Generators stolen --- UPDATE pg 4

[amandasgramma]

Well, it finally happened. We're in Quartzsite, boondocking on BLM land and our two Honda generators were taken between 10 pm and 8 00am this morning. We had heavy duty vinyl covered cables, but that didn't stop them. Dangit!!! And no, we didn't have our names etched in them and the papers are in storage in Oregon. What a way to start the day!!! Waiting to contact ins.....sure hope they cover them!

So, what do YOU do to stop yours from being stolen???

[down_home]

I didn't read all the post so whoever was nasty or condescending to you a pox on their weather. Don't pay any atention to them.
Photos and engraving names etc just means there is a lot of stolen items floating around with engravings on it and people with photos of neighbors and sometimes culprits.
Most of this stuff ends up a at flea markets and pawn shops. Pawn shop, you have a chance of recovery but not too much.
Police prioritize their time and stuff like this is low on the totem poll, unless it is a small community/small population.
The electric cable looped around or through items back to control box and alarm linked to how many or whatever kind of alarms will perhaps scare them off.
They don't see too many of these except at stores with outside displays of bikes, mowers etc. They cut though it and all heck breaks loose if hooked to lights, horns, alarms. I don't know of the source. Perhaps an inquiry, to mgr of local Tractor Supply etc might help.
Make the alarm cable the one they see and try to cut. Secondary cable not so noticeable, if they cut though and hear alarm and elect to still take the item with them, it won't do any good.they wouldn't hang around trying to cut another cable.

[bjcarpetguy]

It sucks to say the least. How ever we have boondocked on BLM at the very back of La Poza South with a multitude of items not secured. Have not lost anything of any value. We have left for overnight excursions and even then no issues. Have asked a neighbor to keep an eye. Check the Pawn shops in Blythe, Give description and watch their reaction. If you can get the serial numbers sent to you it might help.

[prstlk]

One thing not touched on in this post (s) is why. What would a thief do with 2 honda generators? Simple answer to these kinds of theft is usually druggies. Or simular low lifes looking for quick cash. There were several posts on how to sign your property, the DL number is really good so is your phone # (cells only). Some stripes on simular may also help.
Not sure about az but in most states anything pawned must be recorded and submitted daily to Lea.
Having several pics, serial #, DL#, phone# etc. may get better results.
Go to the local flea markets, talk to the tool people tell them your looking for a nice 2000.
Put an add on craigslist wanting to buy honda 2000.
Put an ad in the local buy sell rag
Thieves are lazy in nature make it easy for them
Love to be in that wal mart pl when the cop (with photo in hand) meets the perp with your genie.
Or in my case I would do the meet myself. "Sorry your honor but I fired a warning shot through his liver.

????????

[Lantley]

CavemanCharlie wrote:

MrWizard wrote:

If you buy the great chain, you have too buy an equally great lock to go with it, no sense in putting a cheap lock on high price chain, the thieves will cut the the cheap lock

Thanks for posting the links

I was thinking the same thing when it comes to cables. Even if you buy a good cable then lock it with a standard padlock they will just cut the padlock. You need to somehow put a piece of pipe around the padlock to keep a bolt cutters from getting to it. On a gate this is easy but, I don't know how you would do this on a chain or cable.

Chains cables and locks are great however thieves have been known to cut the handles. You may want to add theft deterrent brackets to your list.

The lightweight, portability of the Honda 2000 is a big liability when in comes to theft.
In short they are hard to secure. Out of site out of mind is simply the best solution vs. leaving them exposed to devious eyes.
Cables and chains can be easily defeated with cordless tools.


Honda 2000 theft deterrent bracket

[CavemanCharlie]

MrWizard wrote:

If you buy the great chain, you have too buy an equally great lock to go with it, no sense in putting a cheap lock on high price chain, the thieves will cut the the cheap lock

Thanks for posting the links

I was thinking the same thing when it comes to cables. Even if you buy a good cable then lock it with a standard padlock they will just cut the padlock. You need to somehow put a piece of pipe around the padlock to keep a bolt cutters from getting to it. On a gate this is easy but, I don't know how you would do this on a chain or cable.

[MrWizard]

A pair of Honda 2000I will set you back $1400~$2200
Depending on the deal you get
The price of a good cable lock, probably less than the deductible on your home owners ins, if it covers the Hondas at all
If you buy the great chain, you have too buy an equally great lock to go with it, no sense in putting a cheap lock on high price chain, the thieves will cut the the cheap lock

Thanks for posting the links

[Cloud_Dancer]

I too suffer from that human nature thing. Except that I have some inferior stuff, even though I'm proud of all the average stuff that I have....:B

[spud1957]

Unfortunately it's human nature and quite evident on this forum where some people feel in order to make themselves/or possessions superior to others' is to make other people/things inferior.

