Roof Rack Gear Security

[ricker]

I am considering buying a roof rack but am concerned about the security of gear (tent, folding chairs and table, etc.) left in the rack while overnighting at a hotel, eating in a restaurant, shoping, etc. We often mix our camping trips with some hotel stays and also like to visit museums, parks, etc. along the way leaving the vehicle unattended. Has anyone had gear stolen off thier rack? Any suggestions on how to secure gear from theft? I have thought about a cargo bag - are these secure?

Thanks, David

 

[ujoint]

I've never had an issue, maybe because they'd have to climb 8' in the air to get to it!

 

[Desert Dan]

When my rig(s) is fully loaded I don't like to leave it to far out of sight with or without a roof rack.

When you start adding up all the extra goodies and equipment inside and on your rig it really adds up $$$.

You can use a bike lock cable type of lock and padlock some things on the rack. So of the aftermarket mounts for jack and gerry cans have provisions for a padlock.

 

[trump]

Not a roof rack, but bed rack... I've got a bike cable that loops through my spare and Hi-Lift. The jerry cans and CO2 tank have padlocks on them.

That said, I still don't feel comfortable leaving it unattended. All of those locks just keep honest people honest. If someone really wants to take it, they'll steal the whole truck and it will all be on sale in Mexico within the hour.

 

[Seldom Seen]

Like others, hard goods that can be locked by a bike cable are secured that way. Soft goods first go in a dry bag and the secured by a Pacsafe.

 

[rusty_tlc]

My stuff is usually so filthy from trail dust most people wouldn't give it a second look. I use a cable lock to secure my spare and my gas cans. Everything else is in a collection of beat up ammo cans and well used dry sacks secured with HF ratchet straps.

 

[j0nny216]

I never feel good leaving my soft top D90 for extended periods of time when it is loaded, but so far I have been lucky. I too have a Pacsafe, and tuffy makes ratchet straps that lock and have cable running through them that I have been looking at.

It was already said, but if someone wants what you have, they will get it no matter what the set up.

 

[kenallwine]

I never feel good leaving my soft top D90 for extended periods of time when it is loaded, but so far I have been lucky. I too have a Pacsafe, and tuffy makes ratchet straps that lock and have cable running through them that I have been looking at.

It was already said, but if someone wants what you have, they will get it no matter what the set up.

I didn't see these straps on tuffy's site. Where did you find them?

 

[j0nny216]

I am also not seeing them . I know they were there about a month or so ago. I am going to send them and email and see what I can come up with because I did want to grab a few of them.

 

[j0nny216]

I knew I wasn't crazy...

Jonathan,
Tuffy recently quit carrying those straps due to logistics issues. I believe you can still get them from a company called SteelCore.


Thanks,
Jeff Fox

I haven't looked up the company yet, but I will in the next few days.

 

[trump]

Why wait:

http://www.steelcore.net/

 

[FLYFISHEXPERT]

Why wait:

http://www.steelcore.net/

What a great idea!

 

[trump]

Yeah, I like the idea of these... never used a strap that wasn't a ratchet strap though. I would like to try one out before buying. I'm not sure how tight I would be able to pull it on my own in order to strap down my loaded Pelican 1650's.

 

[ricker]

Thanks for the comments. There are some good ideas here. Has anyone used a cargo bag on their rack? If so, how did you secure it to the rack?

Thanks, David

 

[Greggk]

you could go to walmart and get one of those waterproof canvas luggage rack bags and put everything in that then lock the zippers together using a small padlock... just a thought