Bolt cutters, keep in truck?

tcjacado · Apr 29, 2023

mk5 said: ↑

I carry hundreds of pounds of random useless tools in my bed most of the time, but have never felt the need to carry bolt cutters. They are so big and heavy, and have such limited utility.

I'll second the recommendation for a modern cordless grinder, owing to the lower mass and greater versatility. It's hard to imagine a situation where bolt cutters could do something a grinder couldn't, yet the grinder can do so much more. A single battery is plenty to get through lock or a chain, turn a hinge or two to dust, grind the heads off several seized bolts, or otherwise help with emergency vehicle repairs. Of course if you are doing something illegal, then bolt cutters have an advantage in their silence... and here in the west, a grinder poses a fire risk as well. But the grinder certainly seems to be a more versatile and lighter-weight tool to carry. Even then, I don't carry a grinder.

My contingency tool for being on the wrong side of a locked barrier is a set of lock picks... they take less toolbox space than a screwdriver, and weigh perhaps an ounce at most. I'm definitely not skilled in using them, but I did at least sit down once and stumble my way through picking a couple of padlocks and my home door locks before tossing them in the bin. If I'm locked in or out of something and have no better options, then time is on my side -- at least up until I starve or freeze to death or whatever. As a backup plan I also have communication devices... cellphone, radios, satellite messenger, which would likely actually be my primary plan of action if I found myself behind a locked gate anywhere near home in SoCal. Here, the forest service uses these massive steel gates with ... I dunno, I'd guess half-inch-thick steel shrouds around the locks to deny access to bolt cutters and angle grinders alike. In the rare events I find such gates open, I charge past them with childish glee, planning a charade of ignorance and a tearful apology should I ever need to beg a ranger to let me back out. So far I've never found myself penned in, so I don't know how that would work out... but if I did wind up stuck behind such a gate with no way to hike out or call for help... well then these miniscule pieces of randomly shaped metal in my lock pick set would be the best of any option discussed above, because nothing short of an acetylene torch is going to open those gates, and ramming them would definitely at least total the vehicle, and you might still be stuck there.

I'll also mention I've picked my way through two home lockouts, albeit incredibly slowly, thanks to having a lock pick set on hand. A third time, I tried my luck on a vehicle lock (someone had locked their keys in the trunk.) Perhaps I might eventually have gotten it, but the locksmith arrived before I could find out.

This is not indented to criticize the OP or others who have commented here, just wanted to share my thoughts. A lock pick obviously won't work on a combo lock (although I could probably brute-force the combo on a similar time scale to picking a lock cylinder anyway). I'm sure there ae locks I can't pick, either. In any case, nothing beats having the right tool for the job, and if bolt cutters are the right tool, then more power to you.
Click to expand...

In socal.... freezing to death is not a option starving is not even a worry plenty of fish in the lakes/ponds and plenty of squirrels in the trees

mk5 · Apr 29, 2023

JaCado said: ↑

In socal.... freezing to death is not a option starving is not even a worry plenty of fish in the lakes/ponds and plenty of squirrels in the trees
Click to expand...

True, but having now lived in SoCal for several years, anything south of 60 degrees is freezing-to-death weather for me. And I'm afraid you underestimate how utterly inept I am when it comes to fishing and hunting. I love both, but am only ever successful when I don't need to be. In a survival situation, by day two, I'd be out of ammo and lures with nothing to show, and more likely than not, the squirrels would have devoured my truck's wiring while I was stumbling around snagging and shooting at rocks. Let's face it... I'd be a goner once the avocado toast ran out.

tcjacado · Apr 29, 2023

mk5 said: ↑

True, but having now lived in SoCal for several years, anything south of 60 degrees is freezing-to-death weather for me. And I'm afraid you underestimate how utterly inept I am when it comes to fishing and hunting. I love both, but am only ever successful when I don't need to be. In a survival situation, by day two, I'd be out of ammo and lures with nothing to show, and more likely than not, the squirrels would have devoured my truck's wiring while I was stumbling around snagging and shooting at rocks. Let's face it... I'd be a goner once the avocado toast ran out.
Click to expand...

Ricardo13x · Apr 29, 2023

Knipex 8” coboLt and call it a day.

