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Old 01-15-2011, 10:23 AM   #1
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Security of batteries on rear bumper

I just talked to Rease and he recommended that the dual batteries not be placed on the tongue with dual propane and the tongue box. Actually, he didn't "recommend", he said they wouldn't do it due to too much tongue weight on the 17b.

I have read last year's posts on battery location etc, but has anybody come up with a good security system for rear bumper mounted dual batteries since then?

Besides the regular roadtrips and weekends at whatever lakes, we plan on using our Escape for base camp type situations where it may be unattended for a number of days at remote sites.

Six months and 5 days to go

cheers anyway,

G
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Old 01-15-2011, 02:26 PM   #2
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Re: Security of batteries on rear bumper

On the tongue as on the 19 or off the back as on the 17 they are vulnerable to theft. My consolation is that a thief with half a brain would look at those batteries and see they are six volt. Perhaps that is enough to discourage them from wrestling them off the trailer?

Here is an idea, afix a label to the battery for the year they were installed. Make it prominent for a would be thief to see and make the battery four years older than it really is.

My worry would be "Am I giving the thief to much credit?"
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Old 01-15-2011, 10:47 PM   #3
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Re: Security of batteries on rear bumper

Hi Gord,

We have dual batteries and a single propane tank on the tongue of our 15A and I wouldn't put any more weight up front. However, I purchased a cable lock and wrapped it around both batteries to thwart any opportunistic thieves -- it won't stop the professionals though. You can just see the lock in the photo below.

Sean

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Old 01-15-2011, 11:03 PM   #4
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Re: Security of batteries on rear bumper

I'll have to wait until the summer to design something but I'm thinking of having a narrow aluminum checkerplate box built to mount on the back bumper to contain the batteries and provide a little more storage.

I might have to modify the spare tire mount and vent the box. Does anyone have any experience mounting batteries in a metal box?
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Old 01-15-2011, 11:43 PM   #5
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Re: Security of batteries on rear bumper

Go to: http://escapeforum.org/index.php?topic=1035.0

and you will find previous discussion and pictures of rear cargo carriers.

baglo
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Old 01-16-2011, 12:09 AM   #6
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Re: Security of batteries on rear bumper

Hi: CAVeDweller... I'll put my money on your four legged "Thief Thwart". Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Old 01-16-2011, 01:45 PM   #7
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Re: Security of batteries on rear bumper

Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
Go to: http://escapeforum.org/index.php?topic=1035.0

and you will find previous discussion and pictures of rear cargo carriers.

baglo
Thanks for the link, Glenn . I have read the previous discussions several times.

Are you recommending that I hang a couple of batteries on a rear cargo carrier such as pictured in that discussion? I would prefer not for, I hope, obvious reasons.

I'm heading down to the 'wack (Chilliwack - home of Escape) next month so I'll talk to Reace about a solution.

cheers,
Gord
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Old 01-16-2011, 01:53 PM   #8
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Re: Security of batteries on rear bumper

Nope. Just offering ideas for mounting a box to put your batteries in. I tried driving a wedge ( intended for an axe handle ) into the receiver to keep the cargo rack from rattling, but it eventually fell out. As you can see my battery is still on the back bumper. However, after my gas can was stolen ( it was atop the battery ), I've moved it to inside the box.
As for venting, my box has holes in the bottom from having been installed in the company car.

baglo
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Old 01-16-2011, 02:14 PM   #9
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Re: Security of batteries on rear bumper

If your Escape is going to be left unattended for several days why not put your valuables (batteries, fuel tanks etc.) inside your trailer?
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Old 01-16-2011, 03:47 PM   #10
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Re: Security of batteries on rear bumper

Quote:
Originally Posted by J Mac
If your Escape is going to be left unattended for several days why not put your valuables (batteries, fuel tanks etc.) inside your trailer?
It is a pain in the bum to remove "stuff" like gas and batteries and place them inside the trailer or inside the locking canopy of the truck unless one is obvously in a geographical location that may have a high theft propensity. Most people are honest.

That said, my job puts me into daily contact with certain types of people who, while not hardened professional crimnals, tend to help themselves to easily pilfered items. Even a simple locking device tends to discourage them. I want something that looks a bit nicer than a few yards of chain and a padlock.

I have tried (with success ) the mislabelled batteries and old "don't bother stealing this" look on my salmon fishing boat and have left it in some questionable places - I just didn't want this look for the Escape.
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Old 01-16-2011, 04:00 PM   #11
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Re: Security of batteries on rear bumper

Propane tanks are vulnerable too. Apparently popular with drug cookers. And, no, I don't have mine locked up.

baglo

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Old 01-16-2011, 05:17 PM   #12
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Re: Security of batteries on rear bumper

The propane tanks are usually hidden and usually on the frame. Not sure on the 5.0 "cabinet". These can easily be locked with a bicycle cable and padlock. Being in an enclosure hides everything. The cable will easily loop through the handles and one pass around the frame. Being high off the ground it is going to be hard to use a cable cutter. I feel pretty secure with mine.
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