Lock effectiveness data — which locks stopped thieves
Insurance claim rate and average deductible paid
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📈 Monthly Theft Trend Reports
Every month we send a one-page summary of what's changing in Houston tailgate theft — new hotspot ZIPs, which trucks are being hit, seasonal spikes, and updated lock recommendations.
✓ Monthly summary — one email, never more
✓ ZIP-level hotspot changes since last month
✓ Updated lock recommendations when new data comes in
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Tailgate stolen · Katy Freeway · 2022 Ford F-150 LariatTailgate removed · The Heights · 2023 GMC Sierra Denali · overnightTailgate theft · Galleria area · 2021 Chevy Silverado LTZTailgate stripped · Energy Corridor · 2024 Ford F-150 Platinum · 3:00 AMTailgate stolen · Pearland · 2022 RAM 1500 Limited · $6,800 lossTailgate removed · Sugar Land · 2023 Toyota Tundra 1794 EditionTailgate stolen · Katy Freeway · 2022 Ford F-150 LariatTailgate removed · The Heights · 2023 GMC Sierra Denali · overnightTailgate theft · Galleria area · 2021 Chevy Silverado LTZTailgate stripped · Energy Corridor · 2024 Ford F-150 Platinum · 3:00 AMTailgate stolen · Pearland · 2022 RAM 1500 Limited · $6,800 lossTailgate removed · Sugar Land · 2023 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition
Your Tailgate Is a $10,000 Target.
Thieves can remove an F-150 tailgate in under 30 seconds — no tools, no noise. Find out what yours costs to replace, which lock stops them cold, and whether your insurance actually covers it.
Theft Trend
+30%
Increase in tailgate theft nationally in 2025 vs 2024
Max Replacement
$10,000
F-150 Platinum tailgate with integrated camera, OEM dealer price
Time to Steal
30 sec
Average time to remove an unlocked F-150 tailgate — no tools needed
Houston Tailgate Theft — 2025 Monthly Trend
Reported incidents by month · Source: HPD + community reports
Incidents
Avg Prior Year
Core Platform Tools
Cost Calculator
OEM vs aftermarket vs salvage — see your exact replacement cost by make and trim.
Best Tailgate Locks
McGard, Pop & Lock, Bolt Lock — ranked and reviewed with install guides.
Installer Finder
Vetted local shops that specialize in tailgate lock installation near you.
Report Theft
Anonymous tailgate theft reporting that builds our ZIP-level heatmap.
Help Build the Heatmap
Every tailgate theft report you submit sharpens our ZIP-level data. Help warn other truck owners before they walk out to a missing tailgate.
Houston ZIP-Level Theft Heatmap
Click any ZIP for details and get neighborhood alerts
Get Tailgate Theft Alerts for Your ZIP
We'll notify you when theft spikes in your neighborhood — before you walk out to a missing tailgate.
Select your truck's make and trim to see OEM, aftermarket, and salvage costs — plus whether it's worth filing a claim.
Your Vehicle
Make and trim level determine tailgate cost
🧮
Select your tailgate type above and click Calculate to see your full cost breakdown.
Estimated Range · Local Labor Rates
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OEM Part (dealer)—
Aftermarket / salvage—
Labor estimate—
Typical deductible—
Out-of-pocket after claim—
🔒 Top Locks for This Trim
Pillar 2 — Prevention
Best Tailgate Locks
The only tailgate locks worth buying — ranked by security rating, ease of install, and fit across major truck models.
🔐
$89–$149
McGard
★★★★★ 4.8
Tailgate Lock — Universal
Hardened steel pin slips into the latch handle and locks with a key. No drilling. Fits F-150, Silverado, Sierra, RAM, Tundra. 30-second install.
🔑
$79–$129
Pop & Lock
★★★★★ 4.7
Power Tailgate Lock
Replaces your factory handle latch with a keyed lock cylinder. Integrates with your existing key fob on select F-150 and Silverado models.
🔩
$129–$240
Bolt Lock
★★★★½ 4.6
Tailgate Lock — Uses Your Ignition Key
Patented technology that codes to your existing GM, Ford, or RAM ignition key. No extra keys to carry. Drill-free on most 2015+ trucks.
🛠️
$149–$299
LatchLid
★★★★ 4.5
Tailgate Handle Lock Kit
Full handle replacement with reinforced steel housing and dual-pin locking. Harder for pry tools to defeat. Fits 2015–2024 F-150.
📡
$25 + $8/mo
Bouncie
★★★★★ 4.9
GPS Tracker — Real-Time Alerts
Magnet-mount or hardwire. Sends your phone an alert the moment your tailgate moves. No contract. Works while the truck is parked.
🪣
$380–$1,800
BAK Industries
★★★★½ 4.6
BAKFlip MX4 — Locks the Gate
Hard-fold tonneau cover with an integrated tailgate lock bar. When the cover is closed, the tailgate is physically locked — no separate hardware needed.
🛡️
Affiliate Disclosure — TailgateTheftIQ is supported by our readers. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only list products we'd put on our own trucks.
Pillar 3 — Local Pros
Find a Tailgate Lock Installer
Skip the DIY guesswork. These Houston shops specialize in tailgate lock installation and can have you protected same-day.
Tailgate Lock Specialists · 3 found near you
🔧
Houston Truck Security Specialists
📍 5823 Westheimer Rd · Galleria Area, Houston TX
Tailgate LocksPop & LockMcGardBolt Lock
★ 4.9 (124 reviews)
2.4 mi
🚛
Precision Auto Armor
📍 1402 Shepherd Dr · The Heights, Houston TX
Tailgate LocksHandle KitsSame-Day Install
★ 4.7 (89 reviews)
4.1 mi
🔩
Lone Star Truck & Auto Security
📍 9201 Gulf Fwy · South Houston, TX
Fleet InstallsTailgate LocksGPS Add-On
★ 4.8 (56 reviews)
12.5 mi
➕
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Installer Network
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⭐
Real Customer ReviewsRatings from verified truck owners, not the shop themselves.
⚡
Same-Day AvailabilityMost installs take under an hour. Flag shops offering same-day slots.
Install Tailgate Locks?
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Pillar 4 — Community Data
Report a Tailgate Theft
Every anonymous report sharpens our ZIP-level heatmap and triggers alerts for truck owners in your area.
Incident Details
No personal information is required or stored.
✅
Report Submitted
Thank you — your data has been added to the ZIP-level heatmap and will help warn other truck owners in your area.
🔒 Privacy First
We never collect your name, email, or IP address. Reports are aggregated into trends — no individual incidents are published.
⚠️ For Insurance Claims
This form is for our data only. To file a police report for your insurance claim, contact your local police department or use their non-emergency line.
📊 Your Report Powers
📍 ZIP-level tailgate theft heatmap→
📈 Monthly theft trend reports→
🔔 Email alerts for your neighborhood→
📋 Annual Tailgate Theft Report→
Community Data — Heatmap
Houston ZIP-Level Theft Heatmap
Tailgate theft risk by ZIP code — based on HPD reports, community submissions, and NICB data.
Risk Legend
Critical — 30+ incidents/mo
High — 15–29 incidents/mo
Elevated — 8–14 incidents/mo
Moderate — 3–7 incidents/mo
Low — under 3 incidents/mo
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