Just a Warning About Your Catalytic Converters

[petef]

I have a couple ideas. A wrap around system so you can not get under or "nail bed" under secured by jacks.. Anyone want to start a company?

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by petef

I have a couple ideas. A wrap around system so you can not get under or "nail bed" under secured by jacks.. Anyone want to start a company?

Needs to be portable and lightweight. Must not hurt or injure that thief. Must be a safe method as to not interfere with the thief's civil liberties and right to steal

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

Needs to be portable and lightweight. Must not hurt or injure that thief. Must be a safe method as to not interfere with the thief's civil liberties and right to steal

How about a well illuminated warning sign... "Protected by Skunk Spray". Who knows if it actually is? Who wants to find out? Hmmmm... I know if our pup could read... he'd shy away (from experience)!

Any pro will tell you that DETERRENT BEFORE THE FACT is always best. Once the would-be thief has damaged your vehicle, it's too late.

And best not to "piss off the thief"... they just MAY get even. MUCH easier to scare them away beforehand. I know there's an inside voice telling you to grab the 12 gauge... but in today's world resist that urge, invest time in an effective deterrent, and let it go.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

How about a well illuminated warning sign... "Protected by Skunk Spray". Who knows if it actually is? Who wants to find out?

Any pro will tell you that DETERRENT BEFORE THE FACT is always best. Once the would-be thief has damaged your vehicle, it's too late.

And best not to "piss off the thief"... they just MAY get even. MUCH easier to scare them away beforehand. I know there's an inside voice telling you to grab the 12 gauge... but in today's world resist that urge, invest time in an effective deterrent, and let it go.

This sounds like "Intimidation" and possibly "Discrimination"? What if the Thief can't read? If he get peppered with Skunk Spray because he could not read the sign... you are showing favoritism to the more educated Thieves. And if the Thief can read the mental intimidation / threat that they may get peppered with Skunk Spray while trying to steal a Catalytic Converter could be stressful on the thief.

Wouldn't it be simpler to just go out to a salvage yard and buy a used Catalytic Converter and store it underneath the RV with Milk & Cookies along with a note to take this one as it is already disassembled?

[Chateau_Nomad]

I vote for the "non-discriminatory" 12 gauge. Especially if in certain parts of West Virginia... never find them. Heard that from a friend...

[Pete'sMH]

Or you could just buy a spare converter to keep for if/when you need it. If yours is stolen your insurance should pay for it and you’ll be delayed hardly at all.

[16ACE27]

SkyGuy mentioned a PIR alarm. I remembered this thread when I came across the below video. This guy may have the right idea, especially for RV use:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvq5k0wh7nE

He's in Canada and the sensors survived the winter under his car.

The Alarm/Horn is 12 VDC powered, the sensors are 9 VDC powered but would probably work from 12 VDC, maybe 14.5 VDC? At an Amazon Prime price of $54 delivered I'm willing to take the gamble. You can use a smartphone to help aim the sensors.

[txc2936@yahoo.com]

Converter Cable.

I have installed a Stainless Steel cable around my converter and the frame. This is an inexpensive fix and might slow down the removal of my converter. You would have to come with a pretty big pair of cable cutters to cut this all out.

[Tominfaribo]

Originally Posted by K. Meckes

Unfortunately those bike locks are useless You can cut them easily. I have done extensive research on bike locks since I just purchased a $3,000.00 electric bike. The lock to get is the one that has a cable with alarm and bluetooth to your phone so if someone moves the lock or cuts the cable and alarm goes off as well as alerts you on your phone.

Bluetooth distance is only good for about 20-30 ft.

[taylorbob1]

Thieves steal 94 catalytic converters from Elkhart RV plant

https://wsbt.com/news/local/elkhart-...r-the-holidays

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

Thieves steal 94 catalytic converters from Elkhart RV plant

https://wsbt.com/news/local/elkhart-...r-the-holidays

Looks like a boon for muffler shops in Elkhart.

