Topic: Lock Your Tailgates (Read 15160 times)

lsuflyingtiger · « **on:** September 24, 2002, 01:02:33 AM »

Everyone,

Recommend you lock your tailgates. A guy down here didn't lock his and some stole his bed cover. Easily prevented if your tailgate is locked. So BE CAREFUL.

He said his replacement cost is over $700.

Just some helpful hints from your favorite Tiger.

Jim

bmontini · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2002, 01:15:44 AM »

Man... some people are just SICK...

Dub · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2002, 01:25:19 AM »

I've thought about this already. I'm in such a habit now of locking it that I lock it even if the covers are off! But I guess locking it all the time has 2 advantages, well ok 3: 1) Can't steal the covers. 2) Can't steal the bed liner. 3) I'm always sure that the tailgate is closed. (I've found that if the key doesn't turn to the locked position easily, that the tailgate may not be completely latched. So I open it and slam it one more time.) I've only had the tailgate bounce once

(when my Dad didn't close it hard enough) and that's all it took for me to make sure it's closed all the time!

lsuflyingtiger · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2002, 01:36:20 AM »

I have the tailgate bounce twice. Once when I first bought the truck and once when my friend put his clubs in the back and he shut it. It owns a Toyota so he was used to being a wimp with the tailgate. I explained to him that you can close my tailgate like a man. The AV won't get hurt.

BigBlue · « **Reply #4 on:** September 24, 2002, 01:49:34 AM »

When I replaced my factory alarm with an aftermarket one, I had them put a solenoid in for the tailgate. Now whenever I hit my 'lock' button it locks all the doors, and the tailgate too! It was only $100 to have them do it, although they told me they regretted charging so little (something about having to take the tailgate apart to run the wire?). Makes life much more secure - since the world is so obviously sanitized for my protection!

BigBlue · « **Reply #5 on:** September 24, 2002, 01:52:13 AM »

And as for someone stealing the bed covers... What REALLY would tick me off about that - Has to be another AV owner! Or worse yet - an EXT owner

Who else could use them?

ygmn · « **Reply #6 on:** September 24, 2002, 02:35:36 AM »

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr....thiefs make me mad

Seems this thief wants to resell the panels back to the owner.....I remember when T-tops were a hot and stolen all the time......

I have always locked my tailgate and will conitinue to do so......

Wiki · « **Reply #7 on:** September 24, 2002, 02:53:59 AM »

What is the world comming to. Now our bed covers aren't even safe anymore. Mine will be. I am going out and buying a rabid Pitt Bull and putting him in the back of my AV, with a watter/food dispensser. That should help protect my investment.

***the above statement is purely fictional. Wiki loves animals and would never submit an animal to those conditions.......but I would putt a Pitt Bull on a thief in a heartbeat*******

Ahhnuld · « **Reply #8 on:** September 24, 2002, 04:15:58 AM »

:8:The SOB could sell them on ebay or anywhere esle for that matter. I was waiting for this to happen.

ygmn · « **Reply #9 on:** September 24, 2002, 04:21:40 AM »

I guess with this kinda makes me leary of the stuff for sale in our parts section.....Hopefully no thiefs have joined the site to sell the stuff they stole from a fellow avy owner

nh_mark · « **Reply #10 on:** September 24, 2002, 04:22:27 AM »

I always lock my tailgate, both to verify that it is closed correctly and to prevent theft.

It's kind of funny, last week I had to go to the dump, when I do that I usually load up the truck on Friday night so I can just go on Sat. morning. I had the panels off and I stored them in the bag. I said to my wife "do you think its ok to leave them in the back or should I put them in the shed?" I decided to leave them in the back but I think from now on I'll store them in my shed when I do that.

-Mark

ShapeShifter · « **Reply #11 on:** September 24, 2002, 04:32:11 AM »

I lock my tailgate 99% of the time, even when there's nothing in there. After reading this, guess I'll keep it locked that other 1% now. A power lock is on my mod list, it's moving up the list a few notches now.

I can just see it now. That guy thought the covers were cool and is right now tryng to figure out how to mount them on his little toy import truck. Truck envy.

