Disapointed in my new RAM......
Captain
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 679
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From: New Castle Delaware
RE: Disapointed in my new RAM......
Since Reading these posts .I've seen three Ford trucks with tail gate locks. Until Reading this stuff I have wondered why you need a lock in the first place? All you have to do is reach inside the bed and get what ever you want. Unless you have a cover that Locks the bed in place. I have a Fiberglas lid that locks. So I guess I'll just keep my Dodge for now.If Dodge really wanted to make something different they should move the spare tire to inside the bed infront of the tail Gate with a steel cover over it. That locks.It sure would save me a lot of work getting that tire down if I had too. Picture this .You unlock the lock in the bed ,pull up on the handle for the tire cover .The tire comes up from inside the floor bed and there it is. Sort of like in a truck in the Bed. No more crawling under the truck.in the snow.
Professional
Joined: Dec 2006
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RE: Disapointed in my new RAM......
ORIGINAL: truckin151
The spare tire I could see because it is a real easy part to get off the truck with very little work, but the tailgate? I dont by that for a second! It takes to much time and effort for someone to rip off a tailgate. If it were the old old models (aka 60s-70s) I could see because they were very simple to remove but the ones on our newer rams are quite a bit more difficult to remove not to mention they weigh a ton so you;d have to have at least 2 people to carry the damn thing plus its one of the most noticable things to rip off a vehicle. It be like someone trying to steal a hood or a spoiler. Could it happen yeah but it be more likely that they'd steal the whole truck and then part the thing though if they were gonna do anything.
The spare tire I could see because it is a real easy part to get off the truck with very little work, but the tailgate? I dont by that for a second! It takes to much time and effort for someone to rip off a tailgate. If it were the old old models (aka 60s-70s) I could see because they were very simple to remove but the ones on our newer rams are quite a bit more difficult to remove not to mention they weigh a ton so you;d have to have at least 2 people to carry the damn thing plus its one of the most noticable things to rip off a vehicle. It be like someone trying to steal a hood or a spoiler. Could it happen yeah but it be more likely that they'd steal the whole truck and then part the thing though if they were gonna do anything.
Record Breaker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,627
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From: Lumberton, Texas
RE: Disapointed in my new RAM......
i just think mr. kevin loiler saw the less than pleasant responses and has decided not to show his face in this thread again. infact, i havent seen any posts by him since everybody went off on him for that.
Joined: Jul 2006
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RE: Disapointed in my new RAM......
Inspector62, im sure if you can afford to buy a $50,000 truck, you can sure afford 30 extra to buy the lock. The dealer does have them straight from dodge, i got one for around 30. The guy i used to work with has one on his truck and it came from the factory like that.
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2006
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RE: Disapointed in my new RAM......
ORIGINAL: BgBluRam
Haha, This is so funny.. I would hate to say that you people are blind, but the subject isn't about things IN your bed being stolen. It's about the TAILGATE itself being stolen. This is very common, and happens here in the L.A. area all the time, (and L.A. is far from being rural) so I think it can happen anywhere. A tailgate only takes about 15 seconds to pull off, I do it all the time. My uncle has an F250 and it had a lock on it, but he didn't lock it, and $425.00 later, he had to buy a new tailgate.
I do think however, if you are dissappointed in Dodge because they don't have a tailgate lock, that's a little overboard, especially if your main reason for not getting an aftermarket lock is because you don't want to carry around and extra key! But to each his own. Sorry that your Laramie doesn't have a tailgate lock, I sure hope you can get over that frustrating fact, and get on with enjoying such a nice vehicle. Good Luck!
ORIGINAL: cr80renob
Perfectly stated!!
ORIGINAL: arrowman
Color my stupid, but I could never understand the need for a locking tailgate latch....
I was raised with the understanding that locks only keep the honest folks out. (Yeah, tell me how much sense that makes in the city!?!)
A lock on a pickup's tailgate is about as effective as a screendoor on a submarine.
If they want what's in the bed, they're gonna get it.
A truck is a tool... the bed is for transport, not storage...
Folks that want to steal or damage whatever is in the bed will find a way to do it no matter what locks you buy.
Color my stupid, but I could never understand the need for a locking tailgate latch....
I was raised with the understanding that locks only keep the honest folks out. (Yeah, tell me how much sense that makes in the city!?!)
A lock on a pickup's tailgate is about as effective as a screendoor on a submarine.
If they want what's in the bed, they're gonna get it.
A truck is a tool... the bed is for transport, not storage...
Folks that want to steal or damage whatever is in the bed will find a way to do it no matter what locks you buy.
I do think however, if you are dissappointed in Dodge because they don't have a tailgate lock, that's a little overboard, especially if your main reason for not getting an aftermarket lock is because you don't want to carry around and extra key! But to each his own. Sorry that your Laramie doesn't have a tailgate lock, I sure hope you can get over that frustrating fact, and get on with enjoying such a nice vehicle. Good Luck!
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2006
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RE: Disapointed in my new RAM......
I just can't believe there is a three page thread dedicated to a VERY simple and inexpensive solution. Mountains made out of mole hills IMO.
I bought a Nissan Pickup about 10 years ago, very basic model, not even a bumper. First thing I did was got a bumper then had a stereo and alarm installed. To my surprise the alarm installer tells me the passenger side door doesn't work because there is no light plunger switch. I go to the dealer and sure enough, this is not included in a base model....ok, so I get the switch, cheap easy fix right? It wasn't even wired for a door switch and to add to that it wasn't even wired for an antenna. Ok, I bought a bare bones model but good grief, the wiring should at least be there. Took it back to the dealer and they explained to me that these aren't included in "base" models, I told them that was fine but the WIRING should be included. They did the wiring for me at no cost but I did have to pay for the switch and antenna.
My pointis that if a company produces say 500,000 vehicles they are looking at ways to possibly cut costs. Thats why a lot of these small pickups are sold without rear bumpers, they aren't required. If you save $50 on 500,000 vehicles you've saved $25 million in production costs.
I bought a Nissan Pickup about 10 years ago, very basic model, not even a bumper. First thing I did was got a bumper then had a stereo and alarm installed. To my surprise the alarm installer tells me the passenger side door doesn't work because there is no light plunger switch. I go to the dealer and sure enough, this is not included in a base model....ok, so I get the switch, cheap easy fix right? It wasn't even wired for a door switch and to add to that it wasn't even wired for an antenna. Ok, I bought a bare bones model but good grief, the wiring should at least be there. Took it back to the dealer and they explained to me that these aren't included in "base" models, I told them that was fine but the WIRING should be included. They did the wiring for me at no cost but I did have to pay for the switch and antenna.
My pointis that if a company produces say 500,000 vehicles they are looking at ways to possibly cut costs. Thats why a lot of these small pickups are sold without rear bumpers, they aren't required. If you save $50 on 500,000 vehicles you've saved $25 million in production costs.
