Vehicle security while backpacking

When I go to a wilderness area for my usual 3 day 2 night trip, I usually just park my truck, lock it up and head in. When hiking out, I always have a fear that my truck will either be gone when I get out or will have a window busted out. So far in almost 10 trips, I have never had a problem. I usually leave all my keys (except for the truck key) in the truck glove compartment with my wallet minus credit cards. I also always leave a bottled water and a small amount of food like a granola bar (a no no in bear country I know) just in case something unexpected happens and I need it when I return. Has anyone ever had a bad experience with leaving your vehicle unattended for days while in the wilderness? What is your routine when you leave your vehicle?

In this part of the country (SW) AR I have never had a problem. On a trip up in the Ozarks
when I was shuttled I left my truck near the persons house that shuttled me. I try to leave
anything of value that I don't need for the trip at home.

I have heard stories of floaters having this happen. Woolum on the Buffalo was one spot. Improved in recent years.

Really stressed over this on a motorcycle trip thru Tenn/N Carolina. Went from Smoky Mt park up the Blueridge Prkway. Stopped at several spots and walked down to points of interest, water falls etc.. while all our stuff was strapped on our cycles. Never a problem. I did have my home made saddle bags stolen at work one day with the bike just outside the door. City life!

Many leave campsites up while on the river with no mishaps. I have always been leary of that also.

I typically do as OH has suggested. I avoid bringing anything of value with me that I don't need. I bring my ID, cash, and one credit card along on hikes. The only thing I leave in my vehicle is usually a clean change of clothes.

Cliff

Yes, I forgot about that... I always leave a set of clean clothes in the truck. It's sure nice to drive home in clean clothes!

Once when I was working at Steele Creek I arrived at the campground to discover a North Face tent lying in the road. Wen I checked it, I found it full of expensive cothing and float bags. I toke it to the house and began to try to figure it out. A man drove up and seem be accusing me of taking his stuff. The best we could figure is that some had grabed his tent and contents and put it on the back of thier truck and toke off in haste. They must have gotten scared and did not come back when it fell off.

TNFrontier brings up a good topic. I've had those same fears. I've yet to complete section 3 of the OT and one of us is gonna have to park a vehicle on Hwy 71 on just a small pull-off.
I have these visions of some good ol boy siphoning off my gas tank while I'm out on the trail. I'd be SOL.
After all, the economy is pretty friggin' bad!
Once again it shows that one is actually safer the further one is in the wilderness.

I'm more worried about leaving it in walmart parking lot in springdale while I get groceries than I am worried when its in the woods. Never had any problems at trailheads, thankfully.

rich wrote:I'm more worried about leaving it in walmart parking lot in springdale while I get groceries than I am worried when its in the woods. Never had any problems at trailheads, thankfully.

My wife will not go to Springdale Wal-Mart at all, I do not see why not though I have never had a problem leaving my truck anywhere, of course my truck is an old beater so who would want to do anything to it.

All went well with our vehicles this weekend at the Eagle Rock Loop Trail. I think we all practiced the above mentioned precautions.