Secure your Model 3 Trunk in 3 minutes Without Buying Anything!

[Alan2000]

After 3D printing and installing a trunk lock mod, I didn't like it as a piece broke soon after I installed it, and it took up some clearance in the trunk. So I designed a free lock mod that anyone can build in 3-5 minutes with free and easy to get parts. All you need is a free paint stir stick from Lowe's or HomeDepot, and a large rubber band, or 2 good sized rubber bands (3-4" long each connected together). Saw, cut or sand the stir stick into 2 smaller sticks about 20mm x 120mm (.80" x 4.75") with a 1/4" hole in each. Connect them together with the rubber band, and your lock is done! Enjoy the video!

Disclaimer: No car, trunk, house, or safe is really secure. Locks only slow down criminals. Most criminals want to grab and dash as quickly as possible. This will stop most criminals from getting into your trunk that want to make a quick getaway. It will not stop a thief with a crowbar that has a few minutes on his hands to pry open the trunk or seat. Use common sense and do not leave expensive items in your trunk if your car is parked in a remote location, etc...

 

[adayley]

Nice solution. Subscribed.

 

[TrailerParkT]

Just finished my sticks. Getting them into the right spot takes some practice but once there it seems to work well to block the release. I will probably try elastic instead of rubber bands.

 

[Alan2000]

I’ll probably design a simple 3D printed “stick” lock that holds inside the latch without the need to have the rubber band. I’m just too busy now designing products for work to have much time for any fun or hobbies. (I have what in think is a cool design in my head already and it’s burning a hole wanting to get done.) For now my cheapie stir sticks will keep my truck secure until I print something more elegant. Maybe even print it with carbon fiber filament for “Performance” version. LoL.

 

[Gauss Guzzler]

Clever but hopefully you guys are aware that there's no way for a thief to open the rear door anyway.

I can't imagine a scenario where your precious trunk junk just happens to be nicely arranged toward the front left corner with easy to hook handles plainly visible (with a flashlight) and a thief happens to show up with intimate knowledge of the seat latch, a flashlight he's not afraid to wave around, some sort of long hook, and plenty of time on his hands.

 

[rdeca]

Someone already designed one and provided the designs for free. If you have a 3d printer, you can print it today.

 

[Gasaraki]

Clever but hopefully you guys are aware that there's no way for a thief to open the rear door anyway.

I can't imagine a scenario where your precious trunk junk just happens to be nicely arranged toward the front left corner with easy to hook handles plainly visible (with a flashlight) and a thief happens to show up with intimate knowledge of the seat latch, a flashlight he's not afraid to wave around, some sort of long hook, and plenty of time on his hands.

View attachment 708953

No one is opening the rear door to access the trunk. They are breaking the small quarter window and flipping the seat down.

 

[Alan2000]

Someone already designed one and provided the designs for free. If you have a 3d printer, you can print it today.

I printed that one before switching over to the sticks. While the 3D printed one works, it has multiple parts and the side connector broke while testing it. I'm making a 3D printed one that is a 1 piece design.

 

[Resist]

The stick rubber band mod doesn't stop them from breaking the small windows. Always best to not keep anything of value your car and fold down the rear seats so they can see into an empty trunk before causing damage.

 

[21miDay]

No one is opening the rear door to access the trunk. They are breaking the small quarter window and flipping the seat down.

I've always wondered - if the steal a laptop or other item that is larger than that small window how do the get it out?

 

[Gasaraki]

I've always wondered - if the steal a laptop or other item that is larger than that small window how do the get it out?

They are basically doing that to all the cars to peek in your trunk. If they see something, they'll break your rear windows to steal it.

 

[Gauss Guzzler]

Burglars traditionally break these little windows so that they can reach in to unlock the door with with less noise and less glass ending up on the seat/loot. The goal is to enter the car unless there's something clearly visible that can be taken immediately. They don't know that Tesla doors can't be opened - if they did, they'd just break the rear door window so that they'd actually be able to reach in a little bit. But really, if they knew that, they'd just break into the next car instead.

 

[JonB]

On a 2021 model with the laminated side screens, I'll wager it's way harder to break. Yes? No?

 

[Stackin]

On a 2021 model with the laminated side screens, I'll wager it's way harder to break. Yes? No?

 

[Stackin]

Harder to break, yes … but only the front windows are laminated

 

[JonB]

Really? The cheapskates..!

 

[Resist]

Really? The cheapskates..!

Why does that make Tesla cheapskates? You do understand that laminated glass can't be accessed as easily as tempered glass for fire departments, should they need to save your life.

 

[JonB]

Why does that make Tesla cheapskates? You do understand that laminated glass can't be accessed as easily as tempered glass for fire departments, should they need to save your life.

There's always the windscreen. Anyway, one good whack and the glass can be shifted even if it is stuck together with a laminate. It just doesn't shatter into a million pieces. But my comment was a bit tongue in cheek anyway. I'm not really concerned if the rear is or isn't laminated, I am concerned that the soundproofing isn't as good as it could be. It's got a lot of tyre noise IMHO (though no worse than my old car which also had laminated side screens). I measured ~70dB at 60mph on tarmac in both cars.