-- SS

lsuflyingtiger · « **Reply #12 on:** September 24, 2002, 04:37:50 AM »

SS,

You are probably right. I could see him know. Where do I drill the holes to lock these in.

Moron.

Jim

midlifecrisis · « **Reply #13 on:** September 24, 2002, 04:59:19 AM »

I just can't believe that the power locking tailgate issue was not addressed by Chevy for the 2003 model.

Drooling_Dog · « **Reply #14 on:** September 24, 2002, 05:06:06 AM »

Wow. Thanks for the tip lsuflyingtiger. I only lock mine when there's something in it to steal. That's gonna change now. I didn't even think of someone ripping off the cover.

lsuflyingtiger · « **Reply #15 on:** September 24, 2002, 05:11:33 AM »

Drooling_Dog,

Your welcome. I am just trying to take care of the smartest people in the world--you know AV owners.

Jim

wrchism · « **Reply #16 on:** September 24, 2002, 05:31:59 AM »

Got a habit to change! I've gotten into the 'slam it and check it' habit but haven't generally locked the gate each time.

Yea the auto lock is an oversight on Chevy's part . . and one not corrected on the 2003 . . .

As for thieves . . . they are simple opportunists . . . it doesn't matter what they steal . . . if it did, such moral thought patterns would likely lead them to repent of their 'profession' . . . unfortunately it doesn't happen often.

RichUF · « **Reply #17 on:** September 24, 2002, 05:44:36 AM »

Quote from: Ahhnuld on September 24, 2002, 07:15:58 AM

:8:The SOB could sell them on ebay or anywhere esle for that matter. I was waiting for this to happen.

Hey, lsuflyingtiger...maybe the thief will be dumb enough to sell on ebay. Then you could win, meet him locally to pick up your panels, and then kick his ***. Just a thought.

BTW, I'm a UF alum and UF/LSU happens to be one of the only two games that I will be able to go to this year. Could be a good one!

Steelheadchaser · « **Reply #18 on:** September 24, 2002, 06:18:10 AM »

I keep my taigate locked all the time as well. I got in the habit early since I spend a lot of the time with the midgate down.

cagowen · « **Reply #19 on:** September 24, 2002, 06:48:52 AM »

I lock mine all of the time, even if its in my driveway. Old habbit from growing up near Chicago.

Locking it can be a hassel. I travel frequently, and with the "tighter" security at the airports, they want to check every compartment. Before I leave for the airport, I have to unlock the tailgate and the side compartments.

lsuflyingtiger · « **Reply #20 on:** September 24, 2002, 06:58:17 AM »

RichUF,

Should be a good game on the 12th. Just sucks that it is in the Swamp. I was at the game a couple years back when LSU won 28-21. UF had a good game against Tennessee.

Jim

NJAV · « **Reply #21 on:** September 24, 2002, 07:10:11 AM »

I consistently keep mine locked at all times, I trust nobody in this world today enough to do otherwise....I normally don't have to go back there on a daily basis regardless so it is locked most of the time anyway...

Leather · « **Reply #22 on:** September 24, 2002, 07:23:14 AM »

I had my AV for 2 months B4 I realized that when I used the remote to lock all the doors that the tailgate was not included, I was lucky. Tks 4 the Tip on stolen Covers, I never thought of that. I never used to lock my tailgate guess I will start!

NJAV · « **Reply #23 on:** September 24, 2002, 07:29:11 AM »

The best is when I hear from some of my friends or collegues..."We don't really worry about locking or anything because it is a pretty quiet neighborhood"...Ok where do you think the thieves in the world are going to target eventually....point is nobody is safe, and where you fall on the map I don't think makes much of a difference....

imaniguana · « **Reply #24 on:** September 24, 2002, 08:57:48 AM »

I keep mine locked all the time. No telling if someone might want to use the "bed" as a hotel room some night. I don't really keep anything in it anyway, except for an aluminum bat and a blanket. Ya gotta love those aluminum bats . . . . no splinters to get snagged on the blanket during behavior modification activities!

AVYNUT · « **Reply #25 on:** September 24, 2002, 09:08:32 AM »

I keep mine locked now because it assures me that the gate is FULLY closed...

