Yep… I got bit by the cat thieves… ouch!
I went to visit my relatives for the holidays and there wasn’t any place to keep the LD nearby. So I paid for a month at a RV storage lot in Las Vegas and then flew out to see the folks. I should have known better but as they say, hindsight is 20-20. Anyway, I flew into Las Vegas yesterday morning and took a Lyft ride out to the storage lot. Everything seemed OK until I turned over the engine. Then, SURPRISE… my brand new 2021 MB is making more noise than a Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Oh crud. I’m now deciding who to call first… police, insurance company, search for mechanic, LDOG. I end up calling my daughter and have her search for an auto repair that can replace the converter while I try to call the Las Vegas police. I get put on hold for half an hour before giving up but my daughter comes through with a winner. The place was 2 doors down from the storage lot and is called D.O.C. Auto Repair (https://www.docautorepairs.com/). I have no affiliation with them but I can say that they did an outstanding job for me. I told the owner (Damien) about my predicament and he walked with me over to the LD and crawled under it to inspect the damage. He took some pictures with my phone and said to give them to my insurance company. He then searched around and found a Ford OEM catalytic converter and made arrangements to have it delivered today. When it wasn’t on the early truck, he called and made a fuss and had them deliver it before noon. When it did arrive, he had it installed right away and had me on the road by 12:30. A very professional and courteous business and one I would recommend if in need of a mechanic in Las Vegas.
Now for the details because I know your going to ask. The Ford 7.3 liter V8 engine has only 1 catalytic converter and it’s a behemoth. His cost was $2114.29 and he charged me $20.45 for a gasket and $240 labor to install. With NV tax it came to $2553.52. The O2 sensor was also cutoff and taken during the theft but the replacement was on backorder. I was given the choice of installing an aftermarket sensor or having a plug installed and ordering the OEM sensor and installing it myself. I chose the latter and estimated delivery is early February by Summit Racing. The LD is displaying a CEL but no adverse effects that I can tell.
Progressive Insurance has been great. Yesterday I called in the claim and this afternoon an adjuster called me back. She had me send them the pictures of the cut exhaust pipe as well as the newly installed converter. I also sent them a picture of the police report that I got when I went to the police station and all my receipts; auto repair, hotel and Lyft rides. They’ll do a direct deposit to my bank of all cost minus the $500 deductible… well it wasn’t going to be all good news was it?
All in all it was a $500 lesson learned about leaving the LD unattended for a month. Locked storage lot or not, thieves will take what they can.
- John
Here are some pictures of the theft and one of the LD front end on the lift. Damien didn’t think his lift was big enough to support the full weight of the LD so he just lifted the front end and it worked.
- John
John,
So very sorry you got hit by cat thieves. Back in 2015 when LD called me that my chassis had been delivered, I saw the catalytic converter and thought, “That’s one big cat”.
When my cats were stolen off of my 2002 Sequoia, it howled when I fired up the big V8. I was shocked. When I had my “Cat Straps” installed (2 cats on the Sequoia), I vowed to get a cat for our RB. I did.
Several months ago, some disappointed cat thief tried to get the Sequoia’s cats again. They ran off without them. Came close but not quite. That’s when I had my mechanic install pipe clamps all along the straps and converters. I had a welder secure the nuts on the clamps. So far, so good.
The LD cat strap has a heat sensor that sounds an alarm when anyone or any animal gets underneath or near the rig. I have it set on 24/7. It sounds briefly on occasion. So far, so good.
May be time to step up your game.
Kent
All in all it was a $500 lesson learned about leaving the LD unattended for a month. Locked storage lot or not, thieves will take what they can.
- John
My Lazy Daze was broken into at my secured storage lot in 2020 (they took mostly electronics and strangely items to "cook" drugs like pans, pots, and spoons and left behind their hypodermic "hot shot" on the floor in the process). I'm glad you were able to get the issue quickly resolved. Sadly, these are "desperate times".
Sorry this happened to you, but glad to hear of another good mechanical service option. I live in Las Vegas and store my rig in a garage storage facility but it was vandalized three years ago when stored outdoors under a canopy. Fortunately not the Cat! Not sure how easy it would be to replace the catalytic converter on a 20 year old RV.
Actually, replacing the convertor on an older LD isn't too bad. I speak from experience as the cat was stolen from our 99 LD fall of 2020. My mechanic was able to use a "universal" replacement and the total cost was in the $500-$600 range. Not that I like spending that kind of money, but certainly better than on a newer model.
