Travel with a firearm can be a tricky endeavor, whether it’s travel by plane or car. For me, having a secure way to store my handgun during a trip is important, especially with children in my car. A small, lockable safe like the SnapSafe Treklite XL lock box is a great option.
Normally, my firearms get stored in the locking drawer in my vehicle. But for trips during the winter that require more emergency gear to also come on the trip, the drawer gets full fast. I needed an additional way to store my handgun that was outside the drawer, but still could be safe and secure. Add on the fact that I regularly travel through a state that doesn’t recognize my state’s Enhanced Concealed Carry permit, I also needed a way to adhere to the local laws.
The SnapSafe Treklite XL lock box is a good option to employ. The lock box features an advanced, impact-resistant polycarbonate housing that gives strength while keeping the box lightweight. On the outside of the SnapSafe Treklite XL is a durable, non-slip rubber over-mold for extra impact protection so you don’t have to worry about it sliding around or if you drop it.
Inside the Treklite XL lock box, a firm foam lining helps secure the pistol, or other items, in place while protecting it from scratches, dings, and dents. It also comes with a 4-foot steel security cable to secure it in place. The cable is rated up to 1,500 pounds, and is removable when the lockbox is open in case you don’t need to use it.
The version of the SnapSafe Treklite XL that I have employs a lock and key closure, but the company has a TSA-approved four-digit lock option with up to 10,000 different code combinations that are user-programmable.
Review
The SnapSafe Treklite XL lock box in FDE seems like a solid option for someone who needs some extra secure storage without the added weight, like me. Thanks to the polycarbonate construction, the Treklite XL weighs just over 1.5 pounds, as much as a third of the weight of a steel safe. The steel cable that comes with the lock box is a solid addition and attaches to the box on the side, so it doesn’t take up interior storage space.
That being said, the cable connection point seems to me to be the weakest part of the lockbox. According to SnapSafe, the cable is rated up to 1,500 lbs., which isn’t a huge amount of force. If the polycarbonate holds, the safe would stay where it’s locked to. I’m sure the company did the necessary testing, but to me—and I’m no expert—that’s the weakest point in the design. Don’t get me wrong: it would take someone with the wherewithal and the necessary tools to get it free and probably wouldn’t fall victim to a smash and grab.
The interior of the Treklite XL has form-fitted foam for a snug fit and hold of the handguns inside. It is large enough, with exterior measurements of 10” by 7” by 2” tall, to easily hold my Glock inside along with an extra magazine. With the foam inside, the first few times I went to lock it, I had to push firmly down to get the lock to engage, but that is to be expected. After a few uses, the lock was smoother, and I could lock it with one hand. As I stated above, the version of Treklite XL I have is equipped with a key and lock, but there is a turn dial lock option as well with an incredible number of combinations available.
The main snag I hit with the SnapSafe TrekLite XL was the placement in my car. Yes, the lockbox is smaller than other steel travel safes, but it isn’t as easy to hide away in my car as a soft-sided gun case. With the rigid outside, the TrekLite XL didn’t fit under my driver’s seat like I had hoped it would. Nor could I just slip it under the back seat either. It did fit under the backseat after some maneuvering, but it wasn’t a quick and easy placement. I ultimately stashed it in the rear of the car with our luggage, but I really did want it closer at hand should the need arise.
With the recent holiday travel, I was comforted by the knowledge that I had my handgun close by but secure from small hands or prying eyes. While at our relative’s house over the holidays, it was nice to be able to lock up my gun while having it easily accessible if the need ever arose to use it. Considering we stayed in a large metropolitan area that had seen its fair share of crime issues as of late, it was an added level of comfort for me to have my Glock nearby.
The SnapSafe Treklite XL is a lightweight and secure way to lock up a handgun when not in use. The smaller size means that it could fit in my luggage, if necessary, but I don’t think I would use it by itself if I were to fly to a destination. For that, I would use a locking pelican or similar case for the handgun. But that’s a discussion for a different time.
Verdict
The SnapSafe Treklite XL in FDE is a solid little lock box. Its perfect for quick and secure storage of a handgun or other valuables, whether compact or full-sized. I can see this lock box getting plenty of use in the coming months with different travels and outings. It comes with a lifetime warranty from SnapSafe and has an MSRP of $51.99.
