Another stolen teardrop

[rowerwet]

Best reason yet to store one wheel in the house.

[dales133]

Ive got a tacker i got on sale at aldi about a year ago thats rechargeable and has a waterproof case.
It uses a sim card and txts you and 3 nominated numbers location and movement details if it leaves a set location.it can also be activated by txting key codes to it.
Havnt used it yet but it can run on a cheap prepaid card

[deleted]

Stacie, I've had my eye on the itraq also. Somewhere I read they were working on a rechargeable one. Have you heard that?

I hadn't heard that rebapuck but since the charge holds for up to 3 years it's not a big deal to me to replace it with a new one if the battery isn't replaceable at that time. My previous tracker ran $7 a month on the service contract + the cost of the device ($79) on top of that.

[samblam]

I hope it's found!

I wonder what security measures they might have had? Montana is a relatively safe state, in general, I wonder if they bothered with any sort of lock? Obviously anything is breach-able, with enough effort.

What do y'all use? Once I have a permanent parking spot for mine, I hope to set up a webcam (Dropcam, or similar), in addition to the hitch lock and locking pin. I need to test out my old bike u-lock and see if it'll fit through something on a wheel.

[bentrotor]

I use a length of 3/4" pipe that I hammer one end flat and drill a hole thru for a padlock. On the other end I weld on a scrape of metal about 2" - 3" long. Then I slide it thru one wheel under the trailer to the wheel on the other side and slip the padlock on. This set up works if your wheels have spokes, but not solid. Nothing more than wrapping a chain thru the wheels but easier the use for me.

[lrrowe]

Not to take away from the seriousness of this post and to take it in the wrong direction. But I recently obtained a perfectly good home security wall panel module.
I want to see of I can adapt it to my trailer. If so, at least I can have something make a lot of noise should bad things happen.
When I get closer to looking at it, I will post a new topic.

[rebapuck]

Stacie, I've had my eye on the itraq also. Somewhere I read they were working on a rechargeable one. Have you heard that?

I hadn't heard that rebapuck but since the charge holds for up to 3 years it's not a big deal to me to replace it with a new one if the battery isn't replaceable at that time. My previous tracker ran $7 a month on the service contract + the cost of the device ($79) on top of that.

The three year thing is on a checking once a day schedule. You can't call up a location until that one time a day comes around. I'm pretty sure that as soon as I realize the camper is gone, I would want info pronto. On the other hand, I like that there is no monthly service charge.

[noseoil]

I just ordered an itraq (actually, pre-ordered, they aren't available until 9-15 at this point) but it seems like a good deal at $49. They have a radius location threshold, which will send out a message if the location changes within a certain distance from its point of origin.

Figure if I ever get my trailer finished, I'll want to have some type of security system for location & theft. Beats a monthly service fee.

Hope they find the missing trailer & recover it.

[deleted]

I think the best thing for people in the building process is to create a secret compartment to hide a small tracing device since technology is making it easier and more cost effective as they devices evolve. If someone steals the trailer and empties it of all contents they won't find or remove the tracker and you'll have a better of chance of recovery.

[Jack Olsen]

Sorry to hear about the theft. The iTraq looks interesting.

But if the goal is to not to have to go chasing a stolen trailer, is one of these better than the other?

[deleted]

I'd do several things

I think the best thing is to use an obvious deterrent (or two). If that doesn't work the hidden tracker is the back up for recovery.

Parking in a garage is best when possible. If I had to choose between car or trailer in the garage I would (and always have) chosen to garage the trailer and park my car outside.

[tony.latham]

Sorry to hear about the theft. The iTraq looks interesting.

But if the goal is to not to have to go chasing a stolen trailer, is one of these better than the other?

Jack:

I've got a hitch lock similar to the one you have pictured. I use it when I leave my 'drop sitting in camp. There's two ways to defeat it that I'm aware of; The first is to just back up, slap the tow chains on the hitch and go. I suppose I should get a padlock so I could wrap the chains and make them inaccessible.

The second is to use an electric drill to bore out the lock:



There may be other ways.

The problem I've got with the wheel lock is two-fold. First, I think it too could be quickly bored out with a drill, but the second issue, is that the thief could be (would be?) in such a hurry that he doesn't notice it, hitches up, and begins to wonder fifty yards down the road why his new trailer is bouncing all over the road.

But to answer your question: Which, is better? If you parked your trailer where the wheel lock was highly visible, I'd say that is the one you want. Visible deterrence is obviously a good thing. Two bits says the stolen 'drop that started this thread had no lock.

I'll continue to use my tongue lock but 'am planning on picking up a padlock for the chains too...

Tony

p.s. There's been a few trailers made with a removable tongue. The tongue just slides into a receiver on the chassis, is pinned in place and you're good to go. It's not a bad idea if you are starting from scratch on a trailer and live in an area where crime is a consideration.

[GuitarPhotog]

Those of you interested in GPS Vehicle trackers might like this
http://tinyurl.com/pnrpsan

Crow GPS Vehicle Tracking Systems

<Chas>

[tony.latham]

From Jeremy's Facebook page this morning:

Stolen Tear drop camper(from missoula montana) update 8/1/15. There has been a possible sighting of my camper last night in Glendive MT. If you or anyone you know lives in that area I'd love if you share this post! Make and model: Little Guy, Rascal. If anyone spots it in the Glendive area you can call their police department at 4063772364. If it's spotted anywhere of course you can just call 911! Thanks so much and hopefully this lead pans out...

Glendive is in eastern Montana on I-94.

Tony

[Fred Trout]

I know it's extra work but some remove a tire when leaving the trailer unattended. I don't expect too many thieves would cruise around looking for TD targets with a range of spares to fit. Sounds like a decent option.