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It is fairly common practice to drive to a trailhead, park your vehicle and then go backpacking for a while. It would be a real bummer to come back from a trip and find that your vehicle has been broken into.

Are there any tips to reduce the likelihood of this happening?

Charlie Brumbaugh
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13 Answers13

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One of the deciding factors for thieves with cars is whether they can see something they consider of value. If they have it fixed in their minds to breaking into your vehicle, they will do it.

Here is a few things I do to avoid such misfortunes:

  • Park your vehicle in the best open and visual spot possible so that thieves would be deterred from being spotted while in a commission of a crime.
  • If you think there are some things that may be more interesting to thieves, cover them with some sort of junk looking objects.
  • I have a friend who never takes new tools in his pick up and he puts pink paint on them as an additional measures against thieves.
  • I made a center console covering out of vinyl, in order that people looking into my vehicle can not see what I have between the front seats. The vinyl covering is of the same color as the rest of the interior of my vehicle.
  • On some trailheads there are signs to remind people to keep their cars locked when absent from their vehicle. Snatch and grab is the biggest and easiest way for thieves to take what they want.
  • Another way to stop "snatch and grab" is to anchor some of your belonging with a cable to something solid in the vehicle.
  • Do not leave valuables in your vehicles. If possible leave them at home or keep them on your person.
Ken Graham
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    This is a great list but I disagree with point two. Rather than covering up something valuable with junk you should keep your car extremely clean so the thief can see there is nothing of value in the car. –  Mar 06 '17 at 19:45
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    I agree with @DanK here regarding half covering items as my step mum once had her car broken into - they stole a bag that was tucked under the front seat. Full of nappies, creams, wipes... not what the thief thought it would be! Which is why I always stick stuff in the boot if it has to be in the car. – Aravona Mar 07 '17 at 08:59
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    The pink paint is pretty useful when you spill your toolbag into the long grass, too. – Toby Speight Feb 16 '18 at 15:02
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It sounds counter intuitive but leave everything inside the car open, i.e. the boot cover glove box, etc. Make it obvious that there is nothing worth stealing inside (and obviously don't leave anything worth stealing).

Don't worry about them stealing your car, this is practically impossible with modern security devices (the only way to steal a car these days is by stealing the key due to immobilisers, etc).

Still doesn't protect you from random acts of senseless vandalism but, well nothing can do this really.

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The existing answers by Ken and Liam offer good advice. But unfortunately there is nothing you can do to prevent break ins. Thieves can be surprisingly stupid.

True story...

A friend of mine drove her jeep wrangler with a soft top to the trail head and parked it before going on a hike. The roof is canvas and the back side window unzips FROM THE OUTSIDE. She left the doors unlocked, so if someone felt a strong urge to rifle through her jeep they would not be inconvenienced and feel the need to damage the canvas top.

The thief did not even try the door, nor did they unzip the side window. They used a knife to slice through the back side window (plastic). Opened the (already unlocked) door from inside and rifled through the jeep finding nothing worthy of stealing.

No there is nothing you can do, to prevent breakins, even leaving the doors unlocked will not prevent a break in.

Image link of similar vehicle: Jeep Wrangler.

enter image description here

Ken Graham
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James Jenkins
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    In good weather you could leave the windows open. – Random832 Mar 06 '17 at 18:19
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    @Random832 - That's the only reliable answer to the question; remove the thing that they have to break. – Mazura Mar 07 '17 at 01:12
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    In Mayotte (small French island), smash & grab are so common that people always leave their cars unlocked so the thieves can open the car and check by themselves that there's nothing of value there. It takes a while to get used to. Even knows someone who found a sleeping kid in her car in the morning (kid bolted). It also takes a while to adjust back when coming home. – Matthieu M. Mar 07 '17 at 09:36
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    @Random832 its a jeep, in good weather you can leave the doors at home. – James Jenkins Feb 09 '18 at 13:38
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Basically, the same rules as elsewhere apply. I’d stick with those:

