Installed generator stolen?
I've got 3 Class C RVs and they each have an Onan 4000w generator onboard. They are accessed through a exterior compartment that doesn't have a lock on it. (Side note: Even if it did have a standard...
Forum Discussion
Most thieves want something quick and easy to steal and easy to fence.
Catalytic Converter:
- Every vehicle has one, so easy to find. 20 seconds with a battery powered Sawzall and fits in a backpack and they are off.
- No identifying info on it and dirty salvage yards happy to give them a few hundred bucks making it easy to fence.
Portable Generators:
- Sitting out easy to see. 20 seconds to cut the cable/chain and toss it in the trunk.
- No identifying info on it and easy to sell on craigslist. Large pool of buyers.
Built in Generator:
- Most casual thieves may not even be aware that there is a generator in the RV. If the compartment is locked, you need to break into the hatch. Then you need a tool set to unbolt it and cut the cables. If it's remote start, do you break into the living area and pull the control system...if not, it reduces the value. All this takes time while someone may come by and ask what you are doing because it's obviously out of the ordinary.
- Selling it becomes more challenging as it's only good for someone with an RV that has a generator compartment but no generator (usually, if you get the compartment, you get the generator). That's a small pool of potential buyers and if you didn't get the control unit, it further reduces the value and may scare off some of those buyers.
Given the right situation or a determined thief, anything is possible but it's simply not a good target.
Catalytic Converter:
- Every vehicle has one, so easy to find. 20 seconds with a battery powered Sawzall and fits in a backpack and they are off.
- No identifying info on it and dirty salvage yards happy to give them a few hundred bucks making it easy to fence.
Portable Generators:
- Sitting out easy to see. 20 seconds to cut the cable/chain and toss it in the trunk.
- No identifying info on it and easy to sell on craigslist. Large pool of buyers.
Built in Generator:
- Most casual thieves may not even be aware that there is a generator in the RV. If the compartment is locked, you need to break into the hatch. Then you need a tool set to unbolt it and cut the cables. If it's remote start, do you break into the living area and pull the control system...if not, it reduces the value. All this takes time while someone may come by and ask what you are doing because it's obviously out of the ordinary.
- Selling it becomes more challenging as it's only good for someone with an RV that has a generator compartment but no generator (usually, if you get the compartment, you get the generator). That's a small pool of potential buyers and if you didn't get the control unit, it further reduces the value and may scare off some of those buyers.
Given the right situation or a determined thief, anything is possible but it's simply not a good target.
