Theft prevention January 01, 2022, 11:25:38 am Where we keep our Lazy Daze is not behind a locked gate or in a garage.There may be others in a similar situation that this advice may help.I pulled the starter fuse. It's just an added piece of mind even though we don't have much crime where we live.Happy New Year everyone! 2 Likes
Re: Theft prevention Reply #1 – January 01, 2022, 01:00:12 pm Good idea.We live in a relatively safe area, but my neighborhood friend had his travel trailer stolen out of his yard. What a surprise when he came home!Thieves are pretty brazen these days.Harold 1 Likes
Re: Theft prevention Reply #2 – January 01, 2022, 02:17:10 pm Hi Ted and Harold; I was going to try this method before I revealed it here. I've ordered these, but won't receive them for a few weeks. Those of us who have had their fuel pumps quit, know how effectively this can stop a motorhome in it's tracks! The 'English' is so poor it is hard to decipher exactly what these products are or how they will work. The question I have about the fuse replacement 'model' is whether the function of a fuse is retained in the device. They don't require any changes to the wiring, and operation would be mostly transparent and convenient. In case of a failure of the device, 'as built' condition can be restored by just putting in the original fuse or relay. The biggest opportunity for issues would be the remotes getting lost or the transmitter batteries going dead. This one is smallest: Car Immobilizer Wireless fuse Anti theft System Vehicle Security Lock Fuel... and I plan on shortening the ground wire to conceal it more. Some reviewers shortened the 'fuse' connector pins also. I don't know how well it will blend in with the other fuses. Easy to defeat if the thief has enough 'smarts' and time to look around in the fuse box. I notice in my Ford that there is no listing of which fuse is what anywhere around the cover under the hood. (Some cars have legends inside the covers to help troubleshooting). I may make it harder to get into the fuse box if I feel it is too easy. Black button head Allen screws in difficult to see or get to locations. Some mechanics out there may hate me...... This one is more stealthy: M501 A Car Immobilizer Anti theft Effective Mini Auto Security System for... The relays in my under hood box are all black and unidentified. A little dirt and dust may camoflage this device very well. Again hardening the box interior access may help. And a return to factory spec condition is easy just by restoring the original relay. No wiring is altered. Kent did send me a Chris Fix video on installing a hidden switch to keep the fuel pump from running. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUhXLsrZiE0 (Thanks Kent!) The key to that was remembering to turn it off, and hiding it well enough not to be found by a casual thief. My first thought was to add a switch nearby the inertia Ford switch in the passenger right foot kick panel. Larry Wade has a good picture of that in his Flickr library. (Larry Wade Projects) E450 Inertia switch | Flickr I'll write up a review when I get them, install one and get it working, and use it for awhile. I'm not sure how they would work in any of my other vehicles. Their fuse boxes are much smaller, may have different arrangements, and might set trouble codes in the computer. (edit:) I do have a Scangauge in the motorhome). No codes would be set until you forget to activate it before trying to start the vehicle. When used properly the vehicle would never know that the fuel pump had been disconnected. Both of these devices allow you to start normally. The remote alerts you with blinking lights for 50 seconds, allowing you plenty of time to prevent the fuel pump from shutting down. The engine computer would never notice a problem until the fuel pump did shut off. And it might just think you ran out of gas, since it was running normally. I wouldn't think that would set a code by itself. My 'TK has a fully functional OBDII system. RonB 4 Likes
Re: Theft prevention Reply #3 – January 20, 2022, 10:40:15 pm Best anti-theft device hands down is Ravelco. Have it on 3 vehicles if it's not plugged in the vehicle will not start.Ravelco Anti Theft Device 4 Likes
Re: Theft prevention Reply #4 – January 21, 2022, 01:33:59 am Quote from: RonB - January 01, 2022, 02:17:10 pm This one is more stealthy: M501 A Car Immobilizer Anti theft Effective Mini Auto Security System for... The relays in my under hood box are all black and unidentified. A little dirt and dust may camoflage this device very well. Again hardening the box interior access may help. And a return to factory spec condition is easy just by restoring the original relay. No wiring is altered. I have used an American version of this that uses RFID. No batteries. Works very well. I am always certain the RV will be where I left it. Not quite as sure it will start when I want it to but it always has. Used it for 11 years, no problems.Do a search for rfid car immobilizer. The one I have is no longer on the market. There appear to be US versions on the market. I couldn’t find one in the search that does not use batteries.For break in protection I went with Vehicle Security and Theft Prevention Devices. The door and lock hardening items are a tough install.There is a tint film that makes the door windows much tougher to break.
