Also, remember its only 3 hours to Vermont or New Hampshire and one can easily take a long weekend trip to Maine where you can get lost for days. I have said it before, but will say it again just look at New England as a state and you will realize there are endless roads to explore at your doorstep. I've come to realize I have more place's to explore within an half hours range of me here, then I ever did within 1 hour of me in Oregon.
I scanned over most of the pages in your thread...
sorry to hear you got ripped off in Oregon. It can happen anywhere. I grew up in Eugene, spent over 20yrs there. The meth probs been there and all over the USA for a long time. I never had anything stoled in Eugene that I didn't make easy for thieves. And certain areas are worse than others. The UofO campus and anywhere within walking distance of it of course is going to be bad for thieves.
There is tons to do outdoors within 100 miles of Eugene. Some very awesome places within 50miles where you can go and not see another person for days. I once went backpacking in the Cascades (within 100 miles of Eugene) for 12 days by myself and did not see a single person the whole time. I could go on and on about the many awesome places outdoors within 100 miles of Eugene from coast to mountains. Not trying to prove you wrong just saying there is a lot there that is very nice to enjoy outdoors.
Where I live now not many thieves. I had a snowboard stolen when I first moved here. Left it in my car parked downtown, car unlocked. Yet, for over ten years here I have left the keys in the ignition in my car when parked in my driveway. Have never locked my house in 14yrs and never had anything stolen. So it can happen anywhere even a place that seems safe. People get snowboards or skis stolen all the time from restorts. Leave them laying out and a thief will take it. So I guess my point is if a thief thinks they can steal it and not get caught they will do it. I wouldn't be susprised one bit though if somebody had been watching your truck and gear. Then stole it when they thought the time was right. The campus in Eugene would be paticularly bad for this.
Looks like you solved your thieving probs with your new bed system though....and it looks like the truck works well for you. I myself am not real fond of the gen. of Taco but yours does look good!