Thieves breaking into the rear of the RAV4

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condor_222

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Dear RAV4 owners,

I currently have a sedan with a trunk,
where the valuables are locked.
Bicycle (but it's really a tight fit).
Shoulder bag which is always with me.
Cameras. Laptop. Etc.

I'm thinking of getting a RAV4 for the bigger
towing capacity (6 x 12 trailer from UHaul),
and cargo area it has.

But you always see signs at garages, to take the
valuables out of your car. I'm thinking that if
I get a RAV4, I won't be able to leave any
valuables in the "trunk" anymore.

Years ago, a photographer friend of mine had a
station wagon, and parked all her camera gear in
the back. Theives broke in, and stole all the gear. :( In broad daylight.

I spoke to a sales rep at a Toyota dealer last night.
He said that there is no privacy cover for
the RAV4, like there is with some hatchbacks.

Does anyone know of an aftermarket cover that is available?

On the other hand, just having a privacy cover
might invite thieves to break in, even if there was
nothing of value.

What are your experience with valuables in the rear
and your RAV4 getting broke into?

If I get a RAV4, do I give up the ability to leave
valuables in the car? I will be travelling to places
I have never been to before, and so I will not
know safe the areas will be.

Other thoughts: If I put the bicycle inside, they
can see that it's a bicycle. Same for a laptop,
or camera. Blankets.

What if I put the valuables in simple apple boxes, and
mark them "charity" or something?

I welcome your experiences and advise.

Key search words: steal, stole, stolen, vandals, vandalism
 
Dear RAV4 owners,

I currently have a sedan with a trunk,
where the valuables are locked.
Bicycle (but it's really a tight fit).
Shoulder bag which is always with me.
Cameras. Laptop. Etc.

I'm thinking of getting a RAV4 for the bigger
towing capacity (6 x 12 trailer from UHaul),
and cargo area it has.

But you always see signs at garages, to take the
valuables out of your car. I'm thinking that if
I get a RAV4, I won't be able to leave any
valuables in the "trunk" anymore.

Years ago, a photographer friend of mine had a
station wagon, and parked all her camera gear in
the back. Theives broke in, and stole all the gear. :( In broad daylight.

I spoke to a sales rep at a Toyota dealer last night.
He said that there is no privacy cover for
the RAV4, like there is with some hatchbacks.
Click to expand...

Wonder why they stopped making them. Our Rav4 had them. (2006)
Does anyone know of an aftermarket cover that is available?
Google?

On the other hand, just having a privacy cover
might invite thieves to break in, even if there was
nothing of value.
Click to expand...

Nah. Not usually.
What are your experience with valuables in the rear
and your RAV4 getting broke into?

If I get a RAV4, do I give up the ability to leave
valuables in the car? I will be travelling to places
I have never been to before, and so I will not
know safe the areas will be.
Click to expand...

So if you got a sedan and they broke out a window and popped the trunk from inside the car, you'd still lose it.
Other thoughts: If I put the bicycle inside, they
can see that it's a bicycle. Same for a laptop,
or camera. Blankets.

What if I put the valuables in simple apple boxes, and
mark them "charity" or something?
Heh.

I welcome your experiences and advise.

Key search words: steal, stole, stolen, vandals, vandalism
Click to expand...

Search words?
 
Per :
I spoke to a sales rep at a Toyota dealer last night.
He said that there is no privacy cover for
the RAV4, like there is with some hatchbacks.

Does anyone know of an aftermarket cover that is available?
Click to expand...

You need one of these: http://tinyurl.com/yesvz92
 
"Gary L. Burnore" wrote
So if you got a sedan and they broke out a window and popped the trunk from inside the car, you'd still lose it.
Click to expand...

Not if the trunk release lever is locked.
 
On the other hand, just having a privacy cover
might invite thieves to break in, even if there was
nothing of value.
Click to expand...

The point of the privacy cover is, they're risking serious consequences if they gamble wrong, break in, find nothing there, and still get caught.

It's far easier for them to move on to the next victim with a known quantity--someone who has put camera gear into the back of an uncovered station wagon, perhaps. Then it's all a known risk, and they'll take that.
 
"Gary L. Burnore" wrote

Not if the trunk release lever is locked.
Click to expand...

Didja ever look at the trunk release lock? Surrounded by plastic, a simple turn with a screwdriver breaks it. & how about those like my Lexus with the button in the glove compartment? Oh yeah, that'd be hard to bust. NOT.

If someone wants your stuff. They're gonna get it.
 
I spoke to a sales rep at a Toyota dealer last night.
He said that there is no privacy cover for
the RAV4, like there is with some hatchbacks.
Click to expand...

Did you actually look inside a RAV4? According to the Toyota web site, the tonneau cover is optional on base RAV4s, and *standard equipment* on the higher trim levels, unless you get the third-row seat option.

There's also an under-floor storage bin for compact items:
http://www.toyota.com/img/vehicles/2010/rav4/gallery/full/int_image21.jpg
On the other hand, just having a privacy cover
might invite thieves to break in, even if there was
nothing of value.
Click to expand...

Most SUVs have heavily tinted windows nowadays. If the vehicle you buy doesn't, you can always get them tinted. The tonneau cover is really secondary.

Note: professional thieves will have their "work area" under watch. They will notice you if you load valuables into the vehicle. Sometimes the parking garage security guard is in on it as well. So there is a level of risk regardless of whether you have a sedan or SUV.
 
