Theft resistant storage bags

[jscherb]

On a trip back from India a few months ago I was watching bags go around the carousel at the airport and I noticed that some bags had built-in locks on their zippers. I did a little research and found that the locks are available on eBay for installation on your own bags, so I ordered some to experiment with.

It's a combination lock but it also can be unlocked with a TSA007 key.

These locks can be used to make "theft resistant" storage bags/pouches for inside soft top/open Jeeps. The lock would secure the zipper and the bag could be designed so it attaches to the Jeep in a way that the attachment can't be undone without tools or without access to the inside of the locked bag.

I use the term "theft resistant" rather than "theft proof" or "secure" because as long as a bag is made from a material that can be cut with a knife, theft can happen, but if the zipper is locked and the bag secured so it can't be removed from the Jeep without destruction that might deter some theft.

And since bags designed to be theft resistant in an open Jeep could also be rained on, they should be weather resistant as well. I recently designed a series of weather resistant storage bags for Overland Outfitters, they call it the "Storage on the Spare system" and they sent me a few yards of the production fabric for future experimentation so I decided to make a prototype bag that's both theft resistant using the lock above and weather resistant using the new fabric from them.

Here's the prototype mounted in my LJ, it attaches to the Jeep using the hardtop bolts so it can't be removed without a tool.

Unclipping and lifting the lid reveals the zipper and the zipper lock, in the photo at right the TSA key is inserted and you can also see the combination (currently set at 0,0,0):

It's also possible to make theft resistant bags that attach to the roll bar - I've done a design for roll bar attachment that can't be removed without access to the inside of the bag. I keep an OO roll bar bag on the vertical bar behind the driver's seat, it holds my recovery strap, it might be a good candidate for a theft-resistant version. I keep other recovery gear in the Overland Outfitters saddlebag also in the photo below - form-fitted to the inner fender, the saddlebag might also be a good candidate for a theft-resistant version.

I'm also working on ideas for a few other locations. Not sure if I'll sew prototypes of a theft resistant roll bar bag, saddlebag or of any other theft resistant ideas, for now I'll probably just use the one prototype in my Jeep(s) and see how it works out. I think the prototype will also work in the TJ, I don't have a TJ to test it in but I'll have to find one.

Theft-resistant bags/pouches: good idea or bad idea?

 

[YonderNorthwest]

I live in the city and my car has been "broken into" twice while I had the top off. There would be a market for this product if it hit the market. It wouldn't deter the crack heads in my neck of the woods, but it would give me peace of mind when leaving my car unattended in a parking lot.

Also, just received one of your OO grab bar pockets. Very impressed with the build quality.

 

[TheBoogieman]

If they can't open the zippers, they'll just steal the whole Jeep.

 

[NskLJ]

I like your designs, nice to have gear secured down to prevent movement. I was looking for some bags for upcoming trip and found “bear resistant bags” I don’t know what material these are made out of to prevent a bear from opening or if it is just the closure mechanism. Might be worth looking into.

 

[Apparition]

Jscherb’s bags are so sophisticated looking compared to the traditional tacticool trend of most everything else. These look great.

 

[JMT]

I once researched zipper thefts and found that it’s super simple to to unzip a zipper without any special tools. They bypass the lock with a ball point pen in about 2 seconds. A lock would prevent a casual thief, but not anyone who knows this simple trick.

 

[jscherb]

I like your designs, nice to have gear secured down to prevent movement. I was looking for some bags for upcoming trip and found “bear resistant bags” I don’t know what material these are made out of to prevent a bear from opening or if it is just the closure mechanism. Might be worth looking into.

These bags are made from heavy ripstop polyester that's DWR-treated (Durable Water Resistant) for weather and UV resistance. The fabric is quite tough, but I don't know how well it would withstand a bear attack. It's the same fabric OO uses for their "Storage on the Spare" products, which so far has been testing very well in the weather and with heavy loads.

Before they were released I did quite a bit of testing and lots of miles in all kinds of weather; in this video I'm unloading two gallons of milk (8 pounds each) and a cinder block (42 pounds) from a preproduction OO SpareHoppper bag, so the fabric is pretty substantial, but I admit I haven't tested it with an angry bear .

I once researched zipper thefts and found that it’s super simple to to unzip a zipper without any special tools. They bypass the lock with a ball point pen in about 2 seconds. A lock would prevent a casual thief, but not anyone who knows this simple trick.

