Thieves breaking into the rear of the RAV4

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

 

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?
--
gburnore at DataBasix dot Com
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Per :

You need one of these: http://tinyurl.com/yesvz92

 

"Gary L. Burnore" wrote

Not if the trunk release lever is locked.

 

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.

 

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.
--
gburnore at DataBasix dot Com
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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

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.

 

Locks keep honest people honest

--

Hachiroku describing how he gets secret information from USENET posts:

More like proving you're an idiot that can't understand subliminals. Moron.

 

So do Rugers.

 

No, Rugers keep dishonest people honest when they're in close
proximity.
--
gburnore at DataBasix dot Com
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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.

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.

 

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.

 

first link
http://www.brandsport.com/toy-pt202-42970.html

 

Didn't read the thread, didja? Heh.
--
gburnore at DataBasix dot Com
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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

 

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 :

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/

 

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

--
gburnore at DataBasix dot Com
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