Backpacking and Expo Vehicles

[hikingff77]

I know vandelizm at some trailheads can be a problem. Although I've never experienced this I was curious if any of you who have modified vehicles have ever had any problems. Do you remove anything before you go backpacking? Do you not take your expo vehicle? I want to do some things to my truck but wonder if after it's accessorized it'll be too much of a target vehicle.

Thanks.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Hey, I think a lot of people are concerned with this, and though window screens, door hasps, etc. are all very strong medicine, there is something to be said for have a vehicle that doesn't draw attention in the first place. I.E. NOT having a lot of bolt on stuff on the outside.

That being said, you might still get broken into. In that case, simply having your vehicle there when you get off the trail is the absolute minimum requirement, and should be assured above all else. Sure it would suck to have no radio for a while, but not having a car to take you from the mountain trialhead, back to your house, would obviously be very bad.

EDIT: having had my jeep stolen last year, I think my perspective is that I'm not too worried about break-ins. It's more about the "car-being-goneness" I'm worried about. We use one of those brake pedal clamps that goes onto the brake pedel arm, and doesn't allow the transmission interlock to be disengaged in auto's and also doesn't allow most ignitions to be started. At the least it would not allow the brake pedal to be used, in an older, non-interlock auto.

Very effective in my XJ and our Van. I had my wife apply it and tried to get around it, unsuccessfully. Thats enough for me.

 

[bobDog]

I know vandelizm at some trailheads can be a problem. Although I've never experienced this I was curious if any of you who have modified vehicles have ever had any problems. Do you remove anything before you go backpacking? Do you not take your expo vehicle? I want to do some things to my truck but wonder if after it's accessorized it'll be too much of a target vehicle.

Thanks.

Always a problem ...I try to hide everything I can just to take the temptation away.....but from a few news article on tv it seems that lifted vehicles are losing Cats while parked at trail heads and out front of their houses...platimum prices have been up.....cordless sawzall and away!:drool:

 

[hikingff77]

I know of plenty of people who have had their vehicles broken into, junk or not. Just stupid people doing something completely senseless.

What made me think of it was a beater Toy Extra-cab that was pretty well in need of some moderate TLC but being a Toy could get you to and from with no problem. And in the shape it was in, I don't think anyone would eye it up twice to beat on, what would be the point?

I was a little worried when we went BP in Otter Creek, WV and parked pretty far out of the way on a forest road. My brother has a Highlander and very happily when we returned, not only had nothing get broken but he remembered the keys this time. Whole other story.

 

[Mr. Leary]

i always worry about this too.. the best thing you can do is drive a beater to the TH.. when i do that, i leave it unlocked with a bunch of empty beer cans and spent shotgun shells on the floorboard.. never had an issue that way.

Nice.

Actually the only intruder I've ever had at a trailhead was a raccoon.... funny story.

 

[spunky2268]

Dirty Thieves & Vandals

Living close to an urban area, and one of the best trout fishing locations in Ohiya, the past few years has seen an increase in thievage at pull-offs to access the Mad River. Some fishermen and canoeists have resorted to placing wildlife cams in inconspicuous places and putting a sign in their window indicating to the dirty bastards that the car is under camera surveillance. This may make the vandals think twice (some can't afford thinking once, since their only brain cell is telling them to breathe). Car may still be vandalized, but it sure can help LEOs when working up the case. Usually, the thieves are known or wanted...

 

[Mr. Leary]

Living close to an urban area, and one of the best trout fishing locations in Ohiya, the past few years has seen an increase in thievage at pull-offs to access the Mad River. Some fishermen and canoeists have resorted to placing wildlife cams in inconspicuous places and putting a sign in their window indicating to the dirty bastards that the car is under camera surveillance. This may make the vandals think twice (some can't afford thinking once, since their only brain cell is telling them to breathe). Car may still be vandalized, but it sure can help LEOs when working up the case. Usually, the thieves are known or wanted...

This would tie in well with another thread on this forum related to conservation and obtaining permits to be in wilderness areas in the states. I'm guessing most vandals and theives woulnd't bother registering, and it would make it a bit easier to police if there was some sort of check in, check out to the area(s) in question. What do y'all think?