Agreed, but for the average casual theft like a quick grab in a parking lot the thief may not know about zippers and will give up when they see the lock and that the bag is secured to the Jeep - the idea of the zipper lock is to prevent casual grabs in parking lots when your top is down, not to prevent determined theft. One addition I considered was adding a provision to the catches that would support small padlocks (maybe TSA007 locks with the same key as the zipper lock), which would prevent access to the zipper because the lid couldn't be lifted. It's just a question of how theft-resistant something needs to be to be useful. Could go all the way to arguably "theft-proof" with a metal box that bolts to the Jeep, but there would always be some amount of destructive force that could get into that too.

... Also, just received one of your OO grab bar pockets. Very impressed with the build quality.

Jscherb’s bags are so sophisticated looking compared to the traditional tacticool trend of most everything else. These look great.

Thank you both for the kind words. The designs are mine, but the quality manufacturing is all due to the craftsmen at Overland Outfitters. I've got Grab Bar Pockets in all 3 of my Jeeps and my copilot says she can't ride in the Jeep without them . A black one in my black LJ, a red one in my red '06 Wrangler Pickup and a tan one in my JKU...

The back story on the designs... about 4 years ago a friend approached me and said they wanted to start a company. They were thinking maybe a Jeep accessories company and they asked if I had any ideas. I suggested that they create a line of higher-style, higher-quality storage products - most of the stuff in the Jeep market was (and mostly still is) low quality stuff from China and definitely not higher style and I thought if they brought a little of the Filson or Frost River Trading style with canvas and leather to the Jeep market they'd do well.

Now 4 years later they've established themselves in the market based on the functionality, quality and style of their storage designs and their products are carried by Quadratec, Extreme Terrain and others. I've done all but two of their designs and I've tried to create designs that are really useful but at the same time have a look of quality and style that you won't find anywhere else in the Jeep market. And I use all of the designs in my Jeeps and I don't turn any ideas over to them until I'm satisfied that the design is truly useful and will hold up well in the wild.

BTW I have not suggested the theft-resistant designs to them, I think I'll just use this prototype myself for a while before I take the idea any further.

 

[txbemis69]

that’s a good looking bag and idea to possibly stop a quick grab and run. in the end, a lock will only stop an honest thief.

 

[JMT]

These bags are made from heavy ripstop polyester that's DWR-treated (Durable Water Resistant) for weather and UV resistance. The fabric is quite tough, but I don't know how well it would withstand a bear attack. It's the same fabric OO uses for their "Storage on the Spare" products, which so far has been testing very well in the weather and with heavy loads.

View attachment 436559

Before they were released I did quite a bit of testing and lots of miles in all kinds of weather; in this video I'm unloading two gallons of milk (8 pounds each) and a cinder block (42 pounds) from a preproduction OO SpareHoppper bag, so the fabric is pretty substantial, but I admit I haven't tested it with an angry bear .

Agreed, but for the average casual theft like a quick grab in a parking lot the thief may not know about zippers and will give up when they see the lock and that the bag is secured to the Jeep - the idea of the zipper lock is to prevent casual grabs in parking lots when your top is down, not to prevent determined theft. One addition I considered was adding a provision to the catches that would support small padlocks (maybe TSA007 locks with the same key as the zipper lock), which would prevent access to the zipper because the lid couldn't be lifted. It's just a question of how theft-resistant something needs to be to be useful. Could go all the way to arguably "theft-proof" with a metal box that bolts to the Jeep, but there would always be some amount of destructive force that could get into that too.





Thank you both for the kind words. The designs are mine, but the quality manufacturing is all due to the craftsmen at Overland Outfitters. I've got Grab Bar Pockets in all 3 of my Jeeps and my copilot says she can't ride in the Jeep without them . A black one in my black LJ, a red one in my red '06 Wrangler Pickup and a tan one in my JKU...

View attachment 436560

The back story on the designs... about 4 years ago a friend approached me and said they wanted to start a company. They were thinking maybe a Jeep accessories company and they asked if I had any ideas. I suggested that they create a line of higher-style, higher-quality storage products - most of the stuff in the Jeep market was (and mostly still is) low quality stuff from China and definitely not higher style and I thought if they brought a little of the Filson or Frost River Trading style with canvas and leather to the Jeep market they'd do well.

Now 4 years later they've established themselves in the market based on the functionality, quality and style of their storage designs and their products are carried by Quadratec, Extreme Terrain and others. I've done all but two of their designs and I've tried to create designs that are really useful but at the same time have a look of quality and style that you won't find anywhere else in the Jeep market. And I use all of the designs in my Jeeps and I don't turn any ideas over to them until I'm satisfied that the design is truly useful and will hold up well in the wild.

