Parking/Base camp property protection?

[gmajor]

I've always used an SUV or car (ie, fully enclosed), and taken everything of value with me (not bringing anything I don't need with me to the trailhead). This year I'm using a pickup, and I have thought about unprotected coolers full of ice in the bed...I think I can fit one big cooler full of ice in the cab. Dunno what to do about the second one though. Lots of road hunters drive by where I park - and I'm gone for 7 days.

I don't worry about my camp, but I'm miles in by that point...

 

[jmez]

Haven't had any trouble in Co, or MT. Both base camps at the trailhead and vehicles. There is nothing I take with me that can't be replaced so I don't worry about it. If some jackass is hellbent on taking my stuff they will figure out a way.

 

[Bar]

My biggest worry is when making multiple trips back to the Jeep bringing out the meat. I'm always worried the meat will be gone when I get back from the last trip.

It hasn't ever happened, but that doesn't stop me from worrying.

 

[RKS]

Thanks for all the reply's.

Basic common sense is what I figured but the cable lock thing is an idea.

I don't have a camper shell and really don't want to invest that $$...Fingers crossed nothing will happen. Shame hunters have to worry about this crap.

 

[BroodBuster]

I've had my truck broken into twice now. Both times while fishing. The first time, about ten years ago, it took a week to get the window ordered and replaced. Of course it was about ten degrees out that week. The second time was a couple of years ago. I took my truck to the same dealer but by then they had lots of windows on hand and even had an employee that pretty much replaced windows full time. They fixed it in a couple of hours.

****!ng tweakers! You can't arrest them as it costs too much to fix their teeth.

I've never had a problem at a trailhead but like someone sId earlier there sure is a lot of broken glass at the parking lots. I used to fret over my truck while in the backcountry but I'm over that. Besides my dog there is nothing I own that can't be replaced.

Seems like everyone hates a thief but the government .

 

[solo06]

Unfortunately, it's only a matter of time, depending on how attractive your gear is, how secure your gear is, how well-equipped the thief is to cut/break in, and how lucky you are regarding how long it takes a thief to cross your path.

I've always locked my doors... But I've also found a broken window because something attractive was visible. Anything can be viewed as valuable, even a cup holder with a small pile of loose change.

As others have said, don't take along anything that you won't need to use (to minimize stuff left behind). When something is left behind (like a cooler), try to hide it out of sight. If they can't see it, that reduces their motivation to break in. They may still break in, gambling that they may find something, but they'd be less confident/determined without a visible prize. And, piles of equipment under blankets doesn't exactly count as hidden.

To the extent possible, lock things up. Just seeing locks and chains/cables can be a good deterrent. For example, when traveling with atv's, atv's are chained to my trailer, the trailer is locked to the hitch, and the hitch is locked to the receiver. When the trailer is detached, it has its own coupler lock (yep, I've had an empty trailer stolen when it didn't have a coupler lock).

I plan on getting one of these DiamondBack truck covers for my truck bed this fall. It's all metal and it locks, so it would take a lot more effort to get into than just breaking a window. Better yet, a potential thief will have no idea if there's even anything in the truck bed.

Although I've had some unfortunate experiences with theft, I've never had something broken into without a minimal visible prize and I've also never had a lock or chain cut. Of course that's still possible, but you're significantly reducing those odds, as well as reducing your own worry, when you can leave things well-secured.

 

[The John]

I had a window broken on my truck at a trailhead in the Green Mountains when I was snow camping.

Historically, I have not had many problems. I believe most of that is due to the fact that most of my gear is beat to the point that nobody would want to steal it. To the contrary, upon seeing my gear, negative individuals would probably laugh and mock my chit. One of my buddies used to tell me that if I just sat down at a busy trailhead, people would toss some change my way.

As I replace and upgrade gear, I do think about the fact that I now have some stuff worth stealing. I try not to dwell on it.

One other thing that I have going for me is my wife and kids. If they use my truck for a few days, it ends up full of crap and looks like two homeless guys and a raccoon lived in it for a month. If I were to refrain from cleaning it, anyone looking in would just shake their head and wonder, "WTF? How do you get Cheerios to stick to everything, even the glass?"

LOL! This is why I dont lend the wifey the truck too often.

As others have said, keep things out of sight (and keep the ones that are, ie coolers, secured).

I have a fiberglass top for my truck bed, and haven't had any issues yet (in OR, ID, CO, MT or WY backpacking, hiking, fishing etc). However, I think most "bad Guys" don't really want to deal with Chained down, wire roped, or other secured items, they want the easy stuff.