Keeping Truck Gear Safe in Colorado

[Pikespeak]

Im unfortunately having to move back to Colorado after 6 years and one thing I remember from back when I lived there is I had to worry about people breaking into my truck at trail heads.

Is a truck cap enough to deter this or do I need something like a decked system?

 

[Jason Snyder]

It wouldn’t be very hard to punch a window out of a topper. I have one, and I lock it, but it wouldn’t be very hard to do.

 

[keystone112]

I’d go decked or DIY.

With just a truck cap, all someone needs is opportunity and intent.

With a decked system/home built vault and cap, someone needs tools and time.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

What state are you moving back to CO from where you don't have to worry about this?

Have you ever had your vehicle broken into at a trailhead in Colorado? If so which one? For what it's worth I've lived here my entire life and never had any problems with vehicles left at trailheads or even know anybody that has. I think the only trail parking areas I've even heard about break-ins occuring have been at the open space parks right near the city like in Jeffco and Boulder. Never the ones farther up in the mountains or accessing wilderness areas.

 

[Pikespeak]

What state are you moving back to CO from where you don't have to worry about this?

Have you ever had your vehicle broken into at a trailhead in Colorado? If so which one? For what it's worth I've lived here my entire life and never had any problems with vehicles left at trailheads or even know anybody that has. I think the only trail parking areas I've even heard about break-ins occuring have been at the open space parks right near the city like in Jeffco and Boulder. Never the ones farther up in the mountains or accessing wilderness areas.

Just looking for options, not a debate.

 

[spike camp]

Just looking for options, not a debate.

It’s a legitimate question, to an obvious answer question.

 

[spike camp]

I’m looking for people experiences. Not some random pissing match, you can go get your fill on Reddit if that’s what you’re looking for.

Assume my truck has been broken into 20x if it makes you feel better.

Throttle back buddy.

If your truck has been broken into 20 times, it’s time to do something differently.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Just looking for options, not a debate.

No debate. I was just trying to ease your mind a bit and I'm also legitimately curious where you may have had trailhead theft issues in the past. You did specify that you were worried about Colorado trailheads right? I guess my short answer should have been "you'll be fine with the camper shell" I don't think you need greater security at trail heads unless it makes you feel better or you need it because your truck is parked in bad parts of the city regularly. Still friends?

 

[LongWayAround]

I accidentally deleted my topper window a couple years ago. Nothing has disappeared since, nor before.

If I were concerned, I would buy the decked bed drawers.

 

[ReaptheHeat]

What state are you moving back to CO from where you don't have to worry about this?

Have you ever had your vehicle broken into at a trailhead in Colorado? If so which one? For what it's worth I've lived here my entire life and never had any problems with vehicles left at trailheads or even know anybody that has. I think the only trail parking areas I've even heard about break-ins occuring have been at the open space parks right near the city like in Jeffco and Boulder. Never the ones farther up in the mountains or accessing wilderness areas.

It happens in tourist hot spots like Grand County too. Multiple broken windows near Fraser last year

 

[Pikespeak]

No debate. I was just trying to ease your mind a bit and I'm also legitimately curious where you may have had trailhead theft issues in the past. You did specify that you were worried about Colorado trailheads right? I guess my short answer should have been "you'll be fine with the camper shell" I don't think you need greater security at trail heads unless it makes you feel better or you need it because your truck is parked in bad parts of the city regularly. Still friends?

Thanks, I lived in Colorado for over a decade and before I left there was a big problem with trucks getting broken into in the front range and it was starting to spread deeper into the mountains. Doing a google search on news seems this is becoming more common around the state. I sometimes have several valuables of a very high dollar amount in the truck so I want my chance of occurrence to be very minimal.

The decked system doesn’t seem to be a very efficient use of space so I’d rather not go that route so wondering if I could use something else or just use the shell.

 

[spike camp]

Thanks, I lived in Colorado for over a decade and before I left there was a big problem with trucks getting broken into in the front range and it was starting to spread deeper into the mountains. Doing a google search on news seems this is becoming more common around the state. I sometimes have several valuables of a very high dollar amount in the truck so I want my chance of occurrence to be very minimal.

The decked system doesn’t seem to be a very efficient use of space so I’d rather not go that route so wondering if I could use something else or just use the shell.

I’m not on Reddit, or any other social media platform except for slide and once or twice a year AT when I’m feeling ambitious.

And, I’m honestly not trying to rub your hair in the wrong direction….but what the heck are you asking?

What high dollar items, are you leaving in your vehicle, at CO trailheads?

Regardless…in the cab, topper or decked system-if I want it, I’m gonna get it.

People can break into most popular brands of gun safes in just minutes, with cordless tools.

If you leave any high dollar item in your vehicle at any single trailhead in the country, it has the chance of being stolen… in just minutes.

So..what are you trying to protect, from being stolen, at a CO TH?

 

[crich]

I had the rear passenger window of my truck busted out at a public land gate in the middle of nowhere and not a popular trailhead in SC. They stole a suppressed .22 rifle that was in a locked case under the back seat and not visible. Ever since I'm VERY leary about what I leave in my truck. I have a metal Retrax XR that I feel deters honest people. Inside the truck there is now a safe in the center console.

 

[BBob]

The decked system doesn’t seem to be a very efficient use of space so I’d rather not go that route so wondering if I could use something else or just use the shell.

Shell with 5th wheel trailer box up in front of the bed. Added locks and reinforcement. Mine sits under the horizontal oriented sleeping platform up front so it isn't obvious. If someone were to want to get into it it would take some time. I have no illusions that if I'm gone for a week someone could get in it. That said I'm more particular now over what I have extra in my truck that might get left behind. I used to not worry about extra optics, bows, guns etc... but I worry way more now so I tend to leave extra behind and cross my fingers I won't need it.

 

[rogerdoger]

I would do a combo, you can get some toppers that are more along the lines of a commercial topper. You can usually get ones without windows along the side, this eliminates 2 points of access to topper. That leaves only the rear door/window, can eliminate window if needed. You can always do a DIY lock on the back to beef it up. Then you can put a deck inside, now you gear is double locked up, and you can sleep in back with your gear.

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[nebhunt]

Maybe a truck cap would slow them down but what about some type of security camera system that would send pictures or video to your phone. Post a sticker that would say security camera in use. Not sure if there is such a thing.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Thanks, I lived in Colorado for over a decade and before I left there was a big problem with trucks getting broken into in the front range and it was starting to spread deeper into the mountains. Doing a google search on news seems this is becoming more common around the state. I sometimes have several valuables of a very high dollar amount in the truck so I want my chance of occurrence to be very minimal.

The decked system doesn’t seem to be a very efficient use of space so I’d rather not go that route so wondering if I could use something else or just use the shell.

Like @spike camp said I guess it depends on what you keep in the truck. If you are moving back to the Front Range I would beef up the security for around town more so the places you park in the mountains. It's also been 10 years or so since I lived up Front Range way so maybe I'm out of touch with how things are around there now.

 

[rogerdoger]

Keep dropping cash and add a Yakima rack, rocket box, etc.

 

[BBob]

Maybe a truck cap would slow them down but what about some type of security camera system that would send pictures or video to your phone.

Not going to work when packed in somewhere with no cell service and only a satellite messenger for comms. Even if you did get a pic or vid that someone was actively breaking in they'd be long gone before you could get back out. All you'd find when you did get back is your stuff is now gone.

 

[MuleyFever]

One thing I hate about most new trucks is no manual tailgate lock. You can't secure the tailgate. You can get a nice metal cover and all someone has to do is break the window and hit the unlock button to unlock the tailgate.