How lockable is a Camper Shell with the tailgate?

I just order a Leer 180 for my truck. Was wondering with the camper shell locked, can the tailgate still be opened? The dealer said the shell will keep the tailgate from opening, but I was wondering how hard would it be to force open the tailgate. as if someone wanted to brake into it.

I am planning on using the truck out west this summer and will have camping and other gear locked in the back. Would it be worth looking into an aftermarket lock for the tailgate?

 

I have the same cap and the tailgate can't be opened. The cap door would have to be seriously damaged for the tailgate to open.

 

Get a pop n lock for the tailgate and lock that too.

 

Not sure about the locking mechanism on that model, but a lot of the shells can be snatched open if you tried. What we used to do (and what I've done for my trucks) was get a piece of coated stainless cable and a couple of ferrules and make a section just long enough to loop over the shell's handle and around the hitch (or anything else solid like a bumper mount) and put a padlock on it. It's not going to keep someone out who really wants in; just like your truck, there's a lot of glass, but it'll deter a snatch and grab. Screens or bars over the windows and/or security film will also help. The cheap fix is to mount a hasp but that looks ghetto and involves putting holes in the tailgate. You should get some sort of tailgate lock anyways and use it; tailgate theft is popular on these trucks and it's expensive to replace.


The windows on my shell are tinted and I leave the back kind of messy. With a dark colored blanket on top of stuff it's harder to see plus I usually throw my sleeping bag or another blanket over the top of most stuff along with some dirty clothes for good measure.

 

I have a Leer canopy, I can tell you its not hard for it to get broken into. I was on a trip from Monterey back to BC and decided to stay at a Holiday inn instead of camp in Eugene Oregon. I was parked right out front of the hotel with good lighting, canopy was locked. Sometime in the night the thieves popped off/broke the fibreglass strip that runs the length of the rear window just above the tailgate. With this strip out of the way it was an easy job to open the window and get into the back. If the thieves are motivated and have experience its easy.
I would think most canopies are designed the same way pretty much when it comes to the rear hatch opening.

 

This is why I have a lockable tailgate now.

 

Sounds like I should get a Tailgate lock. I was looking through some posts and I was wondering what pop & lock do you guys use? The

$100 PL5400 Black Manual Tailgate Lock with Bolt Codeable Technology for Toyota Tacoma

PL5400(codeable) or the

$92 PL5500 , Standard Lock

PL5500? I like the idea of using the truck key to open the tailgate but sounds like some people have issues with them not unlocking.

 

I have the manual code able one, but it's all personal preference.

 

My tail gate lock cost $8. Two 4inch barrel bolts mounted on the tail gate and two 1/2in holes drilled into the sides of the bed.

 

I used to have a snug top on my 03' and if it was locked, the tailgate couldn't be opened. But my pops has a Leer on his 05' and it's the same, as long as the cap is put on right and locked it should hold the tailgate shut.

 

Pics??

 

They are all locked until the thief gets out his tools. The back is only secure from honest people. If a thief wants in they just start prying stuff apart. Easy enough to lift a bag over the locked tailgate after breaking the rear canopy window.

 

Well there's nothing anyone can really do about that now is there. Of course someone would say something like that. But I'm pretty sure the thief would likely also break into the truck if he was gonna go that far. Nothing you can really do to prevent that now is there. of course besides building a cage inside but what's the use to go through that much hassle for the what if? That's why we pay for insurance right

 

I once had a guy lift my top and drop the tailgate. That pile of old clothes was me and my Hipower, both awake now. No, I didn't shoot...not that good on moving targets...from that far away...

 

Not exactly Fort Knox but maybe just enough for somebody to move on to the next truck. As has been mentioned, a brick through the window defeats all locks.

 

I figured Eugene, Oregon out front of the Holiday Inn by the university with great lighting would be safe but apparently not.
On our trip camping - zero theft, hotel camping - I was busted into
For sure the locking tailgate helps but the dorks just reach over. The first pic shows the fibreglass trim strip removed by thieves

 

Here is my similar fix

 

I dig thisssss! How well does it work. I love the concept, almost thought about doing it today. I hate reading all the negative stuff about the pop n lock. Your idea is lowkey and practical!

 

And cheap! Works great too. Mount the barrel bolt first with sheet metal screws and mark where it hits the bed frame. Drill a small (1/8") pilot hole to center it then a 1/2". Done. I did both sides, makes the tailgate rigid.

 

Also idea without drilling, if you have somewhere to secure it to the bed track or clamp somewhere inside: chain/rope that to a carabiner to something secured to a tailgate bolt. I had installed handles there anyway with paracord and tubing to close the gate from the inside while camping. A thief almost couldnt tell it's locked until trying, but thief could break the plastic on my rear window and open tailgate pretty easily if it weren't for this.