Do you marmot proof your car?

Trailhead condition requests, questions, alerts, etc.
Forum rules
  • This is a mountaineering forum, so please keep your posts on-topic. Posts do not all have to be related to the 14ers but should at least be mountaineering-related.
  • Personal attacks and confrontational behavior will result in removal from the forum at the discretion of the administrators.
  • Do not use this forum to advertise, sell photos or other products or promote a commercial website.
  • Posts will be removed at the discretion of the site administrator or moderator(s), including: Troll posts, posts pushing political views or religious beliefs, and posts with the purpose of instigating conflict within the forum.
For more details, please see the Terms of Use you agreed to when joining the forum.
Post Reply
User avatar
greenonion
Posts: 2077
Joined: 10/3/2012
14ers: 52  1 
13ers: 2
Trip Reports (0)
 

Re: Do you marmot proof your car?

Post by greenonion »

two lunches wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 4:45 pm
greenonion wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 4:19 pm Does anyone happen to know if newer 4Runners from about 2019 to present have that soy-based component on hoses etc that attracts marmots and rodents?
they for sure do. i have not had any damage to mine with this thing zip tied to my battery https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YB ... UTF8&psc=1

i turn it on as soon as i park and shut it off before i roll out.
Wow. Glad I asked. Thanks! Will look into one of these.
AndrewLyonsGeibel
Posts: 442
Joined: 7/3/2015
14ers: 9 
Trip Reports (0)
 

Re: Do you marmot proof your car?

Post by AndrewLyonsGeibel »

I assume 2023 Subarus also have that wiring? I’ve looked at skid plates, but not sure if they offer enough coverage.
Skimo95
Posts: 498
Joined: 5/19/2021
14ers: 58  20  28 
13ers: 210 9
Trip Reports (0)
 

Re: Do you marmot proof your car?

Post by Skimo95 »

AndrewLyonsGeibel wrote: Wed Aug 31, 2022 5:27 pm I assume 2023 Subarus also have that wiring? I’ve looked at skid plates, but not sure if they offer enough coverage.
I rescued a chipmunk from an air intake once without knowing.. I’d try coyote urine before turning a subie into a tank :)

Numerous diagnostics I have with fleet vehicles are wiring based due to animals
User avatar
Scott P
Posts: 9598
Joined: 5/4/2005
14ers: 58  16 
13ers: 50 13
Trip Reports (16)
 
Contact:

Re: Do you marmot proof your car?

Post by Scott P »

docjohn wrote: Sat Jul 18, 2020 7:22 pm How is it the marmots and porkies don't chew through the plastic? They certainly chew through any wire covers with ease.
If it's construction fencing; that stuff is high density plastic. It would be really hard to chew through, even for a porcupine or marmot.
I'm old, slow and fat. Unfortunately, those are my good qualities.
User avatar
ShadowAviator
Posts: 7
Joined: 7/6/2022
Trip Reports (1)
 

Re: Do you marmot proof your car?

Post by ShadowAviator »

I wonder if they are going after the salt that is on the wiring from winter. A good wash may not get all that off.

I hope the coating of oil and dirt from the farm will keep them off my truck. I guess I'll do some mudding and not wash it.
User avatar
Briere
Posts: 131
Joined: 9/18/2021
14ers: 47  1 
13ers: 8
Trip Reports (0)
 

Re: Do you marmot proof your car?

Post by Briere »

two lunches wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 4:45 pm
greenonion wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 4:19 pm Does anyone happen to know if newer 4Runners from about 2019 to present have that soy-based component on hoses etc that attracts marmots and rodents?
they for sure do. i have not had any damage to mine with this thing zip tied to my battery https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YB ... UTF8&psc=1

i turn it on as soon as i park and shut it off before i roll out.
Does that mean you sleep with it on if you were to be car camping? I would think so in that case but just seeing what you do.
d_baker
Posts: 3204
Joined: 11/18/2007
14ers: 58  15 
13ers: 367 11
Trip Reports (59)
 

Re: Do you marmot proof your car?

