A truck as you probably know is a very versatile and usable vehicle, this makes it desirable by many. Trucks often have basic security features, such as central locking doors and a ratchet system to secure the haul of goods making them a target for criminals. While not all trucks are like this, many of the older style vehicles especially are.

Those who have trucks

It is not just people who own cars who fall victim to vehicle crime, trucks are becoming a more and more a common target amongst thieves and organised crime, just think about the goods that are in the back of your truck on the truck bed. Most truck drivers on assignment won't even know what's back there, it could be 100 flat screen TV's heading for the mall or 10,000 cans of baked beans going to the local Wal-Mart, and it's a mixed bag. The NICB keep statistics about insurance claims and crimes during given years in 2004 the dodge ram truck was the most sought after vehicle; on their site you can find a list of the most thieved automobiles.

Alarms secure your truck

Ensuring your truck has a suitable alarm that will alert you and anyone nearby is an essential security device and the bare minimum you should install when looking to secure your truck. Living in a residential area I am used to hearing alarms going off from time to time on both properties and vehicles, I am therefore like many other people and when I hear an alarm don't tend to pay attention as its usually someone set it off by mistake.

Any device you can get on a standard automobile is available to the truck market, immobilisers, GPS tracking systems and more, it would be worth investigating devices further should you become a victim of crime or feel concerned you don't have enough security.

Use your common sense

Always keep your personal items out of view, we have established that there are thieves out there looking to steal your haul and alarms can fix these criminals, the time it takes for them to remove a lot of the haul someone probably noticed. What if they are common thieves just looking to smash and grab?

You should always ensure that you protect your personal items, out of sight out of mind; a thief might not break into your truck if it looks like there is nothing inside worth taking. On the flipside if your laptop is out along with an iPod then I think you will find you are a much more tempting target to the thief.

Park your vehicle around other vehicles in a well-lit area, preferably in an area you are near to and keep an eye (or ear) out for.