Tailgate Theft Finally Declines, Albeit Slightly
Tailgate theft might be on the decline, but it’s still a major problem. Here’s how to protect your tail!
Tailgate theft has long been one of the fastest growing trends in the world of crime, and for good reason. It’s much easier to steal (and get away with) a tailgate than pretty much anything else on a vehicle. And for a few second’s work, thieves can score big bucks. But after spreading like wildfire for years, the National Insurance Crime Bureau is reporting that tailgate theft has finally begun to decline.
According to the NICB, claims for stolen tailgates totaled 1,788 in 2017, down from 1,877 in 2016. That’s a small decline, of course. But tailgate theft peaked back in 2014 (1,895 insured thefts) and seems to have stabilized ever since. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that these numbers only reflect insurance claims. Since many thefts don’t generate an insurance claim, the actual number of tailgate thefts reported to police may be much higher.
The top state for tailgate theft in 2016 and 2017 was Texas, followed by California, Florida, Arizona, and Nevada. In regards to specific cities, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Los Angeles, and Fresno topped the list. It’s no surprise that Texas dominates these rankings, as they probably have more pickup trucks per capita than any other state.
Despite this slight cool off, tailgate theft remains attractive to thieves. Tailgate prices have increased tremendously over the years thanks to things like backup cameras and sensors, automatic locks and lift mechanisms, and integrated steps. Today, a replacement tailgate can cost you anywhere from $1,000 up to $4,000 or more.
Protecting yourself from tailgate theft is pretty simple, thankfully. If you have a tailgate lock, use it. If not, obtaining one is pretty cheap. You can also back your truck up to a structure or wall, or even use a hose clamp (as shown in the video above). All of which are simple solutions to a thousand dollar problem!