Re: Theft prevention Reply #5 – January 21, 2022, 11:46:25 am After reading all the input on RV security on the forum and scratching my head over the matter, I wonder if a chassis battery cut off switch (similar to the coach switch) wouldn’t accomplish the same anti-theft deterrent. Too simple or overly complicated to accomplish?Kent
Re: Theft prevention Reply #6 – January 21, 2022, 01:45:32 pm Anti-thief devices with switches need the switch well hidden and its operation not visible to the casual observer.The old fashion floor or firewall mounted high/low beam switch, the type operated by your foot is a handy way of doing this. Few thieves today have ever seen one, much less would be looking up under the dash, on the firewall. A big advantage is its simple operation without being seen using it. A foot tap on the switch and off you go.Amazon.com: Retro-Motive Headlight Floor Dimmer Switch with Harness Pigtail...Spray paint the switch black and it will be next to invisible.Larry 4 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Theft prevention Reply #7 – January 21, 2022, 04:51:36 pm Quote from: tedeboy - January 01, 2022, 11:25:38 amWhere we keep our Lazy Daze is not behind a locked gate or in a garage.Our neighbor had his trailer with two seadoos stolen from his locked, gated backyard while he was at work. RV thefts are on the rise. I'm not concerned about my LD being stolen from my property because the RV space is actually perpendicular to the driveway and someone would need to move two cars first. However, my LD would be very simple to hotwire so I'm concerned about it when left anywhere else, like a parking lot. So, we have been looking for an anti-theft solution as well. 1 Likes
Re: Theft prevention Reply #8 – January 21, 2022, 05:30:00 pm Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - January 21, 2022, 11:46:25 amAfter reading all the input on RV security on the forum and scratching my head over the matter, I wonder if a chassis battery cut off switch (similar to the coach switch) wouldn’t accomplish the same anti-theft deterrent. Too simple or overly complicated to accomplish?KentIt would work but the computer would have to relearn everything. Not the best idea. Cut the fuel pump.
Re: Theft prevention Reply #9 – January 21, 2022, 10:36:18 pm I keep it simple. Put an Apple airtag hidden in the RV and track its location anywhere with your iPhone/computer/iPad. We have Ring cameras on our property and typically our RV is blocked in our driveway by our cars. AirTag - Apple 3 Likes
Re: Theft prevention Reply #10 – January 22, 2022, 03:34:36 am I said I would update (Reply #2) the devices as I evaluated them. The first is a replacement for the fuel pump fuse. It is the size of a mini ATC fuse, a little taller. I have not an ATC (standard size) fuse. I have a Maxi ATC fuse. Over an inch long, 3/4" high and more than a 1/4" wide. I could fit four of the chips inside the big fuse. While I could rewire the fuse box to accommodate the small one, in series with the big fuse, to the fuel pump relay, I was looking for a simpler install. I still don't think it retains a 'fuse' function. My friend who has designed micro circuits assures me that the operative transistor would perform like a fuse if needed. There is a version, as yet unobtained, that could be wired in series with the actual fuel pump, near the inertia switch. The remotes are keyed to the operative switch, and the backs can be removed to replace 'coin' cell batteries. Not like a Lo-Jack. I routinely replace the batteries in my car remotes, and the TST tire senders. So I don't see having batteries as an issue. I carry spare AAA, AA, and 9v, for flashlights, smoke alarms, etc. I've wired this small one to a battery and some 12v loads to see how it works. If the engine is started it will run about 10 seconds, then shut off if you haven't pushed the remote button. If you push the button, the engine doesn't stop. If you forget, the fuel pump shuts off, but pressing the remote immediately allows restart. If you get out while the engine is running. You can stop it by pressing and holding the button for about 2-3 seconds. (Car Jacked!) You have to be within 15 meters range. The switch goes on and off. about 1 second on, two seconds off and repeats. The pump