Securing your trailer

[deleted]

Spot on Tony. There's more to it than first disclosed.

I'm looking into this GPS tracker because it's a one time purchase. I'm not interested in a monthly fee. They are working on a rechargeable unit.

http://www.itraqtag.com

BTW the more reports you choose in your settings the faster you'll run down the battery.

I did place a pre-order for the iTraq then just recently found out that while they've been publicizing there is "no monthly fee" there is going to be a "bundle" fee for service. Rather than a monthly fee they are calling it a "Location Report" fee. I am bothered because it seems IMO very much like a bait and switch to have pre-sold units for a year with no mention of these bundled fees. But, I still would have been willing to try it even with the fees.



https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/itraq-plus-global-tracker-with-wireless-charging#/

[tony.latham]

Spot on Tony. There's more to it than first disclosed.

I'm looking into this GPS tracker because it's a one time purchase. I'm not interested in a monthly fee. They are working on a rechargeable unit.

http://www.itraqtag.com

BTW the more reports you choose in your settings the faster you'll run down the battery.

I did place a pre-order for the iTraq then just recently found out that while they've been publicizing there is "no monthly fee" there is going to be a "bundle" fee for service. Rather than a monthly fee they are calling it a "Location Report" fee. I am bothered because it seems IMO very much like a bait and switch to have pre-sold units for a year with no mention of these bundled fees. But, I still would have been willing to try it even with the fees.



https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/itraq-plus-global-tracker-with-wireless-charging#/

Stacie:

Thanks for sleuthing that out!

Tony

[dales133]

There are some pretty fancy trackers around but i got a cheap one for around 40 bucks on clearance at aldi.
It charges via micro usb and is gas a waterproof housing it fits into.
Ive been thinking of fitting it insidemy electrical raceway with a perminan g power feed

[dales133]

Tony... you just buy a cheap cell phone plan that lasts 365 days or as close to as possible and it just comunicates via sms

[rowerwet]

Remove wheel, lock it and lugs in the TV. Theif moves on, or drags tear on hub... I expect average the if to give up once he sees the stabilizer jacks lowering one side onto a hub.
Cordless impact gun costs less than $100.

[noseoil]

Here's the first line of defense. It's by Proven Industries & seems like a pretty good lock. I've seen the videos of the crowbar & regular locks, so I wanted something a bit better. This thing's a beast, but hopefully it will help slow things down a little if someone decides they want the trailer more than I do.



I subscribe to the "defense in depth" approach. There's the hitch lock first, an alarm system (basic car alarm) & an Itraq on order (if they ever get the product launched & actually start shipping, I'm still waiting). While this may seem a bit paranoid & expensive, it's still cheaper than the cost in time & $$ spent on my build.

After all, just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you......

[deleted]

Oooh I think I need one of those too noseoil. Just watched the video...



I'm with you in the layered defense plan makes me feel most comfortable that I've done all I reasonably can to protect my trailer. Though I didn't build mine, I don't think I could convince Alaska Teardrop to build me another one if something happened to the original

[halfdome, Danny]

I think someone with a truck that has a step bumper could possibly use their own chains to hook into those.
A couple blocks of wood and a couple clamps to corral the Proven Industries lock & coupler on the step bumper and down the road it will go.
They could also lash it down with the two extra holes in the bumper.
Like Roly and myself, a removable tongue is the best way to go.
Someone needs to come up with something similar to this coupler lock for when the trailer is hooked to the tow vehicle.
Danny

[lrrowe]

Instead of using the tow chains, what about having a chain secured to he wheels/axle and then to the lock. That locks the tongue and prevents a wheel fro m turning? And since that chain can be cut, I was thinking of one of those highly cut resistant chains. I cannot find the link to them right now.

[rowerwet]

18V die grinder will cut any lock or chain out there. Theivs use ropes and chains to drag off trailers they want.
There is no way to drag a tongueless trailer, and only a fool would drag off a trailer missing a wheel.
Most small trailer thefts are cargo trailers, they often have nice toys/tools inside, and make great storage sheds. The other stolen type is travel trailers, easy to plop a method lab anywhere you want with one.

[lrrowe]

18V die grinder will cut any lock or chain out there. Theivs use ropes and chains to drag off trailers they want.
There is no way to drag a tongueless trailer, and only a fool would drag off a trailer missing a wheel.
Most small trailer thefts are cargo trailers, they often have nice toys/tools inside, and make great storage sheds. The other stolen type is travel trailers, easy to plop a method lab anywhere you want with one.

Agreed; I do believe any chain you and I would use can be cut; but look at the last few videos in this link.
http://www.1st-chainsupply.com/chain/se ... ideos.htm#
See how much noise the tools make. The guy in the video is using high quality and expensive chain. And in these videos, the chain is locked tight in a vise. I contend that if the chain where a little bit loose, the task would even harder yet and maybe not doable if the chain link cannot be held solidly. Hopefully this noise, the sparks, the longer cut time and in my planned case, when the chain being located in and difficult to reach location, makes this securing technique a very viable solution. Certainly better then nothing.

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Just want to add a thought for those who pull a wheel and take it with them.

If you pull a wheel and then put wheel locks like McGuard or Gorilla on the studs, that SHOULD keep a would be thief from putting his own wheel on, if he's cased you beforehand and came prepared with his own wheels.