[Craig Berkheimer]

After the most recent news of the theft from our fellow friend and racer, Paul Spotts. I thought it would be a good topic of discussion as to what measures some of us go to, to prevent such an act to happen again or not to happen at all. I know nothing is fullproof but we do have ways to deter such acts.

[PONTIAC DUDE]

I heard of a trailer device that has an alarm attached to your key ring when you're traveling, staying somewhere. If the trailer is moved it sets an alarm off on a device on your key ring. Heard of the unit? If so any comments. & price? Later, http;//sites.netscape.net/pontiacdude428/homepage

[Craig Berkheimer]

My shop is located 1/2 mile from my home. I have always been concered with it's security as well. I just purchased several motion detector spot lights. I have a dusk to dawn light but with the motion lights I feel a little more secure. I always felt the best method of theft prevention is to deter the idea from the start!

I just bought a 67 conv GTO. I am installing a biometric device our baby company is making. I will require my finger print to be checked before tripping a relay in the engine compartment to start the car. The idenification process takes less then a second. Power will come from the ACC. position as you turn the key. ITs a pretty cool system that is really used to open secure doors in building that I am adapting.

[mash]

I just bought a 67 conv GTO. I am installing a biometric device our baby company is making. I will require my finger print to be checked before tripping a relay in the engine compartment to start the car. The idenification process takes less then a second. Power will come from the ACC. position as you turn the key. ITs a pretty cool system that is really used to open secure doors in building that I am adapting.

Never thought these were a good idea, If the thief is determined enough or a nutter, he might just steal your finger first!

[71lemanssprt]

have simple theft prevention system for those that are interested

[Craig Berkheimer]

That sounds intresting. When my trailer is unattached from the tow vehical I have a unit that fits over the tongue, then you use a alan wrench and screw a bolt up into the tongue where the ball is positioned. It has a key that locks the underside so the alan fitting is unacessable. This unit is rather heavy dutie and overall a very effective peice. This is nice for when the trailer is left at the shop unattended. I very rarely leave the car on the trailer unattached to the tow vehical, but if I would it would be better than the old standard lock.

[Will]

On my own property I have what is arguably the best theft-deterrent system: Two dogs that bark at anything and everything that comes near. They look fairly ferocious too and most people are scared of them, so doubt anyone would try breaking into my garage or messing with the cars next to the house since the dogs will give the alarm any time, day or night.

[Blackcat]

I have my trailer in my fenced yard. The tongue is locked with a lock. Most times it is locked on
My truck in the back yard. Having someone around the place 24-7 also helps! In fact we are both armed! All of the stored cars have the battery disconnected or have no battery in them.
My show car is locked in my garage without a battery installed. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Fusion]

I have an electric fuel pump, and I have a switch rigged up inside the car that cuts/gives power to it. Every time I get out of my car, I just flip this switch (in a hidden location), and if someone does manage to start it, they'll get about 40 feet before the car dies, and then i can run out with a golf club and tee off

[Paul Spotts]

Great Idea for this topic! I have learned a lot. Most race cars are stolen with the tow vehicle attached. I am installing a car alarm in my trailer with a internal battery that will be charged when towing. None of the wires will be external. Hooked or not hooked - it will work. I had small locks that where easily cut from the tongue so the bull-dog coupler lock is the way to go. I also have the trailer at my house where it is chained to a tree with a motion light next to it. A friend of mine has his trailer chained to a cement footer he poured that has a recessed o ring for a heavy chain to attach. I have a hidden fuel pump switch to my dually when I travel that has kept my car safe on the road. Insurance is still the way to go. Theft is one thing - but fire is another. I did not get paid until I submitted a title - thank God I had a title. - so have a title or chassis cert - some kind of document of ownership. Save receipts! I have to dig up receipts for the tools and generator etc to get paid for those items stolen - A major pain! Make sure when you drop your trailer/car off for inspection/repairs or anywhere at a place of business - it has insurance for fire and theft. At least if you don't have insurance - you are still covered under the business's.

[78 GHOST]

http://www.spygadgets.com/Merchant2/...gory_Code=REAL

http://www.greatsouthernsecurity.com/spytrack.htm

After all the hard work and big $$$ put into our cars, GPS tracking seems to make sense. One can put a device into play for as little as $400 or up to $6,500. The more sophistocated units actually portray in realtime exactly where a vehicle is in reference to a built in map.

There are units that can be hard wired or battery powered and can be mounted practically anywhere inside a trailer or car. Some services are as little as $9.99/Mo. for the cellular support and the software is supported by most computers with OS built within the last few years.

I have no personal interest in the industry and learned of this for a different application.

-Matt

[ June 06, 2002, 09:46 PM: Message edited by: 78 GHOST ]

[Scott Rex]

Here is an interesting looking theft deterent for trailers. http://www.protecsystemone.com/

[Reed '75_T/A]

All very good ideas, but my security system is free. See, I only have the driver's seat installed, the interior carpet is brand new but no one knows it 'cause the entire floor and backseats are covered with random new parts I haven't put on yet and all sorts of tools. The exterior is even worse, 28 year old paint and a badly sagging front bumper. I have a nice CD player, but you can't see it through the scratched side windows and the speakers are in the passenger footwell covered by an old straw cowboy hat. If that didn't deter a thief, they would never get the car started - not that I have a hidden switch, just that the starter is bad and it takes a certain "touch". I could go on and on but I think what really stops 'em are the little skulls for door locks peering out. Sorry if this doesn't work for those of you with race cars but I've lived in some VERY bad parts of town and I don't even get second glances! hahaha [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

I'm thinking of building a device that will charge the vehical metal serfaces to about 30,000 volts with enough capacity to knock a grown man to the ground. Don't know if it would work on a rainy day though ???

[PONTIAC DUDE]

Thanks Scott, that's the ONE! appreciate it. Later dude

[fiedlerh]

A home security system peddler came to the door one day to pitch his sytem. As our dog barked wildly and lunged at him, I told him we already had a home security system and he was about to learn how effective it could be. He agreed and made a hasty retreat.

Seems like most thefts around here are done by locals who like crimes of opportunity. Get in quick, get out quick. Thefts from cars spike in late summer just before school starts and are usually teenagers stealing in their own neighborhood. Another source of local thefts was a house cleaning service. The ladies would clean the house and tip off their boyfriends to places that were good theft targets. Gotta be aware of who knows about your toys.

It's not unusual for cars to get stolen at car shows either. I was talking to a state trooper who had pulled me over (no front plate) and he said 3 Corvettes were stolen from the Bloomington Gold Show that weekend.

I would stamp my driver's license number on any valuable property. These are pretty universal and and P.D. can trace it back to you.

[69goatboy]

Not to be naive about the subject but, How effective are devices such as the club or the removable steering wheels? How easily are these and similar devices defeated?

[71Sport]

What about the "Lojack" system? It may not be a deterent to the actual theft, or alarm you instantly, but at least you should be able to find it?

Years ago we would install a "kill switch" to prevent theft. The simple electronics of the 60's allowed you to rig up a contact switch, run in between from the coil to the ignition switch. Thus grounding the key when it was turned on. The car would just sit and turn over (cranking) and not fire up. I'm recalling this from memory - 35 years ago at that. So I don't remember if the connection was on the positive or negative side of the coil.
Joe