Where to keep laptop on climbing trip

Does anyone have clever ideas of where to keep a laptop while on a climbing trip? I am planning a trip interspersed with a few days of work so I need to bring it. Sadly I keep hearing about vehicles getting broken into so I'm worried about leaving it in the car. I'm camping so leaving it at a hotel is not an option. Is there some kind of clever car hiding spot I haven't considered that people have had success with? (I guess by "success" I mean car broken into but laptop not taken)

Thanks!

I shove mine under the rear seat mat...no idea if this helps, as I haven't been broken into (yet).  I've also considered putting it in the spare wheel well, but there isn't quite enough space in my car.

Maybe something like these: https://www.thesafesleuth.com/top-laptop-safes/

Use one of those chain lock things around your seat post, and invest in a set of all window shades from Weathertech.  Those car break ins are smash and grabs with scumbags going for easy loot—backpacks, duffels, phones that they can see. I’m sure it happens but it’d be a really inefficient operation if they were breaking into cars on speculation.

Also encrypt your laptop with a strong password and make sure your auto policy covers contents value greater than what you’re carrying. 

Poverty armor. Make sure you have the shittiest looking car at the trailhead. If it looks like they'll get tetanus just from standing next to your vehicle, they won't bother breaking in. Stick your laptop under a stained tarp, safe as can be.

Pull the cabin air filter and put it there instead. If you forget it before driving off, nbd. It would literally be the last place anybody would look. 

Best bet it to have a crappy car as mentioned so people don't think there's anything of value in it, don't cover the windows it's better for people to see inside and see there's nothing in there or just crap in there, if you can't have the car empty have your crappiest stuff visible and have it (your dirty laundry) strewn all about, idiots want to smash and grab a full bag not be picking up your mess. Climbing gear or other valuable get hidden under dirty clothes, half eaten groceries, etc. Never leave any alcohol visible. For many cars the bottom of the backseat lifts out (it may require undoing a few screws, that's a hidden place most people won't look. If that doesn't work put it in with the spare tire, or under the front seats.

If you are "camping" at a campsite, maybe you could leave it at camp?

Much safer than a TH parking lot.

And stow your laptop before you drive to the trailhead.

I have room in my spare tire compartment for a laptop, so I’ve done that in the past. It is a PITA when sleeping in the car, because I have to lift my entire sleeping setup to access the spare tire compartment.

I guess it really depends on how bad things would be for you if the laptop were stolen. If it is just the matter of expense and hassle replacing it, carry good insurance, and reduce your deductible while you are on the trip.  

But I have also carried my laptop with me for the day, in a padded sleeve, when I had to bring a work laptop on some trips, because it was work laptop, and even though it was encrypted, and password-protected, and theoretically didn’t have any PHI on it, a theft of that laptop would have been a HIPAA nightmare, so it was better to not leave it. It was better to accidentally drop it and smash it to pieces than to deal with it being stolen. 

Hson P wrote:

Pull the cabin air filter and put it there instead. If you forget it before driving off, nbd. It would literally be the last place anybody would look. 

That *really* depends on the vehicle. In mine for example, it's a pair of filters next to each other, behind the glove box. Each filter is the size of a large smartphone, so that won't work at all.

I have mine in a pelican case, more because I am worried about the environment than stuff getting stolen.  It would be a hella bad thing if my work laptop were to go missing, just because it takes a while to re-configure the machine to do what I need it to do.  It'd be worse if it got dusty cause it has the crappy MBP keys.

FWIW, if I was really worried, I'd lock the pelican and then lock it to the vehicle.  I don't think that would prevent someone who was motivated, but I also think most folks wouldn't be -that- motivated.  Not a cheap solution, either, but cheaper than losing a laptop.

Hide it or secure it are the basic two options.

Hiding it depends on your vehicle and laptop.  I built a false bottom into one of the shelves in my van and stacked books on top of it.  I've hidden things under floor mats, seat covers, etc. Some cars you can remove the glove compartment liner and stash things there and put the liner back it.  Think drug smuggler... 

SentrySafe and Tuffy  make lockboxes for laptops.  I use a Tuffy lockboxes in my Jeep Wrangler and they are pretty secure.  Most thieves will move onto an easier target.  If the box is hidden and hard to get a pry bar around it's even more secure.  Under a seat works well.  They aren't cheap and you have to install them but they work.  They can also provide a place for other valuables.

Apparently thieves are using Bluetooth detectors to locate laptops and tablets so turning it completely off seems like a prudent thing to do.

KJ C wrote:

Hide it or secure it are the basic two options.

Hiding it depends on your vehicle and laptop.  I built a false bottom into one of the shelves in my van and stacked books on top of it.  I've hidden things under floor mats, seat covers, etc. Some cars you can remove the glove compartment liner and stash things there and put the liner back it.  Think drug smuggler... 

SentrySafe and Tuffy  make lockboxes for laptops.  I use a Tuffy lockboxes in my Jeep Wrangler and they are pretty secure.  Most thieves will move onto an easier target.  If the box is hidden and hard to get a pry bar around it's even more secure.  Under a seat works well.  They aren't cheap and you have to install them but they work.  They can also provide a place for other valuables.

Apparently thieves are using Bluetooth detectors to locate laptops and tablets so turning it completely off seems like a prudent thing to do.

I just looked at the tuffy site and saw the in-floor storage lid for the JL. I was already looking for a secure storage option.  i think i just fell in love.

I'm on jeep #3, the lack of secure space is always my big complaint especially with top or doors off...

Mike S wrote:

Those car break ins are smash and grabs with scumbags going for easy loot—backpacks, duffels, phones that they can see. I’m sure it happens but it’d be a really inefficient operation if they were breaking into cars on speculation. 

This^

Had my rock climbing bag stolen from my car in a parking garage in Portland because I was too dumb to throw it in the trunk. They never even rummaged through the rest of the car, only smashed the nearest window and took the backpack.

Advice about insurance is spot on, though auto insurance might not cover property theft from vehicle, instead make sure you have renters or homeowners insurance ($250 deductable on replacing $1300 of stolen climbing gear lessened the sting quite a bit).

See above for tips on stealing valuables from parked vehicles.

Duct tape it to the underside of the hood.  There's *probably* enough room there.  Don't forget about it before driving off.  Alternative:  Assuming the rear seats fold down, fold one down and use a utility knife to cut into the side of it.  It's probably filled with foam, so you'll also need to remove some of that with the knife, but you might be able to make it work. 

All these elaborate secret compartments n shit...  Just throw a shirt over it on the seat or floor

Put it in the same place you stash the coke when you cross the border. Or at least that's what I do!

Criminals know about all the easy spots (like hide-a-keys)

Don`t even know if you should take it while you are going for climbing, are you not affraid that you will spoil it?
It is recommended to not turn on devices before they turn the room temperature 

Hson P wrote:

Pull the cabin air filter and put it there instead. If you forget it before driving off, nbd. It would literally be the last place anybody would look. 

I knew a convicted felon who carried a pistol (that he is not allowed to have) in his air filter. Not sure whether cabin or engine. 

Just mentioning this because he was basically low life scum. He knew well where to hide things in his vehicle and he's exactly the type who'd be breaking into yours.

If for security or top secret or some other highly sensitive thing, it seems prudent to carry the whole thing with you.

I can carry a rope and draws, a toddler, and a training potty to the crag. I'm sure you can find a way to carry a laptop.