Preventing trailer theft

[yardsale]

Originally Posted by ColoRockiesFan

Any thoughts on this device?

Steal Shield Products | The Industry Leader in Trailer Security

Lousy website and they are out of stock but it would seem to have potential, like the Megahitch, it employs a "surround strategy" in this case round rather than square, perhaps providing fewer leverage points to pry the thing off and making it more difficult to stabilize while you cut through it. I have asked when they will be restocked.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by yardsale

Lousy website and they are out of stock but it would seem to have potential, like the Megahitch, it employs a "surround strategy" in this case round rather than square, perhaps providing fewer leverage points to pry the thing off and making it more difficult to stabilize while you cut through it. I have asked when they will be restocked.

It's available on Amazon. I like it as well as the Coupler Vault because they are both "loose" on the receiver, which makes sawing much harder because you don't have a stable platform. Also, there are no bars to saw.

[Ron in BC]

All the methods discussed so far would be easy pickings for a thief that steals catalytic converters in his spare time. A small grinder with a metal cutting disk would slice through most of them effortlessly. I'm not saying don't bother, my Reese obviously only last 50 seconds in the hands of a determined thief, but short of removing wheels etc. most devices, as has been said, only slow a thief down.

Ron

[rbryan4]

How bout we just round them all up and dump them in the ocean. Sharks gotta eat.

[float5]

Originally Posted by J Mac

the most interesting thing to note is that in the stolen "Boler in Winnipeg case" the thieves just lifted the trailer away with a large pole. Locks, wheel boots etc. wouldn't have helped in this case.

Yes, and I am sure no one is picking up our 19' and walking off with it! On the other hand, if a 13' is picked up, it can't be taken far. Of course, it could be put into a closed truck. That is the problem with the very small ones. Slightly more obvious if a flatbed is used.

[yardsale]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

All the methods discussed so far would be easy pickings for a thief that steals catalytic converters in his spare time. A small grinder with a metal cutting disk would slice through most of them effortlessly. I'm not saying don't bother, my Reese obviously only last 50 seconds in the hands of a determined thief, but short of removing wheels etc. most devices, as has been said, only slow a thief down.

Ron

Good insurance, and not leaving your electronic devices in it is the best we can do.

[float5]

Originally Posted by yardsale

Good insurance, and not leaving your electronic devices in it is the best we can do.

Yes, it would mostly be time lost getting another trailer and equipping it again for many of us. But those with vintage trailers who have put so much work time into them would have a greater loss. Glad the owner will have that one Boler back, at least.

[gbaglo]

I have guaranteed replacement insurance which will replace my 2009 17B with a 2015 17B if mine is stolen. I also have $5,000 coverage on personal effects.

I have a $11.95 hitch lock and no stress.

[moments]

HI all, We've been considering purchasing a "GPS" type product to be installed on our Escape in case it is ever stolen (despite precautions we take). Apparently, it is something like when your pet is "chipped" and can be located. Does anyone else have such a thing? THanks for your help.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by moments

HI all, We've been considering purchasing a "GPS" type product to be installed on our Escape in case it is ever stolen (despite precautions we take). Apparently, it is something like when your pet is "chipped" and can be located. Does anyone else have such a thing? THanks for your help.

You could always try something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Track.../dp/B008980YZQ

Or you could hard wire an old dump phone that has GPS locating enabled.

Or, as others have mentioned, just make sure you have replacement cost insurance and interior content coverage, a decent receiver lock and be done with it. Personally, if our trailer ever gets stolen I probably don't want it back. It would be most likely trashed or turned into a meth lab - or worse.

[EDarby]

Hi gbaglo, who is your insurance company? Thanks.

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I have guaranteed replacement insurance which will replace my 2009 17B with a 2015 17B if mine is stolen. I also have $5,000 coverage on personal effects.

I have a $11.95 hitch lock and no stress.

