How do you secure your gear in a vehicle?

elkhornsun
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · How do you secure your gear in a vehicle?

My memory cards are kept in a wallet and I place it inside a small camera pouch (meant for a small P&S camera) that is attached to my belt. I never have the card in a bag or case where they might get stolen.

A truck of mine had the cab window broken and the deputy told us that thieves look for a woman leaving a car and not carrying a purse. The thinking is that the woman is leaving behind her purse and her credit cards and driver's license - which is exactly what my wife had done.

Jul 01, 2024 at 07:13 PM

dmcphoto
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · How do you secure your gear in a vehicle?

At Columbia River Gorge some actually leave their vehicles unlocked with nothing inside to avoid having their windows broken along with other damage. When I was last there (many years ago) some of the trailhead parking areas were literally covered with smashed car window glass. That's when I stopped going there. Otherwise I have relied only on avoiding places that are infamous for theft, hiding valuables, and having good insurance. If you are traveling it's completely impractical to carry everything on your person, especially if you are stopping along the way between motels.

Jul 01, 2024 at 07:56 PM

chez
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · How do you secure your gear in a vehicle?

dmcphoto wrote:
At Columbia River Gorge some actually leave their vehicles unlocked with nothing inside to avoid having their windows broken along with other damage. When I was last there (many years ago) some of the trailhead parking areas were literally covered with smashed car window glass. That's when I stopped going there. Otherwise I have relied only on avoiding places that are infamous for theft, hiding valuables, and having good insurance. If you are traveling it's completely impractical to carry everything on your person, especially if you are stopping along the way between motels.

I actually do carry all my equipment with me when I’m traveling. I don’t trust leaving anything of value in the accommodations typically…I’ve known of many things being stolen out of their rooms, so I carry with me everything that is of value ncluding money, passport and camera gear. I pack knowing I will carry everything with me so it’s a light kit.

Now, when I travel to places like Hawaii, I do leave equipment in my condo, but I’ve travelled to many places where my gear is worth more than someone’s yearly wage…too much temptation for many.

Jul 01, 2024 at 08:36 PM

nmerc_photos
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · How do you secure your gear in a vehicle?

I never leave any gear in a vehicle.

I had my truck stolen in broad daylight outside a friend's house in September 2022. At least in America, the consequences for theft are pretty light - and that's if the police even take the time to investigate.

My rule is that gear is never out of arm's reach.

Jul 01, 2024 at 10:53 PM

GroovyGeek
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · How do you secure your gear in a vehicle?

By locking the doors and closing the windows 😀

Jul 02, 2024 at 08:23 AM

elkhornsun
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · How do you secure your gear in a vehicle?

My concern with theft or damage to a vehicle is that it could end a trip and that can be very expensive. No one can see inside my truck's bed and if they were to break into it they would gain very little, and nothing of importance as it is locked inside a metal cabinet with two drawers that are 6 feet long and 2 feet wide and 14 inches deep. This chest also keeps my gear 100% free of dirt and dust even when traveling on dirt roads.


	https://www.flickr.com/photos/200943049@N07

I have been using a camper shell with darkened windows on my pickup trucks since 1968 and have never had anyone break into the bed of the truck. I often have a couple bikes with a replacement cost of $15,000 in the back of the truck and want them safe.

Theft is more widespread than most people realize. In San Francisco my friends have had their spare tire stolen off the back of their SUV while inside a Safeway store and another friend who had her Blaupunkt radio stolen multiple times from her BMW. After the first two times she added a Black Bart car alarm and week later the thieves stole her new radio and the car alarm.

Jul 04, 2024 at 04:57 PM

neilvan
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · How do you secure your gear in a vehicle?

Depends a lot on where I am going to park.

Typically, I have my trunk locked out from the interior and can only be accessed with the fob. It would take a tremendous amount of effort to get into the trunk...

If I have a lot of gear with me or I am in a sketchy place I usually pack it in Pelican/Nanuk hard cases that are locked themselves. Those cases are also locked in the truck with a heavy cable lock...

I also keep my car clean, basically nothing is visible the cabin at all. I just try to make it less enticing for the miscreants. As well, I try not to let anyone see me when I am removing gear from my trunk...out of sight, out of mind.

Jul 05, 2024 at 06:13 PM

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