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

RasMouSein
Explorer
Dec 21, 2017
From LowProLockDown
When I find a permanent spot I will get this one.
Copperhead
Explorer
Dec 21, 2017
KSH Marine beat you to it.
down_home
Explorer II
Dec 21, 2017
Quite some time ago I designed in my head a cage for generators. Design a box of stainless that your unit will fit in, and a removable to from lower flat section, Shield top from rain, hoes in sides or ventilation and access without unbolting to fuel fill and of course starting. A Metal shop will probably charge in the neighborhood of 200.00 250.00. or not.
Design the bolting system to your rv bumper or whatever with a bit of consideration. Otherwise vent a compartment and install a fan and put it inside. Or jsut make sure the door is open and fan is running when generator is running.
Closed up no one is the wiser unless they are cruising through picking targets, which seems to be the case in most instances.
Some hard mount them in pickup beds with and use long cables. harder to manuver around fifth wheel hitch and unbolt something like that, but this is not perhaps the best choice. Some Fifth Wheels and Trailers could be optioned with a generator, perhaps purchasing and installing that unit in the compartment, would be the best of ideas. Cost is perhaps the important first consideration, but replacing a stolen generator will at least double that cost.
Chuck_thehammer
Explorer
Dec 21, 2017
IBcarguy wrote:
Heavy cable and padlock in my pickup bed. No matter what you use, if they want it bad enough, they'll get it.

1 million percent T R U E..........!
IBcarguy
Explorer
Dec 20, 2017
Heavy cable and padlock in my pickup bed. No matter what you use, if they want it bad enough, they'll get it.
Copperhead
Explorer
Dec 20, 2017
While I do have a .45 in reserve, I am partial to a Remington pump 12 or especially my trusty little Coach double short barrel 12. That Coach is one of the most legal firearms in the country and will ruin a thief's day far more quickly than a .45.
Route_66_Travel
Explorer
Dec 19, 2017
+2, in 45ACP
Bigg_Al
Explorer
Dec 19, 2017
tinner12002 wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
Which may come with free room and board at the crowbar hotel, possibly for a life term.

The lack of respect for life appalls me.

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

It only appalls you because you can't have a Glock up there! Lol! Actually I'm a Ruger or S&W kind of guy myself!

+1
tinner12002
Explorer
Dec 19, 2017
pianotuna wrote:
Which may come with free room and board at the crowbar hotel, possibly for a life term.

The lack of respect for life appalls me.

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

It only appalls you because you can't have a Glock up there! Lol! Actually I'm a Ruger or S&W kind of guy myself!
ctilsie242
Explorer II
Dec 18, 2017
Here is what I do:

1: Two security chains, metal, high test. Not stuff that is cut at the Home Labyrinth store. I import the padlocks from Germany, as Abus Granit are good. Alternatively, Sobo padlocks are a lot cheaper, but they are decently secure. Recommendation is a "detainer disk" key lock. Yes, Bosnian Bill and the Lockpicking Lawyer can pick those open, but not many people on the street are going to be carrying a pick with them and trying to open the lock up at the right angle to get in.

2: Insurance. If someone wants a generator enough, they will be taking it. Worst case, they will use a cordless angle grinder and cut the handles of the generator.

3: If the claim is big enough, write it off my taxes.

Of course, the best solution is to get an Onan generator. Out of sight, out of mind.