Catalytic Converter theft deterrent

[Nani0807]

We had ours in storage and it was cut right out. All others there had it happen too. There is an organized group over SC and NC. They caught them finally but I have no doubt they will resurface at some point

[The_Breeze]

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

Article I came across...

Sgt. Fite recommends spraying your whole catalytic converter, end to end, with bright, high-temperature paint.

"If they’re going to try to sell that, they’re going to have to scrap all of that paint off," he explains.

That’s the cheapest option. The paint will run you anywhere from $6 to $10.


https://www.khou.com/article/news/crime/this-6-fix-could-deter-catalytic-converter

It's unlikely people buying stolen cats care about the paint. Most are after what's inside. The rest gets tossed. JMO.

[Lt Keefer]

There is a company that sells a guard for cat converters, search on youtube. I believe they are less expensive and look a whole lot better than the pictures in the original post.

[taylorbob1]

At some point in the near future it’ll be illegal to possess a Cat without a VIN and Title

So officers used wheeled flat boards -- the kind you might see a mechanic use -- to gain access to the undercarriages of cars. They used an 'SPPD' stencil and orange spray paint to mark the converters.

'Maybe the recyclers will see that paint, that stencil and say, 'We're not going to buy that one,'' Hallstrom said. 'And then the thieves will not steal that one, so maybe they'll see it and move on.'

He's proposed a bill that would put tighter restrictions on converters, making them in effect, contraband.

'It would be illegal to possess a used catalytic converter that's detached from a car unless it has certain markings on it, the VIN number on it,' Marty said. 'And if you're in possession of a catalytic converter not attached to a car and doesn't have a VIN number in Minnesota, you're breaking the law.'

The proposal would also permit only licensed scrap dealers to buy a used converter. The seller would have to provide a VIN and a title.


https://kstp.com/news/with-catalytic...ction/6070620/

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

At some point in the near future it’ll be illegal to possess a Cat without a VIN and Title



So officers used wheeled flat boards -- the kind you might see a mechanic use -- to gain access to the undercarriages of cars. They used an 'SPPD' stencil and orange spray paint to mark the converters.



'Maybe the recyclers will see that paint, that stencil and say, 'We're not going to buy that one,'' Hallstrom said. 'And then the thieves will not steal that one, so maybe they'll see it and move on.'



He's proposed a bill that would put tighter restrictions on converters, making them in effect, contraband.



'It would be illegal to possess a used catalytic converter that's detached from a car unless it has certain markings on it, the VIN number on it,' Marty said. 'And if you're in possession of a catalytic converter not attached to a car and doesn't have a VIN number in Minnesota, you're breaking the law.'



The proposal would also permit only licensed scrap dealers to buy a used converter. The seller would have to provide a VIN and a title.





https://kstp.com/news/with-catalytic...ction/6070620/

Got my vote. Of course drugs are illegal too....just sayin.

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

Got my vote. Of course drugs are illegal too....just sayin.

Don’t forget that crossing the U.S. border is illegal as well
(Maybe someone will start a thread on that topic. Even the moderators may choose to leave it alone so we can all get out our frustrations)

[Lt Keefer]

There are so many things in this country that are illegal yet allowed that no new law will keep people from stealing cat converters. They will just get more creative in how they process the stolen items to recover the valuable metals. Rhodium is valued at over $29,000 per ounce.

[taylorbob1]

Well I do remember when bronze statues were the rage
Every statue was being stolen and taken to scrap yards in pieces for quick drug money cash

But that stopped when the scrap yards no longer would take the bronze in fear of being identified by police
I believe that the law was changed to require people who delivered the scrap had to provide a valid ID

That stopped it in a hurry

Funny because you don’t need ID to vote. Hahaha

[Overtime]

Mine was stolen while in for warranty work at the dealer so they covered it. I wanted the OEM converter so it took 3 months to get the Ford V10 converter.
I welded up a theft deterrent cage from 3/4” square tubing and 1/2” black pipe. Not foolproof but will add 10-20 minutes to sawing to get it.
I also installed a spare tire carrier. Used 1 3/4” square tubing with a tire winch off Amazon. Used 2 pieces of 3/4” angle for the tire to tighten too (all welded to the frame)
Purchased a rim and tire off WalMart.Com for $250. I have around $300 in it and it ticks up very nicely into the back frame
Quantum 31

[Overtime]

I welded a cage around my V10 converter over the weekend (had mine stolen at the dealer during warranty repairs)
I wish I knew how to attach pics.

[Bob Denman]

I still say that the best way to protect your catalytic converter during Winter storage is to raise your RV on it's leveling jacks, and remove the wheels.
Then: lower it down onto blocks that just keep the wheel hubs off the ground.
That should make it too low for any "cutting torch parties" underneath it.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Overtime

I wish I knew how to attach pics.

For your viewing pleasure:

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f2...ing-26123.html

[Overtime]

That is an awesome strategy, labor intensive but effective

Your post got me thinking further on this. I am going to spread fire ants beneath the converter area until there is a good healthy den (at the storage bay) to welcome anyone crawling under the chassis. Fire ants are fast enough to interrupt the plan early on!

[Bob Denman]

You'll have to plant a camera nearby.
We will want to see the hilarious results!

[MJC62]

Originally Posted by Overtime

That is an awesome strategy, labor intensive but effective

Your post got me thinking further on this. I am going to spread fire ants beneath the converter area until there is a good healthy den (at the storage bay) to welcome anyone crawling under the chassis. Fire ants are fast enough to interrupt the plan early on!

As long as your fire ants realize they are not allowed in the motorhome...

[Bob Denman]

The pet ant-eater can give them that news...

[JGallagher]

The fire ant comment got me thinking. Is there any product/irritant or other things that one could readily spread on the ground under the motor home that would act as a deterrent?
I'd say that broken glass would work but then I would be liable for injuries!

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by JGallagher

The fire ant comment got me thinking. Is there any product/irritant or other things that one could readily spread on the ground under the motor home that would act as a deterrent?
I'd say that broken glass would work but then I would be liable for injuries!

One of the commercially available deterrent is a focused motion activated siren. It mounts under the chassis and detects motion under there. Depending on how loud it is it might make it very uncomfortable for someone “working” under there though it might just make them hurry. Personally I’d hope it would at least startle the creep enough that he’d jump and bust his head on the undercarriage.

[Bob Denman]

I hope that it would make them crap in their pants and go deaf...

[Mr Sunshine]

A Mercedes chassis Class C had the catalytic converter removed over the weekend in the storage lot where I keep my Vegas. Thief cut through a chain link fence. Several other motorhomes left untouched. The Mercedes was the easiest to access.

Years ago in the same lot, thieves broke out the skylight of my motorhome and entered through that to unlock the door. I suspect they used a kid since that skylight was really small. They started to remove both TVs until they realized they were the heavy, old style flat screens. It took a long time for me to forget wanting to leave a open bear trap under that skylight when in storage.