Attempted to steal New Travel Trailer

[Capsfloyd]

Our 832OKBS Flagstaff was almost stolen. 3 guys tried with a stolen F250. They pulled the brake cable and locked up all 4 tires. Could not figure out how to get my tongue jack up.
I got outside and they were spinning the tires and the truck slid over and the TT front cap hit the power pole in the corner . I chased after them and 3 doors opened up and they ran .
The truck was still in drive and running.
Wrecker towed it to the dealership.
Only the front cap has some scratches on it.
Very lucky I herd them and was able to deter them .
3 days later about 3 miles from me a 2012 wildwood was stolen from a man's circle drive in front yard?

Anyone else heard or had this happen ?

[Ford Idaho]

Stolen TT's?

Yes it happens, word is they are turned into meth labs or end up in the woods as a "hunting shack" or perhaps a shelter for pot growers who do so in national forests.

You were lucky to catch them in the act.

[Capsfloyd]

This week I ordered a tongue lock that locks Safety chains, and covers the hitch.
Will drill and anchor 3/4 in eyelet anchors in our Concrete pad.anchor chains
Put all 4 stabilizers , X chocks on both sides

[Hoglou]

Sad to hear.. Dang SOBs. For night security consider the Chamberlain Wireless Motion Alert Security System (CWA2000) from amoz for 35.00. We use these for out buildings as internal motion dectors and perimeter alerts. We have a motorhome with one inside and you cannot open a coach door without the bed side moniter going off. Bosco (the pet) goes crazy at the door when a beeper goes off because he knows he gets to go outside and hunt....One receiver handles 7 sensors if I recall correctly, no signal problem at 500 ft..

[SailorSam20500]

An advantage for a ProPride or Hensley hitch. Can't just drop it on a ball....

[Iwannacamp]

I hate thieves.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[wahoonc]

Wheel Boots will help too. We use them for our work trailers that get left at job sites. Left one on a Philly area site, trailer was still there the next day, moved about 6' and full of bullet holes.

Aaron

[elchilero53]

This why I have a hitch lock on mine and no battery. It may not stop them, but it will slow them down enough so that if I am home, they will wish they had kept on going. I normally have my Tahoe parked in front of the hitch, so they have to move that first.

A friend at church had his brand new TT stolen right out of a "secure" storage yard. He hadn't even taken it out for a trip yet. He went to get it prepped for a church camping trip and it was gone. The security cameras just "happened" to "not be working" that night. The police figured it was an inside job. The trailer was ultimately recovered but it was a mess and was totaled by the insurance company. The yard owner's son was ultimately arrested for it and several other thefts from other yards.

[Flybob]

A very simple way to make this harder ( you should use others). Remove the tag. Most thieves will not check that. If spotted, but a patrol car it might get pulled over.

[trbomax]

Ive said this before,I sure wish I could get that luckey! They could haul it away while I peeked thru a window and cheered them on!

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by trbomax

Ive said this before,I sure wish I could get that luckey! They could haul it away while I peeked thru a window and cheered them on!

Going to the dark side?

I say keep it insured and and take reasonable measures to protect it. Those darn meth heads do not think anything through.

[SidecarFlip]

When I'm not using mine, it stays inside the barn. Outta sight, outta mind.

[Wheels Down]

That's a good call Fly Bob.
As for removal of the the battery (to disable tongue jack). I do this at my local storage yard. But on a recent camping trip my jack did not work (later found a loose battery connection as the problem) ,my camping neighbor came over and plugged the TT into the TV. That connection then powered the jack. So much for removing the battery.
I guess it boils down to the old adage "if they want it bad enough, they will get it".
I have two locks on the tongue (ball and hitch) and the storage yard offers some security (coded gate access). I guess removing the tires on one side would pretty much guarantee it is there for the next trip.
I do agree it is a shame there are pieces of crap in this world that feel entitled to liberate our hard earned assets. One can only hope they get their due in the end.

[elchilero53]

Originally Posted by SidecarFlip

When I'm not using mine, it stays inside the barn. Outta sight, outta mind.

Yep, then you only need to worry about the mice trying to steal it!

[Capsfloyd]

We are installing 4 HD cameras, 1 in front , 3 in the back , one of those dedicated to TT.
I have a battery disconnect will use it. X chocks, stabilizers down
Should get the TT back soon.
Thanks

[mark0224]

Replaced my crank handle with a bolt so I can run the jack with my drill, thought about removing it for the winter while ours is done up for snowy weather.

[Oaklevel]

The Head of Security and her deputies

[timfromma]

I’ve got an idea for a trailer theft deterrent. It’s a hinged steel pipe that locks over the extended shaft of your tongue jack. It will prevent thieves from being able to lower the trailer tongue onto their hitch ball. I know nothing will 100% guarantee your trailer won’t get stolen but this should slow them down significantly.

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

The Head of Security and her deputies

Something that the bad guys do not like about dogs, dogs do not understand the phrase "I give up!".

[jlgail4309]

Originally Posted by SailorSam20500

An advantage for a ProPride or Hensley hitch. Can't just drop it on a ball....

Yes they are harder to steal. But it can be done. I was more worried about someone stealing my hitch. Take the trailer leave the hitch please !!