  • If possible, do not leave anything of value in the car. They can’t take what’s not there.
  • Also avoid leaving hints of something valuable being in the car. For example, a few years back in Milan, the general advice was not to leave a suction cup holder for a sat-nav on the windshield, as would-be thieves might (and frequently did) infer the sat-nav might be in the car.
  • Leave the inside of the car visible. If you have a station wagon with a trunk cover, pull it back so everyone can see from the outside there’s nothing in the trunk. (Again, common advice in some parts of Italy.) Opening the glove compartment and armrest/center console cover is also a good idea. Anything that looks secured may hint at valuables and attract thieves.
  • If you do need to leave valuables in the car, hide them under some other object (which should not look like its sole purpose is to conceal valuables). A simple blanket, cheap jacket or the like might work. Taking your valuables with you, or leaving them at home in the first place, is still safer.
  • Anticipate being watched: Some thieves observe their targets and strike as soon as they are away. Don’t give any signs of leaving objects of value behind in the car (such as tucking away a cell or purse).
  • Avoid being the lowest-hanging fruit. If you can, park close to a car that looks like an easier or more desirable target.
  • If you are positively sure you have nothing inside your car that you aren’t ready to part with, you can consider leaving the car unlocked. This allows would-be thieves to rifle through your car without having to damage it. Do note, however, that you may be liable in some legislations: If the car is stolen, you may lose insurance coverage and might even be liable it the thief causes an accident with it (as you didn’t take necessary precautions). Some states, like Germany, even fine drivers for parking a car without locking it. Use this one with caution and check local laws and practice.

Still, as everywhere, there is no 100% security. At the best, these things reduce the likelihood of something happening.

user149408
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One thing that has not been mentioned is to consider which trail head you park at. Some trails/areas have multiple trail heads. If you have a choice in trail head, it is worth talking to locals to determine if any are particularly problematic.

In my experience the most problematic trail heads are those with easy access. What this means is that often if the only available trail heads are problematic, that there are alternatives to parking directly at the trail head. Sometimes you can park in town (e.g., Walmart in the US or an outfitters) and catch a shuttle, hitch, carpool, or even bicycle to the trail head.

StrongBad
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If you can't leave the car empty-looking, at least don't load the storage up at the trailhead. There was a spate of thefts a few years ago on Dartmoor where car parks were watched for signs of valuables being tucked away, then a window was smashed and the items stolen. This was the sort of place where cars are parked for hours rather than days. In our case they knew which side to smash to be able to reach a handbag. This was an estate car with a soft luggage cover; that seemed to be a bit of a theme when I looked into it after the event.

So instead, get your bags ready before the drive, and pick them up off the back seat when you leave the car. Any valuables you want on the drive should go with you. Then leave nothing on show that could look like it might hold valuables.

Chris H
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    This is a follow-up answer to @Liam's answer, for cases when you can't leave the car empty (personal example -- day hiking on the drive back to an airport for an overnight flight) – Chris H Mar 06 '17 at 16:56
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    estate car = station wagon – Martin F Mar 06 '17 at 22:39
  • @MartinF thanks. I thought it meant some sort of luxury car that would be seen on a fancy estate or manor. The soft luggage cover bit makes more sense now. – Erik Feb 15 '18 at 17:16
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There ain't no way man...As Mr. Miyagi would say, "the best defense against a would be car vandal is no be there."

I propose a different solution than others would:

I never have that problem because I do not park at trailheads. We have been known to pull our 1999 Toyota Corolla off the dirt road we were on ( another tip: find those dirt roads! ) and cover it up, even if it meant building a small lean to over it. Since we were already driving in a very deserted area not turning off a major highway and into a crowded trailhead we would just camp close to the car and we have never had a problem.

Sometimes, I bike to the trailhead after parking in Walmart's heavily watched parking lot a mile or so away. Or, I sometimes leave the car at home and bike all the way. Yea, down the trail and off of it too a good mountain bike will go.