George & Jo Ann
2017 MB
My mechanic was able to use a "universal" replacement and the total cost was in the $500-$600 range. Not that I like spending that kind of money, but certainly better than on a newer model.
The reason for the high price of my cat replacement was mostly due to having a Ford OEM cat installed instead of a universal. The insurance company wanted to install an $800 universal but I said that because the LD was new and so little miles, I wanted an OEM installed and they said ok.
- John
Back in August, I had the Catstrap system with alarm installed on my LD and my Jeep.
Previous threads about theft freaked me out, so I made sure to get protected.
John, I'm sorry you had to go through that but really glad that Progessive stepped up and you're whole again!
So sorry you had to go through this steal. Before I sold my RV I feared the Cat would be stolen at the storage lot. Visited it daily and drove by at dark. No theft occurred thank goodness.
Thieves are disgusting. At work we used to dream about traps for these type of people. For this type of thief I imagine we would wait for them to go under the RV. Then steel poles would drop strategically around the outside of the RV to trap the thief under the RV. Finally barbed wire would deploy between each steel pole. Police are then called and thief arrested. Oh if the thief tries to cut their way out the tires start to deflate crushing the thief. Also, the engine starts and after warming up hot fluid it is sprayed at the thief until the cutting is stopped. ;D
This is all a dream. But you get the idea. You should hear what we would do to someone trying to steel the RV!
Ron
First of all I want to say thank you to Kent, Cheryl, Seesaw60, Deb, Ron and Linda for your kind words. Life lessons are usually not cheap, but this one wasn’t too bad.
Ron… your “dream about traps for these type of people” made me think of this commercial included in the movie Robocop 2.
(https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=bMtqRir7dco)
First of all I want to say thank you to Kent, Cheryl, Seesaw60, Deb, Ron and Linda for your kind words. Life lessons are usually not cheap, but this one wasn’t too bad.
Ron… your “dream about traps for these type of people” made me think of this commercial included in the movie Robocop 2.
(https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=bMtqRir7dco)
That’s it! I love it.
Ron
I'm flying out from Alaska next week to pick up my LD in Arizona from secured storage yard at the RV repair shop. This morning they called to tell me that a few days ago someone got in and several motorhomes had catalytic converters stolen -- mine was one of them. In fact many others all over town were stolen too. I'm horrified but at least it's fixable and they didn't break other things. The shop is getting repair information for me and thank heaven for insurance, now I will test it out. I've turned 75, and wonder if I'm getting too old for this.
Kristin
p.s. They said that they are mostly hitting Fords.
Cat theft in Washington State got so bad last year, there are now bills going through the legislature to make it harder to sell them, and increase the penalties. I wonder if a 100lbs of dog poop on the pavement under the cat converter would discourage someone from crawling under there.
So what exactly do you get when you are paying for “locked, secure storage”? Does the storage facility have no liability for anything? Is it limited to the theft of the entire vehicle or not even that?
If the “locked and secured” storage facility has no liability, why pay the higher fees for it vs a long term unsecured lot?
Just trying to understand.
So what exactly do you get when you are paying for “locked, secure storage”? Does the storage facility have no liability for anything? Is it limited to the theft of the entire vehicle or not even that?
If the “locked and secured” storage facility has no liability, why pay the higher fees for it vs a long term unsecured lot?
Just trying to understand.
Interestingly, the storage facilities do not accept liability and will have you sign an acknowledgement to that affect. That is one of the reasons I gave up my covered spot at our local facility and Nocona now resides at home. I realize many people don't have that option.
An article from RV Travel:
Catalytic converter theft rampant; costly repair for truck owners (https://www.rvtravel.com/catalytic-converter-theft-rampant-costly-repair-truck-owners/)
A local (Ohio) news story about the Cat Strap company:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVumcWucqAo
I recently realized that using the Catstrap with alarm may be helpful with gas theft. Now that thieves are crawling under vehicles to drill holes in gas tanks, maybe the alarm will chase them away.
I have the Catstrap on my LD and Jeep with alarms for each. Next, I'll be adding locking gas caps. :-)
My LD is parked in my driveway just outside my kitchen window. Every once in a while, I’ll hear the Cat Strap alarm sound for a few seconds. It’s nice knowing it’s there to stand guard. Meow!
