Tailgates can cost as much as 4 grand. Even if you’re buying a whacky used one, you might not be able to go lower and two and a half grand. Tailgates are a dime to save a fortune. Tailgates don’t catch all that attention when you’re looking around to buy a truck. But if you lose the tailgate, you’ll lose all the swag.
You might be thinking why you’d be spending 10 bucks that’s technically a hose clamp. There’s a key difference, the key. A hose clamp can easily be removed with any Philips screwdriver. But when it comes to the best tailgate lock, you gotta have the very specific key that comes with that model.
Table of Contents
5 Best Tailgate Lock Review
Regarding all the specialties and drawbacks, you need to give priority to your requirements. To meet your needs, you surely get a reliable one for a particular condition. Here the reviews will be helpful to win the most valued tailgate lock.
1. Master Lock Tailgate Lock, Stainless Steel, 8253DAT
Supremacies
Featuring a stainless steel body assists the purpose of your vehicle by Master Lock tailgate lock. Along with this specification, you can get the protection of the lock mechanism from deterioration by its covers. Moreover, its durability will keep you tension free from any sort of problem while riding on the high road for a long journey.
Being aware of the removal of the tailgate is mandatory for the security of your pickups. This kind of lock serves its utmost solution for the dismissal of your tailgate. Besides, you may get the accessibility of easy installation that is a positive aspect for the beginners. Further, it has the backbone of a limited lifetime warranty.
To eradicate any sort of harm on the rear part of your car, you can rely on it without any doubt. In other words, it’s the most top-notch tailgate lock on the rear part of your car. It fits best for the late model Ford, GM, Dodge, and Toyota trucks. Talking of security and stability, you don’t need to be reliant. Rather, it ensures both satisfactorily.
Subsidiaries
- The material of this lock is of fragile plastic.
- Poor adjustment of the lock makes it easily weathered.
2. McGard 76029 Tailgate Lock, Black
Supremacies
This McGard tailgate lock is smartly designed for using the truck bed. It offers your truck twenty-four-hour theft protection that lessens your trouble at night. For safety issues, it is a remarkable one due to its protective features.
The installation process is super easy and it takes not more than 10 minutes. For the easy installation, you don’t require any modifications. To get a perfect fit and easy installation, all you need to measure the right tailgate hinge cap.
Once you measure the hinge cap entirely, you may get the idea of the size of the middle strap. For this, you can use scissors to make it in shape. Then re-insert the free end of the middle strap into the lock and hold in place. Do not over-tight the lock.
Other than that, it is made of lightweight stainless steel that makes the product super lightweight. Its polycarbonate construction will not rust providing years of trouble-free protection. It may include some globally sourced components.
Additionally, you don’t need to open the lock while opening and closing the tailgate. It perfectly fits for cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Subsidiaries
- The hinge cap doesn’t fit well.
- Not so sturdy middle strap that ends up broken sometimes.
3. Pop & Lock PL5400 Black Manual Tailgate Lock with BOLT Code able Technology for Toyota Tacoma
Supremacies
This Pop & Lock tailgate lock comes with UV resistant coating. The dimension of the middle strap must be 11.5, 4.8 and 3.2 inches to fit well. This pop and lock provide not only the manual system but also a power lock option for your truck’s key. Besides, this lock is capable of coding from one key to lock or unlock it.
On the other hand, it mainly handles with a factory backup camera. For easy installation, make sure the handle is in the unlock position. You may need to turn the key clockwise to set entirely. Though the camera angle is a bit non-identical, it doesn’t have any influence on the use of it. And speaking of reliability it’s a superior one.
To lock and unlock it, you can use the ignition key. Surprisingly, you don’t need any extra ones. Its OEM handle is good enough to install. Along with this easy installation, it’s also an affordable one. It fits entirely for Toyota Tacoma. You don’t need any drilling on the erosion surface.
Subsidiaries
- The movement of the series axes is not efficient enough
4. Bully LH-007WD Integrated O.E OE Spec Factory Replacement Rear Trunk Tailgate Lock Door Handle
Supremacies
With the high impact plastic, this remarkable one is a perfect fit for each vehicle. These tailgate locks are ideal not only for truck caps but also for truck bed covers. Due to their superior quality, consumers get 100% assurance about security. It completely provides shelter for the tailgate from any theft. Thus, you are trouble-free from this aspect.
This Bully Truck Accessory owns a tailgate lock that is smartly designed to provide your truck O.E integrated lock. Further, it gives you an easy installation without any cutting or drilling. Besides, it’s durable, made of high-quality plastic, and includes metal hardware. For this, you can easily depend on its performance.
