OEM trunk mat, Crime deterrent

So I bought those nice trunk mats and had it over a year with no issues. The truck is my fathers and I got it for him Christmas of 2012. He works out of town so the truck sits in the garage most of the time. Only a few errands on the weekend and going to church.

Well the mat got stolen and he notice shortly after leaving the church when we stopped and got pizza.

There happens to be another tacoma that works at a food place right behind where he backs his car in, and they park in the church parking lot. They are always back there smoking and what not. He has a locking tailgate cover so there is no way to really see if he is the one that took it.

But dad is there every week and shows up an hr early for good parking for his truck and is inside for 2 hr so it would be the safest place to snag it without worrying about when he would be coming back.


Anyways to the main question:
We bought another one, does anyone have any recommendation on preventing it being stolen again. Are the Bed bolts long enough to drill holes in the mat (not the prettiest idea of drilling into a $100+ brand new mat) is there another way of clamping it down?

 

Interesting, yes the bed bolts are long enough to bolt through the mat, however I can see the bolt just popping through the hole instead of holding the mat down.

Perhaps epoxy it down to the bed?

 

use the 2 front drain holes to bolt it down.

 

I figure having the washer would have enough bite to hold it in place. I'm sure a struggle could tear it off but then they have a damaged mat that wont look as good.

Would there still be sufficent draining from the middle third hole. This car doesn't really see rain, on car washes really.

 

I don't think you need to worry about it anymore. Dude with the locking tailgate already has one now.

 

Use the bed bolts

 

also you should find a way to identify it as only yours. ie:brand your initials on it.

 

Use large washers too. I wouldnt mess with the bed bolts unless you had too.

 

The bed bolts come in and out no problem , put some anti~seize on them when you put them back in , you'll thank yourself later

Do the " add front D ring mod " while you're at it

 

Hmm I should do this...

 

This and that ... more here


Frank

 

I like this idea and the D will help hold it in place as well. I just want a cleaner look than a big cut out square around the holes (which wouldn't save the mat).

Do you think I would need longer bolts? or do you think the thickness of a smooshed mat will be thin enough to not mess with it. I will torque it down to spec and see if it holds up.

 

See the links above your post.

Frank