BTW I have not suggested the theft-resistant designs to them, I think I'll just use this prototype myself for a while before I take the idea any further.

Non intent to downplay the value of your creation Jeff. As always, it’s outstanding creativity and craftsmanship. For most of us the bags would resolve the security issue sufficiently for replaceable item.

 

[LONGJP2]

Theft-resistant bags/pouches: good idea or bad idea?

It was a good enough idea for me to buy a cut resistant, lockable bag, a few years ago.
Thought it would be great to put my keys in for a day at the beach.
Problem is I don't live near the beach, so I've never used it.
Still a good idea.

 

[jscherb]

If improved security over standard zippers is desired, there are multiple ways to make a bag like this more secure.

One option would be to use YKK Double Coil Puncture Resistant Zippers (https://www.safesuitcases.com/Puncture-Resistant-Luggage-Zippers.asp). These were designed to solve the "pen problem" that @JMT posted about, they're effectively immune to the pen method of invasion. They look a little different than standard zippers:

The same TSA zipper lock I used on my prototype bag would work with puncture resistant zippers. Or, the two pulls could simply be locked together, which would be less expensive than the TSA type lock I used on the first prototype.

The zipper fragment above is not a puncture resistant zipper, it's just a fragment of zipper from my scrap box I photographed for this example.

Additionally, a hasp could be added to the straps that secure the lid so padlocks could be used to prevent opening the lid to access the zipper. I made up this quick and rough example with a hasp and padlock I had on hand. The hasp is secured to the fabric with rivets through it and a backer piece of leather sewed to the fabric.

I've got a source for Puncture Resistant Zippers so I may buy a yard or two of it and sew a prototype theft-resistant roll bar bag - I'd also like to test the theft-resistant roll bar attachment design I've come up with.

 

[LONGJP2]

Or, the two pulls could simply be locked together

View attachment 436865

Bags with locked zippers that meet in the middle can easily be opened by folding the zipper in half.
Not a problem with a suitcase or a more rigid bag.

 

[jscherb]

Bags with locked zippers that meet in the middle can easily be opened by folding the zipper in half.
Not a problem with a suitcase or a more rigid bag.

The rigid attachment of these bags to the Jeep prevents the zipper from being folded in half, so that's not a problem. And if I add hasps for locks to the closure straps for the lid, the zipper couldn't be gotten to anyway without unlocking/destroying those straps.

 

[CreepinDeth]

As a Chicago born native
I like what youre doing but…….

Anything like this sends a flag to an enterprising thief that there are potential valuables within they can rip, tear, beat off. I think its best to avoid anything that attracts attention like this personally

To put it simple
Any major gun safe retailer advertises their front doors as impenetrable, but most any thief hits the gun safe from the sides or rear in under 30 minutes they are in.

box cutters, cheap and effective

 

[JMT]

As a Chicago born native
I like what youre doing but…….

Anything like this sends a flag to an enterprising thief that there are potential valuables within they can rip, tear, beat off. I think its best to avoid anything that attracts attention like this personally

To put it simple
Any major gun safe retailer advertises their front doors as impenetrable, but most any thief hits the gun safe from the sides or rear in under 30 minutes they are in.

box cutters, cheap and effective

The bags are likely the most valuable thing.

Of course, a thief doesn’t know that.

 

[Apparition]

As a Chicago born native
I like what youre doing but…….

Anything like this sends a flag to an enterprising thief that there are potential valuables within they can rip, tear, beat off. I think its best to avoid anything that attracts attention like this personally

To put it simple
Any major gun safe retailer advertises their front doors as impenetrable, but most any thief hits the gun safe from the sides or rear in under 30 minutes they are in.

box cutters, cheap and effective

Some of us live where these are enough.

 

[JMT]

If improved security over standard zippers is desired, there are multiple ways to make a bag like this more secure.

One option would be to use YKK Double Coil Puncture Resistant Zippers (https://www.safesuitcases.com/Puncture-Resistant-Luggage-Zippers.asp). These were designed to solve the "pen problem" that @JMT posted about, they're effectively immune to the pen method of invasion. They look a little different than standard zippers:

View attachment 436864

The same TSA zipper lock I used on my prototype bag would work with puncture resistant zippers. Or, the two pulls could simply be locked together, which would be less expensive than the TSA type lock I used on the first prototype.

View attachment 436865

The zipper fragment above is not a puncture resistant zipper, it's just a fragment of zipper from my scrap box I photographed for this example.

