Trailer theft security
- Thread starter mep1811
- Start date
calicamper
Expedition Leader
Basic cargo trailers are a really hot theft item. We have a few big racing sailboats talking 40+ ft that use old beat cargo trailers as gear storage lockers at our fenced and gated club. We had a Toyota FJ hook up to a 7x14 that hadn’t moved in two yrs setup as a locker and tool shop tongue weight was probably 1000lbs!!! Tires were nearly flat. Trailer was found 75 miles away they took some tools worth about $300, but left the three sails worth about $50,000. The whole club membership 1800 people including some law enforcement folks had pretty much the entire sailing community in Northern CA looking for this clown.
All the trailers used as gear storage now sit on blocks with no tires?. The gate system has been modernized along with a plate reader..
All the trailers used as gear storage now sit on blocks with no tires?. The gate system has been modernized along with a plate reader..
ottsville
Observer
Drop that over a ball and throw a ratchet strap over it to hold in on the ball and off we go!
FosterWV
Baller On A Budget
and off I go to my insurance co to collect.... win win hahaha
Is the value on your comprehensive explicitly stated, does it depreciate each year?
Did you negotiate to get some added from your buildout? Is it a negotiated overall "agreed value" policy, or will you just rely on materials receipts?
Or is it just some vague statement of "market value"?
Can you link to your agent?
Did you negotiate to get some added from your buildout? Is it a negotiated overall "agreed value" policy, or will you just rely on materials receipts?
Or is it just some vague statement of "market value"?
Can you link to your agent?
On this new build, I'm going to remove the coupler.
T
I have a setup like this. Surely anybody can come along, insert coupler of choice and steal it. I'm putting a locking hitch bin through the hole where the coupler connects (and I have a boot for one of the wheels)
Really just deterrents. If they really want it, they're gonna steal it
Teardropper
Well-known member
Mark:
I was an LEO for most of my adult life. I think you're giving crooks too much credit. They are opportunists. If a burglar's tools don't gain entry, they move to the next likely-looking target.
I suspect if you interviewed fifty crooks that had an inkling towards trailer theft, none would have a slide-in coupler stashed in their toolbox. Those **************** find an unsecured trailer, hitch, and go.
I agree with you that a removable coupler is a deterrent. Just like any other prevention device. But I think it's a damn good one.
Tony
The interface enabling coupler removability should be a non-standard tube profile, maybe even solid rather than hollow.
Even better take the whole A-frame away, nothing to tie a hitch to with wire rope or whatever.
And remove not just the wheels but the whole Timbren suspensions too.
Then only thieves with a tilting bed flatbed tow truck can take it away
Even better take the whole A-frame away, nothing to tie a hitch to with wire rope or whatever.
And remove not just the wheels but the whole Timbren suspensions too.
Then only thieves with a tilting bed flatbed tow truck can take it away
My 2 cents...
I figured all the locks and chains I might add wont stop anyone dedicated to taking my 6x12. I also figure if it is going to happen, it would probably be at night.
Oh, I lock things as best I can, but hey, they have battery operated 4" grinders these days. So, I added one additional electrical trick to make the thieves night a little bit more interesting.
I'd imagine, he/she has their lights out as they backs up to capture in any fashion. They connect the lights at some point, be it right there or down the block, I don't care. When they do, they immediately blow the taillight fuse on their Tow vehicle, leaving them with just headlights and brake lights. And, when they step on the brake, they blows those out on the tow vehicle too !
I doubt they are prepared they are prepared for that. They will either dump it or run, and if they run, odds are SOMEONE will see them with no lights.
It is very easy to put a single switch (DPST) in that will electrically short your brake and tail lights to ground. Flip it on when parked. Just remember to turn it off when you have to tow it !
It really does not take much to realize you can set up a timer circuit that detects the blown fuse and sets all sorts of light and sound into motion if you have battery power in the trailer. Police get real curious when people other than them are running down a road with blue and red flashing lights for example.
I figured all the locks and chains I might add wont stop anyone dedicated to taking my 6x12. I also figure if it is going to happen, it would probably be at night.
Oh, I lock things as best I can, but hey, they have battery operated 4" grinders these days. So, I added one additional electrical trick to make the thieves night a little bit more interesting.
I'd imagine, he/she has their lights out as they backs up to capture in any fashion. They connect the lights at some point, be it right there or down the block, I don't care. When they do, they immediately blow the taillight fuse on their Tow vehicle, leaving them with just headlights and brake lights. And, when they step on the brake, they blows those out on the tow vehicle too !
I doubt they are prepared they are prepared for that. They will either dump it or run, and if they run, odds are SOMEONE will see them with no lights.
It is very easy to put a single switch (DPST) in that will electrically short your brake and tail lights to ground. Flip it on when parked. Just remember to turn it off when you have to tow it !
It really does not take much to realize you can set up a timer circuit that detects the blown fuse and sets all sorts of light and sound into motion if you have battery power in the trailer. Police get real curious when people other than them are running down a road with blue and red flashing lights for example.
calicamper
Expedition Leader
Even my 93 LC the AT interlock would lock up when a cheap trailer blew its light fuse and it takes a bit to sort out how to release the interlock and get it out of park. Most vehicles used to steal trailers are stolen vehicles also. Crooks are getting smarter ad not using their own trucks.
>>>Even my 93 LC the AT interlock would lock up when a cheap trailer blew its light fuse...
Well, that's even better yet ! If they are going to steal it, I figure it is best if they do not get very far. If they have to abandon their mission, it is likely they didn't wreck much yet. The "short out the lights concept" is a pretty simple DIY security measure.
Well, that's even better yet ! If they are going to steal it, I figure it is best if they do not get very far. If they have to abandon their mission, it is likely they didn't wreck much yet. The "short out the lights concept" is a pretty simple DIY security measure.
On this new build, I'm going to remove the coupler.
T
welder need more practice
Teardropper
Well-known member
Hey, thanks for the tip. You're not looking at the finished product, but thanks anyway.
No Offence intended - is this just temporary primer for short term protection between fab sessions? I usually just let my stuff rust a bit between fab sessions. The rust helps remove the burs, bbs and mig wire stickersHey, thanks for the tip. You're not looking at the finished product, but thanks anyway.
