Security on the Road with Console Vault

by Michael Satterfield - 11/10/2020

More and more Americans are purchasing firearms for the first time due to fears over the pandemic and months of civil unrest. With more firearms in circulation, there has also been an increase in firearms being stolen, many times out of vehicles. Recently in College Station, Texas, 20 cars were burglarized and five guns were stolen in just one night. Last year one of our contributors wrote a story about how to legally and safely transport your gun in a vehicle, with a focus on securing it in a lockbox. While many people think that locking their glove box or console is enough, most of those can be easily pried open, and honestly, most drivers forget to lock them every time. 

This is where a product like the Console Vault makes a huge difference, by creating a secure storage area within your vehicle for firearms, registration, or other valuables you need to transport with you. We are installing the Console Vault in a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe it is the same console as the Suburban. Console Vault makes custom-fitted products designed for the most popular cars, trucks, and even motorcycles. All of their in-vehicle safes are made of heavy gauge cold rolled steel with drill-resistant locks. They also claimed that most of their safes install in under 15 minutes, which I was skeptical of. 

When it arrived I was impressed with the construction, the Console Vault is well built and the only hardware was two grade-8 screws and the keys. We opted for the barrel lock keys, but a three or four-digit combination lock is also available. The instructions were just one page, so perhaps the install would be done in less than 15 minutes. 

Installing the Console Vault was simple, remove two 10mm bolts at the bottom of the console, pop out the two plastic "file hangers" from the interior sides of the console. Drop the vault in place and install the two provided replacement screws. Add the foam rubber pad to the bottom of the vault floor and that is it. It only took about 10 minutes to install. 

The vault looks like an OEM option and even has a cut-out so the factory console light still illuminates the inside of the vault. There is still room in the console for paperwork or small items, but once you close the lid there is no way to tell that the Console Vault has been installed. Even if you are not concerned about carrying a firearm in your vehicle the Console Vault is a great way to secure valuables when you valet, park in public, or even in your own driveway. 

Check out consolevault.com to see if they already make a vault for your vehicle, if not still get in touch as they are always looking to add new vaults to their product line and may be able to create one for you.