How to not get locked in my camper

[MarkCamper4x4]

Hello. I am brand new here, and so I hope I am posting at the right place. I need some guidance.

I am in-process of purchasing a lightweight camper that fully fits inside my 6-foot 2024 Tacoma bed with the tailgate closed. I want the tailgate closed when I am driving so I can utilize the truck's backup camera, sensors, etc.

How do I keep the tailgate from being closed on me when I am inside the camper?
And, how can I make sure that the tailgate isn't stolen?

I think both of these are probably remote possibilites, but you never know!

Thanks! Mark

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Mark, first… welcome to WTW! Is your tailgate locked via a fob or a key? If fob, can you trigger an open with the fob? My guess is that if you can’t trigger an open, you’re going to be crawling out the emergency exit. What camper are you considering?

While I understand your desire to keep the tailgate on to retain camera and sensor function, your best bet may be to add a camera to the camper or license plate bracket. Additionally, having the tailgate on makes it a bit more awkward to enter and exit. Geezers like me have lost a lot of flexibility.

 

[DesertDog]

Welcome to Wander the West! A lot of questions there.

Sagebrush is correct. At least for the 3rd generation, the key fob will unlock the doors but needs a dealer added, extra cost option to unlock the tailgate. Like the car doors, it only unlocks but does not open any of the doors nor drop the tailgate. Although to my surprise, the 2024 TRD Pro now has a powered tailgate where you tap a taillight, and it will open or close the tailgate. I'm guessing this is not tied to the key fob as makes no sense for tailgate to drop each time you unlock the doors. OP did not say which model he has so not sure if they have that option and regardless may be difficult to tap a taillight from inside.

If you choose to go without the tailgate, "Camera Source" sells a license plate mounted camera that has correct connector to plug into the Tacoma harness. I use it. Camera is not as high quality as the stock one but is adequate for what you need. Again, this is 3rd gen HW so contact Camera Source if it fits a 4th gen. I don't know about the 2024 but the only sensor in the tailgate in earlier Tacoma's is the camera so you can remove the tailgate without loss of function with the remote license plate camera. (BTW, Blind side monitors are in the bumper, not the tailgate. )

Link is here:
Tacoma Camera Kit

Keeping the tailgate on has its advantages as it is a real PITA to remove and later put back on, and at my age, is borderline too heavy to easily carry once off the truck. If you keep the tailgate on, there are a couple of aftermarket bolt on solutions that make it more difficult to steal the tailgate, but being "bolt-on" just means a thief needs more time to remove the anti-thief device before taking the tailgate. Real deterrent is thief is probably not carrying a sack of tools.

One such is here:
Tailgate Anti-Thief Device

 

[buckland]

All good advice above. I too bought a backup camera from the dealer (same as one in tailgate) and simply attached it to the camper bed.

 

[rubberlegs]

We did similarly. Our backup camera is moved from tailgate to the bottom of the camper. The view isnt as good but works.

 

[AWG_Pics]

I bought a Camera Solutions replacement backup camera - it plugged in to the OEM socket near the rear of the truck.

Three years later I installed this: Amazon.com
which gave me back my rear view mirror.

 

[Jon R]

Regarding the OP’s original question about how not to allow someone to lift and latch the tailgate or lift and remove the tailgate:

What about a long piece of pipe or rod that just barely fits lengthwise along the side of the camper with the tailgate closed, and then figure out some way to lock it in position at the bed floor level sticking out to prevent the tailgate from being lifted. A plate held down by the camper could be used to attach a lock of some kind rather than making a hole in the truck bed. Another way to anchor the pipe/rod could be a light cable loop through a drilled hole in the pipe that extends though the tailgate hinge gap and has a padlock installed through the loop below.

Another possibility for locking the tailgate open would be a piece of cable around the tailgate through the hinge gap and anchored to your hitch receiver or safety chain loops.

 

[M1010 Mike]

When you are in camp, you could just put a lock on one of the latching studs sticking out of the bed side, that the latch clamps on to. This would prevent the latch from being able to lock.

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

Pop & Lock Tailgate Defender For Tacoma (1996-2024)Default Title

First it was catalytic converters, now people are stealing tailgates at a high rate as they're extremely valuable and can be stolen in seconds even if you have an OEM lock on your tailgate. Protect your tailgate from theft with the Pop & Lock Tailgate Defender, a universal tailgate lock designed...

www.tacomalifestyle.com