My normal routine when photographing locally is to only take with me what I can carry and leave nothing in the vehicle as there is a better than good chance it won't be there when I return to the vehicle. Normally I just throw the tripod on my shoulder along with a small shoulder bag containing extra memory and batteries. Having said this, there are times I wish I could have different equipment available to shoot other subjects after the prime time for birding is over.
I've been considering removing the backseat in my jeep and replacing it with a secure box lined with foam and cutouts for the various equipment. Tonight as I was drawing this to take to my welders for fabrication, my wife looked over my shoulder and asked what I was doing. Once I explained, her statement was that if I put this in the jeep I was inviting the curiosity of people to wonder what was in the box and it would cause me more problems than not having it.
How do others secure equipment in a vehicle such as this? An alarm system helps, but if you're ten miles from the vehicle in a remote area an alarm doesn't help much.
If there is any interest, the box I envision will be double wall stainless steel with a layer of insulation between the two walls, mainly to protect from the heat that will build in the vehicle and multiple layers of foam to fit the equipment into. The box would then be bolted into place in a way it couldn't be removed without entering the box. Nothing will be totally secure but with the correct locking system I see this as being close, but I may be missing something, such as what my wife said. I've looked at a few items available for sale, but haven't found anything close to what I am thinking about.
Good idea, bad idea?







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