Additionally, a hasp could be added to the straps that secure the lid so padlocks could be used to prevent opening the lid to access the zipper. I made up this quick and rough example with a hasp and padlock I had on hand. The hasp is secured to the fabric with rivets through it and a backer piece of leather sewed to the fabric.

View attachment 436866

I've got a source for Puncture Resistant Zippers so I may buy a yard or two of it and sew a prototype theft-resistant roll bar bag - I'd also like to test the theft-resistant roll bar attachment design I've come up with.

That would be awesome. Great stuff!

 

[CreepinDeth]

Some of us live where these are enough.

True

Its area dependent and its up to the end user to assess risk. I look at it from the city perspective

 

[R3ID05TJ]

On a trip back from India a few months ago I was watching bags go around the carousel at the airport and I noticed that some bags had built-in locks on their zippers. I did a little research and found that the locks are available on eBay for installation on your own bags, so I ordered some to experiment with.

View attachment 436414

It's a combination lock but it also can be unlocked with a TSA007 key.

These locks can be used to make "theft resistant" storage bags/pouches for inside soft top/open Jeeps. The lock would secure the zipper and the bag could be designed so it attaches to the Jeep in a way that the attachment can't be undone without tools or without access to the inside of the locked bag.

I use the term "theft resistant" rather than "theft proof" or "secure" because as long as a bag is made from a material that can be cut with a knife, theft can happen, but if the zipper is locked and the bag secured so it can't be removed from the Jeep without destruction that might deter some theft.

And since bags designed to be theft resistant in an open Jeep could also be rained on, they should be weather resistant as well. I recently designed a series of weather resistant storage bags for Overland Outfitters, they call it the "Storage on the Spare system" and they sent me a few yards of the production fabric for future experimentation so I decided to make a prototype bag that's both theft resistant using the lock above and weather resistant using the new fabric from them.

Here's the prototype mounted in my LJ, it attaches to the Jeep using the hardtop bolts so it can't be removed without a tool.

View attachment 436415

View attachment 436416

Unclipping and lifting the lid reveals the zipper and the zipper lock, in the photo at right the TSA key is inserted and you can also see the combination (currently set at 0,0,0):

View attachment 436417

It's also possible to make theft resistant bags that attach to the roll bar - I've done a design for roll bar attachment that can't be removed without access to the inside of the bag. I keep an OO roll bar bag on the vertical bar behind the driver's seat, it holds my recovery strap, it might be a good candidate for a theft-resistant version. I keep other recovery gear in the Overland Outfitters saddlebag also in the photo below - form-fitted to the inner fender, the saddlebag might also be a good candidate for a theft-resistant version.

View attachment 436418

I'm also working on ideas for a few other locations. Not sure if I'll sew prototypes of a theft resistant roll bar bag, saddlebag or of any other theft resistant ideas, for now I'll probably just use the one prototype in my Jeep(s) and see how it works out. I think the prototype will also work in the TJ, I don't have a TJ to test it in but I'll have to find one.

Theft-resistant bags/pouches: good idea or bad idea?

Are any of these bags for sale?

 

[jscherb]

Are any of these bags for sale?

The Theft Resistant bags are not for sale, they're just an idea I'm prototyping. I'm posting about the idea here to get feedback and suggestions on the concept and the design details and if there's enough positive feedback I may offer the design to Overland Outfitters.

The other bags in my earlier posts are in production and for sale, including the "Storage on the Spare" bags, the roll bar bag and the Saddlebags they can be found at https://www.overland-outfitters.com/. Some of their other popular products for the TJ/LJ:

I've ordered some puncture resistant zipper stock and plan to sew a prototype theft resistant roll bar mounted bag next, stay tuned.

For the record: I am not an employee of Overland Outfitters or any company. I am a Jeep hobbyist who enjoys designing things and sometimes companies pick up my designs and put them in production. I've done designs that are now offered by Overland Outfitters (most of their products), MORryde (most of their Jeep products), Gr8Tops (Safari Cab hardtop, Exogate), Tentrax trailers (MOLLE panels, a trailer kitchen and solar charging system), Compact Camping (Dinoot trailers), Retrofit Offroad and a few others. Recently I did a design for a multi-panel switch system specifically for overland vehicles, Auxbeam now has the design but I don't know if they will go ahead with that or not. I'm in the process of designing a microprocessor-controlled suspension air bag system for Jeeps right now, a compressor company has given me sample compressors to work with for that project. The hardware and electronics for that are basically done and I'm working on the code now. And I'm working on more fabric designs which I may or may not offer to Overland Outfitters. All of these are hobby projects of mine, like I said I'm not employed by any company.