Backcountry theft?

Without knowing exactly how to title this thread, I was curious if you guys usually feel comfortable leaving your trucks at a trailhead while off hiking or exploring. I've gone backpacking several times for up to a week and had no issue leaving my truck because it was basically empty (all I took along was backpacking gear). But say I'm going primarily car camping and off-road for a while, is it a legitimate concern that someone might tamper with aftermarket lights, roof rack accessories, etc? Any way to prevent it?

 

As you mentioned, I just remove anything of significant value from mine. If they are going to steal any parts, we are kind of at their mercy, especially in secluded areas. Even one-way screws/fasteners can be removed with little effort and the right tools. I never leave my gun or wallet in my truck unattended.

I am interested in hearing everyone's suggestions too.

 

I had plans to mount a rack to my cap and have my spare tire, couple gas cans, etc, but I'd hate to stress over those items while away from the truck. Or if I went the route of a RTT I would then be leaving that unattended, or with minimal cable locks. I've never had an issue personally but I've come across many vehicles that have been broken into or vandalized off forest service roads with less traffic

 

I have never had a problem with theft.

We camp in the national park regularly. We leave all our gear at camp and go off-roading for the day. I do the same thing at Offroad parks. And have never had an issue.

I think 99.9% of people that go into backcountry are just good honest people.

 

If you're in the woods, setup a trail cam facing your truck.

 

Of course theft is a legitimate concern, it happens all the time. I grew up in an tight neighborhood in a dense city and my sister's car was stolen from right out in front of our house. I later lived in the suburbs and in a church parking lot my friend's car was broken into while we were at a movie. I've lived in a rural area for over a decade and I've had to clear my house with my pistol after suffering 2 break-ins and thinking a third was happening.

I've also know uncountable people who have never had any problems like this and I have avoided plenty of them myself.

Just the other week I left my open bed with a full cooler, my camping gear, load of firewood, chairs, grill, and a bunch of tools at a boat launch for a few hours while I swam. I thought plenty of stuff would look good to the right person but sure enough it was all there when I got back.

 

I share your concerns, I leave my truck deep in the woods while hunting for up to 9 hours or so . All the while a deep seated feeling knawing at my sub conscious. ..who is corn holing my truck

 

I camped in some sketchy spots last year while I was out west but it was pretty nice being away from all the tourists. Occasionally we'd wake up to free range cattle outside our tents, and on more than one occasion to drunks firing guns. Fun times

 

It's truly sad where crime occurs today. I have left my Truck (Tow rig) at the trail head of many different places and have never had a problem. Even left it for a week one time. For the most part people are of good nature, but there is always that one person who needs your stuff more than you do and you left it, so it must be free. You really take a chance where ever you park your truck. We lived in a really nice neighborhood and my wife decided to not put her car in the garage one night. Next day it was gone. The vehicle was only 3 weeks old. So we park, set the alarm, don't leave valuables in it and hope for the best. I hate people who steal, and hope you all have a safe trip leaving your rig wherever you park.

 

A welder I used to work with attached stuff to his truck like a puzzle. He would come up with a simple and robust mechanism that looked impossible to remove without tools, but he was the only one who could figure out how to remove it with just his hands in a few seconds. His spare tire attachment looked like it would have to be cut off with a torch, but he could get it off in a matter of seconds with no tools. Sharp dude.


If you have a creative mind, you might be able to devise something like that. I tried it several times, but I am kind of a dummy, so I could never really pull it off.

 

Tasty

 

The majority of people you come will come in contact with are decent folks. However there is always that small percentage that are on opposite ends of the spectrum.

I keep everything out of sight when possible.

Put curtains or shades in your windows.
Locks on anything external.
Park up close to trees/buildings/rocks to inhibit use of doors and windows.

Even still things can be stolen, given enough time and effort, but atleast you made it harder for them.

Remember.

A good lock will only keep out an honest theif.

 

I randomly show up to truck when I'm out. I always carry pistol. A good dash cam can help ease the anxiousness.

 

There's not much in my truck worth stealing.

Oddly enough, the only thing that ever really concerns me is I leave my work ID and keys in the truck. I could deactivate the ID quickly, but the keys would be a bigger problem. I doubt anyone would ever think to go after them or be bold enough to try to use them, and if they did the alarms and cameras would hopefully allow us to catch them, but it's still something I've thought about.

 

Reminds me of a story I was told while hiking last year. A guy parked at the trailhead and left to go in the backcountry for a multi day hike. Story goes that he left his house keys and all in his car and someone broke into his car and checked his registration in his glove box, then used his house keys and robbed him blind and he had no idea until returning back from his hike. I never bothered looking it up but it was a pretty interesting story to listen to

 

I was on my way home from Florida to visit family for awhile and decided to take a few extra travel days to do some hiking. On the third day I parked at the trail head only to comeback 2hrs later to my passenger window and Leer Canopy Windows broken and everything that I owned stolen. According to the official insurance claim the miscreants got away with about $7000 of my stuff plus damages.

 

I don't have house keys in the truck, but I do have a garage door opener. My registration still has my old address though because MA only requires you to change the address electronically, so I guess that wouldn't help them much.

 

I've found that the forests and parks near urban areas are more likely to have problems, those remote places where everyone has to park their rigs in the countryside to work or play seem to have an unwritten code of respect going on for others and their personal property and such problems are rare if at all.

 

I remember when my 4x4 went out on top of a mountain and I decided not to wheel that day but left my truck at the top of the mountain and rode passenger with another guy. All i could think about was some stupid kids rolling it down the hill or lighting it on fire or something, and that was just for 2 or 3 hours lol. I cant imagine leaving my truck alone in the woods for days, but honestly if its not on a main trail and you don't expect a lot of people to go by I don't think id worry too much.