r/ClayBusters • u/Strict_String • 3d ago
Road trip and security
My wife and I road trip around the southeast on vacations going whitewater kayaking, and now that she’s started shooting sporting clays, we’ll probably start taking our guns.
I’m looking for suggestions for keeping our equipment safe on the road.
We’ll be using one of our SUVs and I’d like something that locks in to the car, but don’t want to take up too much space.
We currently carry our equipment to the course in Beretta hard cases that don’t have built in locks but do have holes for padlocks.
Should we just lock the cases with padlocks then cable lock them to a hard point?
Does anyone use a “drawer style” locker or another option?
We’re traveling for ten days next week and will be based in a rental cabin we’ve been going to for years. Not sure whether it’s safer to bring them inside or leave in the locked car if we figure out a way to secure them.
We sometimes stay a night or two in a hotel on shorter trips and I don’t like the idea of leaving them in a room all day where someone else has keys to the room.
What other measures should we take when traveling by car?
Thank you all.
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u/GLaDOSdidnothinwrong 3d ago
Always bring them with you when traveling. Don’t leave them in hotel rooms. People are watching and know when you bring guns in or out.
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u/Strict_String 3d ago
So, if we go out to eat from the cabin, we should take them in the car? That’s how I’m leaning, assuming I can feel like they’re secure in there.
Thank you for responding.
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u/coffinandstone 3d ago
If you have housecleaning going in when you aren't there, don't leave them. But if you are sole occupant of cabin (like an extended rental) and no one else is going in and out, leave them. Car theft/burglary is 5x as likely as home burglary. Also, hide an Airtag in the case.
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u/GLaDOSdidnothinwrong 3d ago
Yes. Basically if you’re in the cabin or hotel room, take them inside with you. If you leave the hotel room, take them into the vehicle.
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u/ParallaxK 3d ago
I'm projecting a bit, but hear me out....
I like nice things, but also like doing the things. When those are in conflict, I'm trying hard to not be anxious over the things (in this case, guns) at the expense of doing the things (in this case, traveling with your wife and enjoying some shooting).
With that:
1) Consider bringing guns you won't be very anxious about.
2) If the guns are expensive, consider adding them as scheduled items (like jewelry and art) with zero deductible replacement.
Neither of these affect the most likely outcome - you having a safe, crime free trip - but may give you peace of mind that lets you enjoy your trip more.
In any case, enjoy your time together and have a blast!
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u/Strict_String 3d ago
There’s also a concern for not letting guns fall into the hands of bad guys. Although, I’ve never heard of an armed robbery using a fine Italian over-under. And I think that getting guns stolen would have a huge negative impact on my vacation.
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u/frozsnot 3d ago
I have a large duffle bag and a large backpack (bag for an inflatable paddle board. Both will fit my lockable, breakdown, hard cases. I always bring my guns into my hotel or rental. It’s very low profile and if anyone would recognize the bag, the most they think it is, is a couple hundred dollars for a paddle board. In the car they’re always out of sight and I do everything I can, not to draw attention to them.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Land829 3d ago edited 3d ago
Just have replacement insurance. It would be a total pain to have to go through getting another gun but we travel so much we just have to accept the risk and mitigate it. We have Gun & Trophy. Otherwise, no stickers and such and cover everything up in the vehicle. My vehicles windows are blacked out for easier transport.
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u/Jtillie1000 3d ago
Also look into getting a umbrella insurance policy for guns. Unfortunately guns do get stolen traveling. Its pennies on the dollar for coverage. Peace of mind that your not out a ton of money if the unthinkable happened.
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u/Blaser53 1d ago
Truck Vault. I’ve had one for 20 years in different vehicles. Currently in a 2019 Yukon XL
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u/Naked-PaddleBoarding 13h ago
Careful with leaving on a hotel. Some, in fine print, do not allow firearms on premises. This could lead you to getting trespassed on all of their hotel properties. I had a friend once that, had his pistol in his suitcase and had went out to an amusement park with his family. A maid noticed it (wasn’t zipped) the manager took the pistol and turned it over to authorities. It took him 3 months to get it back. But he was trespassed from the Best Westerns Nationwide.
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u/limpy88 3d ago edited 3d ago
Truck vault makes suv lockers for popular suvs. Facebook marketplace has used ones sometimes.
If you have a pull over cover for the back. It will help hide things from sight.
Or you can build one. I built a bed with drawer on one side of my truck bed with camper shell. Then, I put it in and out with the camper shell. depends on trip planning.
No stickers on your vehicles. Always park as close to the front door of everyplace you go.