Security of roof rack items.

My theory is if they want it they will take it, so i will make it as hard as possible to hopefuly deter theft.

When i put the spare up there it is bolted on, so two spanners are required to get it off.
For other items i have some lockable bike locks from bunnings that i thread through the items iif necessary.

Alan

Under some form of cover so they can't see what's available to pinch.

Since the advent of battery-operated angle grinders, almost nothing is safe from the light-fingered brigade. However a reasonable security restraint will at least eliminate the unprepared thief. Apart from the financial cost it is also the loss of some important thing such as a spare wheel or recovery item.

I have both my spare wheels locked as well as the MaxTrax and the box containing spares & recovery gear. The loss of other stuff such as LPG bottles, tarps etc would not be quite so inconvenient. From there I just cross my fingers.

The majority of low life criminals are lazy and opportunist, so any deterrent will help. I have a cable that I thread through our Maxtrax and roof ladder secured with a lock and a lock on our roof rack tool box. We have been on places where people have lost property off their roof racks and all had no security fitted and the low life/s were able to make very little noise. Kevin

We uses Master Lock cable locks at work to stop people messing with stuff they shouldn't.

They work well and won't scratch up the paint like a chain will. Again, they will stop the opportunist, if they really want it at least they will make a racket getting it.

To me thieves have a couple of common traits. Apart from being low life dirt bags.
They are lazy and opportunistic. Usually the average thief will target anything that is easy to take and sell. Anything unsecured is easy meat. Usually a simple cable lock or similar is enough to deter them and send them off looking elsewhere. Sure there are battery powered angle grinders but they will generate a fair bit of noise and most thieves like to keep their illegal activities as quiet and inconspicuous as possible. Another reason they mostly like to operate at night.
The professional thief is a quite different animal. They mostly steal to order in that their market is already established. Usually the target is much more expensive items. Even complete caravans, cars, boats and such. If the reward is great enough the lengths they will go to are also much greater and as has already been pointed out, if they want it bad enough, they will usually get it.

Cheers
Pop

Thanks to all. I have purchased a 5 m long plastic coated cable with padlock from Home timber and Hardware. Good thickness and the plastic coating should help with protecting surfaces of the items they are securing. Thanks for all suggestions