Kent
I've purchased the Cat Strap and alarm. Installation of the strap seems straight forward with the benefit of the insights on this thread, but I'm stumped on where/how to install the alarm. Any advice/pictures on the alarm installation would be appreciated. The wires on the alarm are not that long and the distance between the battery and a spot that provides the eye good exposure to the undercarriage is long. Thanks
Geoff
I installed a Cat Strap in the spring of last year.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72177720297590805/
The Cat Strap's heat-set glue has already failed along most of the converter and is still secured by the many extra u-clamps. I had sanded and cleaned with solvent the surfaces where the strap was glued.
I also added two stainless steel cables, they run through the converter's heat shield, and are clamped in multiple places.
I'm thinking about painting the cat a bright orange using high-temp paint.
You can't stop someone determined to remove the cat but you can make it so difficult that the thief is tempted to find an easier victim.
Larry
Geof,
Here are a few pics of my Cat Strap and Cat Eye installation.
The cat strap goes the length of the exhaust system and is held in place with the wire zip ties provided. These are good for holding the strap in place but you really need pipe clamps placed fore and aft of the cat itself.
I have not yet had the nuts welded to the pipe clamps but I have done so on my Toyota Sequoia. The pipe clamps are installed as close to either end of the cat converter and along the length of the exhaust as best fits.
From inside the engine compartment, you can see where my mechanic installed the alarm (circled in red). The Cat Eye is mounted directly below the alarm and aims down the length of the exhaust system. You can’t see it in my photos but it’s there. Tight fit for sure. As long as the eyes sensor can aim in the direction of the converter with no obstruction, you should be fine.
Just a bit of a heads up here. When running the engine, turn off the cat alarm otherwise it will cycle on and off. Also, after driving the rig (alarm off) do not turn the alarm on until the engine has cooled off otherwise the residual heat from the exhaust will trigger the alarm.
I set my alarm on for 24/7 unless otherwise noted as above.
Best of luck.
Kent
Good to know that California leads the nation in something these days:
California leads nation in skyrocketing number of catalytic converter... (https://www.kget.com/news/state-news/california-leads-nation-in-skyrocketing-number-of-catalytic-converter-thefts-data-shows/)
Oh wait, forgot about gas prices. We're number 1, we're number 1 . . . !
First of all I want to say thank you to Kent, Cheryl, Seesaw60, Deb, Ron and Linda for your kind words. Life lessons are usually not cheap, but this one wasn’t too bad.
Ron… your “dream about traps for these type of people” made me think of this commercial included in the movie Robocop 2.
(https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=bMtqRir7dco)
Found another deterent video. Hahah
https://youtu.be/pQqb2k717Sg
Ron
Hoping this is an easy DIY install of Cat Strap. What size pipe clamps fit on a 2006 LD? Thanks.
I think I used 3" clamps but your mileage may vary. I would pick up a few different sizes to see what works best.
A little word of advice on pipe clamp placement and securing them. Keep the clamps as close to the cat as possible then spaced out every foot or so.
It’s very important to tack weld the nuts of the clamps so a thief cannot remove the nuts. Double nuts are a good idea too.
It’s also advisable to use metal zip ties to secure the strap to keep snuggling fitted to the exhaust pipe. Amazon has the metal zips. The ones in the Cat Strap kit are rather thin but should suffice.
Kent
I discovered this morning that the catalytic converter on our LD had been stolen.
We keep our LD in an unsecured RV lot about 75 yards from our home. The lot is managed by our HOA.
There are homes close by (~20 ft) on three sides of the RV lot but that was not a sufficient deterrent to prevent the theft.
So I will need to find a mechanic to replace the converter.
Assuming I find someone, I will also ask to have one of the anti-theft devices installed.
Can someone recommend a particular anti theft product (and provide a link if possible)?
It seems that having an anti-theft device is worthwhile even if one has very secure storage since the converters apparently can be stolen anywhere when on the road.
I read in the article below that it is best to have the vehicle towed to a repair shop rather than driving it. Could someone comment on this?
What to do if your catalytic converter is stolen - MarketWatch (https://www.marketwatch.com/story/my-catalytic-converter-just-got-stolen-what-do-i-do-next-11637190380)
Thanks.
Paul,
Cat theft really stinks. Here is a link to the Cat Strap company that several of us use on our LD’s.
I have two on my Sequoia as well. Cats cost $1300 each for the Sequoia several years ago.
Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft | Catstrap | United States (https://www.catstrap.net/)
Good luck. Driving the LD will be very loud without the Cat in place.
Kent
When the cat was stolen from our old 99 MB, I drove it to the mechanic. Didn't seem to do any harm, but it was LOUD. The good news was that the rig was old enough that they were able to use a generic cat, so the cost was reasonable.
Kent said a couple of months ago that "Just a bit of a heads up here. When running the engine, turn off the cat alarm otherwise it will cycle on and off. Also, after driving the rig (alarm off) do not turn the alarm on until the engine has cooled off otherwise the residual heat from the exhaust will trigger the alarm."
So how do you turn the alarm off and on? Does that requiring opening the hood and manually turning it off or on?
Also, what powers the catstrap alarm? Does it have its own battery or does it run off the engine or house battery?
The catstrap web site quotes a price of $150 without the alarm and $280 with the alarm. The site also notes a two week lead time if you want the alarm. Have most LD owners who have installed catstrap also installed the alarm?
Paul,
My first experience with Cat Strap was when I researched theft prevention when both Cats on my Sequoia were liberated. 😵💫
At that time the Cat Strap had a 90 db alarm canister that connected to the truck battery and mounted underneath the hood. It was always on. So you just drove the vehicle as normal.
The current Cat Strap has two options. One with the Strap and one with the Cat Strap and the Cats Eye which is a photo eye that detects motion underneath the vehicle. The Cats Eye comes with a Fob that has an A and B button. A sets the alarm and B turns the alarm off so you can operate the vehicle or work underneath without the alarm sounding.
I am unsure if the Cat Strap alone has an alarm. I’d be surprised if it didn’t but the Strap itself and clamps may well be deterrent enough to stop a thief. You’d need to ask the manufacturer about this feature for the Cat Strap.
If I were to need another set, I’d get the dual set. It’s always good to know you’ve done all you can to protect your LD.
Kent
Have most LD owners who have installed catstrap also installed the alarm?
Not a bad idea but I did not.
Paul asked:
"So how do you turn the alarm off and on? Does that requiring opening the hood and manually turning it off or on?
Also, what powers the catstrap alarm? Does it have its own battery or does it run off the engine or house battery?"
Your coach should have a solenoid switch inside the engine compartment for connecting the coach & engine batteries while driving. Power from the ignition circuit closed this solenoid switch when the engine is running connecting both battery banks for the alternator to charge the coach batteries. This is the best source for power for an alarm and an automatic switch to turn it on & off. This is what I used to turn on the rodent deterrent LEDs under the coach when the engine is off. This is accomplished by installing a relay switch (see attachment: <Amazon.com: 1 Pack 40/30 AMP 12V DC Waterproof Relay and Harness - Heavy... (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074QV54V1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1>);
) near the solenoid wired for the "normally closed" setting (closed when not activated by the ignition circuit). When activated by power from the the ignition the switch opens turning off the alarm power. Use the coach batteries side of the solenoid to power the alarm circuit and tap the ignition wire at the solenoid for the relay switch.
Mike
I have been looking at YouTube videos relating to protecting catalytic converters from theft. A fellow named Colby affiliated with Muffler Tech in Sacramento has quite a few interesting videos on this subject.
In this video he explains why motorhomes on a Ford chassis are so vulnerable to catalytic converter theft:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpu7QcseqNg
In this video he reviews the Catstrap/Cateye theft prevention product:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMmC4CpeZAc&t=18s
Colby recommends using thick roll bar tubing to surround the catalytic converter as he explains in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyZr4hfzDRw
Thanks for this info. My LD is parked in my driveway just outside my kitchen window. Occasionally the Cat Strap/Cats Eye will sound off.
I can hear it from inside the house or while inside the rig. Very reassuring. Plenty loud from these areas. I wouldn’t be underneath the rig for long with the siren going off.
It’s nice to see the alarm continuously sounding while the service tech was underneath the vehicle and stops when he moved away then sounds again right away as he approached the sensor.
Small animals don’t hang around my rig once the alarm sounds. Good to know how accurate the Cats Eye is. 🙀
Kent
They got mine 2 weeks ago. 2011 30IB. Are there any other recommendations for deterrent systems other than Catstrap? I tried to call the mothership but continuous busy. What's that about?
As far as I remember the factory shuts down a week in the Christmas/ New Years and a week in the late June and July time frame. During that time there is no one at the factory, or at least no one answering the phone. They might not even have an answering machine.
