Security of locked caps/camper tops vs SUVs?

The question is are valuable personal belongings less secure -or as secure- in a locked Tacoma bed within a locked cap/camper top versus in a locked SUV? We plan to hit the road in one or the other vehicle type for a few months in the future. We're wondering if a Tacoma would be secure enough versus a perhaps, better sealed and more secure SUV. Say, a 4Runner, for example. Of course, any vehicle can be broken into. What do you all think and are some caps more secure than others in terms of being difficult to break in. Or, is this a slam dunk for an SUV? Thanks very much!

 

About the same, as you mentioned any vehicle can be broke into. Locks are only for honest people.

 

A thief will simply bust your window to get what they want.

 

If they want it bad enough, they’ll take it.
That said, “the out of sight out of mind” saying applies to some extent.

My grandfather used to say, “locks only keep the honest, honest”.

 

No vehicle is secure from break in, unless you have a mean dog in there. Cap or SUV takes about three seconds to break in, snatch stuff and leave. Well under 30 seconds.

 

truck bed and metal retractable cover. SUV can showcase what you have inside plus just takes a cheap hammer and a couple seconds. Truck bed cover takes a saw at the very least and a little more time. Thief would have to really want whatever is inside your bed, without even knowing what it is to begin with.

 

Put a platform in back with shelves or boxes to hold your gear underneath- paint it black or cover with a black carpet and it looks like nothing is inside through the windows. I made my own for less than $100:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...between-4’-to-a-6-5’-bed-in-a-weekend.539080/

 

Some good ideas. Thanks. Not so many takers on higher SUV security?

 

I'd posit that yes, an SUV will be more secure... however even then, it's not going to be hard to bust a window and get in.

Best protection is HIDE YOUR SHIT. Smash and grab thieves usually look for easy scores... they don't generally want to risk a fishing expedition if they can't see something valuable to snatch.

 

17 years of locked camper top on gen 1 Tacoma never any issues. I usually park in high $ sq/feet locations only

If I park in black/Hispanic Compton or Inglewood I am sure things would be stolen.... whether it’s camper or suv

One of the janitors keeps getting his 4 runner broken into
Then again he lives in 909 - where crime is the norm

 

Definitely add a good lock to the tailgate. This is what I'm using. One on each side. Also I bet if someone yanked pretty good on my fiberglass hatch, something would break. There s a bit of flex there. Maybe the aluminum caps are more secure in that way?

 

About as secure as you can get, more so than an SUV. No glass on my cap.

 

I wonder how non-rich non-white people will respond to your answer.

 

Not really my problem

You asked a question
I answered based on facts pertinent to my life

 

Having had to deal with missing or broken
keys for canopies/shells mounted on work trucks many times in my working life, I can attest they offer little or no security. You can get into any camper shell, locked tailgate or not, without breaking the glass in a couple minutes with a screwdriver. For most of the Leer toppers, you can just shift the rear window sideways hard and it unlocks for you. Conversly, if you have the flush opening “SUV style” type vented side windows in your canopy, you can just pry them open and the aluminum/plastic mechanisms just let go or back off. No biggy.

Don’t kid yourself......shells/toppers/canopies etc only keep out the rain.

 

Never seen a canopy with a good lock, All it takes is a screw driver and a hammer, they are all complete shite. I never leave my truck with valuables in it, next to no crime in my entire region but it's just a headache I don't need.

 

hide your valuables and order your cap with dark tint. Leer offers this and while it's not limo tint its very dark.

 

I have a limo tinted camper with a platform bulit and store beneath it. I worked in the mission in SF and didn’t have any problems.

Most secure is where they can’t see it. Most thieves now want the backpack with the laptop.

So hard top tonneau or better yet contractor shell with wire on the window.

 

Anything can be stolen if a thief is determined enough. I prefer the suv, especially 4runner. Lots of space, build a sleeping deck with hidden storage drawers underneath. The key is having nothing in plain sight. Most creeps are just looking for easy grab stuff anyways.

 

Seemed like maybe you coulda kept that one a little less racist, dont you think?
I've seen your posts and I've looked through your profile which has all of your posts and you seem like a straight forward guy, which I have no problem with. And I'll be the last guy to say I'm perfect, but your comment was a little offensive to people who aren't black or Hispanic, being that other races, such as myself catch some flak from guys like you. I'm not your mother, I'm not your father, and I'm probably even younger than you, but it seems like you, and really all of us, should take some time and a deep breath before unleashing hatred on an entire group of people, especially seeing how the "minorities" really aren't the minorities anymore.
Like I said, I'll be the last one to say I'm perfect, but I do have some experience with blatant racism even in 2018.

Aloha, brah.