Are all tailgate locks trash?

I recently went through testing various tailgate locks and I could pretty easily break into all of them. Anyone have a recommendation?

I tried the Dezee gate guardian which is the ring with the torks security screw (which I was able to pop at ring hinge with a flathead)

I also tried various brands of the one pictured below with a key but all have been returned because literally if you wiggle it, it’ll come off.

obviously if someone wants to steal it they will and this in reality a device is only buying time. However the two I mentioned above can be taken off within 30 seconds so I wouldn’t even consider them option.

if you got this far thanks for reading and I look forward to any advice.

I got videos I can share but TW doesn’t let me upload those here

 

Weld it shut.

 

lol while a valid option, not exactly the advice I’m looking for!

 

Sabellco. One-and-done.

 

It has been a while since I even looked into them. But I recall simple, home made options where someone bought a simple pipe clamp from a hardware store, tightened it around the part on the tailgate that you need to lock and then put hot glue on the screw mechanism so it couldn't be unscrewed.

Can't say how effective it is. Does your tailgate have a lock on it? I would think first busting the tailgate lock, then seeing something like this, a thief is going to move on. They want in and out in a very short time.

 

I tried sabellco and it had the same issue as the other two, wiggles off after a small amount of prying. Are you currently running that one?

 

Yeah course tried and true but still flat head screwdriver and 30 seconds will take it off. I’m wondering if anyone is running anything that’ll take at least a few minutes to pry/drill off

 

Yeah, all of them can be defeated with a pry bar or a hammer.
The hose clamps are easily broken, and
The sabellco shatters into pieces with a good hammer blow.

Unfortunately The most you can do is slow them down or make it a hassle for the thieves.

 

No relation, have you tried this https://www.etsy.com/listing/160469...search_preloaded_img=1&organic_search_click=1
and this https://www.etsy.com/listing/160026...68197&click_sum=222e5bf5&ref=shop_home_feat_1 ?

 

No safe is tamper proof - a good safe simply takes longer to crack than a cheap one.

No watch is water proof - a good watch simply survives a deeper depth than a cheap one.



You are just buying time with a tailgate lock. How much time it takes to break and how much you are willing to pay for that time, are up to you.

 

There is a member here that makes the best tailgate anti theft device I’ve seen thus far @christian06

 

You mean, https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/anti-tweaker-device.603258/

 

Just put one of these on mine. https://bobbercycle.com/products/to...3-8-sockets-combo?_pos=8&_sid=987a6902d&_ss=r

It comes with the security screws for the bracket as well, not shown in the photo of it installed in the ad.

 

see post #9

 

I wasn’t aware the sabellco ones shatter. Good to know.

yes indeed we all agree it’s only buying time but still here looking for the one that’ll offer the most time

 

Those are pretty neat I hadn’t seen those but with a security torx those might be the sturdiest I’ve seen. Thanks for the links

 

Well said, and I completely agree. I tried the Sabellco one that was $125 but that was a dud too.

The steel ones that eurowner suggested seem to me would take the longest to unbolt.

 

Nice I’m all ears.

 

tailgate taser is the best deterrent, activates when the harness is disconnected and sends 48,000,000,000 volts to alternating pads on the gate, causing the varmint to drop the tailgate hopefully on their foot, before fleeing. motion sensors activate a second discharge if they try to grab it again.
If used in california, you _must_ put the prop 65 and AFIB warning for thieves with pacemakers in plain view on your tailgate

 

Ahh perfect thank you. This one and the others you posted seem to be the best