy they are to remove.
Mine normally stays locked. And I put a hose clamp on it, turned the head of the tightening screw in the least accessible direction, and put a glob (a technical term) of gorilla glue on the head of that screw to fill the screwdriver slot and round off the hex head. At least they will have to work for it.

[Recumbent]

We keep ours locked, have the hose clamp on with bolt spun around then taped over with Gorilla Tape. Also, have a chain attached though access hole in bottom of tailgate to a tension rod inside of tailgate then this short piece of chain is bolted down to the truck frame and wrapped with electrical tape to stop any clanging.

[DQDick]

quote:Originally posted by bncinwv

Wow, I didn't know Fish and Wildlife was so brazen in their fundraising endeavors!!!
Bingo

Now, Now If we just thru the tailgates out when we added tool boxes or a lift gate that would be a waste of your hard earned tax dollars. On the other hand, possibly the tailgate donation box by the front gate may be going a little too far

[Artemus Gordon]

It's big problem here as well. It takes seconds to remove them. I added a tailgate alarm switch on both my trucks ! Car battery's and Propane tanks are also popular!

[rohrmann]

We need to also be aware of the spare tires being stolen. Prior to retiring, I discovered someone attempted to remove my spare while parked in my driveway, but couldn't complete the task as I had an after-market lock on the tire. Several weeks later, after alerting the other guys at work, one of the fellows came in one morning telling about his spare missing.

[steves]

Yes the hose clamp works great (as mentioned above) and those of us who have the built in step (and heated tailgate - LOL) find our trucks as prime targets.

[1retired06]

Excellent commercial product: Jimmy Jammers Gatekeeper.

[Rainer]

Am I missing something?

I simply lock my tailgate, figuring it will be too much of a hassle to remove easily and thieves will go to the next truck.

When I'm hauling my Monte, I use a Stromberg Carlson 100 Series 5th Wheel Tailgate and leave my OEM tailgate locked up at home.

[Artemus Gordon]

quote:Originally posted by steves

Yes the hose clamp works great (as mentioned above) and those of us who have the built in step (and heated tailgate - LOL) find our trucks as prime targets.

Steve my truck tail gate is only "Air Conditioned" the Ford heated tailgate will be on next years model. I hate that, changes that are useful, always come out, after I buy!

[jjackflash]

http://www.jimmijammer.com

I bought one for my tailgate and one for my Taillights with a high recommendation from Butch Youngren.
Thanks Butch!

[mobilcastle]

I use this-it takes a special key to remove it. I figure if it is a PIA they will move on.http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mcg-76029?seid=srese1&gclid=CObStKrj07sCFQISMwodCmkA_Q

[K0LCB]

I replaced mine with a cheap, plastic tailgate. So far no one has bothered it

[DQDick]

That's the same with ours. Not much money in recycled plastic.

[Wheelhouse]

I may be missing something here. I can take my tailgate off in about 30 seconds. I do it when I go to the landfill. Open tailgate, retract tabs that holds cable on both sides, lift tailgate off roller on right side, slide off left roller and remove tailgate. Away it goes. Ford, Chevy I know have this easy removal feature. The thieves wouldn't worry about the brackets, get those at dealer or wrecking yard, cheap.

[Bruce Lenhardt]

Yes you may be missing the point made by the original poster. The concern is that thieves can easily remove the tailgate and how to prevent easy removal.

[Bigsky3625RE]

Double tap.......

Or we keep ours locked and the tonneau cover locked.

But seriously, people need to respect others property.

I must be getting old. I could never do anything like that......not mine.