Tailgate lock... why ?

What am I missing here ? New TRD Pro inbound and had tailgate lock option. Unless you had a shell on your bed, what good is a tailgate lock ?

 

Maybe someone will have a shell one day?

 

You ever had to replace a stolen tailgate they are $700-$1,000 and get stolen often.

 

Why not?

 

if you don't want it leave it unlocked?

 

Keep the tail gate from being stolen? Swapping tailgates is not a $100 junkyard swap anymore with back up cameras and other tech.

 

I have a Tonneau cover and keep the tailgate locked. You have to open the tailgate before the tonneau cover.
A friend of mine had a Quad in his full-size truck with a Quad in the back, tailgate closed. Someone opened the tailgate and stole his Quad.

 

Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Private Pyle, if there is one thing in this world that I hate, it is an unlocked footlocker! You know that don't you?

Private Gomer Pyle: Sir, yes, sir.

Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: If it wasn't for dickheads like you, there wouldn't be any thievery in this world, would there?

Private Gomer Pyle: Sir, no, sir.

Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: GET DOWN!

 

Derr, it saves you having to lock it by hand.

toyota doesn't put the auto tailgate lock on, the distributor does. Tail gates are also extremely easy to steal if unlocked, and there is a huge black market for them, they fetch $$$$ for about 10 seconds work to steal an unlocked one.

 

A lockless tailgate?

 

I thought the tailgate lock was standard? At least on the TRD packages?

Well anywho I'm glad I have a lock after reading through this thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tailgate-theft-how-to-prevent-it.27829/

 

I just wanted a tail less lockgate.

 

Wow!

 

The real question should be: why didn't they make it electronic like the rest of the truck ? Now I have to carry a fob...and a key.

Irritating oversight / design

 

If you have to ask, consider yourself lucky.

 

2017 made the key in the fob the same as the tailgate lock though, right? At least mine came that way, so no need to carry an extra key if you already have the fob.

 

Friends have an F350 with backup camera in the tailgate. They pulled into a store, gone for 2 minutes and the gate was gone when they got back. Wires were cut to the camera. Cost was just under $3K to replace it.

Ford does on 2015's and newer. My 07 Tacoma doesn't have a lock, but does have a dent. If I were a dishonest person I'd swap mine with someone else with a white tailgate. There are lots of people less honest than me. My 2014 F-150 does have a lock. In fact Ford has been using them since at least 2002. Good to hear that Toyota is finally doing the same.

 

I hear ya. I used to live in SoCal, and see how the lock is a good idea. Just haven't had to think much about tailgate thievery living here in the boonies. That shite get you shot round here'

 

Can it be unlocked from inside the bed if you have a tonneau cover? (Asking for a friend)