When she was brand new, I went to the gas station to fill a fuel can so I could mow the lawn. Two people were admiring the AV and looking her over as the attendant filled the gas can. Anyway, I didn't lock the gate and it fell open as I drove out of the gas station. It sounded like a wheel fell off!!! LOL

But guess what? I didn't stop to close the gate until I was WELL out of site of the station...

StrobinAvalanche · « **Reply #26 on:** September 24, 2002, 10:30:14 AM »

I always lock my tailgate especially when I have the midgate down. Once the tailgate was down and my dad pushed the lock button. I later check the tailgate and found that it was opened. I told my dad what's the point of pushing the lock button if you left the tailgate unlocked while the midgate was down. It's easy access.

kegger · « **Reply #27 on:** September 24, 2002, 10:36:07 AM »

I have seen bed covers go on ebay a couple of times in the past month.

I was thinking to myself, why would anyone want to sell those.

I guess an autolock for the tailgate is another mod to add to the list.

Anyone do this yet, and better yet have pic's and parts list?

4_by_Fun · « **Reply #28 on:** September 24, 2002, 15:15:07 PM »

I normally lock mine, but, one afternoon I went and got something from my toolbox and didn't lock it back, planning to put the tool up later. But low and behold the next morning I went out and noticed it was down and right away knew something bad had happened because I remembered putting closing it. Some little SOB stole my toolbox with mostly computer parts and software and all my son's ice hockey equipment. Dirty smelly hockey equipment that fits a 9 y/o. What ticks me off the most is that they probably threw most of the stuff away. Lesson cost about $1800, it has never gone unlocked again.

carnut · « **Reply #29 on:** September 24, 2002, 15:34:13 PM »

I live in a nice quiet suburban neighborhood, and nothing ever happens here. Except that time when my wife and I woke up on a Sunday morning to six cop cars on our street and in front of my house. Looked like the movies with guns drawn, taking cover behind their doors. I saw two cops with shotguns. They saw me, told me to get inside and take cover. This was a quiet dead end street with about 24 houses on it.
The cause: ex husband came to the house of his exwife's boyfriend, Stabbed him badly, his wife ran out the other side of the house to hide.
Don't think it can't happen to you.

I locked sides and tailgate from day one. Lock all doors, windows up, security set every night. But then again, I'm paranoid. I just like to keep my stuff.

empty · « **Reply #30 on:** September 24, 2002, 18:42:04 PM »

If anything it proves that even when there's nothing there to steal, there's still something there to steal.

I don't recall if anyone mentioned but the tailgate itself can be removed in just a few seconds. Did the panel thief takes the mounting hardware or just the panels?

Maddening part is thieves just junk the stuff if they can't score some crack or whatever right away. And why not, it didn't actually cost them anything. Parasites.

ZimmsAv · « **Reply #31 on:** September 24, 2002, 23:36:16 PM »

It dawned on me to start locking the tailgate & cargo boxes when I was at a local car show/cruise in and I saw people just go right up to my truck when I wasn't next to it and open up the boxes and see what's in there. I keep everything locked now...

goo929 · « **Reply #32 on:** September 24, 2002, 23:40:58 PM »

Yes ... that happens to me all the time too.

I even keep the center console locked when I show it. I am not always around when they are checking it out.

lsuflyingtiger · « **Reply #33 on:** September 25, 2002, 02:37:57 AM »

The moron that stole the panels just took the panels and nothing else.

Green_Machine · « **Reply #34 on:** September 25, 2002, 07:37:53 AM »

Grr, sorry to hear about the theft, that's just infuriating

Thanks for the heads up though, it forced me to make certain that my Av is locked up tight.

JJM · « **Reply #35 on:** November 9, 2003, 10:45:37 AM »

ENGRAVER!!! Get an engraver and engrave the serial number of your AV on the back side of the panels. Then, if they show up on E-Bay or a Flee Market, any AV owner can help out his fellow AV owner. Contact the cops, have them run the serial number and have them returned to their rightful owner. The ripped off AV owner gets his panels back - the bad guys get busted!

