Catalytic Converter Thieves - How to get a bit of revenge

[RVwino]

I just received a marketing email about a new product from the makers of CatStrap. Click on the picture to see the brief movie.

There is more info here: https://www.catstrap.net/product-page/dyedefender

[rowdy boys 3]

Sending a message to have people click on a link to see a movie which is showing someone painting sounds like a scam...

[LivingToCamp]

Maybe you should look up the info given before you make a judgment.
It's a legit product.

[RVwino]

Originally Posted by rowdy boys 3

Sending a message to have people click on a link to see a movie which is showing someone painting sounds like a scam...

That’s a valid concern that I didn’t think about. On the other hand, I saw after I posted it, that it looked like a photo rather than the GIF. So I edited my message to suggest people to click on it. I’m not sure of the best way to do this in a way that people feel safe. Thoughts?

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by rowdy boys 3

Sending a message to have people click on a link to see a movie which is showing someone painting sounds like a scam...

It's not a movie, it's a gif, which is a valid file extension.

[NoviBill]

My first thought is: angering a guy with a reciprocating saw next to a motorhome may not be good for the motorhome.

[RVwino]

Originally Posted by NoviBill

My first thought is: angering a guy with a reciprocating saw next to a motorhome may not be good for the motorhome.

My first thought was do I know a good lawyer for when the thief sues me for medical expenses.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by rowdy boys 3

Sending a message to have people click on a link to see a movie which is showing someone painting sounds like a scam...

Did you look carefully. He is being painted, not painting.

A little difference, don't you think?

[NMWildcat]

Perhaps I am cynical about this line of products, but what I see is a gimmick addon to an already gimmicky product designed mainly to separate folks from their cash

[DougW]

Mix pepper spray with the paint and really ruin his day.

[TitanMike]

Any pressurized container filled with paint, next to a catalytic converter is bound to fail in a couple ways.

Will have to have sufficient pressure at normal daytime temps to spray thief but not burst when temps reach up to 1200 degrees when vehicle is operating under load.

Then what will happen to paint and propellant at those high temps?

[NXR]

I'm sure they've tested it for temps and durability however I'm pretty sure how blue dye would look on my driveway...

But I used to work for a bank and the dye packs certainly do work when cash is stolen.

NoviBill probably has it nailed. On the plus side, if the criminal cut your tires in retaliation you could get six new tires for the price of your deductible!

Ray

[NXR]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Perhaps I am cynical about this line of products, but what I see is a gimmick addon to an already gimmicky product designed mainly to separate folks from their cash

"Gimmicky product"? I'm not so sure I should take catalytic converter anti-theft advice from someone whose tow vehicle is a diesel.

"2007 Chevy 2500HD 4dr short bed Duramax w/allison"

But yeah, a "gimmick addon" is my thought as well.

Ray

PS: Yes, I bought the CatStrap for our gasser because the cost is about half of what our comprehensive deductible would be if we got hit. If we got hit I'd have all of the hassle and costs associated with the theft and then probably would think "Maybe I should have installed something" and go and do buy something then.

So I decided to cut out the middleman, the criminal, hopefully. We all need to decide our risk tolerance.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by NXR

"Gimmicky product"? I'm not so sure I should take catalytic converter anti-theft advice from someone whose tow vehicle is a diesel.

"2007 Chevy 2500HD 4dr short bed Duramax w/allison" ....

LOL.. Guess I'm missing the joke. Practically ever diesel built since 1990 has a catalytic converter. Mine used to have one....... wait, was it stolen?!!!

[NXR]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

LOL.. Guess I'm missing the joke. Practically ever diesel built since 1990 has a catalytic converter. Mine used to have one....... wait, was it stolen?!!!

Really? I thought the SCR (selective catalytic reduction) system components were only being stolen by dumb criminals who thought they were catalytic converters.

But in doing some reading I see you're correct although the quantity of precious metals is supposed to be far less.

Thank you for enlightening me. I guess I should take your advice.

Ray

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by NXR

Really? I thought the SCR (selective catalytic reduction) system components were only being stolen by dumb criminals who thought they were catalytic converters.



But in doing some reading I see you're correct although the quantity of precious metals is supposed to be far less.



Thank you for enlightening me. I guess I should take your advice.



Ray

Don't have a clue about dumb criminals or the amount of precious metals in the diesel cats. But I do know we sold the pile of diesel cats behind the barn for an impressive amount of $$$$

[TowPro]

interesting concept, but someone laying under a car with a sawzal will be off to the side of the cut and it will miss there face. but it will still spray the saw and arms.

on the other hand, what if the chemical catches fire from the running saw, theft gets 3rd deg burns and sues you for everything you got.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by TowPro

on the other hand, what if the chemical catches fire from the running saw, theft gets 3rd deg burns and sues you for everything you got.

Anybody can sue anyone for anything. If the case did not get tossed, at worst I think there could be a finding of shared liability. (I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice.)

Due Care probably would come into play. Was the theft protection unreasonable or not? Putting an explosive gas inside the tubing probably would be unreasonable. If the dye is the same as used in bank theft dye packs maybe it would be OK.

But booby traps in homes to cause harm to people breaking in have been ruled illegal because they could ensnare other people, like kids, EMS, cops, firefighters, etc. In this case, think muffler shop or mechanics working underneath for some reason and accidentally rupturing the tube.

If I used that, I'd put a warning sign underneath to use eye protection.

Ray

[ilmor]

Depending upon where the blue dye explodes, these days the owner of the vehicle would probably go to jail and be sued by the thief.

[wolfie53]

Don’t worry, be happy nothing will stop people who are determined to do wrong.

I was told OEM converters are the ones thieves want. I put an aftermarket converter on mine.

I took the money I would have spent on some anti-theft gear and made my insurance comprehensive deductible zero. That was pretty cheap actually and I’m covered for all sorts of mishaps.

If my converter is stolen again, I’ll go get a new one.