Didja ever look at the trunk release lock? Surrounded by plastic, a simple turn with a screwdriver breaks it. & how about those like my Lexus with the button in the glove compartment? Oh yeah, that'd be hard to bust. NOT.

If someone wants your stuff. They're gonna get it.
Click to expand...

Locks keep honest people honest

Message-ID: said:
They also have an amazing propensity for proving me right.
Click to expand...

More like proving you're an idiot that can't understand subliminals. Moron.
 
Dear RAV4 owners,

I currently have a sedan with a trunk,
where the valuables are locked.
Bicycle (but it's really a tight fit).
Shoulder bag which is always with me.
Cameras. Laptop. Etc.

I'm thinking of getting a RAV4 for the bigger
towing capacity (6 x 12 trailer from UHaul),
and cargo area it has.

But you always see signs at garages, to take the
valuables out of your car. I'm thinking that if
I get a RAV4, I won't be able to leave any
valuables in the "trunk" anymore.

Years ago, a photographer friend of mine had a
station wagon, and parked all her camera gear in
the back. Theives broke in, and stole all the gear. :( In broad daylight.

I spoke to a sales rep at a Toyota dealer last night.
He said that there is no privacy cover for
the RAV4, like there is with some hatchbacks.

Does anyone know of an aftermarket cover that is available?

On the other hand, just having a privacy cover
might invite thieves to break in, even if there was
nothing of value.

What are your experience with valuables in the rear
and your RAV4 getting broke into?

If I get a RAV4, do I give up the ability to leave
valuables in the car? I will be travelling to places
I have never been to before, and so I will not
know safe the areas will be.

Other thoughts: If I put the bicycle inside, they
can see that it's a bicycle. Same for a laptop,
or camera. Blankets.

What if I put the valuables in simple apple boxes, and
mark them "charity" or something?

I welcome your experiences and advise.
Click to expand...
Key search words: steal, stole, stolen, vandals, vandalism
Click to expand...

Dark window tint. Check with your state/city PD first. Car alarm. Park where people tend to be. Take your easily carried valuables with you.
 
If someone wants your stuff. They're gonna get it.
So do Rugers.
Click to expand...

The whole point of things like the covers mentioned is to prevent people from knowing you have stuff, and thereby preventing them from wanting it in the first place.

This is far more effective than anything like locks or guns.
--scott
 
If these thieves want to get in, they WILL get in .
Make sure your goodies are insured, get a good alarm system, be careful where you park, or take your stuff with you when you go.

I have a convertible. It would be foolish of me to even lock the doors, so I take everything into my house, or hotel if I am traveling.

I have seen people use wire cages to "seal" off the baggage area in suvs and station wagons. Even wire security panels in the windows.. Too much sugar for a nickel..They would probably still get in if they wanted to.
 
hls said:
If these thieves want to get in, they WILL get in . Make sure your goodies are insured, get a good alarm system, be careful where you park, or take your stuff with you when you go.
Click to expand...

That is the way I look at it, Take it with you if you can and have good insurance. I have seen on TV a demonstration where someone runs to the side of a car stopped at a light or stop sign and throws a rock at the side window. It shatters and he just reaches in and gets whatever is on the seat or pokes a gun at you and tells you to get out. The whole thing is over in a few seconds.
 
Gary said:
Wonder why they stopped making them. Our Rav4 had them. (2006)

Nah. Not usually.

So if you got a sedan and they broke out a window and popped the trunk from inside the car, you'd still lose it.

Search words?
Click to expand...

first link
http://www.brandsport.com/toy-pt202-42970.html
 
I spoke to a sales rep at a Toyota dealer last night.
He said that there is no privacy cover for
the RAV4, like there is with some hatchbacks.
Click to expand...

Go back and ask the salesman about the Tonneau Cover. Toyota refers to the privacy cover as a Tonneau Cover. It is available for all 2 rows eat models (not available if you get the third row seating model).

Ed
 
Didja ever look at the trunk release lock? Surrounded by plastic, a simple turn with a screwdriver breaks it.& how about those like my Lexus with the button in the glove compartment? Oh yeah, that'd be hard to bust. NOT.

If someone wants your stuff. They're gonna get it.
Click to expand...

On our old Camry you can prevent the seats from being folded down and you can lock the trunk so the trunk release does not open it. The latch is surrounded by steel. No, it's not high security but it at least is more secure than leaving stuff uncovered.

On my old Land Cruiser FJ60, which lacked a cargo cover, I built one. It was designed to cover the rear area both with and without the rear seat folded down. It was also strong enough to sleep on top of. I used hollow doors supported by a frame going down to the floor. It was useful for camping to have a storage area under the cover.
 
Per :
I'm thinking that if
I get a RAV4, I won't be able to leave any
valuables in the "trunk" anymore.
Click to expand...

Check out the FJ Cruiser fora for threads on cargo carrying.

FJ users seem to carry a lot of stuff - yet have very little cargo space and consequently they come up with some pretty elegant-looking solutions; most of which obscure at least some of the cargo.

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/general-discussion/
 
On our old Camry you can prevent the seats from being folded down Screwdriver.

and
you can lock the trunk so the trunk release does not open it. The latch is surrounded by steel.
Screwdriver.

No, it's not high security but it at least is
more secure than leaving stuff uncovered.
Click to expand...

First thing you've said that's really useful.
 
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