Lock your tailgates! Also, insurance question.

In reply to kb58 :

In this case I do not believe the tailgate was locked. 

I’ve never owned a pickup, so this is all news to me. I had no idea tailgates could be popped off so easily. What’s the point of removing it when you can just lower it?

LanEvo said:

I’ve never owned a pickup, so this is all news to me. I had no idea tailgates could be popped off so easily. What’s the point of removing it when you can just lower it?

If the truck is used 99% for towing a 5th wheel / gooseneck, it might be easier to leave the tailgate off.  Otherwise, you have to drop the tailgate, hook up to the trailer, close the tailgate (it'll hit the trailer in turns if left down) and reverse to un-hitch.  No tailgate saves some steps in there.  And if you don't put stuff in the bed, you're not losing anything. 

LanEvo said:

I’ve never owned a pickup, so this is all news to me. I had no idea tailgates could be popped off so easily. What’s the point of removing it when you can just lower it?

Also, they make campers that slide into the bed which require the tailgate to be removed. 

LanEvo said:

I’ve never owned a pickup, so this is all news to me. I had no idea tailgates could be popped off so easily. What’s the point of removing it when you can just lower it?

I remove mine fairly often.  When I'm hauling mulch or gravel, I take it off right before I start shoveling so that is less distance I have to throw the shovel full.  Also when I haul water, the outlet valve on the tank is just long enough that it won't fit in my bed with the tail gate up, and it is easier to attach the hose without the tail gate in the way.  And as said before, if I know I'll be moving trailers around all day, I'll take it off.

^^^

I get all that. But I guess I still don’t see why it has to be so easy/quick to pop off a tailgate. 

Canoe removed

On my 85 Toyota it bolts on and was warned that they steal them all the time, I welded the bolts to the hinge, Now it requires a grinder and a bunch of time to get it off. 

My friend just had her Ford F350 tailgate stolen while it was sitting in the RV repair place getting new tires on her horse trailer, It just happens the cameras dont work on the back of the building where it was parked.

I wonder how many people claim the gate stolen so they can make the payment with the insurance check.

Years ago the insurance scam was third row seats in SUVs.

I still find it hard to believe that with all of the incredible engineering and development dollars that goes in modern trucks, nobody has been able to bring to market a 'multi-function' hinge that can allow the user to choose with relative ease when to keep the tailgate easily removable and when to keep it functionally secured to the truck even when unlocked/open. 

In reply to Driven5 :

Or why cant they make them like old Station Wagons and have the swing out or drop down.

Im about to cut the back of my Suburban off and put one from a barn door style on. I hate having to reach past the gate and have to put the window down to open it. 

In reply to MulletTruck :

In reply to Woody :

Eggzactly!