Leaving gear in the car? (theft?)

I usually never leave my camera anywhere.... BUT my wife and I are taking a 2 day trip here in June and will be doing this mud run thing. The day before we will be going to a Zoo and other things. So I really want to take my camera for the day before the run, but I am nervous to be leaving my camera in the car during the run. It could be in the car for 1-2 hours. Heat should not be an issue because it has been about 60 degrees here lately.

How do you guys feel about leaving your camera in the car? I do have insurance, but would still rather not have my stuff stolen :P.

You always have to worry about your equipment and anything else when leaving it in your car. Two things to think of 1. How important is it that you shoot at the zoo? 2. If it is important put your equipment in your trunk and park in a highly visible area. This is why we buy insurance.

Put your gear in a cooler in the trunk.

Whenever the wife and I travel, day trips, whatever, I am very aware of my camera equipment. If we stop somewhere, for lunch or something, where I leave my gear in the car, I make sure it is in the trunk or covered: definitely out of sight. My wife likes to drive most of the time. So when we walk away from the car, I usually stop and ask her "Aren't you going to lock the car? My camera gear is in there." Happens every time.

I bought one of these

http://www.homedepot.c​om …4&ci_gpa=pla#.U​aeIm2TtiGo

I drilled a hole is the side and added an eyelet bolt. Then used a bike cable lock to secure it inside my trunk. It is not full proof by any means, but will slow down a thief and stop the smash and grab type theft.

mmcguire wrote in post #15982809
I bought one of these

http://www.homedepot.c​om …4&ci_gpa=pla#.U​aeIm2TtiGo

I drilled a hole is the side and added an eyelet bolt. Then used a bike cable lock to secure it inside my trunk. It is not full proof by any means, but will slow down a thief and stop the smash and grab type theft.

Similar to this idea you can purchase an inexpensive plain metal toolbox from home depot or the like. Then, using some long self tapping screws, mount it in your trunk. ALWAYS look under your trunk and under the trunk liner to ensure you aren't going to drill through any wiring or fuel lines. Once mounted, padlock it. It would be nearly impossible for a thief to get in. With the mounting screws inside the toolbox a thief would need cutting tools to remove it. Without a bolt cutter, they can't open it. If you can do without a little bit of trunk space this is a GREAT way to store valuable items of any sort.

Something similar to this, just remove the tray:
http://www.homedepot.c​om …20/202279042#.U​aeL56K1Fns

bjbsav wrote in post #15981987
You always have to worry about your equipment and anything else when leaving it in your car. Two things to think of 1. How important is it that you shoot at the zoo? 2. If it is important put your equipment in your trunk and park in a highly visible area. This is why we buy insurance.

It is not very important to shoot at the zoo, but I do like to have my camera with me as much as possible. I hate going out without it, and then there being something that happens where having my camera would have been beneficial. For example.... recently I was in town and then the bridge on the freeway collapsed. I ran home... got my camera... drove back into town and got pictures of it.

JPMosu wrote in post #15982786
Whenever the wife and I travel, day trips, whatever, I am very aware of my camera equipment. If we stop somewhere, for lunch or something, where I leave my gear in the car, I make sure it is in the trunk or covered: definitely out of sight. My wife likes to drive most of the time. So when we walk away from the car, I usually stop and ask her "Aren't you going to lock the car? My camera gear is in there." Happens every time.

It's funny... when I do have my camera equipment in the car I am SUPER concerned. We may go into a grocery store... and I just cannot remember if I locked the car. So, I have to run all the way outside to check and see if it is locked hahahaha.

mmcguire wrote in post #15982809
I bought one of these

http://www.homedepot.c​om …4&ci_gpa=pla#.U​aeIm2TtiGo

I drilled a hole is the side and added an eyelet bolt. Then used a bike cable lock to secure it inside my trunk. It is not full proof by any means, but will slow down a thief and stop the smash and grab type theft.

carguy4471 wrote in post #15982843
Similar to this idea you can purchase an inexpensive plain metal toolbox from home depot or the like. Then, using some long self tapping screws, mount it in your trunk. ALWAYS look under your trunk and under the trunk liner to ensure you aren't going to drill through any wiring or fuel lines. Once mounted, padlock it. It would be nearly impossible for a thief to get in. With the mounting screws inside the toolbox a thief would need cutting tools to remove it. Without a bolt cutter, they can't open it. If you can do without a little bit of trunk space this is a GREAT way to store valuable items of any sort.

Something similar to this, just remove the tray:
http://www.homedepot.c​om …20/202279042#.U​aeL56K1Fns

Those are both great ideas! I will be doing one of these for sure! Thank you!!

I would like to try and do one of theses ideas but my trunk is too small.

In addition to the great advice already mentioned, be sure you put your gear in the truck in such a way that NOBODY sees you. Also, put it in there PRIOR to arriving at your destination.

With the insurance, use the basic advice here and enjoy the trip!

I put one of these in my jeep.

http://www.tuffyproduc​ts.com …ited-security-drawer.aspx

A little costly, but really leaves a comfy feeling knowing everything is double locked (Box and Tailgate)

Lots of room for gear and computer cases. Windows slide underneath when the top is down, and I don't worry about putting the top up everytime I stop somewhere, everything is in the box.

Now if only they made one big enough for my golf clubs!!!! (Chained in on mounted bolts in the box)

I don't know about using a lockable trunk box but I definitely like the idea of using a cooler in the trunk when it's hot out. That's what I do if my gear is going to be in the car during the summer months.. in Florida, that is a bit longer than some other places on the planet.

Woolburr wrote in post #15981995
Put your gear in a cooler in the trunk.

This. And if you don't have a Personal Articles Floater/Inland Marine insurance policy covering your gear, get one.

Most thieves wouldn't give a cooler a second look. Who wants to steal someone's day old potato salad?

LOL Woolburr.... and I hope people know I was referring to your post about the cooler in my first post. Someone suggested this method to me a few years ago and I've adopted it. It could have been you since it was here on POTN.

I've suggested it before. Thieves tend to grab shiny stuff first. A ratty old cooler hardly merits a second glance.