I wonder if there are ways to achieve this...

In the case of the short bed on a 2500 not being much utilized in
the traditional way... are there any implements sold that allow to
transform it into a sort of secure (covered and locked) storage
compartment? Basically, just like a huge trunk...

I think I saw something like that on a Toyota Tundra pickup once...

 

could get a tonneu cover they make ones that lock

 

Thanks...

I researched it a bit on the net and just discovered that a google
search under "Truck Caps & Lids" reveals hundreds of companies
providing this type of products...
Wow! There is a TREMENDOUS market for this type of thing out
there, and a huge amount of offers from many different
manufacturers. Check it out!

 

Locking is a good deterrent, but its looking secure that is the most important. IMHO. If you can see something in the back through windows or what have you, they will get it no matter the security.

My folding cover is far from being a safe, but having the tail gate locked and the lid latches to lock make it look like more of a pain to get into than its worth and I am hoping the thieves will just move on... That and some $5 blinking LED's in the overhead consol make the unit "secure"....

 

In my 78 jeep Scrambler, I fabricated a storage area by building a box in teh bed that extended halfway up the bed sides. I used 1/2" plywood for a deck, hinged about halfway up the bed length and coverd it with fiberglass to make it look like part of the truck and to waterproof it.
Anything I wanted locked up and out of sight went in teh "trunk" and I still had a 'bed" for additional gear as well..

 

Yeah, you're right about the security concern... However, what you said is true even of the truck's stock doors, if they see anything of value they want, the'll get to it... Things like tinting all doors and raising the vehicle, so as to make it less likely they'll spot something they decide they want, is good prevention, as it is not leaving anything valuable in plain sight...

Is anyone here using the truck cap from A.R.E. (http://www.4are.com/product/view_models.php?mk=d&md=r)

or something similar (like this http://www.midwesttruckacc.com/catalog/caps/cultra.html)?

I would like to get some feedback directly from actual users as to convenience, security, etc....

Just curious, where did you get your $5 blinking LED?

 

I've looked at a few tonneau covers, and found the
Pace Edwards Full Metal JackRabbit Tonneau Cover
http://www.pace-edwards.com/fullmetal_jr.asp
to be the among the most appealing and most secure...
Now I have to decide between ARE cap (or equivalent) and
hardshell tonneau cover... and I have to say I'm more
inclined toward the hardshell tonneau cover.

One of the things I am concerned about, though, is, are these
covers really thoroughly water-proof?
Because most of these tonneau covers (the JackRabbit included)
seem to be designed in such a way that the raining water will puddle
on top of them, making that quite a nuisance, with the water more
likely, that way, to infiltrate into the bed...

Any comments by those with first hand experience?

 

If your putting something expensive back there do not depend on a regular camper shell, criminals can pop the shell door easy. If I wanted a somewhat secure shell I would only go with a full steel one with no windows. I think the metal bed covers might be more secure if thats enough room for you.

 

Yes, actually I think that's enough room for my purposes with
a tonneau, and I'm also inclined toward a metal bed cover...
Though, I'm a bit concerned about water getting inside
the bed during rainy days (given the way the covers are
made and the way they are mounted...)

I would like to hear about this issue from actual users...

 

Did you check out the site sponsor?
http://www.diamondbackcovers.com/

As for the LED's, local electronics store had the LED's in a package, self blinking. Just had to wire up with a resistor and have em on a switch. Put two into the overhead consol to look factory..

 

Thanks, it is appreciated!

 

Well, I thought I was thorough in my research. Char_ls, you make me look like an impulse buyer!

Here is my SB (trunk) setup




look at undercover dot com for the tonneau
I like it because you can install/remove it by yourself(or with the "help" of you wife/GF) and it is very strong. As far as secure....well anyone with a big enough krobar will get by whatever you've got but it has a lock on either side.
The bedliner is called a "BedRug" you'll want to look it up on the net as well. Very well made extremely "plush" for the bed of a pickup. Cheers!

Dale

 

Thanks!

The model you have seems better suited for water insulation,
while the hardshell (full metal) roll-on models I looked at come
across as harder to break in (more secure), and also easier to
load from the sides of the truck. With yours, there is less hassle
when you want to remove it completely from the truck...

I'm gonna check out your suggestion more thoroughly before
pulling the trigger...