Post by d_baker »

off topic a little, but does anyone use the deer warning whistle gadgets on their car and have success? Success I guess being you haven't hit a deer! ?/
User avatar
two lunches
Posts: 1448
Joined: 5/30/2014
14ers: 45  2 
13ers: 63 1 2
Trip Reports (0)
 

Re: Do you marmot proof your car?

Post by two lunches »

Briere wrote: Sun May 07, 2023 4:21 pm
two lunches wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 4:45 pm
greenonion wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 4:19 pm Does anyone happen to know if newer 4Runners from about 2019 to present have that soy-based component on hoses etc that attracts marmots and rodents?
they for sure do. i have not had any damage to mine with this thing zip tied to my battery https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YB ... UTF8&psc=1

i turn it on as soon as i park and shut it off before i roll out.
Does that mean you sleep with it on if you were to be car camping? I would think so in that case but just seeing what you do.
yes when i car camp it is on all night. it will go off at the slightest movement like rolling over but even as a light sleeper, i can barely hear it. i do sometimes wonder if it bothers my dog, though..

if i remember to bring them, i also use the rodent repellant sachets
“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” – Mary Davis
User avatar
IHikeLikeAGirl
Posts: 1005
Joined: 9/5/2007
14ers: 58  6 
13ers: 346
Trip Reports (6)
 

Re: Do you marmot proof your car?

Post by IHikeLikeAGirl »

Much of this was probably covered to death, but I just decided to throw in my personal experience.

I've used chicken wire and I sleep in my car. I was at the Maroon Bells parking lot one night and the occupants of the cars, on either side of me, were up all night chasing off a porcupine or something. The critters did not touch my car, but I was kept up ALL NIGHT with my neighbors constant battles....

Chicken wire isn't that huge of a pain, once you get the hang of it (10-15 min setup, and that's me doing it alone).

As for access to and from the vehicle, I usually bulge the wire out near one door that I will use and grab a few rocks to put around the base of the bulge. I also use 2 small garden stakes or a straight stick and weave it into a few of the holes, to give the bulge a bit more stability. I leave the sticks in place in the wire, when I role it up and then they are already there for the next trip.

It doesn't take as long as it sounds. I've seen d_baker, rwinters, and a few others spend (what seems like) hours getting an SUV perfectly level at a TH. :-D

I've also used Coyote or Fox urine and Critter Ritter. So far, no issues, but my fellow camping buddies complain that I use too much. The Coyote/Fox Urine smells to high heaven, especially when used to excess. :wink:
"Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time."
- Steven Wright
User avatar
IHikeLikeAGirl
Posts: 1005
Joined: 9/5/2007
14ers: 58  6 
13ers: 346
Trip Reports (6)
 

Re: Do you marmot proof your car?

Post by IHikeLikeAGirl »

d_baker wrote: Sun May 07, 2023 4:36 pm off topic a little, but does anyone use the deer warning whistle gadgets on their car and have success? Success I guess being you haven't hit a deer! ?/
I am interested in the answer to this too. Perhaps another thread is needed?
"Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time."
- Steven Wright
User avatar
HikerGuy
Posts: 1484
Joined: 5/25/2006
14ers: 58 
13ers: 499 8
Trip Reports (9)
 

Re: Do you marmot proof your car?

Post by HikerGuy »

IHikeLikeAGirl wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 1:14 pm I've also used Coyote or Fox urine and Critter Ritter. So far, no issues, but my fellow camping buddies complain that I use too much. The Coyote/Fox Urine smells to high heaven, especially when used to excess. :wink:
PRO TIP: Don't get coyote urine on your hands. Good god, never again.
User avatar
Somewhat of a Prick
Posts: 746
Joined: 8/4/2012
14ers: 58  7 
13ers: 109
Trip Reports (17)
 

Re: Do you marmot proof your car?

Post by Somewhat of a Prick »

Long thread so this might have been covered, but any thoughts on buying a really heavy duty large tarp and then just driving your car into the middle of it and then wrapping up your car? Seems like a quick and easy solution.
Post Reply