RTT Theft Protection
 

RTT Theft Protection

So I have been thinking about getting a Victory rack, and I will be mounting a RTT. Currently I have a Rhino

Reading through info one thing popped up that I have not seen before that I thought I should mention. On racks like Victory, SSO, etc the rails attach on each side with button head cap screws

A review on another rack mention how easy it was to remove for storage and just leave the rails attached to the rack for easy on/off. Well...that also means SUPER easy theft with just removing 8 easy to access bolts.

So I would at least look into theft resistant SS bolts in those locations. McMaster Carr has a lot of options. Hope this saves someones RTT!



McMaster-Carr

I use the quick release tent mounts on a Frontrunner rack, doesn't get any easier than that for someone to undo.

I would suspect that RTT thefts are pretty rare. It would take a team of people to steal it and a big vehicle to get away. it isn't something someone can wing, they would need to plan it. I guess if you are parking in same spot outside every day and they knew it, maybe.

Fastenal has security nuts too. Which I currently use along with 2 Masterlock Python locks.

Professional thieves will always have the tools to get what they want. But stopping opportunity theft / meth heads is what I worry about most.

Like most things Masterlock... that product provides little to no security. Its embarrassing how bad it is because I can get into it as fast as you can with a key.

Start at 2:00 mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tFKmaRm4ms

Don't feel bad, everything ML sucks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5jzHw3lXCQ

I have a lot of really good locks, but I do like Bolt Lock for truck stuff because you can use your 4Runner key and simplify key management. I use one for my hitch receiver lock.

Toyota Vehicle Applications :: BOLT Lock

I replaced all of my Victory 4x4 roof rack button head screws with powder coated stainless steel spanner security screws from route66mods.com They don’t stock them regularly, but they ordered them directly from McMaster Carr and powder coated for about the same cost as the rest of their screws.

The driver bit for those screws is almost impossible to find locally, so most people won’t have one available. Not perfect, but at least it’s a deterrent. My goal is to make it a little bit of a pain in the a$$.

The most expensive thing I stand to lose is a rotopax gas can or a high lift jack if the thief just happens to have a #14 bit and wants to go through the trouble.

Ultimately, if a serious thief wants it, no lock or security measure will stop them.

You are more likely to have your entire vehicle stolen than just some gear off the truck.

I don’t know about you guys but I have pretty good theft coverage which includes most all my additional aftermarket equipment which is physically bolted to the truck.

Honestly? I wouldn't worry about it. The tents are kind of a ***** to mount/dismount from the racks on the 4Runner. If someone has the time/dedication/manpower to steal mine, they can have it. My insurance will get me a new one :shrug:

Love Route66mods (pcbolts). I have had him PC my wheel faux bead lock bolts, rack hardware, Baja light hardware, C4 ladder hardware, etc. No fading, no chipping, perfect, with great customer service. Really affordable to boot

Are these rust proof?

They’re powder coated 304(18/8) series stainless steel. They’re not 316 series marine stainless, but they’re about as rust resistant as any factory roof rack hardware.

Jeez that's crazy it's that easy to open. I would have thought they learned from the U-lock opened with a ballpoint pen back in the 90's to make better locks. Back to the drawing board.

You don’t drive around Miami much do you? People come out of the mall to find their Tundra sitting in the parking lot with both catalytic converters cut out with a cordless sawzall. If it’s not secure, it gets stripped. If it’s secured and valuable enough it gets cut off with a cordless saw.

A couple years ago, thieves were breaking into South FL boat storage yards and chopping outboard motors off boat transoms with chainsaws. They would just drop them into a pickup bed and drive away.

I have theft coverage, but there’s no way I’m submitting an insurance claim for under $1000 unless I want to get a huge rate increase or potentially cancelled.

If I can convince a thief to move to an easier target I’ll at least try to slow them down a bit. Plus I like the look of the powder coated machine screws.

I don't disagree with your thought process at all... but there comes a point where all this worry gets in the way of trying to enjoy your stuff. Really how do you secure a catalytic converter. And yes I've even heard stories of them getting cut out on your own driveway.

Lets just leave it at there is a balance to be had when it comes to security. Being a harder target is a valid method, but even I have fallen into the trap of trying to secure my stuff to the point it becomes an inconvenience.

I even had a cardboard box over my ARB fridge to hide my fridge. Call it something I did during the honeymoon period. At this point I just stopped caring. Looking back at it, it seems a bit ridiculous.

That said, I don't take my 4Runner to the mall.

Amen brother!

Wow!! That's pretty incredible.

I've thought about RTT security a lot in the past, but then just gave up. You can cut the cross bars off, or unbolt them. You can undo the bolts that clamp the tent rails to the cross bars. You can use bolt cutters to cut one bolt from each of the 4 mounts, and slide the other part out of the way....

One way or another, if someone wants it, they'll figure out how to get it off pretty quick, and they won't have any regard for your paint, or scratching the car, while they do it either...

I've seen some hard shells that have the cross bars of the tent embedded into the base, so those would be harder to get to, but then there's till the actual cross bars of the rack that could be taken off.

Moral of the story is: Whatever can be bolted-on can be bolted-off just as easily.