McGard tailgate lock worth it??

[knightrider]

2026 Maverick XLT hybrid with power locking tailgate.. tail gate has a "safety hook" that has to be removed to take off the tailgate.. Is switching to a McGard worth it ...

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[icegradner]

2026 Maverick XLT hybrid with power locking tailgate.. tail gate has a "safety hook" that has to be removed to take off the tailgate.. Is switching to a McGard worth it ...

If tailgate theft is a problem in your area, it might slow them down a bit.

 

[unclerunkle]

Goes on easy, a little pricey but gives some piece of mind.

 

[Drew304]

If people are taking the tailgates off trucks in your area you might wanna move!

 

[MavStangVa]

First truck I owned was a 1970 F100 bought in 1979. Had 6 trucks total over the years and never had a tailgate stolen.

 

[knightrider]

Data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) indicates that Texas consistently leads the nation in tailgate thefts.

A new tailgate typically costs between $2000 and $4,000+ for parts alone, while a full professional replacement including paint and labor can cost over $6000

 

[MaverickDragon]

If your tailgate is locked, doesn't that already prevent theft?

 

[knightrider]

Tailgates are surprisingly easy to completely remove from the truck. On most pickup models, you simply open the gate to a specific 45-degree angle, disconnect the retaining cables, and lift the gate right off the passenger-side pivot mount. Because a thief can perform this action in under a minute, locking the handle does absolutely nothing to prevent them from stealing the entire tailgate off your truck. Thieves typically open locked tailgates by exploiting manufacturer design flaws to bypass the lock entirely, or simply by utilizing brute-force tools to smash or pry the locking mechanisms. A locked gait might slow them down for 30 seconds or so.

 

[Drew304]

Well they can do the same with your door or fender or windows, I wouldn’t worry about it.

 

[MaverickDragon]

Tailgates are surprisingly easy to completely remove from the truck. On most pickup models, you simply open the gate to a specific 45-degree angle, disconnect the retaining cables, and lift the gate right off the passenger-side pivot mount. Because a thief can perform this action in under a minute, locking the handle does absolutely nothing to prevent them from stealing the entire tailgate off your truck. Thieves typically open locked tailgates by exploiting manufacturer design flaws to bypass the lock entirely, or simply by utilizing brute-force tools to smash or pry the locking mechanisms. A locked gait might slow them down for 30 seconds or so.

Simply open the gate - Nope.
From their website:
"Protect your tailgate from theft!, It only takes SECONDS to steal an unlocked tailgate"
Of course somebody brute forcing their way into your tailgate won't be noticed by anyone...
I've got two things going for mine.
I have a locking heavy duty tonneau cover that prevents the tailgate from lifting, and I don't live in a neighborhood where that would be a concern, or I'd move.

 

[Pointyears]

Yep, UNLOCKED. Plus, there's the power cable /camera cable which'll slow someone down. Sure, they could cut them, but that'd be self-defeating.

 

[identifyasatruck]

Thieves typically open locked tailgates by exploiting manufacturer design flaws to bypass the lock entirely, or simply by utilizing brute-force tools to smash or pry the locking mechanisms. A locked gait might slow them down for 30 seconds or so.

i have one, i have never needed to remove my tailgate.

i know that (and i think you know this too) like all theft prevention devices...a $30 lock will not stop a determined professional. but it might stop a non-professional looking for an easy crime of opportunity.

 

[icegradner]

If your tailgate is locked, doesn't that already prevent theft?

If you have a bed cover it is very difficult. If not, they can remove the backing plate and simply disconnect the lock, and force the mechanism.

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