security while sleeping in the truck bed

[matt s]

I have spent many a night in the bed of my truck both urban and rural. Locking it never crossed my mind, nor have I had any issues with people getting too curious. Actually I have spent far more time trying to figure out how to open it easily from the inside (my current top has a spring loaded latch that has to be released from the outside). It's a real pain some mornings.

Then again like many mentioned I have dogs, and around here a gun in the vehicle is about as common as the tire iron. Perhaps why people don't do too much snooping around.

 

[BKCowGod]

The fascinating thing to me is that I live in the ghetto - A few months ago my neighbor was shot in a drive-by shooting, there are regular fights on the street in front of my house, etc - but the Porsche and the Jeep are always unlocked....... But the second I get into the woods alone I lock 'em up and the rifles are ready. It's completely psychological, but it still helps me sleep better at night knowing that I have 2800fps of WW2 Russian lead right next to me. Though I suspect that if I ever did fire my Nagant in the truck I'd blow my eardrums and all the windows...

On a more related note, cross-country trips have long been facilitated by the friendly Wal-Mart parking lot. Say what you will about their business practices, I think it's awesome that they actively allow overnight parking.

 

[Overland Hadley]

On a more related note, cross-country trips have long been facilitated by the friendly Wal-Mart parking lot. Say what you will about their business practices, I think it's awesome that they actively allow overnight parking.

x2 on this. I also found that Cabela's is a good parking lot, often with a separate lot for the overnighters.

 

[robert]

I stealth camp all over the place. I "secure" the camper shell after I get in it with a piece of paracord. I have one end tied to the shell and the other is looped around a tiedown or something else that's going to make some noise if someone yanks on it. If I tie it, I keep a knife next to the string so I can cut it if I need to exit the back quickly. So far I've never been hassled although I've had people walk around the truck a few times and wonder out loud if someone was in it before wandering off (my old truck had curtains in the back; I still need to make some for the current one).

 

[Martinjmpr]

When I had my Ranger I would lock the shell from the outside and then crawl into the back through the cab to shell sliding window. Worked great.

 

[Ursidae69]

on that subject, check these guys...

http://ramblewriter.com/ramblings/

scroll down to Pirate Camping

Thank you for this link, what an inspiration!

Regarding the OP's question, I've never felt the need for locking the back of the truck and often sleep with the lid open for better air flow. All I ever worry about is whether I left food out that the raccoons might get into. In the last 4 years I've slept probably between 200 and 300 nights in the field in back of my Tacoma in various locations around the southwest and Mexico and no trouble. Now, if I slept in a Wal-Mart parking lot, I might have some worry.

 

[ywen]

thanks for all the replies.. another ques - For those who lock.. how does one open the gate/window from the inside? For example, can most lift-up shell windows be locked from the inside? Is there a specific shell that has this feature? If it does, then I assume it is also designed to be opened from the inside...

 

[matt s]

thanks for all the replies.. another ques - For those who lock.. how does one open the gate/window from the inside? For example, can most lift-up shell windows be locked from the inside? Is there a specific shell that has this feature? If it does, then I assume it is also designed to be opened from the inside...

Most cannot lock from the inside, however you can manually turn the mechanism to secure the door (latch it only, not lock). I could lock mine and then close it as it has a spring type latch, but then I would be stuck inside and have to crawl out through the cab.

I think the guy who showed the padlock solution may be the simplest route to go if you really want to lock up at night.

 

[RockyMtnFamily]

Some shells have an L shaped handle that latches on the middle of the tailgate. When I worked a camper dealership years ago we used to drill holes through this L handle into the tailgate allowing the owner to insert a nail to lock the lift gate from the inside. My current shell latches on each side and I elect for the latches being closed as sufficient.

Kevin

 

[Rallyroo]

When I had my Ranger I would lock the shell from the outside and then crawl into the back through the cab to shell sliding window. Worked great.

You can fit through the sliding window? Impressive.

 

[Martinjmpr]

You can fit through the sliding window? Impressive.

Yup and I'm not a small guy either (6'1" and about 195# at that time.) Both the truck and the shell had a double-slider window, not the smaller single slider that you see more commonly today.

I never had a sliding window on the Taco so I never tried it with that truck.

If you have a shell there is also the option of just putting a "boot" between the cab and the shell and removing one or both of the windows between the cab and shell, which would give you the full length of the window to climb in and out.

As for locking: the older, metal-framed doors with T-handle locks usually can't be locked from the inside but some of the newer, all-glass doors can. My Leer shell had an all-glass rear window with a "slam-latch" (i.e., if you slam the window shut it will latch.) This can be locked by locking the outside lock, getting in the shell, and then pulling the window shut. Since the window opens with a couple of cables (that are on the inside of the window), opening is simply a matter of pulling the cables to release the latches.

 

[ywen]

Martin: Which Leer shell do you have?

 

[RockyMtnFamily]

If you have a shell there is also the option of just putting a "boot" between the cab and the shell and removing one or both of the windows between the cab and shell, which would give you the full length of the window to climb in and out.

I did this on my Ford Ranger when I had access to all the supplies to make it happen. I really liked it and it only set me back about $30 (with my employee discount).

I forgot to mention, I don't think I would be as much for this now as sometimes it is nice to stick one of the kiddos in the back and have some peace and quiet.

Kevin

 

[Overland Hadley]

As for locking: the older, metal-framed doors with T-handle locks usually can't be locked from the inside but some of the newer, all-glass doors can. My Leer shell had an all-glass rear window with a "slam-latch" (i.e., if you slam the window shut it will latch.) This can be locked by locking the outside lock, getting in the shell, and then pulling the window shut. Since the window opens with a couple of cables (that are on the inside of the window), opening is simply a matter of pulling the cables to release the latches.

I think some of the newer Leer shells have an electronic lock with a key fob. If that is the case that would be the best way to go.

Keep in mind that if somebody really wants to get in they are just going to break the glass. I lock things up just to keep honest people honest, the guys who really wants in will have no problem breaking a window.

 

[Mr. Leary]

Wow, these guys are incredibly brave! WHen I was in Bolivia I asked my local friends about renting a Landcruiser and doing this on the way to the Salar de Uyuni. They said that I was completely off my rocker and would most likely be murdered or alternatively have all of my things taken down to my underwear in the first night! I still regret not doing it, but depending on the country you are in, there are some serious security considerations. I'm really surprised these guys haven't encountered a road blockade yet.

I dorve over a road block once! :snorkel:

While I havent slept in the bed of the taco, a friend and I used to regularly sleep in my cherokee at parking lots around the beach. I wasn't very sneaky or prepared for a bad event but I was young, dumb, and thinking about the surf. We never did have any problems though and we stayed a block down from all the bars on the island.

When camping I rely on the dog method. My dog is the sweetest dog ever but when she gets startled in the middle of the night shes 60lbs of snarling anger. I'm not a huge fan of guns but can see the value of one in such circumstances.

I car camped quite a bit waiting for surf as well when I was younger. Guess crooks know: A. Kids generally don't have anything worth taking, and B. Are in better physical shape then they are, and not the easiest target (I was a VERY fit MMA fighter at the time).

If you are in the thing... why lock it? Go buy a latch... it will secure the vehicle, and you don't need to find the darn key while you are half asleep in the middle of the night.