i have a large sticker across the back of my rig that says "search rescue", then a front vanity plate, as well as a couple smaller stickers on the side windows. they have been there for about 3 years or so. in that time i have never had a break in, or had a complaint about my driving, and ill admit sometimes it leaves a lot to be desired -but then again so does 80% of the rest of the people on the road IMO... anyhow. i have thought about taking it off for several reason, the least of them have been theft. i think the overall appearance of my has a greater indication than a couple stickers... how ever on the other hand, i have been granted a few professional courtesies in that time as well, a couple for speeding ect. it also i feel helps when i have been in an area i probably shouldn't have been in(not wheeling, but for taking pictures ect) as i have seen others get a lecture for doing the same thing im doing -now i dont go making a habit of doing that kinda stuff, and once i hear or am made a ware of what im doing is not smiled upon then i try not to do it again. but honestly i have found it to me more of a help in situations that i may come up on in my day to day travels, weather that be car accidents or what not. typically the people see the big sticker on the back of my rig(and of the strobe lights if i turn them on) and feel a little more at ease. as well as being taken a little more seriously when either LEO and or FD shows up. along with that when i have stopped even after LEO or FD is on scene they tend to welcome the help -i will typically only stop if its a lone officer or lone truck/engine first on scene.
its hard to get in trouble when your there to help...
craig stuck by
isaacyocum, on Flickr
IMG_1957 by
isaacyocum, on Flickr
IMG_1956 by
isaacyocum, on Flickr
i got a call from one of the deputies to come pull him out... they had been up on an investigation and got stuck, he then radioed for another deputy to come assist him and he got stuck too, it was the second officer who contacted me. well when i got there, the first deputy told me to turn around a go away... not knowing who i was... as he was telling me this, the other deputy comes running up saying "no no no its ok we need him..." lol needless to say i dont get too many speeding tickets or other hassles -it was shortly after this, and because of this, all the SAR deputies rigs got Warn winches installed.
IMG_8507 by
isaacyocum, on Flickr
the blue sticker in the back door quarter windown, then on the back side window in the upper forward corner is a reflective sticker, and of course the rear deflector has the big sticker.
IMG_6393 by
isaacyocum, on Flickr
and this is the front "plate"...
i know another member in my group who has had all his gear stolen out of his truck though, and he did run around with the big giant magnets that had our groups logos on it. we also had told him to not do that, as yes it does reflect on our group and yeah as many of you have pointed out, typically that is negatively. but as a rule of thumb i do not keep my gear in my rig at all times. i will carry a team shirt and or jacket, but thats it. i keep most of my gear at my house. i have spent way to much money to let it go like that, and my insurance would not cover most of it either. when i do have it in my rig, i keep it in the back under the cargo cover, i also have dark tented windows that help keep the prying eyes off of it. the extra 15-20min it would take for me to go home and get my gear is no were near as much of an inconvenience as the $2-3k it would take to replace my gear.
bottom line guys, if you dont want to lose it, keep it safe., and dont keep it in a place people can easily get to.
