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.

[tinstartrvlr]

X2 on the alarm of some sort. Thieves don't want extra attention and a loud screaming alarm may discourage them a bit. Along with a heavy chain.

[merc1100sc]

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?

[dtappy3353]

I bought a couple of alarmed cables. The alarms are very loud and have to be activated and deactivated with a key. I tried pulling and bending them and the alarms wouldn't go off. I then tried to crip them with needle nose pliers and they went off.

On the other hand...like others have said...just take em witcha.

[Effy]

dcmac214 wrote:
Don't go overboard & don't waste a fistful of money. For your use a length of bicycle cable should be good enough. The best you can do is keep honest people honest. If a 'real' thief wants it, he'll find a way to take it. I've got a cordless cutoff tool that would sever a chain with 1" hardened links in less than a minute. Real thieves have the tools they need for their trade.

Agreed, if a thief is looking to steal generators, he will pick the unlocked ones first and skip yours despite the weight of a chain. If it's the only one around, they'll steal it no matter what chain you put on it if they have the right tools. A chain is a deterrent, nothing more.

[dcmac214]

Don't go overboard & don't waste a fistful of money. For your use a length of bicycle cable should be good enough. The best you can do is keep honest people honest. If a 'real' thief wants it, he'll find a way to take it. I've got a cordless cutoff tool that would sever a chain with 1" hardened links in less than a minute. Real thieves have the tools they need for their trade.

[Sandia_Man]

Like you we know any determined thief will thwart most security devices, we obtained a sturdy security chain from Amazon for the dash and grab type of criminal opportunist. Other friends have just went to Lowes or Home Depot and purchased heavy chain in the lengths they needed, anything to make a lazy thief move on to easier prey.

[2oldman]

troubledwaters wrote:
the chain ain't the weak link, the frame/handle of the generator you are wrapping that chain around is. And unless you are ready to re-build the whole frame of the generator, I can cut the frame in about 30 seconds.

What pawn shop or person is going to buy a generator with a cut handle?

[GordonThree]

The most effective deterrent I've seen was a piece of 1/2" steel rebar bent into a U shape, so that it can pass through the handle and down over the generator into piece of steel plate. The bar is locked to the plate on the underside, and then either truck or trailer parks on an exposed portion of the plate so it's not going anywhere.

Trying to saw or grind through a thick piece of rebar will take at least 30 seconds, and create a lot of noise, hopefully drawing attention.

[DrewE]

Some sort of a locking cage or frame for the truck bed might be a good bit more secure than a chain or cable lock. At the very least, if done correctly, it would eliminate the possibility of cutting the handles to remove the generators.

A bed cover for the truck might be another good way to go...out of sight, out of mind.

[merc1100sc]

Maybe I should have been more detailed. I don't ever plan to leave them behind if we actually leave the site by vehicle. I mainly bought my camper to take my son dirt bike racing. Same as above, I would lock them in the bed of my truck whenever we aren't at the track. But, while he is running a moto, we will be on the track, away from the camper. I don't plan on moving the gen's everytime we walk away so I want some sense of security. I know a determined thief will get it no matter what. I'm guessing a decent sized cable will make for a good deterrent though. And yes, try to keep them out of sight.

[Fizz]

Any good cable or chain will stop the casual drive by and snatch. No good for leaving stuff unattended for a long period or overnight.

[HuckleberryHunt]

I bought a couple of these and some heavy duty keyed pad locks. I can tether the two cables together if I need it longer, but usually one does the trick. I secure my EU3000 in the back of the truck bed or to the frame of the TT or tree. It usually stays in the truck and I always cover it up when not in use. The EU3000 has a metal handle, but a determined thief is going to figure out a way. For me it's more of a deterrent and makes it not an easy target.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Master-Lock-180-in-Gray-Steel-Keyed-Cable-Lock/1000004536

[HuckleberryHunt]

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.

:B That made me laugh.

[troubledwaters]

I can guarantee those two yamaha's are going to be the very attractive to a thief. Think about it, the chain ain't the weak link, the frame/handle of the generator you are wrapping that chain around is. And unless you are ready to re-build the whole frame of the generator, I can cut the frame in about 30 seconds. The strongest chain in the world will just be laying on the ground still intact.
Don't leave your generators behind. Take them with you whenever you leave.

[GordonThree]

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.