$yoda$ · Apr 29, 2023

TacoTuesday1[OP] initial post: ↑

I’ve seen both discussion of this, and experienced it myself

you’re going down a trail. Leaving coming back. A public one with no markings to suggest otherwise.
And someone locked you in.

life is about preparedness. At least to some extent. That’s why we have jumper packs that nobody complains about.

I would not plan to use these things nefariously. If I did, I probably wouldn’t be on a forum posting about it.

I’m curious to hear from you guys, do you carry them? Which ones? Why?
It’s even good to have a pair at home or storage if the truck doesn’t have room.

just last week I locked myself out of my own gear with my own lock. So I picked and broke it. Which took me longer than if I had bolt cutters.
As much as I wanted to find a firefighter with some; that seemed like a misuse of EMS, so I dealt with it on my own.

TL;DR recommend something good before I go to Harbor Freight for the largest and cheapest pair
Which I think is 40”+, $30

On that note, what sucks is if they’re big and not folding, I probably wouldn’t even have room. And if you find yourself in an emergency situation needing it, while it’s at storage and theyre closed, or you’re far away, that’s no good.

just put my cheap traction boards and off road jack in storage as I ran out of room…
Really does increase the appeal of bed cage, roof racks, swingout
Or getting creative in other ways (mount stuff to front bumper etc)
Click to expand...

I keep a pair of bolt cutters. I have a toolbox In my bed and don’t carry a bunch of camping gear so they don’t get in the way. I have them because I want them. That’s really all the reason you need. It’s a tool. It’s not illegal and you don’t need any justification for it. If you feel like you need a pair or just want one then you should pick some up. You can always take them out later. Sometimes I prefer tools that don’t require a battery but really you don’t need anyone’s opinion or permission. If you want to put a tool in your truck for whatever you think you may need it for then that’s reason enough.

TacoTuesday1 · Apr 29, 2023

mk5 said: ↑

I carry hundreds of pounds of random useless tools in my bed most of the time, but have never felt the need to carry bolt cutters. They are so big and heavy, and have such limited utility.

I'll second the recommendation for a modern cordless grinder, owing to the lower mass and greater versatility. It's hard to imagine a situation where bolt cutters could do something a grinder couldn't, yet the grinder can do so much more. A single battery is plenty to get through lock or a chain, turn a hinge or two to dust, grind the heads off several seized bolts, or otherwise help with emergency vehicle repairs. Of course if you are doing something illegal, then bolt cutters have an advantage in their silence... and here in the west, a grinder poses a fire risk as well. But the grinder certainly seems to be a more versatile and lighter-weight tool to carry. Even then, I don't carry a grinder.

My contingency tool for being on the wrong side of a locked barrier is a set of lock picks... they take less toolbox space than a screwdriver, and weigh perhaps an ounce at most. I'm definitely not skilled in using them, but I did at least sit down once and stumble my way through picking a couple of padlocks and my home door locks before tossing them in the bin. If I'm locked in or out of something and have no better options, then time is on my side -- at least up until I starve or freeze to death or whatever. As a backup plan I also have communication devices... cellphone, radios, satellite messenger, which would likely actually be my primary plan of action if I found myself behind a locked gate anywhere near home in SoCal. Here, the forest service uses these massive steel gates with ... I dunno, I'd guess half-inch-thick steel shrouds around the locks to deny access to bolt cutters and angle grinders alike. In the rare events I find such gates open, I charge past them with childish glee, planning a charade of ignorance and a tearful apology should I ever need to beg a ranger to let me back out. So far I've never found myself penned in, so I don't know how that would work out... but if I did wind up stuck behind such a gate with no way to hike out or call for help... well then these miniscule pieces of randomly shaped metal in my lock pick set would be the best of any option discussed above, because nothing short of an acetylene torch is going to open those gates, and ramming them would definitely at least total the vehicle, and you might still be stuck there.

I'll also mention I've picked my way through two home lockouts, albeit incredibly slowly, thanks to having a lock pick set on hand. A third time, I tried my luck on a vehicle lock (someone had locked their keys in the trunk.) Perhaps I might eventually have gotten it, but the locksmith arrived before I could find out.

