Tacoma Tailgate thefts...

Saw it on YouTube and its worth to share it here..

https://youtu.be/itN2hEC_Rpw

 

old news.. been talked about and there is a easy fix.

Edit: just lock it, but i did install a pop n lock because i sometime keep power tools in the back, and for when i got out west to the red states and camp!

 

There have been a few guys in the OC area and the south bay that have had theirs stolen. I also see a few at my supply store that are missing theirs.

 

Less than 30 in my state , ill take my chances

 

@christian06 can hook you up:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/anti-theft-device.593155/

 

Red ranges from 62 to 1,360...?

That’s quite a range LOL

 

Very interesting and informative charts. Kinda' explains why its a fairly often discussed topic here. I couldn't figure it out. Now I understand.

 

I see a trend....

 

Gen 3's have a lock.

 

To the point that unless it's a "red" state in the illustration, (mostly just TX and CA) tailgate theft is statistically insignificant.

 

Agreed, in that this is old news and well documented in other threads. But once again, I will post the easy solution that at the very least, is a great deterrent. Here is my video:

Simple safeguard for your tailgate!
https://youtu.be/GJt4A_hCIrs

 

Having spent most of my life in CA, this explains why most people around DC and WV look at me like I have two heads when I always make sure I lock my tailgate.

 

I am in Northern CA, and I would have never thought about locking my tailgate if I hadn't see the video that "Robmotion" posted on Youtube, about tailgate thefts and his solution. I ended up getting the Pop&Lock power tailgate lock as well as I also did the hose clamp installation, which to me, was probably enough. But in thinking about the electronics in the tailgate, with the rear camera, and all it would take to replace the tailgate if one was stolen, I decided that prevention is certainly worth an ounce of cure. As Robmotive said in his video, [paraphrasing] a thief will open your tailgate, and unhook the side cables, then lift the tailgate off. Oh, and because of time considerations, he is not likely to unplug the electric cables at the bottom either, but he will cut them. SO when you find your tailgate stolen, you will need the new tailgate, camera as they don't come with the camera installed when replacing them, new wiring, and then you will need to PAINT it. You are talking 1000s of dollars to replace the tailgate like new! I had just never thought about it until Robmotive's videos. Then, just recently, I also saw the video on the news talking about tailgate thefts. Indeed too, most of the thefts are in Texas and California. So yes, at the very least, installing the $2 hose clamp in and of itself, is a great deterrent.

 

I have lived in Northern California and never heard of 1 person ever having a tailgate stolen. I've been driving for 21 years now, owned Tacoma's since 05 and have never locked my tailgate one time.

 

Its about $1000 to replace

 

I would think it's even higher with the camera in there.

 

I grew up around the IE and desert and spent most of my 20's in LA so... yeah. Had mine stolen on my Ranger and took precautions on my first Tacoma. Now it's just old habits that die hard.

 

Wait, so camera aside, why is stealing a tailgate a thing?

 

Typically it's an often-needed part to fix up damaged vehicles and they're not cheap new. Go to any junk yard and it's one of the hardest parts to find. When all it takes is opening the latch, releasing the tether, and pulling up at a 45 degree angle, it's an easy grab.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/anti-theft-device.593155/