Visit our Popular Forums

Jim Flower · 07-09-2012, 06:17 PM

Answer myself. Garmin has a nice unit with a reasonable initial cost and annual fee. GTU 10. Works in Canada and US. I'm in.

Phoenix · 07-09-2012, 07:03 PM

I have a Universal Boot; a.k.a., "Denver Boot" (see photo below):

http://www.airforums.com/forums/atta...1&d=1296294038

I have heard that they are relatively easy to defeat, but I am hoping that it is just intimidating enough to make the bad guys look for another trailer to steal. Especially, since I also have a padlock through the tab on the tongue and a hitch lock. Hopefully, it would take thieves a little time and effort to remove all three devices. However, if they really want our Bambi, they'll probably just use a tow truck and winch it up onto the bed, or throw some chains around the tongue and drag it off.

We got the wheel boot when we first bought our Bambi. On the negative side, it's big, heavy, a little tricky to install, and difficult to store. Also, it was expensive. However, parking boots are easily recognizable; and there must be a reason these are used by the police (as opposed to some other device).

Right after we got it, I dropped the Bambi in a space at a KOA, installed the wheel boot, and we went to dinner. When we got back, a couple of neighbors immediately came over and told us that the police must have come while we were gone; and they wondered what we had done to get our Airstream booted. We all had a good laugh over that.

So far, so good; but our Bambi is parked next to our house...

=============

Anti-Theft Wheel Boot, Car Boot, Trailer Boot, Wheel Boot Lock

goransons · 07-09-2012, 10:09 PM

So who's going to order one of those bad boys and do a scientific field test for us and report back?

Skater · 07-10-2012, 05:04 AM

The issue with the GPS tracker and an Airstream is where are you going to put it such that it's hidden but can still send and receive a signal? Under the propane tank cover is the only place I can think of...

soldiermedic · 07-10-2012, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skater

The issue with the GPS tracker and an Airstream is where are you going to put it such that it's hidden but can still send and receive a signal? Under the propane tank cover is the only place I can think of...

Inside the AC shroud?

Skater · 07-10-2012, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soldiermedic

Inside the AC shroud?

Is there room? (I've never had one off, so I don't know.)

Mifair · 07-10-2012, 06:50 AM

I'm curious who out there uses a GPS tracking device to protect their trailer and if there are stories where a thief was caught or trailer recovered using such a device.

Jerky guy · 07-10-2012, 08:24 AM

So sorry to hear! But as far far as gps tracking I have it on all of my construction equipment and it is great! You can get on line and track it were ever it goes and call the police and give them the coordinates !

GettinAway · 07-10-2012, 08:32 AM

Heading for Canada in a month or so. I'll keep an eye out for it..
My first thought was this would be far away in no time, but you never know. Some of these clowns aren't too bright. My friend had two Kawasaki Mules (ATV type vehicle) stolen out of his barn.
They found them a few miles away parked next to a old house..

Gene · 07-10-2012, 09:52 AM

Google "defeat denver boot" and see how many hits you get. I never looked at any of them, but it seems they are not hard to open.

There are so many nooks and cranies in an Airstream, a GPS unit would be easy to hide, but will the shell inhibit the signal?

Gene

purman · 07-10-2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenix

I have a Universal Boot; a.k.a., "Denver Boot" (see photo below):

http://www.airforums.com/forums/atta...1&d=1296294038

I have heard that they are relatively easy to defeat, but I am hoping that it is just intimidating enough to make the bad guys look for another trailer to steal. Especially, since I also have a padlock through the tab on the tongue and a hitch lock. Hopefully, it would take thieves a little time and effort to remove all three devices. However, if they really want our Bambi, they'll probably just use a tow truck and winch it up onto the bed, or throw some chains around the tongue and drag it off.

We got the wheel boot when we first bought our Bambi. On the negative side, it's big, heavy, a little tricky to install, and difficult to store. Also, it was expensive. However, parking boots are easily recognizable; and there must be a reason these are used by the police (as opposed to some other device).

Right after we got it, I dropped the Bambi in a space at a KOA, installed the wheel boot, and we went to dinner. When we got back, a couple of neighbors immediately came over and told us that the police must have come while we were gone; and they wondered what we had done to get our Airstream booted. We all had a good laugh over that.

So far, so good; but our Bambi is parked next to our house...

