Roof racks and roof cargo boxes are must-haves if you love travelling around. But the problem with owning roof racks is how to prevent roof rack theft?
Unfortunately, we can’t do much to stop someone from trying to steal something. However, there are ways to deter them from trying to steal from you and prevent them from being able to steal something if they try.
If you want to keep your roof rack and make it more secure, then you’ve come to the right place. We are going to look at some ways you can keep your roof rack from being stolen.
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Key Takeaways
The most practical solution to prevent roof rack theft is to invest in a roof rack that comes with built-in locks. This ensures that the locks are integrated seamlessly into the rack and reduces the hassle of having to purchase and install additional locks separately. Additionally, using an alarm lock system can provide an added layer of security by deterring thieves and alerting you in case of any tampering attempts.
Ways To Prevent Roof Rack Theft
So now you know what roof racks are and why they are susceptible to being a target by thieves, here are some things you can do in order to protect your roof rack.
Buy A Roof Rack That Comes With Locks Built-In
If you’ve recently had your roof rack stolen or are about to buy a roof rack, then consider getting one that has security built into it. Buying a roof rack that already has locks built-in means you don’t have to buy locks and you can avoid having the locks you do buy being cut.
Roof racks with built-in locks are a sure way to prevent roof rack theft as it would be a higher risk for them to try and steal it.
The great thing about these types of roof racks is that if the thieves do end up breaking the lock, then they have a faulty piece of equipment they wouldn’t be able to sell.
Buy A Roof Rack Lock
Of course, if you already have a roof rack, possibly a waterproof roof box perfect for adventuring, it probably isn’t in your best interest to buy another one just because it has built-in locks.
So if you already own a roof rack, you should buy and install a roof rack lock. This could be anything from a simple padlock to something much stronger.
A good roof rack lock is going to be very sturdy. They won’t break easily so even if someone does manage to get through your roof rack lock, they’re still going to have to work hard at it.
Install A Security Camera On Your Car
Another option is installing a security camera on your car. Installing a security camera on your vehicle is an effective deterrent against theft. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t rely solely on a security camera to prevent your roof rack from being stolen.
As mentioned above, there are plenty of ways people can steal a roof rack without leaving any sort of trace behind. But a security camera is a good additional tool to help deter thieves.
Install A Tracking Device
Whilst tracking devices won’t stop your roof rack from being stolen, they are a good way of being able to find it if it does get stolen.
The best way to install a tracking device is somewhere on the roof rack where thieves will not be able to notice it. This way they don’t remove the tracking device.
Get An Alarm Lock
Yes, alarm locks are a real thing. They are a great device that can prevent roof rack theft.
Alarm locks notify you when they are being fiddled with or someone is trying to break them. They let out a sound that not only alerts you but gains the attention of those within the vicinity.
These are a great way for deterring a thief as they won’t have enough time to try and steal the roof rack without being caught.
Remove The Roof Rack When Not In Use
If you are not planning on using your roof rack for a while because you haven’t got any outdoor adventures planned for a while, then to keep your roof rack safe you should remove it. Plus it also helps save fuel mileage driving without roof box attached to your car.
We understand that this might seem like a struggle since you then have to reinstall it again later but if you own an expensive roof rack, this is the best way to keep it from being stolen.
Make Your Roof Rack Undesirable
If you’ve ever seen a dog that has been dyed a bright color, you might be thinking why would the owner do that. Well, it is to help keep thieves away, since a bright-colored dog isn’t desirable to consumers.
So this might be a good method to prevent roof rack theft. If you paint your roof rack a color that is bright and loud, or even mark the roof rack, it makes it harder for thieves to sell. This means they are more likely to be deterred from stealing your roof rack.
Secure The Roof Rack And Bars
Another way you can stop roof rack theft is by securing the roof rack bars to the roof rack base. You can do this by using a cable lock. Cable locks will make it harder for the would-be thieves to detach the roof rack from your car.
Final Thoughts
There is no guaranteed way to prevent roof rack theft as it completely depends upon how hard the thief is willing to work. However, there are definitely ways to deter thieves and make it hard for them to steal your roof rack.
Following these tips will increase the chances of keeping your roof rack safe from being stolen by potential thieves and give you some extra security. Some of these tips might not seem ideal, but it is better to have a roof rack that inconveniences you than have no roof rack at all.
We hope we were able to ease your mind and help you find a way to keep your roof rack from being stolen. Hopefully, some of these methods are useful for you and you find that your roof rack doesn’t get stolen.
Please share this guide with others who may benefit from being able to know how to keep their roof rack from being stolen. Thank you for reading!
