Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
Post by mizvalentine on Apr 26, 2011 12:02:31 GMT -5
So, I think I'm looking for lost-car-key horror stories more than anything here. But I just found out its going to cost $120 for a spare key to my van... which is NOT in my budget for the trip.
With all the other expenses I've incurred for the trip, I'm having trouble justifying spending that kind of money before I go, for something I only MIGHT need. My bf thinks I'm nuts to go without one and I've read on here a few times that its a very good idea. But I do have roadside assistance, and I've never lost a key in my life (KNOCK ON WOOD).
Have you ever lost your keys at Roo? Was it a freaking nightmare? Is there a big line of people on Monday every year waiting for the locksmith? Am I stupid to even consider going without one? Without this board, I never would've considered that I needed one!!
I have never lost my keys there. If you have a remote, you may consider detaching it from the key, and putting the key in your glove box. This way, if you lose the remote, you can just pay to have your car slim jimed, and be on your way. The vehicle I am going to take has a keyless entry feature, so I intend to lock the keys in the car (out of sight) and just memorizing the code.
Post by Hoodw!nked on Apr 26, 2011 12:19:19 GMT -5
get a magnetic key-holder box to put your key in and hide it under the van. that saved me in '06, since then i just do that when i get there, then i don't have to worry bout where it.
I have never lost my keys there. If you have a remote, you may consider detaching it from the key, and putting the key in your glove box. This way, if you lose the remote, you can just pay to have your car slim jimed, and be on your way. The vehicle I am going to take has a keyless entry feature, so I intend to lock the keys in the car (out of sight) and just memorizing the code.
Hope this helps
Thanks for this! Excellent idea. I don't have a remote fob (bought the car used and the owner didn't have it anymore) but maybe that'd be cheaper than the replacement key.
get a magnetic key-holder box to put your key in and hide it under the van. that saved me in '06, since then i just do that when i get there, then i don't have to worry bout where it.
Do you ever worry about somebody stealing the key? That's the only thing that worries me about those boxes. The cars are packed in so tight its not like they could steal the car, but I'd be more worried about everything inside it disappearing. I like to think the best of people (especially at Roo!!) but I've been robbed a few times so I'm probably paranoid...
This will be my first time driving to Roo, so I'm kinda torn on this myself. On the one hand, I really don't want to spend over $100 and several hours waiting for AAA... but on the other, I feel like an extra key might just double my chances of losing one. Still, better to be safe than sorry.
get a magnetic key-holder box to put your key in and hide it under the van. that saved me in '06, since then i just do that when i get there, then i don't have to worry bout where it.
Be careful with those magnetic key holder thingies...I had one under my car for awhile, until - Murphy's effin' Law! - the day I locked my keys in the car, I realized it had fallen off. A $75 locksmith fee later, I now have a few spares, including 1 in my backpack which is kept away from the car at camp. So far (knock wood!) I've never needed it.
But keeping your spare in one of those magnet boxes for the weekend on the farm should work just fine.
get a magnetic key-holder box to put your key in and hide it under the van. that saved me in '06, since then i just do that when i get there, then i don't have to worry bout where it.
Do you ever worry about somebody stealing the key? That's the only thing that worries me about those boxes. The cars are packed in so tight its not like they could steal the car, but I'd be more worried about everything inside it disappearing. I like to think the best of people (especially at Roo!!) but I've been robbed a few times so I'm probably paranoid...
I guess it could happen but luckily it hasn't happened to me yet. but i normally hide it so well it takes me a little while to find it myself. If someone really wants something in the car they can easily bust a window or slim-jim it themselves, a lot quicker then crawling under and hunting for a spare.
I guess it could happen but luckily it hasn't happened to me yet. but i normally hide it so well it takes me a little while to find it myself. If someone really wants something in the car they can easily bust a window or slim-jim it themselves, a lot quicker then crawling under and hunting for a spare.
Ahh, excellent point! Now I just have to worry about not getting so quacked I forget where I hid it...
Have an extra, or at least have a plan for losing it. I didn't lose my key, but I did lock it inside the car 20 minutes after setting up camp. When I walked to the pod for help they made sign the wall of shame! (I felt much better when they told me one of the guys locked his keys in a running car!) Anyways, $60 and a good hour blown. Not my favorite story to tell from Roo, but it was one that I really learned a lot from!
Post by Enlightened1 on Apr 26, 2011 14:07:37 GMT -5
Most of us have locked our keys in the car, it sucks. Now imagine the car locked, with your clothes, food, drinks, cell phone and it's Thursday am in Bonnaroo. You think you are gonna get a locksmith anytime soon? Bring a spare KEY!!! put it in the mag box first thing when you park.
get a magnetic key-holder box to put your key in and hide it under the van. that saved me in '06, since then i just do that when i get there, then i don't have to worry bout where it.
Be careful with those magnetic key holder thingies...I had one under my car for awhile, until - Murphy's effin' Law! - the day I locked my keys in the car, I realized it had fallen off. A $75 locksmith fee later, I now have a few spares, including 1 in my backpack which is kept away from the car at camp. So far (knock wood!) I've never needed it.