ShapeShifter · « **Reply #36 on:** November 9, 2003, 11:29:42 AM »

Quote from: JJM on November 9, 2003, 10:45:37 AM

Contact the cops, have them run the serial number and have them returned to their rightful owner. The ripped off AV owner gets his panels back - the bad guys get busted!

And the guy who bought the panels in good faith, and did the right thing by reporting them, loses out on the money he just spent. It's just not right, but just try getting your money back from the seller dealing in stolen goods.

-- SS

Supermobile · « **Reply #37 on:** November 9, 2003, 12:33:21 PM »

Quote from: Steelheadchaser on September 24, 2002, 06:18:10 AM

I keep my taigate locked all the time as well. I got in the habit early since I spend a lot of the time with the midgate down.

Just curious, why do you spend a lot of time with the midgate down. (are those steeheads really that big?)

BgBlkAvalanche · « **Reply #38 on:** November 9, 2003, 12:40:47 PM »

Quote from: lsuflyingtiger on September 24, 2002, 01:02:33 AM

Everyone,

Recommend you lock your tailgates. A guy down here didn't lock his and some stole his bed cover. Easily prevented if your tailgate is locked. So BE CAREFUL.

He said his replacement cost is over $700.

Just some helpful hints from your favorite Tiger.

Jim

Actually, the panels are $700 EACH!
The dealer replaced mine under waranty, and it was $2100 !

Supermobile · « **Reply #39 on:** November 9, 2003, 13:10:03 PM »

Quote from: BgBlkAvalanche on November 9, 2003, 12:40:47 PM

Actually, the panels are $700 EACH!
The dealer replaced mine under waranty, and it was $2100 !

$2100 is a shocking revelation. Man if everyone knew that, they would keep the tailgate locked for sure.

Now what bothers me is the post someone made who said the tailgate itself can be removed easily in a matter of minutes.

Is that true?

Chief · « **Reply #40 on:** November 9, 2003, 13:24:04 PM »

Last night after parking my truck I had one of those "oh $h1t flashes" and went back out. Sure enough the back was unlocked and had been since Friday afternoon. The day I slipped a new Compaq computer system in the back!

YIKES!

WISE AV · « **Reply #41 on:** November 9, 2003, 15:16:08 PM »

Quote from: Supermobile on November 9, 2003, 13:10:03 PM

Now what bothers me is the post someone made who said the tailgate itself can be removed easily in a matter of minutes.

Is that true?

Yep !!!
Lower it, unhook cable on each side, lift off !!! gone in 60 seconds !!!

Supermobile · « **Reply #42 on:** November 9, 2003, 16:19:47 PM »

Quote from: WISE AV on November 9, 2003, 15:16:08 PM

Yep !!!
Lower it, unhook cable on each side, lift off !!! gone in 60 seconds !!!

But it has to be unlocked to lower it, correct? I thought he was saying that the tailgate could be removed easily even if it was unlocked.

ShapeShifter · « **Reply #43 on:** November 9, 2003, 17:45:42 PM »

Quote from: Supermobile on November 9, 2003, 16:19:47 PM

But it has to be unlocked to lower it, correct? I thought he was saying that the tailgate could be removed easily even if it was unlocked.

If it's unlocked it's easy. If it's locked, it's a bit more work.

Yes, our tailgates have locks, but it isn't that hard to break them, and jimmy them open. Just like many car doors are easy to open with slimjim between the glass and weatherstrip, our tailgates are not completely secure.

Locks only keep honest people honest. If a determined thief wants to get in and take the tailgate, cargo panels, and/or anything else, there is little you can do to stop it.

-- SS

Skidd · « **Reply #44 on:** November 9, 2003, 18:40:11 PM »

Quote from: ShapeShifter on November 9, 2003, 17:45:42 PM

Locks only keep honest people honest. If a determined thief wants to get in and take the tailgate, cargo panels, and/or anything else, there is little you can do to stop it.

