Tailgate theft prevented but bed still opened

So about 2 weeks ago we had some tailgate theft at my work’s parking lot. Customers have reported theirs missing after shopping. Same day I took a look at mine and noticed my backup camera was unplugged but tailgate still there (I have a McGuard lock, which I assume stopped them from taking it)

After further inspection I saw this under my handle, it looks like they were able to get through still (cables were also unhooked)



Able to get through but not steal the tailgate. So question is, is there anything I can do to prevent someone from piercing through my locked tailgate so anything in my bed stays with me? I also have a tonneau cover which I know can still be penetrated but any type of theft prevention helps

 

Ughhhh!!!!!!!!!!

That is so annoying!!!!!!

A little touch up paint after cleaning the area should make it less of an eye-sore.

Sorry to hear but glad you still have your tailgate.

 

I agree.. it appears your tailgate lock prevented these shitty thieves from taking it. If they had more time, tools or determination they could've stolen it too.

Just make sure your insurance is up to date. You could have a contractor shell and a steel bumper with padlocked swing out tire carrier.. but if someone wants in enough it's just a cordless grinder/saw or hammer swing away from being unlocked.

 

Sons of bitches

 

a number of people have done this. pic shows torx drilled out but that makes removing cables a huge pain and i need to do that now and then so i did not do that. i just cranked hard tightening the torx and it takes a bit of effort to remove. just slows them down and enough of these things might deter. every little bit...

 

^Yep slowing them down is all that's doing. They'll have to spend additional minutes bringing over the cable cutter from the getaway vehicle.

 

I think I will start backing my truck in and leave the flood lights on hopefully that will deter the bastards from trying to get mine.

It’s time to invest in a tailgate lock.

 

I will be the idiot ... truck monkey ...

 

I have a hardcover and Pop&lock on the tailgate so they need a crowbar and a special clamp key covering the hinge

 

yeah actually me and a coworker have agreed to park our trucks back to back now as he has a taco too. So that definitely helps!

and yes, I gotta do the cable/washer mod to help.

I have piece of mind with my McGuard lock but sucks that I can’t even keep things in the bed without considering an individual lock, possibly mounted to the bed for any item I carry.

I don’t typically carry anything back there, with the exception of a some cleaning supplies and a camping chair. But in the off chance I gotta carry tools, music instruments, I gotta reconsider putting it in the bed

 

I think that's me - anyway it looks like me. I don't keep anything in the bed so I am wondering if it would be better to leave it unlocked that way if the open it they will see they can't take the tailgate . . . . well unless they brought their angle grinder with them. But leaving it unlocked would avoid what they did to the OP.

 

Locks and such only keep the honest people honest. Thieves will get into wherever they want and take whatever they want. Maybe we should start being like the Middle East and start cutting off the hands of thieves who get caught

 

Ass-eating prick bastards is where my mind went.

 

I went a little expensive: SaBellCo...also installed the OEM Tailgate Lock.

 

Did you have to do any trimming to install the McGuard? They show in the video some trucks it’s required. I do like how it installs no need to take anything apart.

 

Hey now, what's wrong with the first half of that sentence?

 

I didn’t trim it. It actually says it’s not compatible with my 2019 but it still works. I pulled it off my 2009 2nd gen

 

I wonder if you can put some kind of plate behind the handle to block access to the lock where they put the screwdriver in there.

 

i think it was you. i thought i had posted a similar pic but could not find it and went searching and yours was the 1st good pic.

and good point about leaving it unlocked but i am afraid it will just invite other casual passersby that try things as they go by. like mailboxes in this area. gotta have a locked box here.

 

aside from the best solution you mention, all these little deterrents could matter if it is someone that is working a parking lot and does not want to spend the time defeating each of them. they want in and out fast. time matters sometimes.