Unlike the other tailgate locks, it has a handsome number of applications including Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, Dodge Ram 1500, Dodge Ram 2500 3500. For easy installation, you can use small bolts to grip the handle in place after the replacement of the access cover from your tailgate. Pointing to affordability, it ensures 100%.
Subsidiaries
- Frugal construction.
- Its core material is not sturdy enough to last long.
5. Pop N Lock PL8535 07-19 Toyota Tundra Power Tailgate Lock
Supremacies
This Pop N Lock tailgate lock is designed in such a unique way that it gives protective features from being stolen by any thief. It’s important to notify that the one you’re having must have precautionary features. Because this quality costs a fortune. Likewise, it also comes with both manual and power lock options.
Both sturdy and stainless steel seems to give a friendly operation you’re having. This tailgate is also designed to provide easy installation and your truck a factory look. Before buying this tailgate lock by testing it with a 12V battery to make sure whether it works or not. This preliminary step might help you to get a splendid one.
On top of that, proper wiring for Toyota Tundra is a necessary step you need to execute. It has been dominating over the rest of the tailgate lock for many years to ensure security for your truck’s tailgate, truck’s cap, tonneau cover, and cargo management. Also, it ensures almost all the facilities that you’re looking for.
Subsidiaries
- Sometimes this kit ends up in a half lock position due to poor extension of the actuator.
Elements and Route to the Best Tailgate Lock
To give safeguards to your helmet from being stolen, you need to notify which one fits the best. Though going through all the rightful aspects is significant, but not to grab the top-valued tailgate lock. Do give importance to your working purpose that may help you to get the best.
Core Material
Though mainly, options are two, both types offer a handful of features to dominate each other. Still, try finding the meeting point of additionals and strength.
Stainless Steel
The stainless steel gives opposition against tarnish and corrosion. Surely, the junction between the tailgate and the truck bed terminal doesn’t leave enough space. Hence, being the strongest of the material options, it ensures a compact body of the lock. So as a long term solution, steel’s the way to go…stainless one of course.
Polycarbonate Construction
As a cheaper yet durable alternative, polycarbonate construction comes with a less abrasive contact surface. Nevertheless, such locks usually aid with the easy installation which is quite helpful to the beginners.
Adapter Cups
The tailgate lock is composed of a tailgate hinge system. This hinge consists of a fixed cup portion and a rotating one. Here the particular rotation of the hinge axis results in rotations of both the adapter and the security lock about and along with the axis.
Hinge Cap
The hinge cap gives allowances to full access to the truck bed so that you can pull large items without removing the cover. Apart from that, the measurement of the hinge cap shows you the idea of the size of the middle strap. Thus you can fit the lock fully to the best.
Middle Strap
Both the hinge cap and the middle strap are related to each other. It’s mainly used to fit the lock on the hinge cap tightly.
UV Resistant Coating
Overheating causes the lock to vary in its dimensions. Especially for locks made for a particular vehicle’s tailgate face several trivial troubles including cracking, jamming of keys, etc. unless features UV resistant coats on them.
Tailgate Lock Door Handle
You can replace your factory tailgate handle with the ABS plastic handle that already has a built-in lock. This specification provides you with assuring the utmost security along with ease of access.
FAQs
Q: Does it come with any electric specification for testing before buying?
Ans: Yes, you can test this tailgate lock with a 12 V or 15 V battery to check whether it works properly or not.
Q: Is it mandatory to remove the lock for opening and closing the tailgate?
Ans: No, you don’t need to remove it. Removal of lock doesn’t usually affect the opening and closing the tailgate.
Q: Is it efficient enough to assure theft protection?
Ans: Yes, it is. All you need is to grind down to drill the screw head on the middle strap. Apart from that, you can use the built-in lock on the handle of the tailgate.
Q: What is the easiest way to install the lock?
Ans: Initially measure the tailgate hinge cap. Then fit the middle strap on to the hinge cap. You may need to twist the key by hand different times clockwise till the middle strap reengages the lock housing.
Conclusion
You can’t take a sweet ride if your tailgates are not secured. You must undergo all the rightful information that we’ve backed up by the reviews. A dearth of knowledge might be puzzling for someone to get the best tailgate lock for your pickups. According to your needs, you have to verify which one fits your vehicle entirely.
Under my perspective, the cover of the Master Lock tailgate lock is good enough to protect your car from any harm. Along with this act, it’s easy installation attracts the initial users mostly.
On the other hand, the Pop & Lock tailgate lock is another fit for your vehicle. Its UV resistant coating makes it a safe place for the presence of sunlight. Besides, no drilling required for the corrosion surface. Also, the use of the ignition key gives you relaxation to lock and unlock your tailgate.
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