But keeping your spare in one of those magnet boxes for the weekend on the farm should work just fine.
Where do you get these magnetic boxes? I am thinking this would work good for just the farm. Usually I just keep it on me but have more people in our group this year so I know the key will need to be more accessible...
Post by JustSoYouKnow on Apr 26, 2011 15:26:59 GMT -5
Our first bonnaroo we had to pay $50 and wait two hours at the car for a locksmith... we even brought two keys, one got lost and the other was locked in the car!
Personally, we never replaced the lost key... we got a cheaper extra key made that only unlocks the doors but doesn't start the engine... to start the engine the keys needs an electronic chip in it and that is what drives to cost up. It only cost us like $25.00 to get a spare key that only unlocks the doors. If our stuff is locked inside then we can get in the car at least(and hopefully the key is just locked inside, too) but if we need another key made to start the engine we will save that cost for when we really need it.
Post by grizzlepickle on Apr 26, 2011 17:04:30 GMT -5
Having a spare key, hide-a-key, etc. is imperative for Roo. Here's the horror-story our friend and crew member experienced on her maiden Roo voyage...
Although she knew to either a.) carry everything important with her at all times, or b.) lock it in the car... she lost her mind and did neither. In fact, she left her purse with her only set of keys, cards, license, and extra cash in her tent while in Centeroo/partying the entire weekend. Of course an opportunist snagged it at some point creating a very difficult situation for her. Lessons she learned...
1. Roadside assistance doesn't matter. Roo contracts with a tow company. They are the only ones allowed to tow cars off of premises, and it's at their prices (which are over-inflated). 2. As many people manage to lose their keys at roo, the wait for an overpriced tow can be daunting. 3. From there, you'll probably have to pay for a tow to Nashville or Chattanooga to get a new key made by the dealership. 4. They will require proof of ID to do this, which, if you've lost your ID too, will have to be faxed from your state DMV. 5. A new key will cost anywhere from $100 to >$400+ for luxury cars (which she has). 6. She ended up paying over $700 out of pocket for the tows and the key, and was a day late getting back to work.
Roo friends, please keep a shred of sanity at the farm, and understand that not everybody that attends Roo are honest folk. Also, know that losing your mind has a direct correlation with losing other things, and come prepared. Can't wait to see you all there.
Def in for the spare key. What is the ratio for cars stolen or broken into with a "found" key vs. cars with no key to be had because it got lost. I would bet one in a thousand is too high.
I just found out its going to cost $120 for a spare key to my van... which is NOT in my budget for the trip.
Who the hell is quoting you $120 for a key? Can't you get a backup key made from your original at just about any Wal-Mart for two dollars? Is there something special about your particular key which precludes this from being an option?
I just found out its going to cost $120 for a spare key to my van... which is NOT in my budget for the trip.
Who the hell is quoting you $120 for a key? Can't you get a backup key made from your original at just about any Wal-Mart for two dollars? Is there something special about your particular key which precludes this from being an option?
Its a Honda Odyssey... the key has a computer chip in it and can only be programmed by a Honda dealer, otherwise the engine won't start. The metal part isn't even like a normal key so I don't think a locksmith can cut one that just opens the doors?
That said, I appreciate the person upthread who mentioned the doors-only key... a little googling reveals that those are quite cheap and less than a key fob. So, locking the ignition key in the car and carrying a doors-only key, and then maybe putting a second doors-only key in a magnetic box, may well be a solution. In addition to laying out the dough, I hate the thought of carrying a second ignition key and being out $120 if it gets lost....losing a doors-only key wouldn't hurt so much.
Thanks, everyone, for helping me think this one out!!
Ahh...so they do actually work! I saw those when I was looking for door key prices and I just assumed they were scams or something (I'm too suspicious I guess). That's a lot less than the dealer wanted for the part and programming...I may have to give that a shot. Thanks!
Post by Dave Maynar on Apr 27, 2011 5:44:35 GMT -5
I usually keep one key on me and put an extra in the grass under my tent somewhere.
As far as people breaking in, thieves usually go for the path of least resistance. Why slimjim or break a window if there camp next to you has an unlocked door or a bunch of crap in their tent? Don't leave valuables (ie IPods, GPS, Satellite Radios, etc.) where people can see them in your car or in your tent.
definitely don't leave anything important or valuable in your tent. Last year we were walking back to our tent sunday night and heard a strange noise coming from our neighbors tent; as we got closer they started screaming "who's there" then outta nowhere this quacked up kid bust out the back of their tent. (the side with no opening) and ran off. No one knew who he was and apparently a few other tents were done the same way. The neighbors had left their purse in there for some reason but he only took their prescription meds and granola
What I have done in the past, is take a spare key and put it in a little can or something. We throw down a tarp on the ground, and a carpet over that. Basically, we bury the can in the center of our camp (under tarp, carpet and tent) and leave it there.
But now we have a spare key so we just lock one in the glove box and my friend holds the key since he's more of a straight-shooter than the rest of our group.
- the day I locked my keys in the car, I realized it had fallen off. A $75 locksmith fee later, I now have a few spares, including 1 in my backpack which is kept away from the car at camp. So far (knock wood!) I've never needed it. 