No nothing but the Cat strap and Cat's eye. Muffler shops may have custom solutions on a 'home brew' type of thing. I have seen specific metal shields for specific cars such as a Prius. RonB
There’s also the Cat Clamp, which I’ve been considering. Catalytic Converter | Difficult | Cut | Cat Clamp (https://catclamp.com/)
— Jon
In addition to the LD, watch out for the toad, especially those of us who tow Foresters:
State Farm slammed by rising theft of catalytic converters | Fox Business (https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/state-farm-slammed-rising-theft-catalytic-converters)
In addition to the LD, watch out for the toad, especially those of us who tow Foresters:
State Farm slammed by rising theft of catalytic converters | Fox Business (https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/state-farm-slammed-rising-theft-catalytic-converters)
Maybe the insurance companies have enough pull to get the authorities to crack down on catalytic converter thieves.
Maybe.
We keep our Forester locked up at night.
Larry
I recently realized that using the Catstrap with alarm may be helpful with gas theft. Now that thieves are crawling under vehicles to drill holes in gas tanks, maybe the alarm will chase them away.
I have the Catstrap on my LD and Jeep with alarms for each. Next, I'll be adding locking gas caps. :-)
I don't have a locking gas cap.
I'd rather they siphon than drill a hole.
So I'm still trying to repair a vacuum line that was chewed through by squirrel(s) at Big Bear. That resulted in the dash A/C staying in defrost mode. Kent mentioned that the Cat's Eye worked well to keep 'critters' away from underneath intent on stealing the catalytic converter. So I'm pondering the installation to also keep small furry rodents away from underneath the rig. Not so sure that it would work in full daylight, but it does work on infrared motion. Might be a real nuisance in a campground at night. At least for the other campers.....
At least this time, it wasn't wiring that could have prevented the motorhome's travel back home. RonB
Ron
Just returned home from Big Bear Lake (Lighthouse RV Park) and those squirrels are quite a size.
Our Guard Cat [Tux] travels the country with us and is on high alert!
Not sure if could deter CAT theft's but for the squirrels he is tops.
Cheers!
Tony R. (aka codefour) /font]
Some of the thieves are not road scholars as they try to sell online what they stole. I wonder how many converters were stolen and are just sitting in some room because the thieves can not get rid of them?
Houston task force busts catalytic converter theft ring with M in stolen... (https://www.foxnews.com/us/houston-police-busts-catalytic-converter-theft-ring-million-stolen-goods-guns)
Ron
Our LD’s cat converter was stolen while parked at an RV storage facility almost a year ago. We took it to a local muffler shop to have a new converter installed and the talented guy there fabricated a cage for it out of rebar. He did a great job. No further problems, but still if someone is determined they sure could find a way, no doubt.
Two of our friends recently have had converter thieves hit their outdoor RV storage lots, one off an LD and the other from the vehicle driven to and left at the storage lot, while the LD was in use. Both lots had cameras, for what little value they appear to have. Makes indoor storage look more attractive...at a cost.
Wonder how much more of this the auto insurance industry will take before demanding that the authorities forcibly address this situation.
This must be costing them billions, costs that get passed along to us.
Larry
Score one for the good guys! Catalytic Converter bandits nabbed in Santa Barbara as a result of quick action by victim and law enforcement!
Suspects Arrested in Theft of Catalytic Converters | Local News - Noozhawk.com (https://www.noozhawk.com/article/suspects_arrested_in_theft_of_catalytic_converters?omhide=true&utm_source=Noozhawk&utm_campaign=f642415b4b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_08_27_10_56_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9ec8acd2c4-f642415b4b-247330312)
Score one for the good guys! Catalytic Converter bandits nabbed in Santa Barbara as a result of quick action by victim and law enforcement!
Suspects Arrested in Theft of Catalytic Converters | Local News - Noozhawk.com (https://www.noozhawk.com/article/suspects_arrested_in_theft_of_catalytic_converters?omhide=true&utm_source=Noozhawk&utm_campaign=f642415b4b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_08_27_10_56_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9ec8acd2c4-f642415b4b-247330312)
Yay! More good news:
Attempted catalytic converter theft at Mercy Hospital; 3 arrested (https://www.kget.com/news/crime-watch/3-arrested-for-attempted-catalytic-converter-theft-at-mercy-hospital/)