[Dave Walter]

Something like this SPOT device would probably work well. Tiny SPOT GPS Unit Serves As 'Anti-Theft Satellite Tracker'


I use a SPOT tracker for wilderness trips (mostly canoeing) and it works well. Cannot see why their auto/rv anti-theft device would not work well also. Of course, you do have to pay for the privilege of using it.

SPOT Trace

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by moments

We've been considering purchasing a "GPS" type product to be installed on our Escape in case it is ever stolen (despite precautions we take). Apparently, it is something like when your pet is "chipped" and can be located...

Not quite - the pet "chip" is a buried ID tag than can be read if someone takes the found pet to a vet or animal shelter, and no one is taking your stolen trailer to the cops to see if it is stolen... and if they did then reading the VIN would work (no electronics needed).

Instead, these devices use a GPS receiver to determine the current location, and mobile wireless device (like a phone) to report that location, so you can track it down. By the way, you can buy this sort of thing for your pet, but it's a box on the collar, not an embedded chip. I remember when neither GPS nor mobile networks existed, this device would be science fiction, and putting it on your dog's collar would be ridiculous... but I'm old.

Originally Posted by ice-breaker

Something like this SPOT device would probably work well.
...
Of course, you do have to pay for the privilege of using it.

Right, the cost is to subscribe to the mobile service and pay the SPOT people to pass the location on to you.

If you're sufficiently concerned about theft, don't mind running power to the device, and assume that the thief won't just turn it off or pry it off and discard it, it makes sense to me.

[strawbarry]

I have a spot trace. I have been playing with it over the last few weeks. I currently have it in my truck dash. When the truck moves it send a text to my cell within 5 to 10 minutes that movement has been detected. You can also pinpoint to the parking space where the vehicle is located with the app.

The unit cost $100, and $100 per year of service. You can also pay by the month and there was no activation fee. It uses 4 AAA lithium batteries. You can also purchase a power adapter to hard wire it to power. I intend to conceal it in the bed area of my soon to arrive 5.0 ta.

[dfandrews]

TANSTAFL: i.e. if you pay for it, it's available.


E.G. LoJack - Trailers and Towables

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by EDarby

Hi gbaglo, who is your insurance company? Thanks.

Agent is HUB International Barton Insurance Brokers.
Insurance company is Elite.

[Oregonian]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

TANSTAFL: i.e. if you pay for it, it's available.


E.G. LoJack - Trailers and Towables

LoJack has a couple of downsides, the main being that you're dependant on local law enforcement to locate and recover your trailer- and frequently they aren't able to. I would rather track it myself, put eyes on it and call 911.

[Rossue]

Originally Posted by Oregonian

LoJack has a couple of downsides, the main being that you're dependant on local law enforcement to locate and recover your trailer- and frequently they aren't able to. I would rather track it myself, put eyes on it and call 911.

Wha? You gonna Kojack that Lojack?

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Wha? You gonna Kojack that Lojack?

Nice call, Ross.

BTW: we waved in your direction; we were at the Honda dealer on Osos Valley Rd, to get our new (for us) tow vehicle. The in-laws used to live on Inyo Dr. so we hung out there a lot. T'is a beautiful area.

[Bobbito]

I haven’t seen any discussion of using your home security system to keep your trailer safe. I spoke with a security technician doing an installation about this and he suggested two options, wired and RF.
To ensure the trailer doesn’t leave unnoticed you could use a contact coming up from underneath the parked trailer and clipped to your magnet to ensure your alarm went off as it was moved. This could be done by tying into a nearby contact’s wiring from a door or window and running it underground through PVC or conduit to the trailer. When you left with your trailer you would have to substitute another magnet to allow your security system to operate while you were away. The substitute magnet would have to be secured and oriented correctly to prevent the alarm going off.

If your security system has RF capability it is even easier. You just install the contact where you want it without having to tap into the security wiring.

Does this guys advice sound plausible? Also, I wonder if you could somehow use your home security to secure the trailer’s door or use a motion detector while at home?