How much is theft of "big items" a problem?
Posted by brainhack3r@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 37 comments
I think a lot of people have commented about how their bikes have been stolen in the past.
Obviously, bike theft is a problem in most major cities.
I was thinking about getting a kayak, though, and I'm not sure what would happen to it if I had to leave it for a few hours.
I don't know how much of a market there is for kayaks, but it also made me think how much of a problem am I going to have with theft, in general.
For context, I'm working on converting to living out of a 24/7 overlanding setup.
So I think this is going to become a problem eventually.
I’m not planning to bounce around from city to city over short intervals. Instead, I’ll stay in one place for about 2-6 months each.
I’m going to rent a storage unit and keep a lot of secondary gear in it. Storage units are pretty cheap, so I’m thinking about stashing the kayak there. However, sometimes it's going to be out in the back country for a few days and it would be nice to just leave it there.
DudeWhereIsMyDuduk@reddit
I've gone thousands of miles with a four-figure composite boat on the roof. Never had any issues.
Accurate-Panic7606@reddit
I kinda go by the fact i want to keep my transportation first. Even if the windows are blown out if I can drive it home with family at least there is less hassle vs walking, renting, flying ect. Next up is making the most valuable things disappear and not in the most obvious places. If I don't want cash with the activities I am doing then it disappears some where safe in the vehicle or maybe even along side a road if out in the sticks in a zip lock bag.
Then have the items that cost a fair amount like my fridge are bolted down inside. So they have to break a window and unbolt things - slows them down.
The outside items like storage cases are filled with the cheaper things yet like sleeping bags, used boots, dirty cloths, a composting toilet (steal it with my crap in it if you thing you need it). All of those things looks cheaper and also have cheap locked all keyed alike. You want it an expensive lock - takes a few seconds longer to open but shows you have something more expensive being locked up. I also keeps my rig slightly dusty/dirty and everything is a dull black or gray to not be flashy. I want it to appear i want to steal your stuff - from being poor.
Lastly know where you are parking and keep eye sight on things if possible. Some cities is have been threw i just stay at the rig while the family tours around
clauderbaugh@reddit
I've always run with the idea that if I put it high enough they won't bother (as much). When I've run kayaks in the past, they've been on top of my rig, which is also on top of a RTT which also has cross bars. I'm 6'5" and if I think it's a PITA to put up there and lock down then chances are a shorter person who is also a criminal looking for a quick score wouldn't like to scale a vehicle and try to awkwardly cut locks.
Oh, I also put one of these stickers on all of my kayaks:
brainhack3r@reddit (OP)
I was thinking of putting tons of pro-gun stickers on my truck and make it look like I'm an insane lunatic gun nut.
:-P
MojaveMac@reddit
That’s a great way to encourage people to break into your rig to steal guns
brainhack3r@reddit (OP)
Honestly I thought about that too BUT guns aren't insanely expensive and you're advertising risk so not sure.
MojaveMac@reddit
These days people are so crazy that I don’t put stickers of any kind on my vehicle. I don’t want someone to assume my politics and then damage my car. But yeah, ask your favorite AI bot if adding a gun sticker makes it more likely for your car to get broken into and report back.
Accurate-Panic7606@reddit
Agreed. Gun sticker they will just make sure you aren't near by and then Crack a window and spend a quick 30 seconds damaging your vehicle trying to potentially find the Gun and even without ut you now have a damaged vehicle and other things stollen.
ninjawinch@reddit
It's not about whether they're expensive - though it's not uncommon to see rifles and pistols into the several thousands of dollars - it's that stealing them out of the unsecured center console of some goober with their truck plastered all over with gun stickers is one of the two main ways to acquire guns without a paper trail and/or for those who are prohibited from owning them. And certainly of the two ways, it's the least likely to get you busted. Gun stickers on vehicles is a big no for that reason, as is storing one in there without having a dedicated vault made that that purpose. (Console Vault is great for valuables in general; Tuffy ranges from adequate to good)
Gonna be real here: your original question is very location dependent. Half the population in the lower 48 of the US lives in places that I would not park a vehicle unattended unless I was deliberately trying to make it or its contents vanish, and a lot of people are just clueless and don't understand what is going to happen sooner or later if they do. They're the ones who go around saying "ohhh, but we've done it before, it's fiiine!", mostly because they've been lucky so far.
