How do you secure stuff in your truck in urban areas?

I live in an fairly decent suburban area, but the crime rates here have been on the rise. Especially common are Catalytic Converter thefts from Prius, but I'm hoping new generation Tacomas are less vulnerable to this (please correct me if I'm wrong; I've only heard Prii having this problem). I've had a break-in in this area into my sedan several years ago and that has sorta left me always concerned about theft.

At the same time, I like to leave gear and shit in my vehicle so that it's "good to go" for camping trips on Friday or such. With my old sedan, this is not at all a problem -- the trunk is secure and inaccessible from the cabin and the beat-up old car I think tends to ward off any impression of value. But with a truck, what's the best way to secure stuff? Of course, I know that there is nothing that will prevent theft, but surely there are ways to make it harder and deter theft. Any advice on this front?

I ideally want my 6' bed to be usable lengthwise (I want to sleep in it), so a typical truck toolbox that mounts on the front end of the bed will not work for me. I'm instead looking to get a camper shell (which has windows with lids or at least window grills, maybe?). Is this a good theft deterrent?

N.B. The stuff I plan to "leave in" is most likely camping gear and some manual tools, although it might grow as I get used to the truck lifestyle.

PS: While we're on that topic -- I've heard differing opinions about wheel locks. Yay or nay?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...gen-tacoma-today.6499/page-4990#post-13375306

 

I have a long bed with a hard tonneau cover (Bakflip G2) and the OEM tailgate lock, so that when I lock the doors the tailgate locks also. Locking the tailgate and closing the cover basically locks the bed. While far from impossible to defeat, it does two things. One, it makes whatever, if anything, is in the bed a mystery since you can't see the bed. Two, they'd have to pry the tonneau cover free from the tailgate to get in, which would take a few extra seconds and possibly draw some attention. Hopefully the combination would make them move on to an easier target.

 

I have the long bed as well and have the OEM tailgate lock and the Bakflip MX4 for the same reasons stated above.

 

This is absolutely awesome! Do you have any bill of materials / DIY instructions?

 

Huh funny. My tailgate locks independently of the rest of the truck. Not sure if I'm missing an option, but anyway, I already hate the key fob business. (The old fashioned keys would transmit the RF signal only when asked to, giving a smaller window of opportunity for anyone to copy and break the codes; but this is awesome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r61umo5VL98).

 

^^I browsed YouTube yesterday and found a similar video with a young dude explaining the same thing. I tried it and turning the FOB key worked on my truck.

I bought the clamp that attaches to the gate to prevent tailgate theft from Chris. I've been using the FOB insert ket to lock the tailgate for the time being.

Ed

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I have a Sport. Not sure about your OR, but in mine I had to have the OEM tailgate lock added, it did not come with the truck. The cable connects in the front passenger side of the cab into the power door lock connector (plug and play, no splicing) so the door locks and tailgate lock all work together. Is it possible you don't have the OEM tailgate lock?

 

Interesting, considering yours is a 2021 as well. I have only the default tailgate lock that comes on 2021 Tacos, which is a basic key-lock on the tailgate. Doesn't sync with the rest of the truck doors. Like TacoTime55 says, I have to use the physical key that's inside the fob, or a spare physical key copy that was given to me, to unlock/lock it.

 

Yes, that's what I had originally. At first I thought I wouldn't need the power tailgate lock, but turning the key every time got old fast. I got the OEM power tailgate lock because it was plug n play vs the Pop and Lock aftermarket version. Here is a link to the OEM part. Note that there are different versions for the long vs short bed. The one in the link is for the long bed: https://toyotaparts.bochtoyotasouth...hdHIjcnaDy0amRmmDqcBu0bQ8_EpEjmRoCTxYQAvD_BwE

Here is an install video. The OEM install is pretty straight forward: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss-f-c7XHbM

 

Out of curiosity, what do you by ""doesn't sync with the rest of the doors"? Are you talking about an electrical lock vs. key lock. On my 21 the key in the fob as well as the extra key works all the locks on the truck.

 

I have a hard tonneau cover and a tailgate lock. Job done!

 

https://decked.com/products/decked-toyota-tacoma

 

I have a Leer 180 cap. Hope to install the OEM tailgate lock that locks with the doors. Will be applying reflective film on the inside of the cap's windows. When in sketchy locations I lock the cap's door. Between all of the above it helps to discourage (not absolutely stop) any interest in what I keep in the bed. Not foolproof (nothing really is), but I feel it's effective.

 

I do a lot of long road trips, MA to FL, sometimes overnighting in towns I know nothing about. While nothing is impenetrable, I’ve been very happy with my Retrax MX Pro retractable and lockable aluminum tonneau cover. When the tonneau and tailgate are locked I feel comfortable my gear is secure.

 

Thanks for that!

Not only will I have the clamp (from Chris) to prevent tailgate theft, I can add this OEM option to lock the tailgate.

Ed

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I agree that the tailgate lock should be upgraded to a power lock on the higher trim levels. It’s funny that my SR5 has a better experience in this regard; since I still have a regular turn-key ignition it’s easy for me to lock/unlock the tailgate (no fiddling to remove the key from the fob).

 

Having run a tonneau (Undercover SE) they work great but limit the already limited capacity of your bed since Tacomas are otherwise so narrow/shallow. If you have camping stuff and also want the ability to sleep back there, I think you are on the right track with the camper shell. Boxes or drawer units especially are going to take up a lot of already limited space. Personally I went with a RLD designs one because they are one piece and light weight while also being strong. Mine doesn't have any side windows, only the rear and I am confident leaving guns and hunting gear back there during trips to less savory places. The RLD cost a pretty penny, and camper shells in general do, but it is worth the investment for your application.

 

Crime has been going up in my area too. I have a lowmax hard trifold cover, because in the winter I do transport my snowboard. I keep the tailgate locked and the cover is always on the truck basically. That way I can keep stuff in the bed/under the cover. Its safer than a soft cover/roll up one but if someone really wants to go at it they could.

I actually did wheel locks this spring(had the truck for bit over 3 years) the reason for me was, it's so easy to take wheels off might as well just be annoying and hopefully they will leave it alone. It's a lot cheaper than replacing even just a tire. My spare is not locked, but I'd be interested in researching options.

 

I don’t worry about the catalytic converters, but generally do not leave anything in the truck.