can provide some fuel, and the engine may be able to run at slow speed. For a thirsty MH engine, maybe it would just stall. Turning the engine off, then restarting it, using the remote within the 10 second window, and you are in business again. The second one, M501 A Car Immobilizer Anti theft Effective Mini Auto Security System for... directly replaces the fuel pump relay. No external wiring to give it away. The bad part for me is it has a smaller relay than I have. I have two on order with the larger relay. I'm not sure that the 'pin out' is compatible. So I may end up wiring it into one of the empty relay spots in my large relay under hood fuse box. Meanwhile the smaller relay version is the size that newer versions of the Ford E450 have as stock. No wiring changes are involved. The Installed relay would be hard to identify and would take less than a minute or so. $30 is pretty inexpensive. And if it is burdensome to operate or fails, it can be replaced by installing the original relay back in place. I'm going to try fitting the smaller relay version (location #6 in the under the hood fuse box) in a more up to date Lazy Daze when I find a volunteer near me. RonB 1 Likes
Re: Theft prevention Reply #11 – January 22, 2022, 04:37:49 pm For long term storage take the fuel pump fuse, burn it out by shorting it across the battery, and put it back in place.My experience is that theft prevention devices cause me a lot of aggravation over time. My car alarm systems have aged out and have had to be removed. Too old to just replace the module which is no longer available. The rfid one is still going strong but it has a relay in there that will fail some day. A hidden tracker seems reasonable. I would think it would do better placed outside the metal skin. Maybe under the air conditioner cover.
Re: Theft prevention Reply #12 – January 23, 2022, 11:35:54 am Hi Harry; I think for simplicity you could wire in a relay near the inertia switch, wired to latch on as long as there was power to the fuel pump with a small hidden switch at the driver seat. You would have to be pressing the switch when you started the engine, but it would have the advantage that you could hide the relay up under the dash, and could use small wire and switch to run under the seat area. Another small switch would allow you to disable this feature for service, so you wouldn't have to reveal its presence. It has the advantage that it would be inexpensive, wouldn't wear out (relays today are very reliable), and it would always work. No forgetting to flip the switch, or having to open and close the hood, fuse box and swapping fuses. For GPS trackers, there are a surprising number available. Here is one: Amazon.com: Optimus GB100M 4G LTE - Easy Install on Car's Battery GPS... for Amazon. Location under the refrigerator roof vent cover, with power down to the back of the refrigerator. I think under the A/C shroud would be too harsh: too hot, hard to get to, too much metal, etc. RonB As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Theft prevention Reply #13 – January 27, 2022, 05:51:32 am Quote from: brewersarcade - January 21, 2022, 10:36:18 pmI keep it simple. Put an Apple airtag hidden in the RV and track its location anywhere with your iPhone/computer/iPad. We have Ring cameras on our property and typically our RV is blocked in our driveway by our cars. AirTag - AppleNot sure that is going to work. The airtag will beep if separated from it’s owner from 8 to 24 hours. Will have to play with one to understand it more.
Re: Theft prevention Reply #14 – January 27, 2022, 09:53:06 am Speaking of Apple AirTags:Thieves Using Apple AirTags to Track and Steal Luxury Vehicles: Police
Re: Theft prevention Reply #15 – January 27, 2022, 10:49:08 am Quote from: HiLola - January 27, 2022, 09:53:06 amSpeaking of Apple AirTags:Thieves Using Apple AirTags to Track and Steal Luxury Vehicles: PoliceObviously a technology in progress. I expect it will eventually adapt to car locating but at the moment Apple is scrambling to keep it from being used in stalking and other nefarious ways, it seems. I don’t have to worry about luxury vehicles being stolen, heh, heh. It would work on your daily driver but not on long term away from home storage. Too bad. More to come, I think.
