5th gen solution for backpacker's spare key?

In my previous 4th gen 4Runner, I kept a spare key hidden inside the vehicle or a under a rock or some other feature where I parked. If I managed to loose my key while hiking or backpacking, I could use the hidden key to open the vehicle and drive away...

Now that I have 2024 5th gen with a fob, I am not sure the best way to hide a spare key, either inside the vehicle or outside. I assume that with the fob that if it is anywhere near the vehicle that anyone could just open it.

I'm thinking that the best solution is to just have a spare fob and hide it well enough away from the vehicle that the vehicle won't recognize that it is nearby. I'm also just a little concerned about fob battery life though here on the forums I've learned about putting the fob into sleep mode.

Does anyone have a good solution they've worked out for having a spare key somewhere when you're out on a backpacking trip?

 

Maybe look into a hitch safe and just put the fob into sleep mode before locking it in there. Or lock your truck with your phone after placing the fob inside the Runner and in sleep mode.

 

Sleep mode, or you can wrap the fob in foil and leave that inside the vehicle.

Stash the physical key blade outside somewhere.

 

I keep a spare FOB turned off and in a Faraday case inside the vehicle, and I have a hard key in a container stuck to the rear frame so I can open the door to get to the FOB if necessary.

 

I weave it into my shoelaces and then it becomes a Christmas ornament during the hikes

If I go go beach I usually bury it and that'll make for a fun end of day scavenger party

 

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

The vehicle came with 2 fobs. I like to keep one at home. I still need to find a source for that spare (rather than pay dealer). With my ‘08 I found an inexpensive source and could program those myself. I understand that’s no longer possible with this new fob and I have to take it to a specialist. Any suggestions?

 

Just store the blade under the car and leave the fob at home?

 

Yeah you kind of moved the goalpost when you said you want to leave a fob at home.

Perhaps you can have two keys made from the physical key in the fob. In which case you could:

• Put your fob into sleep mode and put it in the vehicle.
• Lock the door with the physical key.
• Take one physical key with you while backpacking.
• Hide the second physical key on the vehicle in case you lose the one you took with you.

I don’t know if the physical key in the fob can be duplicated.

 

The physical blade just has to match, surely you can get a blank and have it cut at a locksmith.

Doesn't need to be programmed, just needs to open the door.

 

Following. My '22 ORP has the keyless touch pad on the windshield. I have not used it with the key fob locked in the 4R. Has anyone done this? The sleep mode might just work.

 

https://www.locksmithkeyless.com/products/2016-2020-toyota-emergency-uncut-blade-key-toy51-2-pack

 

this. You should be able to get a RF type of bag, and put the physical door key in a magnetic box under the car, or stash nearby

 

...are you famiiar with the term "Prison Wallet"? That's one way to hide that key.

 

Interesting.
The text of the link implies 2016 to 2020, and the description at that page mentions 2016 to 2023.
The lookup feature on the site doesn’t include 2024, and the pic shows a long cut already on the key blank that my cut key doesn’t have.

Also of note, if you use the lookup (using 2023, as it’s the most recent) and find stock number SKU:BL-TOYOTA-09, it’s just 99 cents.


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ETA: For just four bucks, you can get ten of the blades (without the molded heads).
https://www.locksmithkeyless.com/collections/blades/products/2016-2018-toyot-flip-key-blade-10-pack

 

I'll need the fob to start the car...

 

Sorry, what I am looking for is a THIRD fob. #1 is my main one I use everyday, and will take on my person hiking/backpacking. #2 is always at home... #3 is the spare that I will hide or otherwise sequester somewhere. Sorry for the confusion.

 

When traveling, I always carry the spare in my pocket. Just in case the door locks do a Carrie.

 

Leave the fob inside the 4R (hidden in the center console) and keep the valet key with you.

Bring a spare valet key if you’d want to hide one near the truck

 

Find a local locksmith who does programming. Have them make another, verify all 3 work. Leave the spare inside your car, battery out, hidden. Worst case you break the window and get to drive home. Or, get a hide a key, put fob, leave out battery, inside a few ziplocks, duct taped to top side of frame as back up.

 

Why not just clip the keys to the inside of your pack? That's what i do when "in the field".

 

Put the fob in the car while keeping the blade outside. Not a difficult concept to follow

 

The truck won't lock with the fob inside.

 

If you follow the instructions (in post #4 of this thread) to enable the fob’s battery saving mode then you can lock the truck with the fob inside.

 

I mentioned it before but you can use foil for this too. That's what an independent Honda shop had us do. We kept the blade; they wrapped the fob and put it in the car for after hours pickup.

 

I missed that

 

Take the battery out of the FOB. It won't do anything but you’ll still be able to start it if you hold the Toyota logo on the back of the fob to the start button.