Thread: Vehicle break-ins at trailheads

Maybe this has been done before, who knows... But it remains a current and maybe growing (?) problem due to the almost overwhelming prevalence of meth and shit heads in our communities.

This arvo I learnt about a number of vehicles being broken into this morning about 800m from my post box, at the start of walking trails into the Kaimai-Mamaku park. A mix of locals’ and out-of-towners’ vehicles. This reminds me of numerous tales of woe from fellow hunters around the country who have got back to their cars after a few days in the bush to find them damaged, or in some instances stolen.

It’s got to the point where I am looking at buying a shit box car for say 1500 bucks, leaving it unlocked but disabling the motor by removing the rotor arm or coil to dizzy lead or whatever. There is absolutely no way I would leave my Hilux at a public land trailhead. Just never going to happen. To be honest just writing that is quite upsetting. WTF???

Yes I know that’s what insurance is for and that is a fair point, but my vehicle has way too many “expedition” mods from it’s time in Australia, and having it trashed or stolen would be a nightmare. And I think even if you are comfortable relying on your insurance, when you look at your overall loss and the time involved then maybe a $1500 shit box isn’t such a bad idea. I’ve come to think of insurance as covering me in the event of an accident rather than the consequences of break-ins and damage at trailheads.

Oh well. Rant kind of over. The best advice of course is only take with you what you are carrying in your pack and not to leave anything else of the value in the vehicle. This is easier said than done if you are travelling a long way for a hunting trip, say inter-island and camping like I like to do. Find a friendly farmer if you can and park up there, even if it adds a few kms to your walk out. It’s shit that it’s come to this but this is the world we live in these days it seems.

Not a bad idea. A cheap runabout would leave some room in the budget for an alarm around 130dB perhaps.
A claymore could also work, but that's definitely frowned upon.

I had a couple of signs drawn up that asked “ Did you smile for the cameras”. I’ve only used them a couple of times, and both times in a fairly safe area, but it’s worked for me
Another I’ve heard is to leave a note to ‘your mate’ be back shortly. Is it going to stop anyone???? Probably not, but might just sow that seed of doubt.

Sounds like its time for a bait truck with a James Bond car alarm. Roger Moore in For Your eyes only

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1Ug4I89c98

Matter of time till someone comes back to their vehicle in miserable weather expecting some shelter and a heater only to find their vehicle done over and subsequently die from hypothermia... this would be manslaughter right?

It was common in the Central Plateau 20 odd years back to have a shitbox you left at road ends.Generally they were left unlocked to avoid getting their windows broken to gain entry.

Once I had mine turned over,the little twats even cleaned out the fag ends in the ashtray and took everything that wasnt bolted down,maps,lighters,shitty sunglasses etc.

I can imagine there are blokes who would do things like set trail cameras up, look for patterns of behaviour, and then seek to correct such behaviour with a few close friends.

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Originally Posted by XR500

Sounds like its time for a bait truck with a James Bond car alarm. Roger Moore in For Your eyes only

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1Ug4I89c98

That reminds me of the Army trick of tying a string under a car down to a grenade that has the pin pulled and is resting in a bake bean can - until the car moves

Like your line of thoughts here but I’d rig the sucker up with a paint dye bomb!
That blue stuff won’t come off quickly blue methheads are easiest to find I’d also add a trail camera so you can post the video on herein the campfire humour section
Bit like that Mr Bean painting ah

What track was it?

@Flyblown

I seem to remember a couple of photos of your hilux and totally don't blame you for not wanting to leave it at trailheads.

Did you see this thread i had going a while back?

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app

I too, like my truck and as a result I took @mimms2 advice and had a kill switch fitted.

It cost me $107 and although nothing is guaranteed it at least will make it harder for the pricks and is cheaper than my insurance excess.

I really wish we didn't have to worry about this sort of crap !!!



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i hunt with a guy who puts a trail camera in the bushes watching his suzuki

It’s the stuff inside the canopy @kukuwai. They have to physically break it open to take it but that’s not really that hard to do if you are a determined shithead. It’s a case of damned if you do, damned if you don’t. I want to be able to enjoy the best of this country has to offer but I’m constantly looking over my shoulder wondering who wants to steal my gear.

Originally Posted by Flyblown

It’s the stuff inside the canopy @kukuwai. They have to physically break it open to take it but that’s not really that hard to do if you are a determined shithead. It’s a case of damned if you do, damned if you don’t. I want to be able to enjoy the best of this country has to offer but I’m constantly looking over my shoulder wondering who wants to steal my gear.

Me too mate, unfortunately i think it will get worse for a while too with all that is going on !!

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I've been thinking about this lately. My concern is coming back to find the car gone or so messed up it can't be driven and no mobile reception. Then what? Hitching with a rifle on your shoulder? Walking in to the nearest township, probably quite a long way, again carrying a rifle. Thoughts?