My Yamaha EF2800i was easy to secure since it was an open frame design. Aside from the handles, my new Champion 3400 model doesn't show any obvious places to secure a locking device to it. Any brilliant ideas out there?

Hi,I had a cage built for my Yamaha 3000 sIEB. A determined thief could still steal it--but they are going to have to work a lot harder to do so.

I do not leave my generator outside unless I am where I can see it. At night after it has cooled off, I close the gas cap vent and place the unit in the front floorboard of my truck.When in use I have a one inch thick cable motorcycle lock that I picked up at a garage sale. I also use a 4 foot piece of logging chain with a high quality theft deterrent padlock. Both the cable and the chain go through the handle. I wrap the chain one time around the body of the generator and lock a second lock to close the loop as close to the generator as possible. Both the cable and chain are place through an opening in the frame of my 5th wheel and locked. It seems most thefts happen at night or when the RV owner is away for a period of time. One RV'er was inside his RV at Quartzite watching TV at night when the TV died. He ran outside as quick as possible and due to the desert darkness couldn't see anyone or any vehicle leaving his campsite. His generator was locked to the rear bumper of his TT using a heavy bicycle cable lock. He didn't hear the cable being cut or any unusual noise before the TV died.Another RV'er at Q lost his generator while he was out shopping for a few hours. He thought it would be safe because there were other RVs nearby....no one saw anything.

I just use a cable lock through the handle secured to the stairs. It's only to keep the honest, honest. It won't stop a determined thief. Life is too short to worry about wht might be.

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

Not at all when using it.Cable lock through handles and the frame when away for a time. I lock it at the rear of the rig, away from the road, and throw a camo tarp over it. That at least hides the color and shape, making it less obvious to anyone driving by.Camo tarp is a couple yards of camo fabric from Walmart.

How do you lock/secure your generator? | Good Sam Community

SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Jul 24, 2017
kerrlakeRoo wrote:
cable lock and a Glock, and scattering a few empty shell casings near it also helps.

Problem with that is, your shell casings are so small, they get lost in the grass...lol

I use a cable lock and lock it through the rim on my pickup truck. Besides, I reload so no scattered shell casings in my campsite.
TyroneandGladys
Explorer
Jul 24, 2017
Look underneath and see if there are any bolts that can be removed. If so bolt a 1/8 inch piece of steel that is long enough to park a tire on.
mbrower
Explorer
Jul 24, 2017
I built a rack for mine and has worked pretty well. Here is the thread. Generator rack
GordonThree
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
Sounds like some folks have an unhealthy attachment to their material possessions, or are camping in all the wrong places.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Jul 22, 2017
With all the digital game cameras on the market you could aim one at the generator. It might not prevent the theft but would help identify the perpetrators.
Dtank
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
pianotuna wrote:
I had a hardened steel cable. They came equipped with something to cut it. It was gone in seconds.

Just shows to go ya.....if "somebody" wants to steal something bad enough - they *may* be able to accomplish same - in spite of your best efforts.

What's a mother to do..:?

On edit:
There *is* a reader out there *somewhere* in forum land, that will find (and post) an article about a thief shot/wounded/killed - while in the process of stealing a generator in xxxxxx campground.

Readers, start your (search) engines!!

..:C
GordonThree
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
OH48Lt wrote:
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.

Yup, there's no point using deadly force to protect inexpensive property. Even if the generator cost thousands of dollars, replacing it or having insurance replace it is a lot cheaper than defending yourself from a civil action. Especially if you only wound whomever you shot instead of killing them. Stand your ground states only protect you from criminal prosecution, not civil.
tinner12002
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
OH48Lt wrote:
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.

I bet you'd think different if it was your Harley!! Lol! Stealing is stealing no matter what they are trying to get!
colliehauler
Explorer III
Jul 22, 2017
Built in Onan so it hasn't been a issue, yet.
Padlin
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
I use a Python Cable Lock pulled tight thru the handle and around the Honda 2k and another cable lock thru the Python to secure it to the bumper.

Of course this is only as secure as the cable itself. It's locked in the truck bed under the tonneau cover when not in use. Hopefully out of sight is sufficient.