=============

Anti-Theft Wheel Boot, Car Boot, Trailer Boot, Wheel Boot Lock

We lived in NYC (well the Bronx) for 3 years. I watch A guy take a city boot off his car in less than 4 min. Very impressive! He must have had a lot of practice

Nothing is full proof and everything is a deterrent. If you have a lock then hopefully they will go for the guy that doesn't. But if they really want it, they will get it.

heslinhotel · 07-10-2012, 12:38 PM

The one place I would explore is the AC unit if you have one. Just plastic between you and the sat's. Sorry to hear about the theft. Will keep an eye out here in NC.

Toronto_Guy · 07-10-2012, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GettinAway

Heading for Canada in a month or so. I'll keep an eye out for it..
My first thought was this would be far away in no time, but you never know. Some of these clowns aren't too bright. My friend had two Kawasaki Mules (ATV type vehicle) stolen out of his barn.
They found them a few miles away parked next to a old house..

My best hope for recovering it is that the thiefs were stupid. If they were pros, it's probably somewhere far away being enjoyed by someone else by now.

3campers · 07-10-2012, 04:35 PM

I have to store my AS for the first time this winter as it is new to me and the one thing I thought of doing for sure was running heavy chains through the spokes in the tires to chain both tires on either side together. My hope is I will create too many hoops to jump through for a potential thief.

Foiled Again · 07-10-2012, 04:49 PM

Put a dry rattlesnake skin in a window in an obvious place. Tie damp used baby diapers under the stairs and propane tanks. Sink a 1 ton concrete block in the ground with a heavy steel loop sticking up. "X" chains through wheel spokes and through the steel loop. Center the locks under the middle of the Airstream where the concrete block is. Leave another snakeskin. Set more "diaper bombs" under the black and gray water tanks - so that the slightest bump will dump them on the creep crawling under your Airstream.

Have a handy recipe for homemade naphalm.... 2 ingredients, one found in your kitchen the other in your garage. A blaring siren UNDER the Airstream complete with laser targeted Ouzi firing recordings might also be amusing.

Paula

Cracker · 07-10-2012, 05:55 PM

I don't believe that they make a ship container large enough to hold an Airstream??? I thought that they were either 8 x 40 or 8 x 20. Does anyone else have information to the contrary? Aside from that, a big shiny Airstream is pretty hard to hide.

Mike91208 · 07-10-2012, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cracker

I don't believe that they make a ship container large enough to hold an Airstream??? I thought that they were either 8 x 40 or 8 x 20. Does anyone else have information to the contrary? Aside from that, a big shiny Airstream is pretty hard to hide.

This gives the dimensions. Doesn't look like an AS will fit.

STANDARD SIZE SHIPPING CONTAINERS

rodsterinfl · 07-10-2012, 06:50 PM

Unfortunately there is another "value" to Airstreams - scrap metal. Aluminum has value to it and although I never really considered such things. In my area over the past few years people have been scavenging metals like crazy for money. Many businesses have found their AC copper coils torn out, abandoned homes with whole AC units torn away, every week we have metal scavengers that go through the neighborhood garbage with a pickup truck. Those places would be another point of investigation for police.

Urbanologist · 07-10-2012, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toronto_Guy

I haven't posted for ages, and unfortunately my reason for doing so now is very bad news.

I just noticed that my 2011 25' International Serenity Edition was stolen from my storage lot.

The theft was from Toronto, Ontario. The trailer had an Ontario plate #E1677X (assuming the thief hasn't removed it or swapped it) and the VIN is:
1STJFYJ29BJ524926.

If anyone sees any posting for a similar trailer for sale, please PM me, or email me at Ross.stewart@me.com.

Thank god for insurance, but we had a lot of personal keepsakes in the trailer that can't be replaced.

Any help that anyone could offer would be very much appreciated!

Ross

Sounds like a possible INSIDE job.

Urbanologist · 07-10-2012, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3campers

I have to store my AS for the first time this winter as it is new to me and the one thing I thought of doing for sure was running heavy chains through the spokes in the tires to chain both tires on either side together. My hope is I will create too many hoops to jump through for a potential thief.

Take the tires off and put it on supports. But remember, a thief with time and tools is a real adversary! I took the time to find a indoor storage facility with individual units (45'x16'x18') for each tenant @ $225 per month. Mine has a on-site caretaker. They have video at the facility and I have my own inside (low light hidden CCD). As well as GPS Low Jack and NO stickers to indicate same. my BIGGEST worry? The watchman! He knows what is stored and has access to the castle. I can't tell you how much theft is done from the inside and "trusted" staff.