Think Forest River was too cheap for video surveillance? Obviously too cheap for roving guards.

I'm thinking the MSRP of FR MHs just went up by $3K.

[Scubawise]

yeap price will go up $3k and story will get hushed so that forks continue to buy!!

[Bob Denman]

So if I buy a new Forest River RV: does this mean that I can put leaded gas in it?

[lwmcguire]

If we let this theft continue to be minimally if at all prosecuted, then what is next, your generator?

Time to change things up a bit

I do have alarms and cameras but sure hope they are just there and not part of a crime scene.

Both areas we spend quite a bit of time in have neighborhood watch's and hopefully that helps.

Just today however the UPS guy had to have a signature as someone in the neighborhood claimed they had several high dollar packages stolen. The packages were photographed on their porch when delivered and they called them in stolen less than 1/2 hour later so you have to wonder. No other issues in the area for months

I do keep my F150 alarm enabled when it has to sit outside occaisionally and if we are useing it as the towed

[bgpeters]

While parked in the storage lot my Windsport and three other Gas RVs next to me had their Catalytic converters cut out a couple of days ago. The storage lot owner has camera footage of them going over the fence, but its not enough for the police to work with and the damage is done. So... I pay my $500 deductible and I hope I don't have to wait very long to get the part.

A couple more slots down from me is a beautiful big diesel pusher. I don't think they got the cat out of it because the whole body was VERY close to the ground... the body was way down on the wheels, only 3 inches off the ground. I figure it must have air suspension and the owner let it go down all the way for storage. This made it impossible to get under.

I like that. The thief takes a glance and walks to the next RV. He doesn't have to get under it only to find some kind of @#&*#&! obstacle that pisses him off. Switching to an air system is way too much $$$$ of course, but I'm thinking of something like an attached skirt/fence that would swing up next to the frame while driving and then down to lock in place while parked. If there was only 3" between it and the ground I think that would be low enough that the BG might just walk to an easier job. I've got a lot of tube steel laying around and a welder. I'm not too concerned about the BG wanting to snake in under the axels... it's a long crawl and I sure don't like doing it. A good attachment and solid means of both hinging and locking are what I'm noodling on.

What do you think? Any ideas? Of course, if I do it I'll post pictures.

[Scubawise]

Lock everything ! Double lock doors.
Park at your house a friend's.
With prices out of control & police thinking we are rich..it will get worse!

[txc2936@yahoo.com]

Roger that.
1) I lock everything including the 50 AMP power cable to the post, that alone is a few hundred dollars.
2) Ensure all compartments are locked
3) Ensure the main door is double locked.

A few months back i snaked a stainless steel cable in and around the converter to deter the assailant from cutting off my converter in 30 secs and making off with it. The cable should slow him down and a reciprocating saw blade might not cut cable as easily as a steel tube.

A) I will add additional cable, paint the converter fluorescent orange and engrave the VIN into the side of the converter.

From what it sounds like. we are on our own. If i can find my converter on the ground in the morning due to a tether denying a thief his $100 score, I would gladly go to my welding shop and have it rewelded on.

Happy Camping...

[HMCSW]

Inside garage storage with simple safe camera. We live close enough to beat the LE and my favorite Remington 1100(carried in military) and wife's Browning A5 will keep them relaxed until LE arrive. I do like the idea of letting the air out of the bags too.

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by HMCSW

Inside garage storage with simple safe camera. We live close enough to beat the LE and my favorite Remington 1100(carried in military) and wife's Browning A5 will keep them relaxed until LE arrive. I do like the idea of letting the air out of the bags too.

Me as well. My driveway. My cameras. My Mossberg 88.

[CHS]

Originally Posted by bry899

In New York the scrap yard scans your license, or photo copies it.
The places that buy gold also do the same, but also have to take pics of the gold and upload the pics to police database.

I am sure the thieves have also found ways around this though.

And we all know scrap yards follow the law.