5 Ways To Improve Truck Security

October 13, 2023October 12, 2023 Michele Boyarsky 0 Comments Car Theft, Retrax, Tonneau Covers, Truck Accessories, Vehicle Security

Protect your valuable cargo and keep your truck safe.

The big and burly pickup truck might have a commanding presence on the highway but when left alone in a parking spot, it becomes much more vulnerable. According to analysis by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), vehicles with the highest theft rate last year were full-size pickup trucks. In fact, they made up more than 25% of the thefts reported in 2022.

Don’t want to be a statistic? Then consider upgrading your truck’s security with one (or all) of the five tips below.

1. Smart Parking

No, this isn’t some high-tech, hands-free vehicle upgrade reminiscent of the Hyundai Super Bowl ad. We mean literally be smart about where you park. If you can, avoid dimly-lit and desolate areas. While a crowded or busy street might make it difficult to find a parking spot, it will also make it harder for thieves to go unnoticed.

You might think it’s overkill to remind you to button up your truck when you leave it unattended, but believe it or not, most vehicle and cargo theft is the result of unlocked doors. Make sure the key or fob is with you when you walk away, and make a point to keep valuables out of sight. Tucked under a seat or coat works fine, but if you travel through some tough high-crime areas, you might want to consider investing in a locking console safe.

2. Tonneau Cover

Speaking of covering up valuables, how’s your truck bed looking these days? That wide open space out back catches a lot of clutter, mainly because of how easy it is to simply toss in a tool or piece of equipment here and there. However, the ease with which cargo goes in is only matched by the ease with which some opportunistic thief can pluck it out.

Keep sticky fingers out of your truck bed with a tonneau cover – preferably one sporting a heavy-duty construction and quality tailgate lock. Most hard tonneaus will do the trick, whether they are one-piece hinging, tri-folding, or rolling, but if you’re looking for the ultimate in truck security, we recommend a retractable model. They sit at the higher end of the price scale, but you get some serious bang for your buck.

Operating like a little garage door for your truck bed, retractable tonneau covers roll in on themselves and store in a canister that sits under the cab’s rear window. They sport a very durable construction – usually polycarbonate or heavy-duty aluminum – and they stand up well to both impact resistance and bad weather, without needing much maintenance. And as far as security is concerned, they’re exceptionally difficult to pry open, so you can rest assured your cargo is locked up tight.

3. Wheel Locks

Alongside catalytic converters, wheels and rims are some of the most commonly stolen car parts these days. In addition to being an expensive (and often flashy) accessory, they’re very easy to steal. Enterprising thieves need only an impact wrench and a few minutes to get the job done. And since there are no serial numbers or tracking info to worry about, they can make a tidy profit reselling your equipment to a shop or online.

Wheel locks are a simple and budget-friendly way to prevent this scenario from happening.

Sold in sets of 4 (one for each wheel), wheel locks look and act just like a regular lug nut, helping to secure the wheels to the vehicle. However, these parts require a special key tool for installation and removal. That means a standard lug wrench won’t fit over top, so unless a criminal is willing to make an unholy racket breaking the lugs off, the wheel won’t be going anywhere.

4. Tracking System

Granted, a tracking system won’t prevent your truck from being stolen – but it sure will make retrieval easier. If you drive a newer model, it’s possible your vehicle already has a built-in GPS tracking unit installed, like GM’s OnStar. You’ll need to pay a subscription fee to use it (plans usually start around $29.99/month), but you’ll enjoy additional features like Automatic Crash Response and Roadside Assistance bundled in that cost.

Older vehicles can still be easily equipped with a GPS tracker. Plug-and-play models that simply pop into the OBD-II port are readily available on the aftermarket and can help add a little peace-of-mind, especially if that truck is a collector model.

5. Kill Switch

If that truck of yours does happen to be a classic, then installing a hidden kill switch might not be a bad idea. Designed to cut power from the battery, a kill switch ensures no power flows to the ignition source when in the off position. That means, even if a thief hotwires your ride or finds a way to turn the ignition, nothing will happen.

We advise really tapping into your inner James Bond and getting crafty with where you place your kill switch. Truly savvy criminals will know to look for one, so positioning it under the hood next to the battery may not be the best of options.