-- SS

I guess that 'man traps' are illegal in your part of the world as well.

disneydaddy · « **Reply #45 on:** November 9, 2003, 18:55:16 PM »

I agree that locks only keep honest people honest..... if you get caught trying to lift mine you better be able to run faster than 1650 feet per second

RedRocker · « **Reply #46 on:** November 9, 2003, 19:12:04 PM »

The thought of someone stealing my panels never even crossed my mind. Locking the tailgate and cargo boxes are will become a habit. I thought my tailgate would lock with the power door locks until I was showing off and too my surprise..it was unlocked. This truck has everything, I am amazed that Chevy didn't offer that function.
(by the way, Mine is a 04 so they still don't offer that yet).

Great forum. Love the truck. I was never a GM fan. This truck makes me wonder what I have been missing all these years?

munds Z71 · « **Reply #47 on:** November 9, 2003, 19:30:07 PM »

This is something i never thought, of starting tomorrow........now i'm locking my tailgate

:B:MUNDSZ71

ShapeShifter · « **Reply #48 on:** November 9, 2003, 19:43:35 PM »

Quote from: Skidd on November 9, 2003, 18:40:11 PM

Quote from: ShapeShifter on November 9, 2003, 17:45:42 PM
Locks only keep honest people honest. If a determined thief wants to get in and take the tailgate, cargo panels, and/or anything else, there is little you can do to stop it.

-- SS

I guess that 'man traps' are illegal in your part of the world as well.

Yep. And if you try and booby-trap your truck, all you're doing is handing over your truck, house, and all your money to the thief, because he's going to sue you in court and take you for everything. The fact that he was commiting a crime against your property when he got hurt doesn't seem to mean anything to our juries.

Hmmm... am I getting to close to politics on this one?

-- SS

Skidd · « **Reply #49 on:** November 9, 2003, 19:52:56 PM »

Quote from: ShapeShifter on November 9, 2003, 19:43:35 PM

Yep. And if you try and booby-trap your truck, all you're doing is handing over your truck, house, and all your money to the thief, because he's going to sue you in court and take you for everything. The fact that he was commiting a crime against your property when he got hurt doesn't seem to mean anything to our juries.

Hmmm... am I getting to close to politics on this one?

-- SS

LOL... not sure, but let me ask quickly before someones sees this thread.

Does it make ant difference if they are killed by the booby trap? I.e. less likely to sue? Or does it just allow the deceased NOK to lodge suit?

ShapeShifter · « **Reply #50 on:** November 9, 2003, 20:12:24 PM »

Quote from: Skidd on November 9, 2003, 19:52:56 PM

Does it make ant difference if they are killed by the booby trap? I.e. less likely to sue? Or does it just allow the deceased NOK to lodge suit?

No, if they die, then the next of kin can sue for wrongful death... on top of all of the other charges!

-- SS

Skidd · « **Reply #51 on:** November 9, 2003, 20:28:35 PM »

Quote from: ShapeShifter on November 9, 2003, 20:12:24 PM

No, if they die, then the next of kin can sue for wrongful death... on top of all of the other charges!

-- SS

Maybe we just need a wood chipper (picture a scene from the movie Fargo)... that way no one would ever know.

RIKrotorhead · « **Reply #52 on:** November 9, 2003, 20:42:26 PM »

Quote from: Skidd on November 9, 2003, 20:28:35 PM

Maybe we just need a wood chipper (picture a scene from the movie Fargo)... that way no one would ever know.

You are going to put your cargo panels in a wood chipper?

Hey RedRocker, welcome to the club. A good first mod is amber DRL's on your WBH. A good second one is the tailgate auto-lock. I saw a thread for a kit that has an auto-lock for the tailgate AND the saddlebags. I'll be doing that kit myself!

7of7 · « **Reply #53 on:** November 9, 2003, 22:18:44 PM »

Speaking of things being stolen,... One of my friends had his Jeep stolen,.... from the parking lot across the street from the police station,... they were only in the mall for 20-30 minutes.....

Supermobile · « **Reply #54 on:** November 9, 2003, 22:32:44 PM »

Quote from: Skidd on November 9, 2003, 18:40:11 PM

I guess that 'man traps' are illegal in your part of the world as well.

OK Skidd, you got my curiosity up, what is a "man trap" anyway?

Skidd · « **Reply #55 on:** November 10, 2003, 00:48:27 AM »

Quote from: Supermobile on November 9, 2003, 22:32:44 PM

OK Skidd, you got my curiosity up, what is a "man trap" anyway?

