I want to store a backpack GHB and about a milk crate full of vehicle stuff - tools, fluids, repair items, gloves, safety equipment etc.
I have a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited - a 4 door Jeep. With a hardtop. The windows are tinted but you can see into the back with your hands cupped over your eyes or a flashnight at night. I think the simplest cover is just to use a black blanket thrown over whatever I put in there. Like maybe something fleece that matches the black carpet.
The backpack will be in there. But I'm trying to decide what to put the vehicle stuff in?
I don't want to waste money or space on a lock box. As they are easily defeated. And the large metal security ones specifically made for Jeeps, that fill the entire back, are expensive. A bit more secure. But still defeatable. And they permenantly take up most if the cargo area. Meaning you can't out the seats down and sleep or load larger cargo.
I'm thinking the improved USGI duffle. They are about $40-$50 iirc. And can be moved around easily. If you need to transfer it to another vehicle its easy to carry. Or I can move it forward to the back seat if I need access to the full cargo area.
I wish I could think of a more secure way without spending a ton of money. And permanently altering access to the entire rear cargo area.
The only other idea is to put a loose metal box (say a surplus military metal crate) in the back. Anchor it with a cable lock. And cover that with the blanket. But it would be harder to move. If I needed the space.
Any other ideas?
I have a back pack and a cheap Home Depot plastic tool box. They look harmless but the tool box worried me since some scumbag may think there are valuable tools in them and break the window to get into my SUV.
I recently changed out the tool box to a Homer orange bucket. I also wrote in marksalot "wet towels" on the lid to make it even less appealing.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/The-Home-Depot-5-Gallon-Orange-Homer-Bucket-05GLHD2/100087613
The other type of container I was going to use but it was not large enough to fit everything into it was a large tub of cat litter. I considered using 2 but I settled on the homer bucket.
(https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.O7Z9Nw7c513kb-3WXUFkZgHaHa&pid=Api)
I use Rigid, their Pro Box which has gone up in price $15 and their Pro Organizer, and a cable with a lock to secure them to the interior of the trunk.
(https://i.imgur.com/RhNOlwh.jpg?1)
I don't keep any auto specific liquids such as oil or coolant. just water.
I might build something like this in the future.
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-write-ups-39/under-floor-storage-178549/
https://www.amazon.com/Retractable-Tonneau-Cover-Compatible-Wrangler/dp/B0BL75SK74/ref=sr_1_6?crid=20IACDKZMIE81&keywords=roll+up+cover+for+jeep+storage+area&qid=1694725127&sprefix=roll+up+cover+for+jeep+storage+area%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-6&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71akJacL-gL._AC_SX569_.jpg)
Quote from: flybynight on September 14, 2023, 04:00:52 PMhttps://www.amazon.com/Retractable-Tonneau-Cover-Compatible-Wrangler/dp/B0BL75SK74/ref=sr_1_6?crid=20IACDKZMIE81&keywords=roll+up+cover+for+jeep+storage+area&qid=1694725127&sprefix=roll+up+cover+for+jeep+storage+area%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-6&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71akJacL-gL._AC_SX569_.jpg)
Thats cool! Thank you.
Well what tolls/ stuff do ya want/need in the jeep?
In my Xterra i put a cheap harbor freight tool kit ( on sale $20 bucks).
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/tool-sets/tool-set-with-case-130-piece-64263.html
Then in one of those small cloth tool bags i put a mallet, tape, big sockets for lug nuts, zip ties ect. then rolling around the back is a 24" breaker bar, tow strap, and jumper cable's in a case.
This is on the bottom, i have some empty walmart shopping on top to hide the stuff.
Quote from: Rednex on September 14, 2023, 05:51:15 PMWell what tolls/ stuff do ya want/need in the jeep?
In my Xterra i put a cheap harbor freight tool kit ( on sale $20 bucks).
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/tool-sets/tool-set-with-case-130-piece-64263.html
Then in one of those small cloth tool bags i put a mallet, tape, big sockets for lug nuts, zip ties ect. then rolling around the back is a 24" breaker bar, tow strap, and jumper cable's in a case.
This is on the bottom, i have some empty walmart shopping on top to hide the stuff.
Ya. I was thinking about just putting it all in trash bags.
The GHB is worth more than the tools. Although I have not gathered it all. Lists made. And stuff in boxes or drawers to cull from. The tools are mostly cheap. Its more about the time and effort to collect it all.
I have a cheaper but solid backpack and the extras to go in it. Fire, food, water, cordiage, clothing, boots, rain cover etc. The ten Cs basically. With extra stuff added. Paper maps. Old phone with maps and information.
The tools and supplies are mostly fluids and emergency items. A small bag of tools for just basic stuff. It's more of an emergency vehicle kit than a vehicle bug out kit. I have a larger bag for that.
I like the rollback cover above. But still am thinking matbe its better to not make anyone wonder whats under it. And show crap in the back. Like a blanket or plastic bags.
There are a few items I would not like to lose. Battery starter etc. The false floor storage unit is definitely in the future i think with the right carpet you couldn't even tell it wasn't just the bottom of the cargo area. But its an involved project. Won't happen for awhile.
Think distraction safe. What about a battered cardboard box marked "Donate to Goodwill"?
