What have you done to protect your tailgates from being stolen?

This is about as detailed a post as I can find but just skimming it I don’t believe it lists the large washer size. I removed the bolt and took it into the store with me. The hardest part is sourcing the smaller washer that allows the cable to rotate freely, they are a pretty unusual size.. Skateboard “speed washers” work perfectly.
Check your local skate shop if you don’t know any anyone who skates. Both probably have a parts bin and would be willing to just give you some (I needed 4). They come in sets of 16 with skateboard bearings and a lot of people don’t use them

 

Obviously. If I am carrying tools with intent I can bypass any device you put on a tailgate in under a minute.

 

I took a different route,

I found a 'used' one for sale at a very reasonable price and bought it ahead of mine being stolen.

Guy made me a deal on some used cats too





Happy Friday.

 

Toyota power tailgate lock.

 

This looks like an interesting option.

 

Funny but I bet this happens a lot, sadly.

 

how many tools can they carry?

 

Thieves are not the brightest sometimes... hopefully not color blind ... i purposefully colored the tailgate lock and washer cable red as a warning... i still need to source the smaller spacer for the cable fastener... not completely finished...

funny i just noticed the yellow factory sticker recommending looking at the owner's manual before tailgate removal...

 

Says it won't fit my 2018?

 

Red Sabellco lock, oem power tail gate lock, bakflip x4s tonneau.

 

I live in a small town in the midwest. If I have to go to a city I lock it with the ignition key.



.

 

I always just locked mine with the key. Recently added the OEM tailgate lock actuator, took about 30 min and is one of the best additions I've made to the truck. Nice easy feelgood practical mod. I also have the roc block tailgate seal which would make it marginally harder to remove. I don't see much of a need for any other deterrent unless you park with your tailgate down or unlocked regularly.

 

What works for the inside spacer on the cable-attachment/large-washer solution is what I discovered in my "random parts" bin ... when attaching coaxial cable ends to the cables there are rings that are compressed onto the cable. Those compressible rings are available at Home Depot in the "home wiring" section for phone-jacks/coax-wall-plugs/etc. Pictures below. That and a SaBellCo lock on the hinge itself.

 

$26.50
https://www.ebay.com/itm/303550889666?epid=4043830306

 

I appreciate all of the helpful suggestions. My 2023 SR5 has the tailgate lock, and I just put the washers on the cable ends based upon this thread.
But ANY comment about any place being "safe" from theft ("the midwest") or worse than other places ("California") is ridiculous. I'm a criminal defense attorney here in TX and have represented criminals in virtually every urban and rural area in Texas. Crime knows no boundaries, and the world is filled with thieves.