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06-10-2015, 01:11 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Aguanga
Posts: 606
M.O.C. #13601
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Tailgate thief!
What a wonderful day. Drove 100 miles to the office for a special meeting and some low life stole my tailgate. This in the middle of Irvine, one of the "safest" cities in CA. Got the car on camera but no plates. Oh well.
PD report filed and insurance claim open. Best guess is roughly $5k for the tailgate and paint. Tailgate alone is $3800 direct from Ford.
Note to self, and others = Lock your tailgate. I don't since I move every two weeks. Just never thought about it.
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06-10-2015, 02:00 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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High theft item supine folks seem to bang up theit tailgates. Sorry to hear it happened to you. There are some commercial locking devices you can select from that go over the disconnect latch.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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06-10-2015, 04:24 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,175
M.O.C. #6433
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They are extremely easy to remove. Just lower it part way and lift the passenger side of the tailgate up and it comes right out.
I keep mine locked most of the time. But I also put a hose clamp around the fitting on the right side. I turned the tightening screw in the least accessible direction. And I covered the head of the screw with some epoxy so neither a screwdriver or a nut driver will fit. Doesn't make it completely theft proof, but should make it difficult enough that they will go somewhere else.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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06-10-2015, 04:42 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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That's another reason I have a plastic V gate. Nobody wants to steal one.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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06-10-2015, 04:47 PM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Edgewood
Posts: 184
M.O.C. #14397
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Check Craigs list, you may be able to catch a thief. Use caution.
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06-10-2015, 05:16 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Aguanga
Posts: 606
M.O.C. #13601
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I think i'll pickup one of those locks that go over the disconnect in the event i fail to lock the new one or they simply punch the lock. I had no idea they made such a device. I pull my tailgate off fairly often as I have a Truck Camper so i know how susceptible they are. Just never thought it would happen in my work parking lot of course on a day I wasn't even supposed to be there. The punks jumped out of a Cadillac and had it in their backseat within a couple minutes. One person witnessed the whole thing but by the time she could get to security they were long gone.
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06-11-2015, 12:59 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Belvidere
Posts: 1,834
M.O.C. #185
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I put a hose clamp over the side that disconnects and positioned the screw slot so it's hard to access. you can also put glue in the screw slot to make even harder to take off. It's not fool-proof but it will stop most attempts to get it off quickly.
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06-11-2015, 01:44 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 1,299
M.O.C. #5165
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I bought and installed Jimmy Jammers and special screws on the tail light assemblies. Hose clamps will also work to make the job removing the tailgate--well a lot harder! Most specialty pickup places have these items or Amazon. I can only guess they work--I still have my tailgate. Or maybe it is because a San Antonio Police Officer and friend lives across the street. He also has a pickup and I am confident he could handle any issue in my driveway or his!
__________________
F-250 King Ranch Crew Cab 2012, Single Wheel, 6.7 L Diesel, Transfer Flow Internal 50 Gallon Fuel Tank, Upgraded Ford Software for 50 Gallon tank, 2006 3475Rl with Mor-ryde King Pin, 2nd AC, 2nd Battery, Pressure Pro TPMS, Wet Bolt Shackle Kit
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06-11-2015, 02:35 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Frostproof, FL USA
Posts: 2,362
M.O.C. #13272
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If I recall correctly, last year Artemus Gordon posted something about tailgates being stolen in California. Every since reading that thread I have locked whatever tailgate I have on, either my Stromberg V or my stock one.
__________________
Previous: 2008 Montana 3400RL & 2014 3725RL
Current: Full Time 2022 SOB TT Toy Hauler
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06-11-2015, 03:11 AM
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#10
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Stratford
Posts: 94
M.O.C. #12538
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I installed a tailgate strut, at least you need a set of wrenches to remove the tailgate.
and now the tail gate cant be dropped win win
http://www.amazon.ca/Dee-Zee-DZ43300.../dp/B001PWFPRU
Cheers
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06-11-2015, 04:00 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 860
M.O.C. #8154
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Loui,
Just so you're not lulled into a false sense of security, the two clips that hold the strut onto the ball, can easily be popped off with a pocket knife or small screw driver. Mine fell off a few times. I replaced the clip.
I added a jimmi jammer but since a few locks have been introduced.
Ken
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06-11-2015, 04:06 AM
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#12
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Stratford
Posts: 94
M.O.C. #12538
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Brenko,
Mine must be slightly different, it has a through bolt holding the strut in place, they are not a ball and socket type.
Bolted to the truck and to the tailgate.
but good to know some models must be the socket type and they would not add any security.
Thanks
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06-11-2015, 04:16 AM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Glendale
Posts: 192
M.O.C. #13649
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Another hot item to steel is your spare tire. At work a few years ago. Thief got about a dozen trucks. Lower a little cut cable, boom done.
Don't even know you are missing it.
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06-11-2015, 05:08 AM
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#14
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Stratford
Posts: 94
M.O.C. #12538
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Didn't happen to me but a local company had the fuel stolen from 3 of their trucks. The thieves drilled a hole in the bottom of the plastic fuel tank with a cordless drill. Also took their spare tires. Expensive repair I'm sure.
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06-11-2015, 07:34 AM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Castle Rock
Posts: 248
M.O.C. #11369
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On the news last night in Denver Colorado, theft of tailgates sky rocketing. I have a lock I purchased at Genos Garage that makes it harder to remove tail gate, works like a hose clamp. I do however have a 5th wheel tail gate- stock safely in shop.
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06-11-2015, 01:01 PM
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#16
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Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Ruckersville
Posts: 14
M.O.C. #15788
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A couple of years ago, I lowered my tailgate onto some tools sitting on my bumper, and left some dents in 1 area. I have left the dents, as I figure that is a good theft deterrent......they probably don't want a dented up tailgate.
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06-11-2015, 08:05 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Redding
Posts: 1,421
M.O.C. #12339
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Yes it's still problem in California. Those gates are worth a lot of money. I had my added to alarm system. I must tell you guys, my camera system picks up a lot of people eyeing my truck up close. Between the camera glowing night vision and my lighted dash camera, they usually walk away. I take out the "Dash Cam" card and download it often. It's shocking what you catch. Mine run 24/7 and I got some up close and personal, snoopers around my RV and truck. I offered the photos to our local police and they were not interested. I bet these are same guys who steel stuff. Also I have Amazon, Camera Stickers everywhere. Call me paranoid but I got pictures to prove why! PS. One guy came up my driveway, never flinched at 250 Halgen Spotlight, but when he saw the Cameras, he walked off! It was 3:30am. Most likely just a nice guy selling vacuums? Lol.
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06-12-2015, 04:57 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Aguanga
Posts: 606
M.O.C. #13601
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I'll bet you $100 this is my tailgate: http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pts/5043449961.html
Cyber sluth says, not mine after all. The one in the pic has a Flex Fuel badge.. No such badge on mine.
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06-12-2015, 05:13 AM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location:
Posts: 2,156
M.O.C. #6920
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The Ford tailgates are in demand. A friend with a collision shop says used F-tailgates are at $1200 or higher here in western Carolina. A new Chev tailgate from a dealer for a mid 2000 date sells for about $500-600. The Fords require more in their structure.
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06-12-2015, 01:38 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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We have the V tailgate. The OEM gate is stashed away for when we trade the truck. We have not heard of one being taken around here.
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