Thieves still able to steal tailgates even with an electric lock?

Saw this on another forum and didnt want to hijack it. I put a homemade electric tailgate lock on my tailgate actuator. It disables the tailgate handle when locked so the tailgate cant be opened.
On another forum, a couple members said the tailgate can still be stolen, even if the electric lock is actuated. Cant see how, you cant open the tailgate by the handle, I guess they can remove the tailgate ribbed cover to get in there if they had time, but was wondering how they can steal it? I didnt really want to post this, in case any thieves on here would read it and use the info, so answer only if you dont believe that I guess.

 

If the taco tailgate handle is anything like the old chevys, all you do break the plastic handle housing and pull on both bars that control the latch to striker and click open.

 

Dang...hopefully the thieves dont follow this forum. If you pull on the handle super hard and it breaks off the handle, is the housing easy to break, or will they damage the tailgate trying to break it?

 

...do people really steal tailgates?

 

If they really want it they will take it all you can really do is slow them down or dissuade them. The electric lock sounds legit
But like anything it breaks. I stick to insurance and locking my tailgate with the key. I haven’t had any problems. I
Also live in the safest area in the country. The (ghetto) here involves lots of greenery and palm trees.

 

Yes.

 

Holy moley. If someone has the balls/stupidly to fuck with a a guys truck on a dirt road in western Colorado well they better be ready for what’s comin

 

people will really steal anything

 

The best deterrent I've seen is the hose clamp around the hinge on the right side, combined with actually locking the tailgate. They'd need a screwdriver and a hammer to defeat both.

 

There's nothing you can do about the pros. You're just guarding against the opportunists.

 

sabellco.com
This is a step up from the hose clamp.

 

^^^just ordered mine!^^^

 

No threats of firearms or violence that’s never good. That’s just mind blowing to me. No idea why someone would want a tailgate.

 

My yard guy has had two stolen in the last 6 months. So yeah, they do.

 

Resell for drug money. Drugs are bad, don't do drugs.

 

People suck.

 

Tacoma tailgates are stolen the most in Texas and California. Think about it, the tailgates contain a rear view camera, so if your tailgate is stolen you have to get another tailgate, another camera, the wiring, and then have to paint it. I have heard quotes for a complete replacement at around $3000 for everything. The 3rd generation tacoma tailgate is not your grandma's tailgate, so to speak. It is much bigger and thicker and as I said, contains the backup camera as well. Like others have said, even though it is locked, another deterrent and probably the cheapest, is to install a hose clamp around the right side of where the tailgate fits in, which is somewhat open for easy removal of the tailgate. I actually made a video showing how to do it, although it is insanely simple to do. However, after posting the video, someone suggested that when installing the hose clamp, to put the actual "screw" so it is at the BOTTOM of the truck, and not on top, which would make it even harder for potential thieves to remove. Here is the link to my video on this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJt4A_hCIrs

 

Another sabellco here, worth the price for peace of mind.

 

That's what I used as well. And I do not lock my tailgate. It was a drag to unlock when I did not always have the key handy.

 

And Potheads fantasizing about stealing Tacoma tailgates.