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10-27-2010, 08:05 PM
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#1
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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Theft: what can we do to avoid it?
In light of a threads recently begun here talking about the theft of trailers, I thought I would ask what we can do to avoid it.
In the camp where my AS Henri lives (and has for over 11 years), my nearest neighbour says he never locks his door, ever. His reasoning is that he knows that if anyone is even half-way serious about getting into his TT, they will. If they do, they will wreck his door or a window or two.
Also, if the following data published by Consumer Reports is accurate, the number 2 most often stolen vehicle is one of the most favourite TVs, from what I read on here. Here it is:
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Grander theft auto: IIHS report shows car snatchers favor upscale rides
Car thieves are either going upscale, have a need to move some stuff, or both. That's one way to interpret the results from the latest Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) report on insurance claims. The new list of vehicles with the largest and smallest claims shows big losses for premium, performance, and cargo-hauling models. (Read: "How to prevent car theft.")
The Cadillac Escalade gets the top spot despite engine immobilizers being standard equipment. Owners of 2007-2009 Escalades are the most likely to lose their rides, with an average loss of $11,934 per claim. One of out every four claims is for $40,000 or more. The biggest, baddest Escalade EXT with four-wheel drive being the most likely model to be ripped off.
Next up is the Ford F-250 Crew Cab pickup, apparently a favorite of thieves with more utilitarian needs.
High-performance cars are next on the IIHS hit parade, with the Infiniti G and Dodge Charger V8 favorites with thieves not in the midst of a home remodeling. According to the IIHS, all of the above are 3.5 times more likely to be stolen than more ordinary vehicles, including older Escalades, and Ford F-250 pickups without a back seat.
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So, what do you do to discourage theft of your TT or TV, or even both?
Fancy alarm? Loud, vicious dog? Chains?
Let us know...?
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
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10-27-2010, 09:34 PM
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#2
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Wise Elder
2010 30' Classic
Vintage Kin Owner
South of the river
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,169
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I think about theft a good deal and evaluate the risk of theft any time I park.
I have a security chain I use to immobilize the trailer when I am parked in areas of concern. Not proof against theft but enough to deter most theives. I believe the Propride hitch helps a little because most people don't know what it is and it's one more thing they have to figure out. But, in general, I try not to leave the trailer unattended anywhere there's opportunity for it to be stolen. And I have insurance.
I believe there are two key elements to any trailer theft. Both must be present for a theft to occur:
1) Someone with larceny in their hearts must find out where the trailer is.
2) They must have sufficient access for a relatively lengthy period of time without fear of encountering witnesses.
As such an area that is visible from a frequently traveled road or highway, but far enough away that the exact nature of a thief's activities would be difficult to discern, would be the worst case.
I don't worry much about campgrounds with people in them.
I don't worry much about really remote areas where nobody goes, especially if there's only one way in and out.
I've tried to ask questions of the people in Tx whose rigs have been stolen and they don't answer. Perhaps in retrospect they realize they were complacent.
I have had items stolen from cars and in retrospect the warning signs were there. In two cases it was unavoidable and the third, well, if only I'd been paying attention, things would have been different.
So when I park now, traylah or motorcycle or cage or TV, I look around. Who can see me? How much can they see? Where are the cameras? Are there potential witnesses? Are there potential thieves?
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10-27-2010, 09:45 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1970 27' Overlander
Espanola
, Full Timer
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,753
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I say they - or someone ought to set up a trailer as a trap and watch to see what happens.
We are about thirty miles from the Texas border and all this trending jazz has got me wondering who's going to be next?
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10-27-2010, 10:01 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
1972 23' Safari
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,355
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All good points Jammer, and the forum needs to establish a place where all this good info can be housed so that all these threads are together. In the case of my trailer - it was too visible from a busy road in the middle of town.
-thieves had access to the fenced area and could look through the fence and study the locks to the gates, the locks on the trailer and the hitch cover lock. Pink is a nice bright color and attracts attention. The guys who stole my trailer could have cut through that lock in a minute. They came prepared. I say "guys" because I don't think it was just some Bubba who wanted a trailer for his deer lease and saw an opportunity.
Also unless you live in a small tight community, the police have more important things to do than to help find a stolen Airstream.
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10-27-2010, 10:23 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,367
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Hi, just the normal locking of things and of course the coupler lock on my trailer, since I myself, move my trailer with a 2" ball while the coupler latch lock is in place. I cannot confirm this, but I was told many years ago that a lot of the tow truck drivers are ex-cons. And in this economy, your neighbor might just think your stuff is getting repossessed. Don't need to be paranoid, or careless either.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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10-27-2010, 11:03 PM
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#6
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tracker
1969 23' Safari
crescent city
, California
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 155
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Has anyone tried using a wheel boot I wonder if these that I see would work on airstreams?
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10-27-2010, 11:22 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
Oak View
, California
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,063
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Is anyone in the forums currently using a GPS tracking device on their AS?
