The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) recently released
a report that shows that tailgate
The top three states for tailgate thefts during this period
were: Texas, California, and Arizona.
The underground market is lively for items that can be
acquired at a fraction of their legitimate cost. Tailgates are no exception.
While many of these stolen tailgates end up on similar vehicles, others are
simply sold for scrap, which contributes to the nationwide problem of metal
theft.
Tailgate thefts can occur anywhere; single family
residential areas, multifamily residential areas, and sometimes thefts have
occurred in single locations, such as auto dealers’ lots and shopping malls.
Since a tailgate theft takes just seconds to accomplish,
consumers should consider anti-theft tactics:
- First, if your model has an integrated lock, use it. If a tailgate can’t be opened, it can’t be stolen as easily. If you don’t have one, get one; they are relatively inexpensive.
- Park with the tailgate as close as you can to an object or a structure to prevent the tailgate from opening.
- Etch the truck’s vehicle identification number (VIN) or your own personal identification number into the tailgate; this will aid in its recovery and may prevent its theft in the first place.
- Evaluate an after-market locking device.
- A common anti-theft product looks like hose clamps and are attached to the lift gate cables or where the tailgate hinges to the truck body