| When my family went on road trips, my dad was | | | | fingers, and an exclusive cam lock that resists drilling. |
| always adamantly against leaving any valuables in the | | | | Console vaults also feature a perfectly balanced |
| car. Instead of bringing said valuables with us when | | | | spring assisted lid for easy lift. A console vault is |
| we left the car, he decided it was best to simply | | | | perfect for storing hand guns, GPS units, jewelry, |
| bypass any unnecessary stops, and always leave | | | | iPods, money, and other valuables you don't want |
| someone on guard during bathroom breaks. As a | | | | seen by prying eyes. As serious as they sound (and |
| result, I have driven by, but not entered, Mark | | | | are!), installation only takes ten minutes. Just ten |
| Twain's house, the Peabody Museum, Central Park, | | | | minutes to ensure a bathroom break whenever one |
| and yes, even the Grand Canyon. I have, however, | | | | is needed, an impromptu jaunt through a new town |
| made it across the United States in four days. | | | | whenever it strikes your fancy, and having complete |
| As much of an accomplishment as that is, I believe I | | | | peace of mind from the grocery store to the parking |
| would have preferred to actually stop a while in | | | | garage to the gas station. |
| these, and countless other, bypassed places. And | | | | Speaking of gas stations, did I mention that my dad's |
| there is one simple thing that could have made it all | | | | seeming paranoia actually paid off? At a gas station in |
| possible- a console vault. | | | | Tuscaloosa, I was inspecting the University of |
| What is a console vault? Let me expound the many | | | | Alabama keychain display, my mom was restocking |
| virtues of this product which would have saved my | | | | out snack supply, Dad was wandering the parking lot |
| young psyche from the extraordinary stress that | | | | searching for cell phone reception, and my brother, |
| comes with not knowing if you'll make it to the next | | | | Ron, was on guard duty. We all got back to the car |
| rest stop. A console vault is specially designed to fit | | | | after the appointed five minutes, and Ron proceeded |
| inside the console of your truck or SUV. The console | | | | to tell us about this weird guy he'd seen while we |
| lid still opens and closes normally, and requires no | | | | were inside. Ron said that he walked up to the gas |
| modification. When your console lid is closed, it is | | | | pump opposite ours, looked at the screen for a |
| impossible to detect the presence of your | | | | minute, and then tilted his head to look into our car, |
| heavy-duty peace of mind. Are you worried you | | | | from which Ron gave him the death glare he had |
| won't find a console vault for your specific vehicle? | | | | practiced so much on me. The guy didn't seem to |
| Don't be! There are vaults constructed for over 26 | | | | notice, but just walked up to the front of the little |
| trucks and SUV's, as well as a universal vault for | | | | store. Just as we were pulling out, we heard a car |
| RV's, vans, and older vehicles. | | | | alarm go off, and saw Ron's Mr. Sneaky start running |
| Each one is made of massive 12-gauge cold rolled | | | | with something in his hand. Luckily, a state trooper |
| plate steel with welded tabs and notch seams. They | | | | had just pulled in, so he hopped out and caught the |
| come with a high-security barrel lock and two keys, | | | | guy. We didn't complain about guard duty again, |
| or if there's enough space, you can get a handy | | | | although I did manage to avoid it most of the time |
| keyless/combo lock. They also have a five-point | | | | by pulling the "I'm a girl and now I don't feel safe |
| locking system to deter even the most persistent | | | | being out there alone" line. |