I think you would call it a 'booby trap', that is something designed to catch a person not an animal. I had a mate who wired the mains supply (240 volts) to his garage roller door where he kept his Harley Davidson... he did hear a loud scream along with an enormous blue flash. LOL... I guess that someone didn't get what they wanted.

fitchr · « **Reply #56 on:** November 10, 2003, 06:30:51 AM »

Good advice about locking the tailgate. Another GOOD REASON is that a locked tailgate can't be removed. An open tailgate is removeable (without tools) unless you purchase an aftermarket locking device. Replaces the bolt on the right hand side with a bolt that has a head with a key indentation like a lug nut lock. I got one but I forget where I got it. Less than $5.00 I think. Tailgates are attractive to thives because they are almost always damaged when involved in rear end collisions. Eaiser to steal one than pay close to a grand for a replacement. They probably even shop for the right color so they don't have to bother with painting the thing.

IMHO, get a lock!

GoldBowTie · « **Reply #57 on:** November 11, 2003, 03:39:31 AM »

Quote from: Supermobile on November 9, 2003, 22:32:44 PM

Quote from: Skidd on November 9, 2003, 18:40:11 PM

I guess that 'man traps' are illegal in your part of the world as well.

OK Skidd, you got my curiosity up, what is a "man trap" anyway?

Marriage?

Please excuse my off topic reply.

Also, I always keep my tailgate and side boxes locked.

midlifecrisis · « **Reply #58 on:** November 11, 2003, 04:55:22 AM »

I saw one of the cop shows the other night where the police rigged an SUV to automatically lock a burgular in the vehicle if the starter was tampered with. They were doing a sting operation on car thiefs. So a thief tries to steal the vehicle, but the electrical system goes haywire and the thief gets burned when the vehicle catches fire.

So then of course, the burgular's attorney tries to sue the police for injuring him. Go figure.....

awaken96 · « **Reply #59 on:** November 11, 2003, 08:15:45 AM »

I've seen many bed covers on e-bay, they get 800.00 to 1000.00 for the covers, i've always wondered who in their right mind would sell the pannels! mabe there stolen from avs ?

Avalanche Rookie · « **Reply #60 on:** November 14, 2003, 07:37:30 AM »

Mine is usually locked 24/7. During the summer I had my golf clubs back there so I'm kinda in the habit of locking it anyway.

Thanks for the heads up.

Chris

pactkevin · « **Reply #61 on:** November 8, 2017, 06:40:40 AM »

I replaced my tail gate lock with a different lock assembly.... not keyed to the same key as the rest of the truck.
Avoids problems when I have to valet park my truck or when it is at a shop. I carry the tail gate key with me. Keeps all my goodies secure

ZipTie-Z71 · « **Reply #62 on:** November 8, 2017, 08:11:09 AM »

Pretty old thread back to life lol, I took apart my handle/lock because it was seized up, amazing what a alittle oil does.......anyways I found out how easy it would be to break the plastic cover to open up the tailgate if it's locked.

frito · « **Reply #63 on:** November 8, 2017, 11:57:56 AM »

Quote from: pactkevin on November 8, 2017, 06:40:40 AM

I replaced my tail gate lock with a different lock assembly.... not keyed to the same key as the rest of the truck.
Avoids problems when I have to valet park my truck or when it is at a shop. I carry the tail gate key with me. Keeps all my goodies secure

Unless you get a valet who, while unlikely, actually knows about the mid-gate. 😉

nwguy · « **Reply #64 on:** February 2, 2018, 11:47:47 AM »

WHERE I live, I leave the keys in the vehicles so I always know where they are.

We never lock the front door (big window, floor to top)when we leave because who ever has mischief on their mind should get a good look at the 140 pound Rotty on the other side who will be trying to eat his way through to the person on the other side of the door.

One of the benefits of being the last house on a private road buried deep into the woods.
NO ONE will be able to hear you scream...

News:

Author Topic: Lock Your Tailgates (Read 15160 times)

cagowen

AVYNUT

4_by_Fun

Green_Machine