Unfortunately, we are living in a world where we must be more protective of our belongings from theft. We have always had to be one step ahead of the career criminals. It seems we need to step up our game to deter them from stealing our full size pickup truck tailgates.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau is showing some eye-opening figures of increased full size pickup tailgate theft from trucks and lift gates theft from SUV’s in the past five years. Documentation shows that cities like Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Antonio have higher rates of incidences. The top 5 states for reported tailgate thefts are Florida, Arizona, Pennsylvania, California and Texas. The number of thefts may not be totally accurate according to these statistics because many may go unreported to insurance companies or police authorities. Therefore, the numbers are most likely higher than documented.
A new unpainted tailgate for a 2015 pickup costs around $1,300, which might explain the demand on the illegal market for stolen tailgates. Shopping mall and grocery store parking lots are prime targets for tailgate theft, which can actually be accomplished in a short amount of time by thieves who are common to the practice. Car dealerships have also been known to be frequently targeted, in spite of the use of security cameras.
If you park your car in your driveway overnight, the less room you leave behind your pickup, the less access the crooks have to get at the back end quickly and easily. This may be a deterrent. Also, you should always back your truck in tight against a building whenever possible, giving less opportunity to get to the tailgate. . If there is no room to open the tailgate, they can’t steal it. Leaving your pickup on the street or in a short driveway close to the street will make your truck more of a target for tailgate theft. If you have no garage and have 2 vehicles, always park the car directly behind the truck. Street lights and motion detection lights are good deterrents also.
Why would someone want to steal your tailgate? There is a vast underground market that preys on specific items that have a high rate of replacement cost for the owner of the vehicle. You’ve no doubt heard stories of tires and radiators being stolen from cars and trucks. These thieves are looking to make money on selling what they steal either by reselling it to body shops or simply selling it for the scrap metal value, so it is not just the shiny new trucks the thieves go after. There continues to be a nationwide problem with metal theft. Body shops can get more profit on a stolen tailgate that they paint to look like new, than from one they order from a manufacturer, or even a junkyard, so ultimately it’s all about the bottom line.
How do you protect yourself from being a victim of tailgate theft? Many newer pickups already have locking tailgate handles with a keyed lock to prevent, or at least dissuade thieves from making you a victim. You can purchase a replacement locking handle to replace the factory one, or if your truck doesn’t have one, but you have to discipline yourself to lock it every time you leave your truck. Some truck models do not offer this option. Other truck owners swear by using a hose clamp on the slotted tailgate hinge. It’s not quite as secure as a lock, but unless the thief has a screwdriver handy in anticipation of the hose clamp being there, it would be enough of a deterrent to make him move on to another victim.
Truck owners love their pickups so why not give yourself every advantage and secure your tailgate from being stolen. It will save you many headaches and thousands of dollars to replace it. Don’t make it easy for the bad guys, make it impossible. Cruise on over to www.truckworldaccessories.com and leave me acomment on what measures you take to protect your pickup tailgate.
Beware Of This When Buying A Used Pickup Truck
Of course a shiny brand new truck is a thrill for any truck lover, but if your wallet can’t deal with a big monthly payment and you still need a pickup for work or just because you want one, use the following tips to prevent getting yourself a lemon or having to sink crazy dollars into the truck right after you buy it because the seller misrepresented the vehicle.
New Year – New Truck? Top Four Best Pickups
If you are like everyone else, you may have made a resolution last New Years that you didn’t keep, which may have been to take better care of your old pickup. The up side to that is that you may be in the market for a new truck to start the New Year. Here is what the manufacturers are claiming to be the top four choices in brand new pickup trucks for 2017.
Plowing Snow With Your Pickup Truck
There is no denying that snow season has arrived. If you’re a truck owner with a snow plow, as much as you may dread all the inches of white stuff, you have to admit there is a certain appeal to the flashing strobe lights, the whine of hydraulics and the sound of steel dragging on the pavement. At times it might feel like you are playing with your favorite toy, but there is no mistaking the price and value of that toy, hence you had better know how to use it wisely and make it last. If you are new to plowing or purchasing a plow for the first time, I think you will find my information regarding features and options valuable.
