Break-in or theft

[user 36441]

Does anyone ever worry about someone breaking in or stealing the vehicle while they're off walking? I want to get something like LoJack. It's expensive but I think worth it.

 

[bullfrog !]

I always drive old ugly worn out looking vehicles which never hardly ever get washed. I never leave anything in sight that someone might consider stealing. I avoid populated areas and know the people I travel or stay with. The ones that know me know I would help them get whatever they needed to get by. Been living in an RV over 20 years now and never had a problem. Did have a coyote steal my uncooked steak once while my wife was distracted watching a couple silver foxes play. I swear they were working together! Lol!!! There are lots of inexpensive ways to track a vehicle, even an old cell phone works I believe. If you are really worried disable the vehicle when you leave. A simple hidden switch to the fuel pump should do.

 

[Happy Camper]

Just get a bumper sticker that says:

"Caution! Don't steal this car. My crazy ex is tracking it."

Keep it simple.

 

[LoupGarou]

I 'm not. I'm more worried about a smash and grab and/or someone torching the rig.

 

[RoamerRV428]

not worried on those levels. I kinda don't think that way LOL
I am more, hey if I park in safer zones/locations etc. then just hope. Bad areas, well ya won't see me there mostly
Do what ya wanna do for your own feeling on your travelling and your safety feeling.....never can wrong with doing just that Always make your life/self feel comfortable. That is a good thing.

 

[Camper]

You don't have to spend lots to be well protected.... I have a $5 fuel pump cut-off switch well hidden plus a GPS tracker that works perfect for me. I pay about $10 a month for the tracker cell service. Looks like about 38,000 good ratings on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Tracki-Magne...=1677249280&sprefix=gps+tracke,aps,113&sr=8-4

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Your best insurance is driving something that doesn't appear worth much.

In my younger days I would simply pull the coil wire and throw it in a backpack pocket.
Now, I would just stuff a plastic bag or two over (or under, depending on air flow direction) the flat air filter.

 

[rruff]

I always drive old ugly worn out looking vehicles which never hardly ever get washed.

That was my previous strategy. I remarked to a friend that no one ever bothered my truck, even though it would have been an easy target, and he responded "thieves probably all feel sorry for you".

I'm currently trying to toe the line between not attracting cops and not attracting thieves, but I'll probably fail at both.

 

[bullfrog !]

Yep, that’s a problem. In my case I can’t stop at a gas station without somebody wanting to buy it cheap to restore or restore it for me, a few have been off duty cops! Lol!!! I just tell them to buy me a brand new one and I’ll trade. Nobody has taken me up on that yet.

 

[Tony's Dream]

Break-in's are done when the opportunity exists. I have read or watched videos where people try to "trick" people into avoiding their vehicles. Such as.....marking their tires with paint to make it look like the police are watching this vehicle. Have a light come on and off using timers, or having radios come off and on. You can do what the others have said above to reduce the risk.....but in the end it really is just opportunity. You can park in the same spot for a year without any problems, then Johnny walks by and thinks he sees something he wants.....and bam!

 

[jacqueg]

Your best insurance is driving something that doesn't appear worth much

Alas, not necessarily so. When my van was stolen, I remarked to the police that there were nicer, more expensive vans in the motel parking lot, which presumably would have had more expensive stuff in them. She said that thieves actually look for older vehicles to steal because older vehicles don’t have the anti-theft devices that newer ones do.

Now, on the very rare occasions when I rent a motel room, I sneak out at night and sleep in the van! Paranoia does strike deep!

 

[Tony's Dream]

You might try to find some information about the neighberhood you are staying in. I went to a national park last year and the site told me not to park in certain areas because of the high incident rate of break ins while people were hiking.

 

[awesum]

Here's some possible solutions:

1. Disconnect the battery..
2. Disconnect the Coil Wire. No spark, no engine start/run
3. older Cars pull the distributor rotor. Same as #2
4. Disconnect the Ballast Resistor.. car will start but not run.
5. Pull the starter relay or its fuse/circuit breaker.

Have a great day.

 

[Happy Camper]

Here's some possible solutions:

1. Disconnect the battery..

Make the disconnect something you can do from inside. Battery and/or gas pump.

1. Disconnect the Coil Wire. No spark, no engine start/run
2. older Cars pull the distributor rotor. Same as #2
3. Disconnect the Ballast Resistor.. car will start but not run.
4. Pull the starter relay or its fuse/circuit breaker.

Have a great day.

If you have to open the hood for theft prevention, it's too cumbersome, unless you're boondocking and away from your rig a lot.

 

[maki2]

Nowadays Vans atract theft as they have so many uses from shelter, to meth labs, to the perfect vehicle to hold lots of stolen goods. Even the older ones because of the fact they do not attract attention but blend into the urban and rural landscape as being so ordinary looking.

Might as well do what you can for fast recovery time and disabling them as well.

But when possible try to camp with several friends and take turns going into town or out on walks.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Make the disconnect something you can do from inside. Battery and/or gas pump.

If you have to open the hood for theft prevention, it's too cumbersome, unless you're boondocking and away from your rig a lot.

I'd rather not modify my vehicle. With all the computers and interconnects in today's vehicles you better be sure of what you are doing.

Popping the hood is a lot less cumbersome than finding your vehicle gone. Takes two minutes and doesn't permanently modify anything.

 

[Zerpersande]

I'd rather not modify my vehicle. With all the computers and interconnects in today's vehicles you better be sure of what you are doing.

A battery disconnect might be a solution if you vehicle doesn’t require registering a new batter.

 

[Malamute]

Im guessing, but id think there exist security cut-outs that dont entirely disconnect the battery, just the ignition system, meaning anything else still works.

The used car people often install GPS trackers and ignition disconnects in case people stop making payments. it allows them to both kill the ignition or starter and find it. Mine had one when I got it, I discovered it when doing something under the dash with the wiring. I removed it but am tempted to buy one of my own that I can control. I think when I looked them up they could be had for $50 or less, I dont know what it costs to activate or monitor one. I would guess they cost and do nothing until needed, then work through a website to activate it upon request. That probably costs, but would be a cheap alternative to losing a vehicle.

 

[user 36441]

https://www.motor1.com/products-services/auto-products/car-anti-theft-devices/
Feedback?

 

[jacqueg]

My understanding is that a Club can be readily sawn. The folks who stole my van carried a saw which they used to saw off my ignition, so they were carrying a saw anyway. I doubt if a Club would have helped me.