Re: Theft prevention Reply #16 – January 27, 2022, 11:51:03 am This Chinese source has all sorts of items for sale. This one is for tracking a vehicle. When they talk of cutting off the 'oil' pump, mis-translated, since oil pumps aren't electric, I think they meant fuel pump for a gas engine. Vehicle Tracker Car MV730 Hidden Design Cut Off Fuel Shock Tow Alert GPS... This is for the US market. You can install it yourself and skip the part where it shuts off the fuel pump, or actually put that part in, so that if the motorhome was stolen, you could locate it and shut off the fuel. You would need a contract and SIM card. The motorhome and you would need to be near a cell phone tower. RonB
Re: Theft prevention Reply #17 – January 29, 2022, 01:40:58 am Quote from: hbn7hj - January 27, 2022, 05:51:32 amNot sure that is going to work. The airtag will beep if separated from it’s owner from 8 to 24 hours. Will have to play with one to understand it more.For those that want to play with the airtags, and that includes me, there is a magnetic box for them.My concern was in battery life if it beeped too much. No one will hear the beeping in that container and you can check battery life remotely. I’m going to try them out on my daily driver and RV.Amazon.com: GPS Tracker for Vehicles Compatible with Apple Airtag Air Tag... 1 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Theft prevention Reply #18 – February 18, 2022, 10:32:32 pm I put an airtag in the car that was left at home. Walking by it when I returned a week later it beeped a lot at me. I guess it missed me! I have a lot to learn about how they work and when they beep.They do work as I can always get a location even when 200 miles away. I guess they use a passing phone from someone on a morning walk to check in with the cloud.Haven’t found a complete manual on line and they don’t come with one.
Re: Theft prevention Reply #19 – February 19, 2022, 12:36:06 pm Hi Harry; I finally found a vehicle immobilizer that fits my older Ford motorhome. I wanted a 'stealth' plug-in that didn't require any wiring modifications. Under $30. A direct plug-in replacement for the fuel pump relay, that comes with two remotes. The industry has moved on, and the first one I bought has a smaller relay that would fit newer motorhomes/cars. I referenced it as the M501A. The one I have is the M501B. It fits perfectly. Your 'Air tags' can only tell you where your stolen vehicle might be. My concern was to have my LD be where I left it. This immobilizer has three modes, I only plan to use the second mode. When started, the engine runs for about 20 seconds, then because the fuel pump is disconnected, it runs out of gas and stalls. another attempt gives you 15 seconds, and the third time it won't start unless you press the button on the remote first. (Simultaneous with the restart attempt). It didn't set any codes on my OBDII, as evidenced on my ScanGauge. It runs until I restart the engine, and pressing the remote button each time is required. In case of being carjacked the remote can be kept in your pocket. As your vehicle drives away without you, pressing the button and holding it on the remote, the blue LED will turn red solid on, then blink red/blue, and it will shut off the fuel pump in 20 seconds. You have to be within 15 meters. (that was the third mode) The first mode is you start the engine and within 20 seconds, press the remote button. The remote will send a code, and resend it every few seconds. The blue LED blinks. If you walk away (I'm guessing farther than 15 meters) the fuel pump relay immobilizer will cut off the fuel when out of range. The instructions say that the remote can sense the vibration of driving and will retransmit every so often as it is moving. It comes with two remotes, and spare coin cell lithium batteries. Instructions say it will alert you that it needs a battery replacement. I used the M501A I first ordered, too small of a relay, to wire up a test bench. The system was tested to see what it would really do. Of course It wasn't exposed to the heat under an engine hood, or extreme RF fields that might be encountered while traveling. It is still set up, to play with. It does take a small vise-grip plier with double stick tape on the jaws to get the Ford relay out, and was a good contact, stiff, install to get the immobilizer in. It is unremarkable after I removed the ID code sticker. After getting the right 'form factor' for my 'ancient' rig I plan to keep it in place. I do keep the original Ford relay and tools to re-install it in the motorhome. The M501B 75% Dropshipping!!M501 B Car Immobilizer Anti theft Effective Mini Auto... Notice the second view has a bulkier relay. I don't know which year Ford switched to the 'HC' smaller version of relay. RonB 2 Likes
Re: Theft prevention Reply #20 – February 19, 2022, 01:02:45 pm Quote from: RonB - February 19, 2022, 12:36:06 pm I finally found a vehicle immobilizer that fits my older Ford motorhome. Looks like it should do the job. May I suggest you buy a spare, it may not be available when the relay fails. My non battery immobilizer is no longer available tho I do have a spare.The carjacking scenario is becoming more popular as it becomes more difficult to steal a vehicle. You must have the key.Thanks for the information.
Re: Theft prevention Reply #21 – February 19, 2022, 05:02:37 pm Hi Harry. If this M501B immobilizer were to fail, I could always put the 'just a Ford relay' back in place. Cutting a wire going to the inertia switch and putting in a hidden switch will work. Not much to fail. The rest of the motorhome could 'crumble' and that switch could still be working. RonB
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