Tailgate Lock Defeated in 30s / Stolen

Tie downs and just preventing flexing when it happens is worth the $175 "insurance", my opinion.

 

I just got rid of my tailgate- voila. Sorry OP. I too have no patience for this kind of sh*t. So nonchalant they are. I guess because many areas simply don’t prosecute. I guess in their defense they don’t prosecute because they don’t bother trying to find these guys. This alone would be the reason I would become a gun owner- ugh. I know, not smart but this pisses me off. Thanks for letting me rant.

 

what about an aftermarket lock that covers the area to the right, did they cut through that also?

 

What are they doing with all these tailgates? Selling stolen property is probably more risky than actually stealing them. I mean the people in the market are people that have likely been the victim of theft. I get stealing cats because of the precious metal, but there is not a lot of metal in tailgate and none of that is precious metal.

 

That's the nice thing about driving without a tailgate-- you dont have to worry about it. There have been times when I had to haul stuff and it was extra work to tie it down. I thought about going the net route but I'll need a tailgate for my camping trips.

Making an easy $300-$500 with almost no risk here in California. They sell to owners who have had it stolen or to autobody repair shops. Unless a brand new tailgate is put back into the ecosystem, every tailgate stolen starts the cycle. The more stolen and the more circulation-- it feeds the theft.

Here's the kicker, most insurance companies will only cover "aftermarket" parts. The body shops that they contract with are likely to buy a used tailgate no questions asked--they may mark up the cost of the tailgate to make some profit. If not, the body shops make money off labor and paint.

This is why I am here. I want to bring awareness.

 

I think it is all the people contacting me on instagram asking me if i need any parts to buy, from tailgate etc. could be them , most are from texas and california.

 

c'mon man

 

SaBellCo for the Win!

I have to spray some WD40/PB Blaster to loosen it because the key will not turn at the moment. lol

 

Were you just at Skyline Park in Napa, CA ?

 

Good idea, but when would you ever take off your tailgate? Still don't what it to freeze up though.

 

Just lack of use can freeze the part of the lock that is *supposed to* withdraw the bolt into the lock from the hinge. If left unused that "pull in" can freeze. I just take off a couple of the corner screws, unlock and lift to be sure I can then put those screws back.

 

Unfortunately no. Wish I were but I'm on the complete opposite cost now.

 

Also, watch out for wheel theft.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wheel-theft-psa.826986/

 

Thieves should hang.

 

What company makes this?

 

BobberCycle, this is the one that I put on mine. Link posted somewhere on page 2.

 

F-ing savages. I have never considered that someone would steal my tailgate - I always back in to park, & usually into the garage. Lately I have been parking it in the driveway (but almost touching the garage door).

 

BobberCycle

 

I love watching On Patrol Live in Fullerton CA. They’ll chase a thief down with half the force… cuff em, question em, and see what all they stole. Then they just take off the cuffs and let them go. It’s like some sort of fictional universe where thieves have zero consequence. And when they get away with it, they sell the stuff and make more $$ than most of here likely do. And don’t try and defend yourself or your property.