This is not indented to criticize the OP or others who have commented here, just wanted to share my thoughts. A lock pick obviously won't work on a combo lock (although I could probably brute-force the combo on a similar time scale to picking a lock cylinder anyway). I'm sure there are locks I can't pick, either. In any case, nothing beats having the right tool for the job, and if bolt cutters are the right tool, then more power to you.
Click to expand...

a lock pick set is definitely good to carry. I have one; it’s a small light case. I’ll need to research better quality. It’s cheap Chinese shit and for one the metal is too thick to even do anything.

Rob MacRuger · Apr 29, 2023

TacoTuesday1[OP] initial post: ↑

I’ve seen both discussion of this, and experienced it myself

you’re going down a trail. Leaving coming back. A public one with no markings to suggest otherwise.
And someone locked you in.

life is about preparedness. At least to some extent. That’s why we have jumper packs that nobody complains about.

I would not plan to use these things nefariously. If I did, I probably wouldn’t be on a forum posting about it.

I’m curious to hear from you guys, do you carry them? Which ones? Why?
It’s even good to have a pair at home or storage if the truck doesn’t have room.

just last week I locked myself out of my own gear with my own lock. So I picked and broke it. Which took me longer than if I had bolt cutters.
As much as I wanted to find a firefighter with some; that seemed like a misuse of EMS, so I dealt with it on my own.

TL;DR recommend something good before I go to Harbor Freight for the largest and cheapest pair
Which I think is 40”+, $30

On that note, what sucks is if they’re big and not folding, I probably wouldn’t even have room. And if you find yourself in an emergency situation needing it, while it’s at storage and theyre closed, or you’re far away, that’s no good.

just put my cheap traction boards and off road jack in storage as I ran out of room…
Really does increase the appeal of bed cage, roof racks, swingout
Or getting creative in other ways (mount stuff to front bumper etc)
Click to expand...

Reminds me of a time at work when I was handed a set of bolt cutters with 3' long handles to remove a lock on our fence gate. The bolt cutters could not even begin to make more than a tiny dent in the hardened lock shackle.
Now days the cordless grinder is the boss.

TacoTuesday1 · Apr 3, 2024

well folks
The verdict is in

unlocked my roof box to organize it
Then drove off forgetting about the locks and key
Leaving a box locked with no key

grabbed

$119 Milwaukee M18 Cordless Lithium-Ion 6-1/2" Circular Saw - 2630-20 - ( MILWAUKEE ) - BARE TOOL

Milwaukee M18 grinder with cutoff disc
went through the lock like nothing

don’t even wanna know what bolt cutters would be like on a high mounted box that isn’t on the ground where you can help squeeze the bolt cutters against a wall, with your legs, chest press position, etc

Log in or Sign up

Welcome to Tacoma World!

Bolt cutters, keep in truck?

#21
tcjacado Well-Known Member

#22
mk5 Probably wrong about this

#23
tcjacado Well-Known Member

#24
Ricardo13x YT: @UrbanOpsOffRoad IG: @urban.ops.offroad

#25
$yoda$ Well-Known Member

#26
TacoTuesday1 [OP] Well-Known Member

#27
Rob MacRuger Well-Known Member

#28
TacoTuesday1 [OP] Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Welcome to Tacoma World!

Bolt cutters, keep in truck?

#21 tcjacado Well-Known Member

#22 mk5 Probably wrong about this

#23 tcjacado Well-Known Member

#24 Ricardo13x YT: @UrbanOpsOffRoad IG: @urban.ops.offroad

#25 $yoda$ Well-Known Member

#26 TacoTuesday1 [OP] Well-Known Member

#27 Rob MacRuger Well-Known Member

#28 TacoTuesday1 [OP] Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in Entire Site Forum: 2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015) Thread: Bolt cutters, keep in truck?

#21
tcjacado Well-Known Member

#22
mk5 Probably wrong about this

#23
tcjacado Well-Known Member

#24
Ricardo13x YT: @UrbanOpsOffRoad IG: @urban.ops.offroad

#25
$yoda$ Well-Known Member

#26
TacoTuesday1 [OP] Well-Known Member

#27
Rob MacRuger Well-Known Member

#28
TacoTuesday1 [OP] Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in