Battery Theft...

[jjjandrbaker]

I went to hitch up my trailer the other day, and discovered that someone had stolen my battery right out of the box. Fortunately, I had it disconnected, so they didn't do a slashing grab. $128 later I was on my way.

I'm interested in knowing how the rest of y'all secure your batteries. I did a search, but didn't come up with anything. Amazon only has one thing available. It seems to me there should be some options.

[Bedlam]

This battery box sits on my enclosed trailer and feeds my truck camper and trailer use. Charging comes from the camper convertor and truck alternators while the little 10w solar panel keeps it up when being stored. There are provisions for a second mounted panel, but I use the trailer enough that the single panel keeps the batteries from running down since there are no parasitic loads when sitting.

My enclosed trailer does carry an additional 100 lbs of LPG inside, but these bottles are not connected to anything when stored or transported. It also carries 15+ gallons of gasoline and 80+ gallons of fresh water for those longer boondocking trips.

[legolas]

Bedlam wrote:

path1 wrote:
https://www.etrailer.com/tv-review-torklift-powerarmor-solar-locking-battery-box-tla7712rs.aspx

X2 on the PowerArmor. I have 5-battery box on my trailer.

Bedlam, I don't see any propane, you keep it somewhere else ?

[legolas]

2012Coleman wrote:
Where was the TT when the battery got stolen? Best bet is to set it on a bench in your garage hooked to a smart charger.

Yep, I take mine home with me after each campout and of course during the winter.

[legolas]

gbopp wrote:

nineoaks2004 wrote:
Mine sits just as it came from the dealer, in the box and cover. I have never had anything stolen We have three dogs that let us know what is happening, and since we live in a rural setting everyone looks out fr one another and we are all armed
so we have practically no crime.

But, what if the OP doesn't want to move to Florida and get three dogs? :B

Then get a 9MM Glock

[DE88ROX]

Bumpyroad wrote:

downtheroad wrote:
Don't have one....but here is one solution. Hope this helps or at least is a start.

Battery Lock....HERE

I have one myself. good people to deal with.
bumpy

Is it safe to assume that you use this around the plastic battery box?

edit. just answerd my own question.

[Bedlam]

path1 wrote:
https://www.etrailer.com/tv-review-torklift-powerarmor-solar-locking-battery-box-tla7712rs.aspx

X2 on the PowerArmor. I have 5-battery box on my trailer.

[afidel]

I think the best solution to both this problem and to RV theft is probably a perimeter alarm with tilt sensor like this one, originally intended for a motorcycle but it's got all the features we'd want, it's small, low power, detects someone near the tongue, detects if someone hooks up your rig to steal it, is easily disabled by the legitimate owner, and is fairly inexpensive.

[dockmasterdave]

I bought a side mount truck tool box in diamond plate. Fastened it to the front a frame between the trailer front and my gas tanks. The notch in the bottom clears my weight distribution hooks. Battery is connected inside along with some accessories and locked when not in use.

[PenMan]

Bumpyroad wrote:

downtheroad wrote:
Don't have one....but here is one solution. Hope this helps or at least is a start.

Battery Lock....HERE

I have one myself. good people to deal with.
bumpy

I had a battery stolen while parked in our driveway. I bought two of these and no problems since installing them. I got two because since I had to go get a new battery any way I upgraded to two batteries. It's been several years now with no more theft.

[D_E_Bishop]

I would, because I like to, make my own. Some 3/4" or 1" X 1/8" weld able(mild steel)strapping and a couple of cap screws.

Form the strapping to fit around the battery, so that the cell caps are removable and buy two SS 1/4X20 cap screws, cut the heads off and have them welded to the ends of the straps. Drill corresponding holes through the battery box and metal plate below the box and use nylock nuts and washers to tighten.

The strap would wrap around the top and sides in one piece and create a problem of time and tools for a possible thief. I would use SS cap screws, nuts and washers, paint the strap with a corrosion resistant spray paint.

Less than $20 for the metal and $20 for the local muffler shop to weld.

[hawkeye-08]

downtheroad wrote:
Don't have one....but here is one solution. Hope this helps or at least is a start.

Battery Lock....HERE

Dad put these on his trailer, no more batteries stolen. They still mess with other things but apparently the lock on the batteries slows them down enough they don't mess with them.

[kerrlakeRoo]

Miami back in the 90's I did that
Funny, I first did it when I was only 17, had gotten my first decent car and the neighbor across the street used to carry her little yapper across the street to our side and set it down when she checked her mail, and every day it immediately ran to my car and hiked its leg. I attached the charger my uncle had on his dog kennel to the car and then watched the next morning, ,,,, here comes Gladys, dog goes to ground, dog hikes leg, screams and runs back to her house, next day she came across st set dog down and it immediately ran straight back.
after that I started using the fence charger often. Being in the service I was often away for weeks at a time and it protected my vehicles at home on more than one occasion. I even had a kid in Miami come to me complaining that my car attacked him. but it was in my fenced back yard so he backed off.

[SoundGuy]

kerrlakeroo wrote:
If you are at home or boondocking, the best I know of is an electric fence charger, you can run it from the TT battery or get a stand alone solar unit. Tractor supply sells quite a few models. Clip positive to TT, insert a ground rod into the soil and when you put any jacks down put a rubber floor mat under them.

Geez, where are you guys living?! Is crime so rampant that electrifying the trailer is really necessary?!! Wow! :E

[kerrlakeRoo]

If you are at home or boondocking, the best I know of is an electric fence charger, you can run it from the TT battery or get a stand alone solar unit. Tractor supply sells quite a few models. Clip positive to TT, insert a ground rod into the soil and when you put any jacks down put a rubber floor mat under them.

[fairfaxjim]

I use 2 of the 6 volt B-D RV Battery Lock brackets.