This past weekend I was fortunate enough to move into the 21st Century and traded in my '93 Corolla for a '07 Rav4. By the way, when did window cranks and lock buttons become extinct? Oh well, I am a board game in an X-box world.
Anyway, here’s my question - should I get a tonneau cover that hides the cargo area? Here’s my thought - If a prospective thief looks in and sees nothing, he leaves. If he looks in and sees a covered area, then maybe he breaks in just to see if there is anything there. Except for the car itself, I rarely carry anything of value.
It’s freaking 5 degrees here today and I still need another week for my hand to heal before I can cast. I am going to marry the first Steelie I land after I get fishing again. Cabin fever - catch it!
If you live in the area where you need to worry about things like this I would consider moving… I did.
The best deterrent is to have nothing of value in the car (including stereo) and have no “covers” so that the entire inside of vehicle is visible from the putside.
This I heard from the source - a man who served time for breaking into cars.
Most sought after items (by thieves): high end stereos and speakers, purses, briefcases and laptop computers. Oh and cellphones.
All it takes is a half inch ball bearing ball and you can get inside the car with virtually no noise at all.
If the cover is the ONLY way you can store gear out of sight I’d get it!
One of the reasons I won’t use an SUV or weenie van to go fishin’ is because I can’t keep my gear out of view. While the “potential” for stuff being in my trunk/hatchback exists; many many years in the physical security industry has shown me that would be thieves don’t often play “shell games” when time is of the essence. In other words; seeing the goods makes you a more likely target. Obviously if yours is the only car available all bets are off.
I put everything of interest out of view when I park my car which means in the trunk. I also don’t adorn my vehicle with fancy gear stickers which I feel may send a message that my vehicle may be worth looking in to. Nothing makes me happier than pulling into a parking area and seeing lots of fancy SUV’s parked, dressed up with Sage, Winston and TU stickers. It make a fellow driving a modest unadorned “fish-mobile” feel pretty unpopular. But heck, I have also seen guys with loads of goodies in back of their vehicles and nothing happened. I even closed the wide open window of one guy’s rig parked in a remote area. He was lucky I was a good guy when he made it so easy for the bad guys.
But of course; there are no guarantees whatever you do.
No matter where you live there are two camps; the “I never lock my doors” crowd and the “lock-it, hide-it, alarm-it, worry about-it” gang.
I am a proud, never victimized member of the latter camp. You can call me paranoid if you wish but I call the former crowd stupid!
You went from one of the most reliable vehicles ever to a really neat ride, which will probably also prove to be one of the best on the planet. ( This from someone who has driven Toyotas for about twenty years now and whose wife loves her '04 Rav. )
My sympathy goes out to all of you who live in places where you have to be so concerned about security. Sure, there are some popular places out here where someone in the crowd might try to break into a vehicle, but most places you go to fish it just ain’t gonna happen.
Your question reminds me of the old line about convertibles - leave the top down and leave it empty.
I like the ad’s I see for the thin trunks hidden under the cargo deck in the truck bed. Ild work for you or not. have no idea if one you or not. L use a convertible, lock everything in the trunk.
I have a shallow box for my spare rods I carry in the back of my Jeep. I fold down one of the rear seats and slide it in. I throw an old blanket and pillow on top and it sort of looks like I just slept in the Jeep.
I would… I live in a place where I leave my keys in my car/truck/bikes… and because I have all of these splendid modes of transportation, I roam about the country a lot finding myself in less savory environments. With fly gear, pro photo gear, and nice audio equipment, my rides are a candy store for those who like to liberate others belongings… the only time I had a break in is when things were visible… thieves tend to minimize risk to situations that have a known return for taking that risk… cover your stuff up. I also don’t advertise my interests by putting stickers on my rides that would draw attention to the possibility of there being gear to be had…
That should make interesting headlines… and please, spare us the honeymoon details!
Thanks for all the input. I don’t want to sound like Ohio has thieves hiding behind every tree, but there were some posts on a local site where folks had had some trouble. I just discovered a hidey hole under the carpet in the back that is big enough to hold a 4pc. rod and a fair amount of equipment. That should be good to hold anything of value and anything bigger goes with me or stays at home. Plus the best price I can find for the cover is $311. YIKES!
JohnScott - I’ve had 3 Corollas and took every one to 145,00+ miles and loved every one of them. This is my retirement vehicle for fishing and
landscaping and I didn’t want to have to bend over a trunk. I went from the 1.8 to the 2.4 liter engine. WOW! Glad I didn’t go for the V-6 or I’d be getting a speeding ticket every week.
