​Aftermarket tailgate locks (caution)

[Guest]

I had a Pop & Lock aftermarket tailgate lock installed on the Tripping Taco a few years ago. It seemed like a decent security idea, what with the truck sometimes parked gear laden in sketchy areas, and with tailgate thefts becoming a real thing.

https://www.popandlock.net/

In reality I only locked it a few times. In more recent reality part of the internal lift release mechanism was flimsy plastic and snapped off while I was on a trip, rendering the tailgate inoperable. That was not a fun couple of days getting in or out of the truck bed, and was the messiest last day’s throw-the-stuff-in anal gear storage me has ever suffered.

It could have been worse, my paddles, sail and tarp poles were stored inaccessibly irretrievable in the locked side box without being able to lower the tailgate. Fortunately I had finished paddling before the Pop & Lock failed. (OK, I could have retrieved the paddles and such, by climbing in and unscrewing the locked side box, and would have done so if that tailgate failure was all that stood between me and paddling)

That was not just a one-off failure; the Pop & Lock friend Willie installed on his late model Taco failed in similar fashion.

Time to fire off an e-mail to Pop & Lock. Although at this point I’d rather not have another one that e-mail would have a very different tone if I had had to disassemble the side box to get to my paddles on launch day.

 

[Guest]

I finally sent an e-mail to Pop & Lock this morning:

“I had a Pop & Lock aftermarket tailgate lock installed by a dealer on a 2013 Tacoma a few years ago. With tailgate thefts becoming a real thing it seemed like a decent security idea.

In reality I only locked it a few times. In more recent reality part of the internal lift release mechanism snapped off while I was on a trip, rendering the tailgate inoperable. That was not a fun couple of days climbing in or out of the truck bed under the cap.

The failure was a piece of plastic sheering off the interior of the lift handle. That was not just a one-off failure; the Pop & Lock a friend (xxxxxxxx) installed on his late model Tacoma on my recommendation failed in similar fashion.

Codes and numbers on the original box: Model PL5500, under the bar code 59193 00385, on the vendor label P44 PL 5500, 37569 EXE 25 F

Is this a common problem? Any resolution to this failure?”

To their credit Pop & Lock took only minutes to respond:

“I'm very sorry for the inconvenience with your Pop and Lock. A few years ago we upgraded the product. Instead of using ABS plastic for the handle, we have upgraded from using plastic to using glass-filled nylon which is very comparable to the material used on the OEM handle. This new material has made our handle much more durable. We have also made some updates to components such as our metal work, which helps increase the overall functionality of our product.
Our warranty is 1 year with proof of purchase. If you would like to attach your proof along with pictures of the component we will be happy to look at it.”

Hmmm, a known and rectified material design failure. OK, let the dance begin. Response e-mail:

“I am pretty good at keeping important paperwork, but I doubt I saved that receipt, and in any case the lock was installed more than a year ago. 2013 Tacoma, probably put on in 2014.

I kept the old Toyota tailgate latch in the Pop & Lock box and have put the OEM Toyota latch back on for now. I still have the original PL5500 box, and the failed Pop & Lock tailgate latch & keys, and can mail them back for inspection.

It could have been worse, the Tacoma is my paddling and travelling truck, with the under-cap bed fully curtained, screened and insulated for sleeping, with fan and lights. It’s like a lightweight mini-RV, with everything at my fingertips.

Including, suddenly not quite at my fingertips, my paddles, sails, tarp poles and other long linear stuff are stored in a box/shelf mounted along one side of the bed. A box with the opening made deliberately inaccessible when the tailgate is up/locked. None of those paddles or sails would be replaceable while on the road (hence the tailgate lock).

Ah, “inconvenience”. Fortunately the Pop & Lock failed on take-out day, after I had put my paddles and sail away for the last time. Had that occurred on launch day this e-mail might have a different tone of frustration.

That last night’s truck camping was awkward enough entry and exit. I’m not as limber as I once was, and decided to head for home instead of continuing to wander and Fosbury Flop my bulk over the tailgate and into bed every night. Getting back out was worse. Much worse.

If shipping the broken Pop & Lock and original box back helps please let me know.”

Just as quickly responded:

Understanding you don’t have the receipt, if you would like to provide pictures of the damaged/broken components and a detailed description of what the problem is with the lock I will still forward to our technical support team for review.
Thank you,

I can do that, although screw sending photos, I’d prefer to mail the failed product and original box back on my dime. Time will tell about that 1 year warranty.