Hitches
Trucks
RVs
The list goes on.

S

[2012Coleman]

When wanting a cable or chain to secure something, people are going to buy cheap without researching. Looking at Walmart, Amazon, and the local Harley stores, I found just that - cheap. I've cut a similar "Motor Cycle cables" with bolt cutters - bought specifically to secure a motorcycle over the winter. And Harley Davidson is just like the rest of them - stocking cheap accessories made in China.

When talking chain, most store bought chain is only case hardened which will not stand up to bolt cutters. Hard on the outside, and soft on the inside. Cable bought at Home Depot is also a low tensile strength which is why I didn't buy cable from them - I don't want to fail inspection and my cable has a Fl. hurricane code and has a 7000 lb tensile strength - but again, eaisly cut by bolt cutters. Why? I quote from my link below - "Because no matter what anyone tells you, no matter what size cable it is, if it is flexible then it is soft". But the cable I bought could easily hang one or two Harley's from the ceiling. But people don't pull on a cable to break it - do they?

I was reminded of some previous research and looked up my notes to share with the OP.

Go to lockitt.com/chaininfo.htmfor some good reading on chain locking systems, and what can and cannot be cut with standard bolt cutters. It also has great info on how chains are hardened and what to look for.

Here is a link from this site forArmored Cable Locks which is what the mod refers to above.

So if I find myself in need of securing a generator, I'd look into a 16 mm - 19 mm Noose Chain as linked in this site.

16 mm Noose Chain

19 mm Noose chain

Read the information under the heading "Can it be cut with a bolt-cutter / cropper"?

Be prepared for a little sticker shock though.

So you can secure your valuable equipment while camping with a sense of security given your using a system not easily defeated by the types out to steal from you. These measures are obviously needed more or less depending on the location your camping in.

I'm sorry that the OP was nailed to the wall by some for sharing a bad experience on this forum. Its a shame these types of comments are allowed to remain, but that's the price you pay on here for having the access to the majority of high caliber posters.

[dwayneb236]

And this thread is a good reason I only read and rarely post. Rude, nasty people and their snide, condescending, victim is the problem remarks. Other than that it's a good place for info.

[hawkeye-08]

I have no problem adding the jerks to my blocked list. If they are jerks to someone else, they will likely be jerks to me.

Hope you get something figured out to continue camping... cables/chains/cameras/etc., something should fit the bill.

I keep my generator under the bed cover in the back of my truck, cabled to tiedown in bed. We have not had the need to unload it (so we could run it while we are gone from the site) so it is out of sight most of the time.

[bbaker2001]

Bob and Dee
I feel bad for the harassment from some on here. this is a great place for info. I picked up some jerk answers as others have. personally if what is posted is rude, it should be blocked. please don't let a few bad apples spoil you posting questions. heck I am waiting for some to say I have reach my limit. with my TT I had very few question, now with the 5er, I am loaded until I learn all.
Have a great Day.

[MrWizard]

When people mention steel cable, for locking things up
I don't think of the stuff you buy at the hardware store
I think of half inch or bigger rubber coated motorcycle locks,
The type you buy at the motorcycle store, to lock up a Harley
Much harder to cut than the garden variety cable you buy at home depot or osh, that stuff is for lifting, pulling, and tensioning, it has tensile strength, but is made to be cut
For locking something up you need harden cable, with a high Rockwell hardness factor, this is what you get when you buy a high grade commercial Mfg, motorcycle locking cable,

[amandasgramma]

2012Coleman wrote:

johndeerefarmer wrote:

navegator wrote:
Steel cables are no match for a good size bolt cutter, either lock the units out of sight or bolt them to the frame the more bolts the better, the low life's are looking for a quick and easy grab and run, a generator bolted down with four bolts is a deterrent, six bolts is even better all they are looking for is drug money.

navegator

Have you ever even tried to cut a steel cable with bolt cutters? A cable is 10x harder to cut than a chain. The best way to cut a cable is with a battery powered Milwaukee grinder with a cutoff wheel

Why yes - yes I have. Actually this past weekend, I was installing tie downs on a new shed. I used 1/4 in. aircraft cable with a breaking strength of 7,000 lbs. Used Gorilla tape to mark the place for the cut and cut in the center of the tape with bolt cutters. Cut like butter. So yes, you can cut cable with bolt cutters - if the diameter is such that it can fit in the jaws of the bolt cutter.

thank you....I was just repeating what the police officer and my husband told me.

I am DONE with this conversation. Thank you all for your advice and kinds words. To those that ridiculed and put us dow, shame on you. I pray you never make a mistake...oh, wait...you are far superior and won't...my mistake.