I don’t live in a high crime area either, but I think some things are just common sense. I don’t leave anything in view. I’ve heard plenty of stories of people getting their windows smashed because something as trivial as sunglasses or CD’s were in view. To that end, when I got my Explorer, I ordered the cargo shade that covers the rear cargo area. Since we don’t have enclosed trunks with SUV’s, I figure that’s the only way I’m going to be able to keep anything concealed in the back, and whether it’s a spare rod or a trailer hitch receiver, I’d rather not provide the temptation.
No offense but Thieves live everywhere and have the ability to travel as well. Just because you live in a “nice safe or upscale” area does not mean you cant get robbed.
If you’re fishing the Grand, Rocky or Chagrin, the cover should take care of things. If you fish the Connie or the Ashtabula, the only thing that will protect your stuff is a .40 Glock and a junk yard dog who doesn’t even like YOU!. I won’t even fish the last two rivers because of all the theft from the druggies in the area, and the “I don’t want no outsiders fishin here” crowd along the Connie. I know way too many guys who were victims along both rivers, and won’t apologize for my prejudice. I just won’t go there any more.
As for my vehicle (Chevy Express van with NO windows in back), the only advertising I have are big stickers on each side window that say PROTECTED BY BULLDOG SECURITY SYSTEM.
One way to reduce the likelihood of having fishing gear stolen from your truck is to avoid advertising. To me, having a bunch of manufacturers stickers all over your car is like having a list of items which can be stolen from the vehicle.
And, as was stated above, there is NO place in this country you are free from the possibility of a break-in.
Hi,
On occasion some fellows realise that cruising the fishing locations is a great way to find lots of unattended vehicles in out of the way locations. A few years ago, a couple fellow from Auckland were travelling around between Auckland, Rotorua, and Tapau areas, checking out the spots, and breaking into the cars. Eventually, when they were caught and put away for awhile, theft from cars at fishing holes noticably dropped.
Just last year a similar “one man crime wave” was halted when a fellow would come over from Australia, rent a car in the South Island, and break into cars and such at camping areas. There were noticable increases in the crime stats when he was in the area!
My car was broken into while I was fishing the Ngongataha stream. Police were surprised as they don’t have many problems out that way (though I did notice broken glass in the area, so it’s not “never”). Anyway, they stole my fly tying kit which I had left in the back seat by mistake. They broke in on the passenger’s side to check the glove compartment, and spoted the tool box with my tying kit because of it’s position behind the driver’s seat. They missed the two sleeping bags behind the passenger seat. Typcially, I’m told, they are hoping you’ve left your wallet in the glove box. If they can’t find one, they’ll just take whatever they get grab hold of.
So, apart from don’t leave anything of value visible, also leave your glove box open. That way, if they look in, they can see there’s nothing worth taking in there.
Insurance covered my kit and I’ve since replaced it, but I really would rather have not gone through that whole event.
We live in the same general vicinity and I am familiar with the area about which you are speaking. I wouldn’t bother with the cover - a covered area in a car says “I’m hiding something valuable in here.” If thieves are familiar with the car, then they know the location of the hiding places within the vehicle. Also, if you have a GPS holder in your car, wipe the marks from the suction cups off the window (that is another invitation to thieves) and another recent common problem.
When I go to that particular river, I leave the cover open in the back of my Subaru wagon and I do not leave anything of value in the vehicle. I even pull the pockets out of my jeans and leave them visible so potential thieves can see that nothing was left in my pockets. The area on that river closest to town has a history of problems with thefts from cars. The further you go from the local town, the fewer the problems with theft. Also, thefts reported to the police seem to increase when school is not in session.
Nick0danger:
“No offense but Thieves live everywhere and have the ability to travel as well. Just because you live in a “nice safe or upscale” area does not mean you cant get robbed.”
None taken - I do know that. However where I live now this is not a constant threat. And people notice and report any suspicious activity to authorities who in turm respond quite promptly.If you move from a “high crime area” to a “better spot” things like theft are not something you would constantly think about. Unlike parts of my old neighborhood.
MikieFinn.
Quote;None taken - I do know that. However where I live now this is not a constant threat. And people notice and report any suspicious activity to authorities who in turm respond quite promptly.If you move from a “high crime area” to a “better spot” things like theft are not something you would constantly think about. Unlike parts of my old neighborhood." End Quote.
This reminded me that “Locals” know the trouble spots, so if you travel you might want to ask before you do any exploring.
Doug