Quote from: majorhavoc on September 14, 2023, 06:45:07 PMThink distraction safe. What about a battered cardboard box marked "Donate to Goodwill"?
It's L A. They'd probably think they hit the motherlode
My Jeep TJ was gotten into a half a dozen times over the last couple years. But the doors were always unlocked. As the alternative was for them to simply slice my soft top with a knife to get in.
They couldn't easily get into my glove box. As it was a metal Tuffy security box. But they would ransack my console. Leaving paper and crap all over my seats. Nothing of value was ever left in there. And it was always unlocked too. As it was plastic and an easy open with a screwdriver. Which would have ruined the lock and lid.
I don't recall alot of peoples cars getting broken windows to break in. We occasionally see the random meth head on a bicycle with a backpack. I think at night they just ride around trying car doors to find unlocked ones.
I think for now the blanket and trash bags is the best idea. I'll get ine of those new duffle bags. It actually could probably fit all my tools and the backpack.
And building a storage floor long term.
Quote from: Moab on September 14, 2023, 06:10:14 PMQuote from: Rednex on September 14, 2023, 05:51:15 PMWell what tolls/ stuff do ya want/need in the jeep?
In my Xterra i put a cheap harbor freight tool kit ( on sale $20 bucks).
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/tool-sets/tool-set-with-case-130-piece-64263.html
Then in one of those small cloth tool bags i put a mallet, tape, big sockets for lug nuts, zip ties ect. then rolling around the back is a 24" breaker bar, tow strap, and jumper cable's in a case.
This is on the bottom, i have some empty walmart shopping on top to hide the stuff.
Ya. I was thinking about just putting it all in trash bags.
The GHB is worth more than the tools. Although I have not gathered it all. Lists made. And stuff in boxes or drawers to cull from. The tools are mostly cheap. Its more about the time and effort to collect it all.
I have a cheaper but solid backpack and the extras to go in it. Fire, food, water, cordiage, clothing, boots, rain cover etc. The ten Cs basically. With extra stuff added. Paper maps. Old phone with maps and information.
The tools and supplies are mostly fluids and emergency items. A small bag of tools for just basic stuff. It's more of an emergency vehicle kit than a vehicle bug out kit. I have a larger bag for that.
I like the rollback cover above. But still am thinking matbe its better to not make anyone wonder whats under it. And show crap in the back. Like a blanket or plastic bags.
There are a few items I would not like to lose. Battery starter etc. The false floor storage unit is definitely in the future i think with the right carpet you couldn't even tell it wasn't just the bottom of the cargo area. But its an involved project. Won't happen for awhile.
I had a GHB stolen out of the back of my SUV. I had forgotten to lock it. I've gone with the retractable cover and had no further problems.
My brother was staying with us and had left a decent amount of cash in the pocket of his driver's door. His car was also unlocked, but nothing was taken from it. His otherwise empty car was at the bottom of the driveway, while mine was at the top.
3 other cars in the area were hit, they were broken into.
My takeaway is this; if a thief sees something worth stealing, they're going to steal it. I don't think they're going to stop to imagine what could be covered up, because they're opportunistic and moving quickly. That's why they don't pry open trunks. They grabbed my Condor pack because it looked valuable, and passed over my brother's car because it looked empty.
My pack was recovered a few months later under a pile of leaves in my neighbor's yard. Fucker had dragged it across the street like a raccoon and gone through it, taken what they wanted, then tossed it. Sorry, I'm still mad about it.
If you're still not convinced, what about a retractable cover with a bunch of "trash" on top? Seriously. Best of both worlds. Think a few fast food wrappers, towels, maybe some crumpled shopping bags. If the back of your Jeep looks trashy, they might go right past it.
I remember reading a story in a book years ago from some biologists working in Africa. They'd had a whole supply run worth of stuff stolen out of their ancient Land Cruiser while they were inside a shop, but didn't know what to do about it (the truck didn't even have locks on it).
Later at their camp, they killed a deadly snake and decided to use it as a theft deterrent. After stuffing it, they would put it on top of their stuff in the back of the truck whenever they went into town. They had a good laugh one time when they saw someone checking the back hatch of the truck, only to jump away and run off. After that, nobody bothered their truck again. Apparently they'd gotten a bit of a reputation as a result! :smiley_clap:
QuoteWe occasionally see the random meth head on a bicycle with a backpack. I think at night they just ride around trying car doors to find unlocked ones.
Mostly this, but there are also organized gangs. They are going to go through everything in your Jeep in about 90 seconds if it is unlocked or easy to unlock. If they think they see something valuable they may force entry. A combination of locking and concealing tends to work best.
Quote from: Uomo Senza Nome on September 26, 2023, 10:19:44 PMQuoteWe occasionally see the random meth head on a bicycle with a backpack. I think at night they just ride around trying car doors to find unlocked ones.
Mostly this, but there are also organized gangs. They are going to go through everything in your Jeep in about 90 seconds if it is unlocked or easy to unlock. If they think they see something valuable they may force entry. A combination of locking and concealing tends to work best.
I found a black full size fleece blanket on Amazon tonite for less than $13. :)
I think for now I'm just gonna do the duffle bag under a black fleece blanket trick. Until I build one of those false floors. If I built the false floor out of metal I vould actually secure a firearm under there too.