What brand did they buy, was it easy to have installed and are they happy with it?
Carol
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10-27-2010, 11:23 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
1972 23' Safari
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,355
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There was a picture of the boot on a thread a few weeks back on Stolem Airstreams
Smart Tracker - Advanced GPS Vehicle Recovery System by RMTracking
Gps tracking system under $200
Haven't bought one but the add looks good, plus you pay for tracking only when you need it, no monthly fee.
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10-27-2010, 11:45 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
Oak View
, California
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,063
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Haiku for the wicked...
A curse upon thieves
who steal our silver trailers
Ghastly woe descends.
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10-28-2010, 12:48 AM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
1990 25' Excella
Pflugerville
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 72
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Some help my be on the way.
Automated License Plate Recognition seems to be the real deal. Perhaps one should remove their license plate if you are going to be in one place for a while. At least the bad guys would have to come up with a plate, hopefully stolen. The other thing is to check that none of your plates are missing, plate theft is on the rise because of the new technology. And of course report a missing plate a quick as possible.
Regards
Bill
__________________
Give me 40 acres and I'll turn this rig around.
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10-28-2010, 05:32 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1970 27' Overlander
Espanola
, Full Timer
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,753
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They may be watching the forum (among others)..everybody is busy writing about where they are, when they are going,what they are doing,where their AS is...a great place to stalk.
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10-28-2010, 05:39 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Loganville
, Georgia
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,741
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Rallys dates and places are always posted on this forum. Maybe somebody is cruising these rallys and checking out the trailers. They maybe following them home and planning a crime to steal a particular trailer.
I am going to try remember not to post to much information anymore about where I am going and where my trailer will be. I do have my town posted but not my address. I don't think I will post where I am going anymore either.
Brian
__________________
Brian & Adrienne
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10-28-2010, 07:47 AM
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#13
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4 Rivet Member
1971 27' Overlander
Antlers
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 426
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Just a quick note on the (only turn on when you need it unit). I talked to some of the salesmen about them. Seems that sometime they do not activate when you need them to. Would be better to have an Asset Protection Unit. It stays on and runs off your battery or its own battery with optional battery pack. reports 4 time a day - which you can look at and you can set up virtual fences - if it travels pass the fence - you get notified.
__________________
Mel
2006 GMC 1500 SLE Crew Cab
5.3L V8 Towing Package
Equal-i-zer E2
AIR # 40365
TAC # OK-3
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10-28-2010, 08:27 AM
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#14
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Wise Elder
2010 30' Classic
Vintage Kin Owner
South of the river
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RichHog
Pink is a nice bright color and attracts attention. The guys who stole my trailer could have cut through that lock in a minute. They came prepared. I say "guys" because I don't think it was just some Bubba who wanted a trailer for his deer lease and saw an opportunity.
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It's actually red but the scan changed the color. It has to be prominent or I'll forget it's there one of these days. The place that makes the security chain also has black covers for them, but it didn't seem wise.
Any lock will fall quickly to people who understand metalworking and have an angle grinder or cutting torch in their bag of tricks and are willing to draw that much attention to themselves.
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10-28-2010, 09:16 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1972 27' Overlander
Longmont
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 951
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These gps units sound good, but I imagine they could be found and disarmed (by yet another electronic gizmo?)- I would encourage everybody to get replacement-value insurance on their rigs just in case the worst happens. I'm not sure which company consistently pays fair claims on things like this- worth looking into. I have State Farm and I think I pay less than $100 a year for comprehensive insurance, including theft. Generally, I don't like paying insurance bills but this one I don't mind.
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10-28-2010, 10:04 AM
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#17
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A.K.A "THE STREAM"
2010 25' FB International
Arlington
, Texas
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,308
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If they are watching/stalking...thieves....please be aware Texas has a under the cover of darkness law.
Shane
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10-28-2010, 10:54 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1972 27' Overlander
Longmont
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 951
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Quote:
Originally Posted by THEPILL
If they are watching/stalking...thieves....please be aware Texas has a under the cover of darkness law.
Shane
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Which is what?
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10-28-2010, 01:04 PM
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#19
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A.K.A "THE STREAM"
2010 25' FB International
Arlington
, Texas
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,308
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In Texas, deadly force is justified in the protection of property if:
Quote:
(2) when and to the degree he reasonably believes the deadly force is immediately necessary:
(A) to prevent the other's imminent commission of arson, burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, theft during the nighttime, or criminal mischief during the nighttime; or
(B) to prevent the other who is fleeing immediately after committing burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, or theft during the nighttime from escaping with the property; and
(3) he reasonably believes that:
(A) the land or property cannot be protected or recovered by any other means; or
(B) the use of force other than deadly force to protect or recover the land or property would expose the actor or another to a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury
Shane
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10-28-2010, 01:37 PM
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#20
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Wise Elder
2010 30' Classic
Vintage Kin Owner
South of the river
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,169
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Shane correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe the problem at hand is one of trailers being stolen despite their owners' presence.
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