master lock does not work!

Who is stealing tail gates?! I live in AK and I have NEVER heard of this happening...what can someone do with a used tailgate???

 

We don't seem to have that issue up here either... but what could they do with a used tailgate? For starters, sell them to folks that don't know how to back-up properly, or to folks that have had their tailgates swiped .

Frank

 

You're just being silly. Yes with a troll kit (slipped, I meant tool), a thief could steal everything off your truck. Locks keep honest people honest, nothing more. A deterrent is meant to make a thief stop and make them realize the time and effort involved, and force them to move on.

Frank

 

I have one of these, and yes its just a fancy hose clamp. All i did was grind down the plastic where the lock is.

 

Actually, as both of you probably well know, some people (even in Canada or Alaska) will steal anything if it's not bolted down or otherwise secured. A pristine, easily removable, tailgate might be quite tempting to someone who has somehow damaged his or her own (overloading, trailer damage, etc). Morever, since the tailgate is quite expensive to replace ($600+), there's a monetary incentive to steal as well (for sale as a used part).

I'd simply prefer to not have something that valuable so easily accessible to others. The hose clamp mentioned in this thread is a good, inexpensive, theft deterrent. The tailgate lock I mentioned is another good option, leaving the tailgate easily removable, yet still secure when closed and locked. Of course, if you have no concerns about theft, the tailgate is probably just fine as it is.

 

I sent Master Lock an email describing the problem. This is their reply:

Thank you for your email.

The 8253DAT was introduced in 2010, since then Toyota has modified the design of the tailgate. We have been working on a solution for the newer models, but it is not available at this time. If you purchased the 8253DAT through the Master Lock website, you can return the product and receive a full refund.

Sincerely

E-Commerce Support
Master Lock Company

 

So according to that email it should work with 05-09 but not the model years after. Can anyone vouch for that? If not I have one coming that I will test on my 05.

 

Just tried it on mine and same result... back to the trusty hose clamp and packing the lock to send back to Masterlock. I had also added the large washer as an extra deterrent so at least that would have been a bit of extra hassle for the would be thief.

Thank you for posting this OP.

 

Received the same reply, I called them before I ordered mine to make it would fit I was told yes, unbelievable .

 

I called masterlock and voiced my displeasure. They gave me the same BS about returning the locks. I told them i had no intention of paying return shipping for their mistake, if they wanted them they could issue a pick-up check for them (i bought two, my son's 07 & my '12 - equal fail on both....)

It took a couple of holds and me explaining they didn't have a choice (i would just cancel payment w/ my credit card company). They eventually agreed and credited my card, told me to just throw the locks away (i did). I told the CS person about this thread and they looked at it online with me. They stated that they intended on responding to the thread. Dissapointing they have not.....

If u bought w/ a CC tell them to pound sand, refuse payment for faulty product. The design has not changed, i walked the lock off my son's '07 as easy as my '12....

David

 

The way I look at it it cost 20 bucks I not paying for shipping, I purchased mine in January so much for the credit card. I'm pissed that they told me it would fit a 2012 and the whole time I'm thinking I was protected. Masterlock sucks! And I believe the piece of sh?t was made in china.

 

Got my credit back from Amazon on the Masterlock and just installed the Gatekeeper. Took about 1 min. to install. Much more secure. Someone could still steal it if they had the tools, but it's now more difficult than a simple unlatch and grab.

 

Uh... should i join the witness protection program... ha
Well, i mailed mine back. It cost me a couple of bucks. I wish i had thought to do like you did. They told me the same thing too, that it was only the 2012 that didnt work with the lock and that it wasnt universal... I told the guy that it says universal on the package... silence... anyway, he had to email me a return form and kept putting me on hold. very annoying.

 

Thanks to OP for discovering this fault, I contacted Masterlock before purchase and was told It would work on my 2012 so I assumed it would. After reading this post I sent several emails to them, the last one yesterday fairly nasty and they responded they will issue credit. I told them I would not pay to return but they could send me prepaid return, no mention of that so will give lock to son-in-law for his 07. I severely critisized them for not being proactive. Thanks again for the heads up !

 

I'm pretty sure it won't work unless his '07 is something other than a Tacoma.

Frank

 

Thanks, hopefully he's smater than me

 

Sorry- Thanks, hopefully he's smarter than me and he'll test it.

 

The MasterLock web site SPECIFICALLY and very clearly states that their tail gate lock does NOT work on the Toyota Tacoma.

 

It does now - it didn't just a few weeks ago. They've changed it because of this thread.

David

 

Yeah, I bet they had a bunch of them returned, mine included!