Damage when parked in secluded areas?

[mcarey86]

It's a major issue around the Portland OR area. Punk kids drive around looking for vehicles parked at trail heads, smash out the windows and take everything not bolted down.

Utah has a similar problem in the popular areas.

 

[nb rob]

not my 4r,

but years ago I had my pickup truck broken in to at a parking area at a remote salmon pool.

I had a broken window, 3 rods and a bunch of reels, GPS, and waders stolen. There was gear from 4 people in my truck. Insurance claim was over $3k.

It's on the back of my mind every time I walk away from my vehicle in the whillywhacks now.

 

[05Rrunner]

It's a problem near my moms house in Pennsylvania if you go to the bike paths or hiking trail near her house everybody will warn you that your car will get broken into it's pretty sad I just stopped going . They recently posted signs

 

[1engineer]

It's a problem near my moms house in Pennsylvania if you go to the bike paths or hiking trail near her house everybody will warn you that your car will get broken into it's pretty sad I just stopped going . They recently posted signs

The OP used the word "secluded" in his title. By definition that means "away from people" and "hard to find." Geez, he might as well have titled it "Can my 4Runner get messed with by parking it at the mall" if you guys go to trails that are well traveled and popular or in or near major cities. Think. If you don't want to be messed with go to places very few people go, or to a SECLUDED spot. If you go where everyone else goes (local trail, near a city or town, etc) then you have the same identical problems of punk kids.

 

[acolle]

It's a major issue around the Portland OR area. Punk kids drive around looking for vehicles parked at trail heads, smash out the windows and take everything not bolted down.

Unfortunately this can be true. This is why I don't leave anything visible in my car/truck at any Portland trail head. Shit... People here will break a window, in front of your house, for an open gym bag... Full of dirty socks. And I'm a decent area.

 

[Vulgarian]

Depends on the area. I live in So. Cal. which is close to a lot of urbanized trail-heads. Some aren't bad, but others look like third world vacation spots replete with grandma sitting by the stream on the sofa they brought from home and watching the planted trout pick the corn from dirty diapers. This sucks of course as these used to be good places for a trail run. As pointed out, Google it.

 

[delloro]

Depends on the area. I live in So. Cal. which is close to a lot of urbanized trail-heads. Some aren't bad, but others look like third world vacation spots replete with grandma sitting by the stream on the sofa they brought from home and watching the planted trout pick the corn from dirty diapers. This sucks of course as these used to be good places for a trail run. As pointed out, Google it.

Lake Perris? :wow:

 

[gingervitis]

Actually...I've been responsible for most of my vehicle's body damage P Branches scratch up the pain you know ) luckily the scratches have all polished out...so far ;o)

Lucky.

 

[bernardmwrangle]

This can be an issue, there is not a lot you can do about it though. I frequent a semi-remote location, 4wd access only, where my family has a gold claim. There can be sketchy characters in remote areas of the Sierras, dope growers and meth heads. Over the years I have seen spare tires stolen, attempts to steal a battery, and attempts to siphon gas. All of these things are harder to do with modern vehicles like our 5th gens, which helps a lot. The number one rule is the same rule I use when parking in the City - never leave anything in the car that is valuable or you don't want stolen. I also try to keep the rig lowpro, I don't have any bumper stickers or license plate frames showing where I am from, that i support Trout Unlimited or Surfrider, etc., and in spite of the fact that my vehicle has a few mods I try to keep it looking as stock as possible, no flash. This applies for Baja too, stealth as much as possible. I don't have any evidence that this helps, might just be superstition on my part.

Oh, and I have seen a bear have a go at a camper shell! Don't leave In N Out leftovers in your rig either...

 

[CO-Cygnus]

I've never had a problem, but never underestimate how shitty people can be. It's always a chance, but don't stress out over it.

 

[JB.]

Damage when parked in secluded areas?

Nope (knock on wood). Lots of reps, too.

I never enjoy leaving my truck in remote places....but whadya gonna do? I don't enjoy scratching it up either, but I'm either going to use it a certain way or not.

Sometimes it crosses my mind is when it's very remote and cold. Coming back to a missing vehicle would be life threatening.

But that's admittedly not overly rational. If it's remote and cold and snowy, that seriously cuts down even further on the probabilities. It serves as a good reminder to me that if I'm wasting brain space on it, I'm no doubt missing an opportunity to consider things that really do matter.

 

[05Rrunner]

The OP used the word "secluded" in his title. By definition that means "away from people" and "hard to find." Geez, he might as well have titled it "Can my 4Runner get messed with by parking it at the mall" if you guys go to trails that are well traveled and popular or in or near major cities. Think. If you don't want to be messed with go to places very few people go, or to a SECLUDED spot. If you go where everyone else goes (local trail, near a city or town, etc) then you have the same identical problems of punk kids.

First how can you reason that my mom does not live near a very secluded area? Again what we have here is you assuming you know everything. And we've already tried to teach you what the word assume means .

 

[1engineer]

It's a problem near my moms house in Pennsylvania if you go to the bike paths or hiking trail near her house everybody will warn you that your car will get broken into it's pretty sad I just stopped going . They recently posted signs

First how can you reason that my mom does not live near a very secluded area? Again what we have here is you assuming you know everything. And we've already tried to teach you what the word assume means .

se·clud·ed
səˈklo͞odəd/
adjective
adjective: secluded

(of a place) not seen or visited by many people; sheltered and private.

I looked it up and didn't assume this time lol. If everyone knows about it then it isn't secluded and you can expect more trouble.

 

[SierraMare]

Luckily, I have never been a victim of a car clout during my many remote forays. Remoteness helps, but so does keeping anything of remote value out of the vehicle (or cleverly hidden out of sight inside).

That said, when traveling to new areas I like to stop by the local managing land agency for info, and I always inquire if there have been any rash of recent car break ins. Some areas/parking lots have a history of car clouts, and the local managing agency can advise you on this. Many agencies will also post signs at remote lots warning about car break ins - I always take these seriously.

For example, when I worked for the National Park Service in the early 90's we would get weekly LE updates from NPS managed areas around the nation. I noticed that Canyon de Chelly NM in Arizona seemed to have a lot of car clouts, seemingly a chronic issue there. A NPS LE ranger friend of mine told me whenever parking in a remote area parking lot to take a look around, specifically for broken window glass, a sure sign of a recent car clout.

Be aware, don't be a victim...

 

[mlc2000]

The most I get around here is accidental vandalism. That is, "I will pull into this empty lot and park right next to that 4runner. Oh boy it feels good to get out and stretch my legs. I will just open the door real wide" and then BAM! I get dinged.

Happens in the store parking lots a lot in my area as well, so i'm used to it. I'm not happy about it, but I expect it.