How do you lock/secure your generator?

I think I locked my two gens up once or twice. If we head out somewhere for the whole day then ill store them in the trailer or tuck them away.

As others have noted, if a thief wants it bad enough, s/he will likely get it.

A potential solution could be to get 2 of the smaller generators and use them in tandem when needed, use one when only one will work for whatever need you have. Smaller generators easier to move...put in the back of a truck, inside the Van or SUV, or inside a storage space in a trailer/motor home...when properly cooled.

This of course won't solve the problem for those of you that have a bigger generator, but could be an alternative thought for those considering a generator purchase. Some interesting solutions have already been submitted!

Less than 10 seconds with a battery powered Sawz-All through the handle. 2 cuts, the generator is gone.

Using a gun to protect a generator? Really? I hope ya'll are just kidding about that. Maybe butt-stroke him with the shotgun. Shoot him in that situation, and your attorney will want at least $10K up front to start to defend you in the civil case the perps relatives file against you. Then it will start to get expensive.

pianotuna wrote:
I had a hardened steel cable. They came equipped with something to cut it. It was gone in seconds.

Sadly true. If they are professionals, there is not much you can do. 30-60 seconds with a battery powered angle grinder and even a rank amateur will have your stuff.

Steel cable is more difficult to cut than chain with bolt cutters. Also, you would be surprised at how poorly made "good" padlocks are. The best ones are made by ABUS (a German company)

Dog in campsite. Easy as that. It's not worth the anxiety worrying about it besides that.
Plus I have a $300 solar kit from Amazon that charges enough so I rarely need it.

Steel cable locked to truck bed. Tailgate and topper both lock. Keeps the honest honest and amateur thieves would probably pass.

I was surprised this summer of how many folks left theirs unattended and just sitting on the ground. I saw at least a dozen that way...with nobody home. That's when I knew mine would be safe! :)

BizmarksMom wrote:
Cable lock through the handle of my Honda EU 2000 and then through a tie down in the bed of my truck. When I'm not using the genny, the tailgate is locked and the tonneau cover is closed. It's out of site, and harder to get to.

This is what I do but with a heavy chain. My tie downs are kinda chintzy and screwed into the bed side, so I loc tited that one in, lol. It's inaccessible when I have the camper on the truck so pretty safe. Otherwise it's just to keep the semi honest people off it.
Note I'd probably be looking at a more secure system or store it in the truck if we camped in sketchy areas or cities.

I run a cable through my Champion 3400 handles and lock it to a tie-down in the truck bed.

While my generator's running, I sit next to it with my 12g Remington across my lap. Nobody's walking off with my generator!

Honestly, I don't bother with anything. I've logged nearly 50,000 miles traveling all over the US and Canada with my RV so far, and nothing's been stolen. If an area gives me any sort of willies or creepy feeling, I don't stay there. That includes snowbird "villages" out in the deserts of Arizona, etc. where a lot of this theft seems to happen.

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
cable lock and a Glock, and scattering a few empty shell casings near it also helps.

Lol! Great idea, I hadn't thought of that!!