Gun stickers making for theft magnets aside, it has nothing to do with what is on or in your vehicle or if someone can reasonably fence it. I know of dozens of cases where peers had to spend hundreds to replace a window because some crackhead wanted to steal half a pack of gum, a $5 cell phone charger, and a stack of McDonalds napkins.
Living in/near cities is not an really an "overlanding" problem. If I had to do it I'd want a work van (which coincidentally could secure a kayak, bike, etc, inside it unseen). Preferably with a cage behind the front seats, no rear side windows, and metal screens for the rear windows (if any). What you want to look up info on is full-time vehicle living, and then adapt your vehicle choice to something with enough dirt road mobility without screaming "overlander!"
As for leaving vehicles at a trailhead or camp site in the lower 48 ... 30 years ago, sure. Today, no. The vehicle stays within line of sight. If it's remote enough to have a lower - for 2026 - risk of theft or vandalism, and it's a region where remote areas aren't rampant with crime, then it's remote enough that theft or vandalism may present a life threatening problem.
brainhack3r@reddit (OP)
> it's that stealing them out of the unsecured center console of some goober with their truck plastered all over with gun stickers is one of the two main ways to acquire guns without a paper trail and/or for those who are prohibited from owning them
Ah, that's actually a really good point. I didn't consider that.
Suitable-Carrot3705@reddit
At a large multi-day tournament a few years ago outside of Atlanta, a ton of cars were broken into at the match hotel and quite a few guns were stolen. If thieves think there is a gun in a car, they will probably try to steal it.
Kindofaphotographer@reddit
Yea, don't do that because who cares who you are if you're not around? lol It'll just increase the chances someone breaks in
myfishisvegan@reddit
I guess it could happen, but a kayak is very niche and high effort to steal. If you are always in the same spot I think the risk is higher, because someone could plan it and organize transport and help. At that point there is nothing you can realistically do to prevent it. When I travel I don't worry about the hull, I often leave it on the beach and just take the pedals, sonar and paddles. The hull alone isn't worth stealing and is useless for a joyride. Noone ever messed with my stuff so far.
211logos@reddit
Heh...I wonder if thieves are ignoring non electric bikes these days.
Kayaks? not a problem for the simple fact that the thief doesn't have a way to carry it. More likely to be nicked from the shore by a drunk who paddles off with it or something, although never seen that (intentionally) happen.
The bigger issue with the kayak is just having to carry it for so many days without using it. Nice home for wasps, but a hit on fuel, gets whacked by long hanging branches if you offroad much, etc. I'd use the storage unit for that reason.
Hearing_HIV@reddit
This biggest factor is your location. You can lock it up as well as you can, but if you are in a major city, you are still taking a huge risk. Conversely, you could leave all your stuff out in the open in some small town and it will be perfectly fine. Of course both of those statements aren't always true either.
You just have to lock up what you don't want to lose and accept the risk. We have always travelled with a rooftop full of gear strapped down with ratchet straps. We have never had an issue.
My biggest concerns are if and when we stop at a hotel for a shower and a good night sleep. I'll park in a well lit area and bring my tote with my most expensive gear inside.
The only time I really stressed about it is when we did a trip from Smokey Mountain Park in GA to VA. At the end of the trip we want to take the kids to DC for a day and night. We made sure to stay at a hotel with a locked and monitored parking garage. I still didn't get much sleep that night.
FeelingFloor2083@reddit
it would depend on the area. One of the neighbours leaves a kayak thats a few grand hanging from the rafters in their car port that starts at teh footpath. Its one of those ones made from carbon fibre. Another one leaves his on his car, same brand but a few streets over, however some of the house prices there are 20m as they have harbour bridge views
If you do it, just buy one thats 150 on sale so if it gets stolen, its not a big deal. However because they are a bit awkward im not sure if a criminal will bother?
Loud-Bunch212@reddit
Buy an alarmed caliper lock. If someone wants to cut my cables knowing there’s a krytonite thru frame on there back w a 125db alarm screaming in their ear they deserve to keep it
Tonkatte@reddit
Three ways to keep stuff, one way to get it back..
