Decent Security Cable/Chain

[merc1100sc]

All,

New to this stuff. Looking to purchase a good coated cable or chain to secure my two Yamaha generators and misc other odd's and ends while we are away from the camper temporarily. My questions are:
1) What gauge cable/size chain is adequate? I assume most won't attempt to steal when they see a cable or chain but I want something somewhat intimidating and not easy to cut.

2) How much length should I get? Is $15ft enough, or should I get more?


Thanks for any input.

[scottykrug]

"Recently I've been seeing ads for a "Pet Stuffed Clone" company.."



Just add rockets for propulsion.

[Grit_dog]

GordonThree wrote:
Get some anodized carbon steel marine anchor chain, at least 3/4 in welded links. The theives will just cut the plastic handle off instead. You can use the chain for other things like vehicle recovery or weighting down your camp carpet.

Do you have any idea how big 3/4" chain is?
Oh I see what you did there......

To the op, buy a bike lock or some chain at homie deport and a master lock.
As said, these options will deter sticky fingers. Anyone who is out to commendere a generator will take it in less than 30 sec with a good set of bolt cutters or a cordless Grindr

[JaxDad]

Rangerman40 wrote:
I have this... weighs a ton

http://m.westechrigging.com/pewag-security-chain-932-kit-6.html

I use a 20' common 3 conductor electrical extension cord. The trick is that both ends are then plugged into a matching set of male and female sockets that are then connected to the house batteries, a NO and NC solenoid, a small alarm horn and a red strobe light that connect back to a small alarm box. The ground is a common negative and the two main conductors become the NO and NC circuits. It's all switched on or off from inside the coach.

No keys to remember, no heavy **** to lug around, no worries.

If the cord is unplugged or even a single wire is cut it trips the alarm.

Total cost was about $50.

[dave54]

Let's be realistic. In all the years camping how many times have you seen someone wandering around a campground with a cutting torch and power saw? Ever hear the sound of a metal cutting power saw in a campground?

They would be rather obvious and every other camper would either be on their cells calling 911 or following them.

[ctilsie242]

From what I've read here on rv.net, sawn through generator handles are usually ignored if the buyer thinks the price is good enough. Especially if someone sticks a stick of wood there and wraps the thing in duct tape so it isn't as obvious.

Here are my suggestions... just my random opinion, so take it for what you will:

1: If you have a pickup truck, consider a camper shell. Out of sight, out of mind.

2: Thin security cables are worthless, they can be snipped, piece by piece. I like a security chain (made out of high test metal, not the stuff you snip off at the hardware store.)

3: You can buy both handle reinforcing kits, and LowPro LockDown brackets for Honda eu2000i models.

4: For a padlock, Master is OK for some things, but go with Medeco, Abus, Abloy, or Sobo locks for good security. The price is definitely higher, but you get what you pay for.

5: Look at what you are securing the generator to. I've seen chains that put Navy anchor tethers to shame tied to stanchions that could be yanked out of a truck bed with some solid tugging. Even securing to a tree may not be good if someone decides to cut the tree down.

6: Insure it. Get a rider on a policy explicitly for the generator, regardless if it is sitting in a vehicle or away from it.

[Rangerman40]

I have this... weighs a ton

http://m.westechrigging.com/pewag-security-chain-932-kit-6.html

[BizmarksMom]

My generator stays inside my truck bed, secured with a bike cable. I have a locking tonneau cover, and the tail gate locks. When I'm not plugged in, the geny is completely out of site. When I need to plug in, I unlock the tonneau, drop the tailgate, and fire it up. I'm more concerned about the portable solar cell hooked up to the batteries during the day.

[merc1100sc]

Thanks for the replies. Gives me some ideas.

[George_H]

For what it's worth, I wrap each of my Hondas with a bicycle cable lock and run another cable lock under both of those and to a secure anchor point. Had that pair of Hondas for 9 years, worked so far.

[JnJnKatiebug]

I had a welding shop for many years. (I still build lots of things for myself, friends and family) I have built all kinds of things to prevent theft. You need some type of cage that sits down on top of the generator and locks. The lock has to be inside some type of metal tubing. This renders the saws and bolts cutters useless as they will not go inside the tubing. It can still be cut with a saw but the thief will have to make multiple cuts and will take a lot longer and if he only has one battery it will run down before he get it loose. Now if a thief come along with a cutting torch he is going to get it.

Go to a store that sells contractor job boxes, take a look at how they lock and you will understand the concept. Here is a link to one. It could not be solid if the generator ran inside. If you look at the front, the locks go up inside the holes on the front. Saws and bolt cutters will not get to them. You could always use a box like this and cut some holes in it. This one is 48 x 24 x 27.5

Job Box

[Jebby14]

merc1100sc wrote:
Thanks guys. This actually leads to another question.
I have about a 2 foot span between the front of my camper and the propane tanks on the tongue. I was kicking around the idea of mounting some kind of storage box there for odds and ends and maybe even the generators. It would need to be 4 feet wide(tongue width), by 20-24 deep, and at least 18" in height for the gen's. I was originally thinking a truck box but can't find one that deep. I don't want to spend an arm and leg on it but does anyone have any ideas?

visit a local shop and offer cash for welding. or find a friend that likes beer and has a welder

or buy a welder and tell the wife it was necessary

[Jebby14]

there is no way to stop someone who really wants something (aside from maybe a bullet) the goal is to make them want your neighbours generator more than yours because it would be a high risk or PITA situation to remove. Good luck.

[wa8yxm]

Recently I've been seeing ads for a "Pet Stuffed Clone" company.. You send them a Photo of Fluffy, or Snowball or Rover or Fido and they will create a stuffed version that looks just like the real thing (Cuddle Clones I think is the name) 200 bucks for most items... Frankly I'm not interested but I've seen the ad so many times....
Oh, here is the deal.. Send 'em a picture of Rover.. Rover is your choice of a Mastiff, Malmute, Rottweiler (Read that BIG MEAN DOG)

The "Chain" is "his" neck chain

Add a LARGE dog bowl or two and .. Well.. Nobody is going to bother

Even better a digital sound system swith a sound effect (Growl) and a proximitiy sensor.. Oh yes.

The only danger is when the "Dog" growls the Thief may trip over his own feet in his haste to ... Be outta there.. and sue you for harboring a vicious dog.

However ... I think you might just have a "Laugh him out of court" defense when the judge cuddles the stuffed toy.

[Allworth]

Any good welding shop will fabricate a box from treadplate to your specs for about what you pay for a truck box.