bobbym
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    This answer might be region-dependent: in my country I'd say Walmart-like parkings are way unsafer that trailheads. – Pere Mar 07 '17 at 20:24
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    @Pere: And in my part of the US, trailheads are generally much more than a mile from a WalMart parking lot. I know one that's only about 10 miles, but also about 2000 ft elevation gain :-) – jamesqf Mar 07 '17 at 20:42
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    @Pere Hi; Yes, you have to know where you are at. The good book says, "If thine eye offends thee, pluck it out." Likewise, If the car being parked at the trailhead is the problem, then do not park it there or do not take the car. There are enough hassles on the trail to deal with, let them be enough. – bobbym Mar 07 '17 at 20:44
  • @jamesqf I live in Florida and am lucky enough to have a Walmart about a mile from the beginnings of the Ocala National Forest. There are some dangers though, sometimes I stop in the Walmart on the way back and buy something. – bobbym Mar 07 '17 at 20:48
  • Your answer is, essentially, "hike from places other than trailheads," and I don't think that's really what the question is looking for. Typically, one chooses where to hike, and then looks for a parking place; you seem to be advocating doing the opposite. What about people who want to hike more than walking distance from the nearest mall, more than cycling distance from home, and don't want to spend however long it takes to camouflage their car? (And parking outside designated areas might not even be permitted.) – David Richerby Mar 07 '17 at 22:02
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    Getting a ride to the start of the tramp/hike track is a workable solution. However getting out again might mean you have to carry a phone to call for your ride. – Criggie Mar 07 '17 at 23:44
  • @David Richerby I think I already answered the question directly, there is no way to prevent a thief from breaking into your car. He will use a hammer or a crowbar on your windows if he/she wants in. Sometimes, there is no parking at the trailhead and you must get someone to drop you off and pick you up. Happens on the FT all the time. For people who do not want to do any of the things that have been suggested by myself and others must accept that leaving your auto unattended for hours puts it at risk. – bobbym Mar 08 '17 at 00:37
  • @bobbym Although the title question asks the impossible ("prevent" theft), the question in the body merely asks about reducing the likelihood, which is far from impossible. And I don't see how it's relevant that some trailheads don't have parking. The question is clearly asking about trailheads that do have parking: it would be nonsensical to ask how to reduce the risk of thefts when parking one's car in a place where it can't be parked. – David Richerby Mar 08 '17 at 00:57
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    @ David Richerby I only mentioned that to show that there are other alternatives to bringing your car if you are worrying about it. Many trailheads have signs warning you of recent thefts and vandalism, because there is parking there that does not mean you have to. – bobbym Mar 08 '17 at 01:02
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If your vehicle has a trunk that can't be reached from the cabin, then physically disable the trunk release lever by detaching the cable. Objects in your trunk will only be accessible with a key, or by a very determined thief with a crowbar.

Bryan Roach
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The biggest thing is to plan ahead. Whether you are going to a trail head or to a show in the city... Don't think that a towel for a cover or sliding it under a seat will work. Stow stuff in your trunk before arriving. And hopefully you have a lock on your trunk button.

Sean Kelly
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Great suggestions here; I would add I concur with the leaving car empty of all valuables, glovebox open. Additionally, you could buy a car camera with live feed and GPS capabilities. They are available and not too expensive. A "warning sticker" or two, placed prominently, might do the trick just as well. Akin to putting a security sign on your lawn and decals in the windows of your home. It has deterrent value and potential thieves may well go for a less intimidating vehicle.

Window Decal

M.Mat
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  • While a good suggestion, it is not going to add value if the thieves know that cell reception is poor in the area. If they know there is no Cell reception it is a big sticker that says the system is in the car, and unprotected. – James Jenkins Mar 09 '17 at 14:23
  • Not cell...satellite. – M.Mat Mar 09 '17 at 14:26
  • The GPS satellite, tells the system where the system is at. If it is live feed, it is either using a cell signal to send the feed to where it can be monitored, or it using more expensive satellite phone systems. If neither is is just making a recording that is in the car/device that will be gone when the thief steals it, they need only turn it off or remove power, so it does not broadcast when moved back into cell reception. – James Jenkins Mar 09 '17 at 14:31
  • Gotcha. Point is to deter a thief. Most would rather break-in to a less assuming vehicle. As many here have stated, if someone wants to break-in, they will regardless. OP asking for deterrent suggestions, this is one. – M.Mat Mar 09 '17 at 14:38
  • Understood, for some thiefs it will be a deterrent for others it be an invitation. At Wallmart, this has high potential, at trail head in the Olympic national forest it is an invitation Remember: you can't count on cell phone coverage in remote areas! – James Jenkins Mar 09 '17 at 14:43
  • Around here, most trailheads don't have cell phone signal. 2) The stickers would seem to be an invitation to the thieves to break in and steal the fancy GPS/camera system :-)
    • – jamesqf Mar 09 '17 at 19:37