I'm thinking of buying one of those pacsafe bagsafe "anti-theft backpack & bag protector" (its 120l so I can fit my luggage into it) things for driving around france to anchor my luggage in the back of a small coupe type car that yes won't have a trunk (just a hatchback). I'll also cover it with a black tarp then put down the "cover" in case anything is visible (prob not though its not a large bag) then lock up the luggage with my usual cable and lock - . I normally don't go this all out with attempting to anchor or secure my luggage. I usually just loop a cable through it, then tie it together with a keyed lock. Am i being overkill? I'm mainly concerned for parking around the Loire valley in random lots (which may or may not have an attendant) - and around Normandy.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
7104 posts
Quick question - is there always an anchor point inside all car storage areas? I assume that would be necessary to prevent a thief from just hauling away the whole thing? And this would be more secure than using the anchor point with your existing cable and lock system?
Posted by
Chicagoland
2093 posts
Take whatever precautions make you comfortable. But, don't leave anything in the car that will be hard to replace - passport, meds, CPAP, family jewelry... If the worse happens, you can always buy clothes and toiletries.
Posted by
Chicago
9574 posts
Jeanm has the right idea here ---- never leave anything in a car you cannot afford to lose -- electronics, IDs, money, prescription meds need to travel with you even at a rest stop or lunch break. And of course never open a trunk in a parking lot where you will be stopping. Do all the arranging at the penultimate stop so when you pull into the restaurant or park or small town to tour, you just get out of the car, leaving nothing inside and with your backpack or tote or whatever with your valuables. Don't leave anything else. e.g. a newspaper may look like it is hiding something and thus provoke a break in. Theft is rare but it happens and so you mitigate the potential disaster by making sure they only get your clothes and not your valuables.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
11695 posts
is there always an anchor point inside all car storage areas?
Yes, in hatch backs, the steel loop to attach children's car seats.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
8469 posts
As stated, do what makes you feel comfortable. I’ve never had a rental broken into in any country. Take a few precautions and you should be fine.
Leave nothing in sight, coins, maps, packages, bags, cables, etc.
Have everything stored before you pull into the parking area so the back end does not need to be opened once parked. That’s in case there are prying eyes.
Don’t park in remote locations where few people or cars pass by. Parking garages are great spots for people to hide if they wanted to break in.
Back into spots when possible where there is a tree, fence, wall, etc., and close enough to them so a person can’t fit between the car and wall, or so a hatchback can’t open.
Posted by
217 posts
We (also from LA!) just returned from driving around Costa Rica for two weeks. Our bags were clearly visible through the rental car windows. We bought a set of dark gray sheets at Walmart (couldn't find a tarp there) and covered our bags with them. We bought a bike lock but never bothered with it. I plan to bring the sheets to France for our road trip in May. I am arranging our trip so that we only have a few stops with all the luggage in the car. I think the pacsafe bag is overkill but you should get it if it makes you feel better!
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1554 posts
And of course never open a trunk in a parking lot where you will be
stopping. Do all the arranging at the penultimate stop...
Bingo! This can't be repeated often enough. Do as little as possible to advertise there is something worth breaking in for in the first place. Also, it should go without saying, do what you can to pick the safest place to park—i.e., lots of people and foot traffic. Over a dozen trips to Europe so far (France, UK, Netherlands, Germany) when I had luggage in my trunk/hatchback for at least some of my stops. No break-ins yet.