Out of reach: Too high up or inside
Secured: Locked to keep honest people honest
Undesirable: Make it stand out like a sore thumb; spray paint your name on it, tons of stickers, etc.
Trackable: AirTag, Tile, etc.
All four together are good!
B_Wildman@reddit
During the summer my kayak lives on the roof and I'm in Atlanta. I've never had a problem or put too much thought into it. Thieves want an easy sell or something they can use. I'll loop a bike lock through my sit on top every once in a while when I remember but 80% of the time it's fair game.
goexplorewithdavid@reddit
It's hard to say because theft doesn't follow any one universal pattern. My rule is that if I want to keep it, I don't leave it accessible for others to easily take. In my experience, people aren't stealing to use items...they're stealing stuff that they can sell to make a few bucks, so anything with value is a potential target.
erus-ton@reddit
Locks keep honest people honest. Not all thieves are doing it to make a buck. People steal shit cause they can all the time.
goexplorewithdavid@reddit
Locks get cut like they don't exist in LA.
TheMechaink@reddit
Not all locks are created equal. That's why I prefer Abus. Might not stop the bastard, but definitely going to slow them down.
erus-ton@reddit
Ohh for sure, theft exist around the world. If a thief wants your thing they are going to take it. Honest people will take your shit too, just not as likely if there is an inconvenience. Like a lock.
RichInBunlyGoodness@reddit
Put a wrap on that makes it look all rusty.
Adorable_Swing_2150@reddit
Has your concern shifted at all when it comes to dispersed backcountry camping vs. more established campgrounds? I imagine the theft profile is pretty different between a remote forest service road and a campground with more people coming and going. Did people here seem more worried about opportunistic theft in one setting over the other?
brainhack3r@reddit (OP)
I think the risks are:
Personally, I was curious what other people have done in these situations.
Adorable_Swing_2150@reddit
The risk profile definitely shifts with exposure. In my experience, established campgrounds can actually feel safer just because there are more witnesses around. Dispersed backcountry has fewer people, but also less traffic in general — feels like a wash to me. Curious whether your planned routes lean more toward established spots or wild camping
ChopperheadTed@reddit
Stealing a kayak is super easy. Theft is usually a crime of opportunity more than something extensively premeditated. A kayak laying out with no lock or visible hindrance will likely disappear. One with basic locks and or tied up somewhere will likely stay in your possession. Vandalism is another story. Someone may sticker it or stab a hole in it just to be a dick. Keep an eye out for that.
TLDR: Straps and locks will help prevent theft. Nothing will guarantee it won’t be messed with.
Dubbinchris@reddit
This is highly dependent on location. Also just lock it up.
outdoorsauce@reddit
All my shit looks like if you steal it and don’t follow the operational procedure EXACTLY you’ll blow up. Seems like a pretty effective deterrent. Loose wires, dents, scrapes, sharply writing on shit, ripped stickers, taped together parts? Brother I’m looking at your shit to steal, you really don’t want mine.
Same deal with my skis, you’d have to have a death wish to steal my skis. They don’t even have any metal edge 🤣 you just slide sideways going 50mph
PonyThug@reddit
I live in a city with very high petty crime and have 7 friends with built out trucks. I don’t know anyone that’s had stuff stolen.
stomper4x4@reddit
There are a lot of things on the market for locking those things down. Definitely do that. It'll be a harder target. Just traveling, you're a target. A busted window later and all of that camping gear is gone. So, I lock up and conceal as best i can, then don't worry about it. If we live in gear we end up not doing much.
mossbergcrabgrass@reddit
Kayaks and canoes are way less likely to be stolen than bikes. They stick out like a sore thumb when out of place and pawn shops don’t like messing with them. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen but when I ride through my city I see boats out the wazoo most unlocked but dam sure don’t see any bikes. When I was younger I lived in the hood and I just threw my boat in the bushes beside my apartment for years to store it 😂
brainhack3r@reddit (OP)
HA. Nice!
Foe117@reddit
Simple rule, don't make it easy for thieves, and avoid all the shady areas of the city. Kayaks aren't very easy to conceal if you're stealing it, unless you're talking rural hooligans.
Weak_Friend_1463@reddit
Just bolt it to your truck year around so everyone knows you are overlandy.