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Securing your always-on off-road gear (theft protection)

RevN3

RevN3

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So, I live in a city filled with criminals and given enough time they will steal everything that isn't nailed down. That being said, I see a lot of Tacos and other rigs with shovels, hi-lift jacks, maxtrax, jerrycans/rotopacks, spare tires and every other thing hanging off of them 24/7. What are people doing to keep these things from wondering off? Pictures are a plus! (Note: I assume RTTs are just to heavy to steal, at least by the bike riding thieves in my town.)

BONUS POINTS: Toyota, in their infinite wisdom, decided Tacos don't need gas cover/cap protection...you know, like the kind that just about every other vehicle made in this century has. We had a pretty bad issue with people getting gas stolen when the price got up above $4. Those aftermarket locking gas caps are for shit. Anyone find a better solution?
 
People are drilling the tanks. They don't want to spend time siphoning

Also stealing Kings shocks here as well as bumpers
 
Rob Daman said:
People are drilling the tanks. They don't want to spend time siphoning

Also stealing Kings shocks here as well as bumpers
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I saw something about a stolen bumper. The criminals here still havn't figured out how to use tools so that isn't an issue yet.
 
For the axe/shovel mount, I bought a Warrior Products QuickLatch. I will say, they are very pricey for a latch, but it is lockable. I bought one pair for both the axe and shovel since you really only need to lock down one side, and plan on using a quick fists on the other side. I thought this is the best looking quick latch that is lockable. I haven't mounted it up yet, but when I do, I'll report back on whether a single WPQL and a quick fists is viable.
 
Rev N said:
So like this: https://warriorproducts.com/quicklatch-10375-universal-accessory.html ?

Dang! You weren't kidding about being pricey!
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Yes, exactly that. I have a Krazy Beaver shovel, and I really don't want to buy multiple of those, especially if the shovel hasn't gotten its full use. And for me, I'll be on pavement 90% of the time, because there really aren't that many trails or places to go that are a reasonably short drive for a weekend trip. I wanted to just keep everything on the truck without having to find a place for it in the garage.

I got mine at $125, so a bit cheaper than retail, but still pricey. Piece of mind cost, IMO.
 
MGM Aquaponic Tank said:
Get a topper so that you can secure your belongings
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While that would help, a topper doesn't work for everyone's needs (e.g. using the bed for truck stuff). Maybe since you have a bad problem where you live, you might consider a topper, @Rev N.

But I've always wondered about this myself. My Rotopax can be stolen off my truck in 5 seconds and I didn't bother to buy their locking mount because it is known to be useless (keyhole rusts and you can still rotate the cans off anyway). I'd like to maybe move to a jerry can mount and have them secured with a metal bracket.

As for other gear on a roof rack or bed rack, I know people DIY lockable brackets. I'm not sure if that would be enough for you as locks can obviously be cut.
 
Or a decked
DFF82627-7872-490E-BC9A-086F14A9E00A.webp
 
Tyler said:
While that would help, a topper doesn't work for everyone's needs (e.g. using the bed for truck stuff). Maybe since you have a bad problem where you live, you might consider a topper, @Rev N.

But I've always wondered about this myself. My Rotopax can be stolen off my truck in 5 seconds and I didn't bother to buy their locking mount because it is known to be useless (keyhole rusts and you can still rotate the cans off anyway). I'd like to maybe move to a jerry can mount and have them secured with a metal bracket.

As for other gear on a roof rack or bed rack, I know people DIY lockable brackets. I'm not sure if that would be enough for you as locks can obviously be cut.
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Yeah, keeping stuff in a canopy (which I have) will just result in people breaking into the canopy. Usually I just leave it all at home unless I'm going into the woods. I have a Yakima basket though and if I could keep everything bound to that that would be ideal. I've been looking at DIY and buy-able options. I have have access to a full metal shop though so once I find a design I like I should be able to copy it.
 
Rev N said:
Yeah, keeping stuff in a canopy (which I have) will just result in people breaking into the canopy. Usually I just leave it all at home unless I'm going into the woods. I have a Yakima basket though and if I could keep everything bound to that that would be ideal. I've been looking at DIY and buy-able options. I have have access to a full metal shop though so once I find a design I like I should be able to copy it.
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Would those new Pelican cargo cases that are coming out, with a lock, be enough? Not really, eh?
 
I am in the same boat as you! Not as much theft (that I know of) in my area, but I have Grabber spare tire mount on a F5 SCS wheel and really wanna get a chain lock opposed to a standard cable one.

A buddy has a Kryptonite lock for his mountain bike, but I haven't looked into seeing if that would work for me.

Any suggestions on locks for tire carriers?
 
Taco4Dan93 said:
I am in the same boat as you! Not as much theft (that I know of) in my area, but I have Grabber spare tire mount on a F5 SCS wheel and really wanna get a chain lock opposed to a standard cable one.

A buddy has a Kryptonite lock for his mountain bike, but I haven't looked into seeing if that would work for me.

Any suggestions on locks for tire carriers?
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To lock the tire carrier closed or to lock the spare to the carrier?
 
Tyler said:
Locking lug nuts usually work well. I don't think most thieves will put the effort into forcing them off (or maybe they do?)

I use these for my spare (I think): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C5TFOQO/?tag=tacoma3g-20
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The only issue with that, Is my tire mounts with a rubber cone in the center, then tightening it down. Opposed to other mounts that do use a mounting system of the lugs.

I have a feeling the comments of "using a cable lock will be sufficient", but having a chain seems extra secure.
 
Taco4Dan93 said:
The only issue with that, Is my tire mounts with a rubber cone in the center, then tightening it down. Opposed to other mounts that do use a mounting system of the lugs.

I have a feeling the comments of "using a cable lock will be sufficient", but having a chain seems extra secure.
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Dang, I didn't know Tacoma bumpers use mounts like that. I don't think a cable is very secure to be honest. A chain would be a little harder to break, but even a chain is easy enough to cut. The chain should at least deter unprepared thieves. If they have a plan though, they might bring a saw or bolt cutters.
 
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