Truck theft in Canada

I am traveling to Canada tomorrow for work, north of Quebec City. While I look forward to visiting your beautiful country for a few days, a handful of people have suggested I rent a car for the trip saying they have heard about a large amount of vehicle theft, specifically Toyota and Lexus. A quick google search confirmed a few news stories of crime rings stealing vehicles and shipping them to Africa.

My question is how real is this and is there any advice to minimize the risk? I plan on doing the following anyways but looking for some suggestions and advice from people who may know better.

- The Club, have one from a friend and figure it can’t hurt. I know how easy a steering wheel is to cut.

- Turn the key fob off after locking the truck and use a faraday pouch. Again, not foolproof but cannot hurt.

- Pull a fuse or two that will not allow the vehicle to start but maintains the factory security system.

- Park in 4wd with wheels turned so the vehicle is more difficult to roll out of a spot. I know this can be a non issue with a good tow truck driver but also slows it down a little.

- Hidden GPS tracker tile in truck for peace of mind while away from the truck.

Tacomaworld has never let me down before and I’m sure you guys are going to have a few clever ideas. Would much rather take my truck than rent something but hopefully it’s not a bad move.

Thanks in advance and looking forward to heading north.

 

Good insurance coverage so you get a free new truck out of it?

 

This has been going on for years it’s nothing new. I know several people who have had trucks trailers and snowmobiles stolen in Quebec. If you take your truck make sure you cover the vin number on the dash along with any other measures you take. Bottom line is if they want it they will get it. I would rent a vehicle but if you do that make sure it’s covered of you take it to Canada. When my business partner had his GMC stolen up there he tried to rent a pickup truck from
Enterprise and they told him he could use it to go snowmobiling as long as he didn’t take it to Canada. Due to high theft rates of trucks and SUVs enterprise does not allow you to take those vehicles into Canada if you rent them. That should tell You something about how common/true the stories are. Good luck either way.

ETA: when his truck got stolen he followed up a week later with the local PD up there and they basically said “Take it up with your insurance company your truck is gone and we aren’t even looking for it. It’s probably already in a container to Russia.”

 

Awareness is your number 1 defense. I think you are fully aware of what to expect and the risks involved. Not much more you can do other than maybe find a 24hour gated secured paid parking spot, sleep in the truck or a wheel clamp?

 

All sounds like good advice. Obviously there is no silver bullet except gated/secured parking which I don’t think is available where I’m staying.

Debating just grabbing a rental in the morning. Enterprise says its sedans can go to Canada, not suvs or pickups as superair stated.

 

lol @ Quebec

 

North of Quebec City? If you are going to some small town in the north, those theft stories likely do not apply. Be careful when travelling through big cities, like Montreal though. But in the north, in the winter people leave their vehicles unlocked, with keys in, and RUNNING, while they go shopping or visiting someone. On a cold day at the grocery store, there are probably more trucks sitting there running with nobody in them, than not.

 

Just curious: How does covering the VIN number deter theft?

 

Just wondering:
What is more of a theft target? Stock or modded truck?

 

I was wondering the same.

 

Not going to a big city so I hope I’m safe enough that a few deterrents are unnecessary but will give me peace of mind.

 

Made it home with my truck in one piece. Probably slept a little better knowing it was disabled but no signs anyone even looked at it overnight.

 

Great to hear and no one died! Lol...