People stealing tie down hooks

I cant help but notice all the Tacomas on the dealer lots around here have the tie down hooks/points or whatever they are called removed. Are these a common victim of theft? Should I be concerned about them being stolen from my truck? The reason I ask is that I am going off to college in 7 days, most likely am gonna take them off and lock them inside my truck just to be safe. Has anyone here had troubles with their tie down hooks being taken?

 

I havnt seen that around here but the hitch cover and 2 plastic covers on the bumper (step part) I see missing allot, they were missing off my truck.

 

I think if they steal mine gives me a reason to get tundra cleats .. But I'll probably start doing what whippersnapper does

 

Mine are stowed in the cab.

 

When I bought mine, the dealer had hidden them inside the cab (under the rear seat). I had one pair that I had left on stolen at Fort Bragg (not uncommon, someone also stripped $3k in parts off my '57 Chevy in the barracks parking lot over a weekend while I wasn't there. And tried to steal my temp plate off my Dodge). Now I keep mine locked inside unless in use....

 

Always in cab when not in use before I got shell. I figured since they were removable somebody might snag them.

 

Unless it requires a tool to remove from your truck, better not leave it out. Hell, not even needing a tool will stop most thieves these days.

 

They're 50 something each at the dealership. I may just take mine out.

 

Mine were stolen off of my truck before it was even mine. They had to get me new ones and now those stay in my......heeeeyyyy...I'm not tellin' where I keep them!

 

And don't forget this mod, OP. Especially good to know in college towns ...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/16732-taco-tailgate-theft-deterance.html

 

+1

I assume they would be stolen, because people are assholes.

If I want permanently installed rings, I will hit the hardware store and get creative.

 

Iv had mine in the rails since '06... never had them disappear.

 

Ya I keep mine in the cab too, I figure they are way too easy to take off so why take the chance. Its not like they are hard to put on when I need them.

 

Took mine off and I keep them in the house unless they're going to be used. People will steal anything.

 

I am going to replace the plastic ties which slow a thief down with metal cables.

 

They are an easy target for someone who knows how to work them. Best to keep them inside and only have them out when you need them.

 

How many use these things? I have only used mine with the Factory Toyota bike mounts? And, maybe a couple of times keeping a gas can in place, but I hardly find a need to use these?
I to keep them in the cab until needed. People steal anything not tied down it seems anymore.

 

I use mine a lot.....heavy use.....I haul tons of stuff back and forth to my mountain house and use bungee cords attached to the cleats. I also bolted U rings to my back tailgate. I wouldn't attach really heavy weights to the cleats, but they handle bungee cords prefectly.

 

This^ Folks who steal will normally take something that is easy to grab. These are certainly easy...

 

I use mine all the time. Heavy or light. You have to be careful with heavier items and only use the cleats for balance, not as much for support. With the bed liners being so damn slippery, everything slides around, I tie anything and everything down. Short list of tied down items:

3.5 ton floor jack, air compressor, various items of furniture, gas cans, dog kennel, radial arm saw, etc. and so on.