Lock your tailgates!!!

[vsteel]

Mythbusters did a show and rover just that. Better mileage with tail gate up.

I thought I remember them doing that and you either wanted the tail gate up or you wanted it removed. The wing it made when it was down would cause turbulence which brought down the gas mileage. Even those mesh gates were better than down.

I can tell you a tonneau cover helps mileage, at least in my personal experience.

 

[Loadstar]

Like another said a hose clamp on the removable side will stop them in their tracks. Takes tools and time a thief does not have. Put it on so when the tailgate is at a 45 the screw is accessible but full open it is not. $.50 theft deterrent.

 

[Btown]

Factory should install the saftety release type lock GM uses on their PU/SUV crank down spares . No one would ever remove a tailgate . Wife shreaded a tire on the Suburban. Went to do my road service call. Could not get that sucker to release on the side of the road. Pulled the wheel, went to my local tire place and had a nice used tire mounted to get by until I decide what to do, need two back tires. Anyone having one of these safety locks on their vehicle, I recommend trying to get it down and off the carrier in the driveway at home. I had to remove the license plate and reach in there to free the pin. Cleaned, lubed and reinstalled. Those things are the work of the devil. My tailgates are about 50%. Dodge 99-01 Dodge tailgates contact the lip of the bumper when lowered, even with the cables attached. Any significant load on the tailgate leaves a bumper crease on the tailgate. Q

I've seen many of the GM SUV/ trucks towed off of highway for this. They never come down. I had a 2004 GMC Yukon and in 2008 I had a steel belt fail on a tire. Luckily mine came down. But it only had 35,000 miles on it. A lot of Chrysler mini vans have this ame problem.

 

[Ford850]

Factory should install the saftety release type lock GM uses on their PU/SUV crank down spares . No one would ever remove a tailgate . Wife shreaded a tire on the Suburban. Went to do my road service call. Could not get that sucker to release on the side of the road. Pulled the wheel, went to my local tire place and had a nice used tire mounted to get by until I decide what to do, need two back tires. Anyone having one of these safety locks on their vehicle, I recommend trying to get it down and off the carrier in the driveway at home. I had to remove the license plate and reach in there to free the pin. Cleaned, lubed and reinstalled. Those things are the work of the devil.

My tailgates are about 50%. Dodge 99-01 Dodge tailgates contact the lip of the bumper when lowered, even with the cables attached. Any significant load on the tailgate leaves a bumper crease on the tailgate.

Q

I've seen many of the GM SUV/ trucks towed off of highway for this. They never come down. I had a 2004 GMC Yukon and in 2008 I had a steel belt fail on a tire. Luckily mine came down. But it only had 35,000 miles on it. A lot of Chrysler mini vans have this ame problem.

I try to lower mine on my F150 about once a year, or before a long road trip. I lower the tire and inflate it if needed, and soak all the cable mechanism parts with fluid film while the tire is lowered. It's also a good time to check the jack so you remember where it's hidden and that it's all there. :thumbsup:
I usually lock my tailgate while in any larger parking area or at the airport.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I've seen many of the GM SUV/ trucks towed off of highway for this. They never come down. I had a 2004 GMC Yukon and in 2008 I had a steel belt fail on a tire. Luckily mine came down. But it only had 35,000 miles on it. A lot of Chrysler mini vans have this ame problem.

My uncle had one where the tire would not come down, had to be towed, bed removed, and the tire carrier cut off.

No matter the brand is drop mine once a year and lube it.

Chris

 

[TCJatko]

Doubt if it would work for me, this was a 2003 model

I have a 2000 Dodge with this system. Check it out.

 

[crash325]

Having read this quickly I though it said lock your toilet. :laughing:

 

[Bird]

No matter the brand is drop mine once a year and lube it.

I've never done that, but I think you fellows have talked me into it. Now if I can remember early some morning before it gets so danged hot!

 

[Diamondpilot]

I've never done that, but I think you fellows have talked me into it. Now if I can remember early some morning before it gets so danged hot!

Needed more so in the salt belt. I bet down in Texas you won't have issues

Chris

 

[kebo]

I love my tailgate step!��

I wish my '13 Silverado had a tailgate step.