Trailhead vehicle(s)
Posted: Nov 16 2003 4:43 pm
The basic idea of this topic is to discuss what kind of vehicle you use to go to a trailhead. Naturally, there are a lot of permutations of the topic.
Our basic interest in creating this topic is multi-purpose.
First, we want to know if you use your "daily driver" to go to the TH's.
Or, do you have a "road warrior" beater-type vehicle that your park at TH's?
Do you have opinions and insights on how to "park" your vehicle at a TH?
Doors unlocked? windows down?
Or a "club" locked on the steering wheel?
Lastly, have you ever had a "problem" with your vehicle parked at a TH?
Broken window(s)? Slashed tires? Dents, dings? Stuff stolen? Scratches?
Ok, now that we have stated the obligatory disclaimers as to our purpose in creating this post, here is our perspective:
We are increasingly paranoid about TH parking.
Currently, we are using a beatup 1987 Suzuki. Dents in doors, ripped seats, no stereo, no nothing inside. We keep the vehicle "clean" and take the registration out of the glove box to go hiking. We lock the doors but leave the windows down enough for a trouble maker to jimmy the lock handles.
We keep locking lug nuts on the tires and the spare. We keep a small padlock on the battery hold down. Not enough to deter anyone with even medium-decent fence pliers--just enough to deter casual thieves.
We put a small but obvious sign on the windows that states: "This vehicles contains no tools, no money, no guns, no ammo, no electronicfs, no cameras, NO NOTHING!"
Then we leave two one dollar bills in the glove box with a note that says, "Thanks for takin' care of our truck."
We've had the two bucks swiped once on the Oregon Coast but we've never had anything damaged of "jimmied." (A friend of ours up there leaves two beers instead of two bucks. He's had both beers "drunk" but both set respectfully back where they were and nothing damaged.)
Ok, so what are your thoughts, ideas, opinions, feelings, etc.
J&S
Our basic interest in creating this topic is multi-purpose.
First, we want to know if you use your "daily driver" to go to the TH's.
Or, do you have a "road warrior" beater-type vehicle that your park at TH's?
Do you have opinions and insights on how to "park" your vehicle at a TH?
Doors unlocked? windows down?
Or a "club" locked on the steering wheel?
Lastly, have you ever had a "problem" with your vehicle parked at a TH?
Broken window(s)? Slashed tires? Dents, dings? Stuff stolen? Scratches?
Ok, now that we have stated the obligatory disclaimers as to our purpose in creating this post, here is our perspective:
We are increasingly paranoid about TH parking.
Currently, we are using a beatup 1987 Suzuki. Dents in doors, ripped seats, no stereo, no nothing inside. We keep the vehicle "clean" and take the registration out of the glove box to go hiking. We lock the doors but leave the windows down enough for a trouble maker to jimmy the lock handles.
We keep locking lug nuts on the tires and the spare. We keep a small padlock on the battery hold down. Not enough to deter anyone with even medium-decent fence pliers--just enough to deter casual thieves.
We put a small but obvious sign on the windows that states: "This vehicles contains no tools, no money, no guns, no ammo, no electronicfs, no cameras, NO NOTHING!"
Then we leave two one dollar bills in the glove box with a note that says, "Thanks for takin' care of our truck."
We've had the two bucks swiped once on the Oregon Coast but we've never had anything damaged of "jimmied." (A friend of ours up there leaves two beers instead of two bucks. He's had both beers "drunk" but both set respectfully back where they were and nothing damaged.)
Ok, so what are your thoughts, ideas, opinions, feelings, etc.
J&S