Ford hard trifold tonneau, security updates?

[Escapologist]

Hi folks,

I realise that no tonneau is absolutely secure, only various degrees of relatively. However, the Ford piece seems to have a fairly obvious exploit.... slim jim or coathanger to the release cable. Since it is a relatively common tonneau on Mavericks, I will surmise that thieves will become familiar with it and have it open as quick as someone walking up with a key.

I don't know if I have to explain how I obviously don't want that, just take it as a given. So I am noodling around some ideas to slow down a slim jim style attack.

First though, I thought I would check in with Maverick Fanciers Anonymous to see if anyone had come up with something already, don't seem to be hitting the right kind of things with search. So did anyone come up with any good ideas for this?

I have an idea I am still refining and finding right thing to do it with, it would stop "quick and dirty" but probably not a skilled user of an actual locksmiths slim jim. Also a problem is that you can "get in your own way" and make the pull release a chore to use.

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[Maverick123]

Install a piece of 90 degree aluminum trim that prevents it from being accessed from the rear, then it could only be pulled from below once the tailgate is open

 

[Escapologist]

Install a piece of 90 degree aluminum trim that prevents it from being accessed from the rear, then it could only be pulled from below once the tailgate is open

That is one of the ideas under consideration, gotta find max height that will not interfere with flip back and tie up at back of cab modes. Also preferably not rubbing or gouging other pieces. Got some kinda short stuff, but not sure it couldn't be flexed out the way by someone who doesn't care about damaging my cover.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

That is one of the ideas under consideration, gotta find max height that will not interfere with flip back and tie up at back of cab modes. Also preferably not rubbing or gouging other pieces. Got some kinda short stuff, but not sure it couldn't be flexed out the way by someone who doesn't care about damaging my cover.

But you have to wonder. Will a tweaker /thief go through that much trouble not knowing what they're going to find?

 

[Jah.]

Most anti theft measures are to keep most people out . A real thief is going to get into your car , house or whatever no matter what . You maybe able to slow them down somewhat imo and maybe they will move on or give up (to much trouble) .

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Most anti theft measures are to keep most people out . A real thief is going to get into your car , house or whatever no matter what . You maybe able to slow them down somewhat imo and maybe they will move on or give up (to much trouble)

I'm always amazed at the guys who plaster their trucks or their garages with gun posters or shot up targets. Then wonder why they're truck or their houses get broken into. It's like advertising hey we got firearms here.
I know it's not that big of a deal anymore. When we got a new big screen TV for Christmas. I took the box to a local community dump rather than set it out in front of the house. Never advertise what you have.
If you do. Don't be surprised.
See post #15 by "Blue_Max"

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Here's what I'm planning on doing. After watching a video (from Mexico maybe) in which a thief popped-up the last section to steel the tools inside, I'm going to mount a tiedown underneath, in the middle (width-wise) of the last section, close to the tailgate, and run a length of chain from the lower tiedown brackets, kinda making an upside-down V. Loose enough that the tailgate will still close, but tight enough to keep the last section from being lifted.

HRG

 

[Jah.]

I'm always amazed at the guys who plaster their trucks or their garages with gun posters or shot up targets. Then wonder why they're truck or their houses get broken into. It's like advertising hey we got firearms here.
I know it's not that big of a deal anymore. When we got a new big screen TV for Christmas. I took the box to a local community dump rather than set it out in front of the house. Never advertise what you have.

Yea . any thing of value in shipping material advertising what it is I always cut up and hide in garbage .

 

[Escapologist]

But you have to wonder. Will a tweaker /thief go through that much trouble not knowing what they're going to find?

Well they were popping locks with the tennis ball trick a few years back just to dump gloveboxes. So there's street level amateurs that will pick up a couple of tricks and go on the hunt for where they can use them and chance on what they get.

Anyway so the easy way to be doing this would be to slip a lever in with your left hand just to ease it open an eighth to a quarter to allow free movement of the slim jim or coathanger. Now if it was only a a quarter inch high "fence" just leaning harder on the lever to spread the gap might be enough, and it's likely already in there. Whereas a higher obstacle might be too much trouble but impairs designed use.

 

[Escapologist]

Here's what I'm planning on doing. After watching a video (from Mexico maybe) in which a thief popped-up the last section to steel the tools inside, I'm going to mount a tiedown underneath, in the middle (width-wise) of the last section, close to the tailgate, and run a length of chain from the lower tiedown brackets, kinda making an upside-down V. Loose enough that the tailgate will still close, but tight enough to keep the last section from being lifted.

HRG

Yeah that's pretty good, just need a clip on hook or something you can release easy with the gate down.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Yeah that's pretty good, just need a clip on hook or something you can release easy with the gate down.

Yeap! I won't use it all the time, mostly overnights in hotel parking lots and such.

HRG

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

The tennis ball thing was complete
The "tennis ball car lock" trick does not work, as it is a myth that has been proven false by various tests and experts. The method, which involves creating a pressure chamber by smashing a hole-poked tennis ball against the car lock, fails because modern car doors and their locking mechanisms are not a sealed, airtight system. Instead, videos showing the trick are likely faked, with someone else using a key to unlock the door in the background

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Instead, videos showing the trick are likely faked, with someone else using a key to unlock the door in the background

But, but, but, it's on the internet,,,,,,

HRG

 

[Eggflipper]

If it’s on the internet, it HAS to be true. Plus… the maverick automatically locks you out on the drivers side.

 

[Blue_Max]

I'm always amazed at the guys who plaster their trucks or their garages with gun posters or shot up targets. Then wonder why they're truck or their houses get broken into. It's like advertising hey we got firearms here.
I know it's not that big of a deal anymore. When we got a new big screen TV for Christmas. I took the box to a local community dump rather than set it out in front of the house. Never advertise what you have.

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