What do you guys do to deter theft of items IN the vehicle - like a sun-shade?

[yuji]

I'm becoming more conscious of not having a secure trunk these days now that I'm parking in the street more often.

I make sure never to leave tools / feel uneasy about unmarked bags, but can't do anything about having my briefcase around. I tend to retract the rear seats and squish my bag between the rear and front seats but I figure it's only a matter of time before my laptop gets taken.

Looking for good ideas on how to deter passerby. There's a lot of broken glass on the ground where I park. What's least conspicuous and easy?

A retractable sun shade would be nice. So would drawers.

PS: I try not to leave it there, but its inevitable. I'll be back from a meeting and run out to grab a sandwich. Lunch. Bar.

 

[mister bean]

I leave nothing in there and don't lock the doors. On the rare occasion that I do have to leave my bag, I put it on the floor of the back seat and push it into a shaded area. Between that and the tint on the windows, it's hard to see that there's anything back there, so I hope they just move onto more richer looking targets.

 

[Sverige]

I blacked out my windows - completely.

 

[mtnracer]

Tinted windows, shade in the windshield, leave nothing you care about in the truck...

 

[hankinid]

Two Belgian shepherds probably tend to make idiots think twice or 3 times...

A RubberMaid plastic chest lives in back, small to medium stuff goes in that.

Merry Christmas to all and thanks all for the knowledge here.

Steve

 

[2003lx470]

Tint and don't leave anything to get noticed/attentions. I even hide my GPS wire. My dad left his briefcase on front passenger seat and you know the rest

 

[hoser]

For the trunk, I'd think a cargo barrier, drawers and a Slee tire carrier would deter theft. The average thief will not be able to figure out that carrier release, lol.

 

[jonharis]

5% tint on everything behind the B pillar. 15-27% behind the A pillar. Don't leave stuff out elsewhere. Drawers are a good option.

 

[2000UZJ]

I had double 5% installed on the rear windows. 5% installed on the front windows and a 50% on the front windshield. The only way you can see inside the LC is if you press your face against the windows and wait for your eyes to adjust. I did not do mine for anti-theft, mine was for medical reasons. Anti-theft, additional privacy, heat rejection, and comfort was a nice plus. Keep a old beach towel/jacket in the cargo area. If you have to run into the mall, throw your stuff next to the door of the LC, and put the jacket or towel on top so it looks like a pile of garbage next to the door. Black towels and jackets helps conceal goods when combined with tinted windows.

 

[peeaa]

Tint prevents the crook from seeing in to the car....


... and at the same time makes him think there may be something valuable inside, so he smashes the window anyway. $$$ loss for you.

I did not tint my windows but installed protective film. There are many manufacturers for the films (3M etc) and they are available also tinted. Can be found from almost anywhere, including Amazon. Installation is just like tint film, may be a bit more difficult because the film is thicker and does not stretch too much.

Protects also on accidents, especially on side impacts.

One example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMgwOnrZRhc

Google 'glass (protective OR safety) film car' and you'll find plenty.

 

[Sverige]

Tint prevents the crook from seeing in to the car....

... and at the same time makes him think there may be something valuable inside, so he smashes the window anyway. $$$ loss for you.

Deleted by Sverige. Reason: too easy, Santa would not approve.

 

[yuji]

Tint prevents the crook from seeing in to the car....


... and at the same time makes him think there may be something valuable inside, so he smashes the window anyway. $$$ loss for you.

I did not tint my windows but installed protective film. There are many manufacturers for the films (3M etc) and they are available also tinted. Can be found from almost anywhere, including Amazon. Installation is just like tint film, may be a bit more difficult because the film is thicker and does not stretch too much.

Protects also on accidents, especially on side impacts.

One example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMgwOnrZRhc

Google 'glass (protective OR safety) film car' and you'll find plenty.

Beyond marketing hype, does this stuff actually prevent windows from being broken?

Will it take multiple swings with the bat?

Because that's intriguing... I feel like that would *definitely* work and save whatever was in your truck, unless they were particularly determined.

Most of the stuff is quick smash and grabs when somebody sees a definite high value item around these parts.

 

[peeaa]

Beyond marketing hype, does this stuff actually prevent windows from being broken?

Up to a certain limit, yes. With somewhat softer stuff, like motorbike helmet, foot, piece of wood and possibly even a baseball bat no damage to the window. With hammer, brick, axe, big stone etc the glass will break but remains still in place

Will it take multiple swings with the bat?

Yes, but.... The "but" is that it will break but even after multiple hits the intruder stays out.

Because that's intriguing... I feel like that would *definitely* work and save whatever was in your truck, unless they were particularly determined.

Most of the stuff is quick smash and grabs when somebody sees a definite high value item around these parts.

That is indeed the point. It may or may not save your glass but it will 99% save your valuables. And in an accident you don't get glass on your face or your arm out of the window and under the truck when it's rolling...

 

[Layonnn]

That is indeed the point. It may or may not save your glass but it will 99% save your valuables. And in an accident you don't get glass on your face or your arm out of the window and under the truck when it's rolling...

Doesn't this make it difficult, if not impossible to get out of the vehicle if say you rollover and the door frames are damaged preventing them from being opened, or even just a bad side hit could render the doors unable to open.

 

[Sverige]

Beyond marketing hype, does this stuff actually prevent windows from being broken?

Up to a certain limit, yes. With somewhat softer stuff, like motorbike helmet, foot, piece of wood and possibly even a baseball bat no damage to the window. With hammer, brick, axe, big stone etc the glass will break but remains still in place

Will it take multiple swings with the bat?

Yes, but.... The "but" is that it will break but even after multiple hits the intruder stays out.

Because that's intriguing... I feel like that would *definitely* work and save whatever was in your truck, unless they were particularly determined.

Most of the stuff is quick smash and grabs when somebody sees a definite high value item around these parts.

That is indeed the point. It may or may not save your glass but it will 99% save your valuables. And in an accident you don't get glass on your face or your arm out of the window and under the truck when it's rolling...

This thread went from dumb to dumber.

 

[peeaa]

This thread went from dumb to dumber.

Dear fellow Mudders,

Let me apologize my apparently dumb and irrelevant posts in this thread. Please ignore them and follow the excellent advice and expertise of Mr. Sverige instead.

I blacked out my windows - completely.

Black out all your windows and it is guaranteed that you and your valuables will be safe!

 

[yuji]

I'll probably add a *light* tint which will do a lot for peace of mind / make the interior feel a bit more private.

The original windows seem to have a reflective coating which already makes it slightly difficult to see inside so the tint should do wonders.

I'm still interested in this protective film as theft deterrent / relative peace of mind for quick smash and grabs... the safety implications are interesting (yeah, how *would* you get out in a roll over?) but I'd probably have it in the back anyways.

I'm sure there's some tint + protective film in one..

 

[91TB78]

Do any drawer systems fit the cargo back with the second row folded up? I've seen the big drawers, but need the second row seat up for the family.

 

[Topmounter]

Do any drawer systems fit the cargo back with the second row folded up? I've seen the big drawers, but need the second row seat up for the family.

Who makes drawers for the 100 that require you to fold down the seats, but not remove them? Other than pure custom drawers, all the 100-specific drawers I've seen leave the 2nd row intact and fully functional (not that I've been paying particular attention lately).

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Quick & cheap idea: Put your 3rd row up like it is ready for passengers but lean the seat back all of the way. That leaves a bit of room between the seat and the hatch that you can't see and it doesn't look like you are hiding anything. When my 80 was broken into, that is the only thing that saved me from loosing my tools and trail gear.