Thayer: by putting a hose clamp around the mount on the right side (facing the tailgate), it prevents you from lifting the tailgate off the post. Check your owners manual on how to remove the tailgate, it will make sense once you see how it is done.

Someone would have to take the time to remove the hoseclamp before they could steal the tailgate. Like I said, it will keep an honest man from stealing it, but your best protection is always keeping the tailgate locked.

 

you can open the tailgate with screwdriver and still locked!!! look at the side looks and just pull down the clamps at one side of tailgate...

 

the pictures...

 

now I looking a yellow one...



jajaja

 

My Dealer also warned me on day one to keep the tailgate locked.

 

Big thumbs up to the hose clamp idea. It also solves another problem with the tailgates - jumping off if you drive with it open. I was on the beach last summer, riding with the tailgate open, went across some ruts in the sand, the tailgate bounced so hard it shut itself (with help from the torsion bar?). When I stopped to check it out, the right side had jumped out and was sitting on the bumper. Its probably a good thing it latched or I would have been dragging down the beach! After reading this post, I went straight out and put the hose clamp on.

Thank again for the great idea!!

 

Just had mine stolen - and boy am I pissed!!!!
I am definately ramping up on the security - locks, hose clamps (great idea - thanks!!!) alarms, hard tonneau cover locking EVERYTHING is a must. I think i will go for a Retrax or a RollnLock! That should deter most crim's!!!!

Great thread!!!!

 

Has anyone had their tailgate stolen when it was locked?

 

I lock mine, and it is possible to steal the "bed extender" or "cage" with the tailgate locked and up.

You can also do the zip tie mod to help with security if you dont have a lock.
-Patrick

 

I lock mine I also have a fiberglass toneau that locks and has to be opened to open the tailgate anyway. everyone keeps asking me why I want to mount the amps in the bed? simple. out of sight out of mind. besides theres no easy way to break into a fully locked up bed since theres no windows

 

I used to lock mine, until the dang paint started peeling off it in chunks. Now I hope someone steals it ! I do lock it when I have stuff in the bed, though.

 

Fortunately I just keep the bed cover locked (power locks - locks with the fob) and it covers the tailgate, so I'm good.

*knock on wood*

 

I installed a power lock actuator in my tailgate so it locks with the doors. I also put a giant zip-tie on the right side hinge.

 

Locked all the time. I also live in a small town where you dont have to worry to much about your stuff walking away if you leave your car running to go into the story, But I fell better when it's all locked up. I am also going to put a hose clamp on so the darn thing wont fall off if I am running with it open around the house.

 

i lock mine now too, some kid at my school thought it would be funny to take it and not tell me. About a week later i walked out and it was back on! at least he was trying to be funny, but now it is locked all the time.