Securing your ride on a road trip

[rob07002]

With what seems like an increase in muscle car theft recently, what do you do to protect your baby?

I know there is no way to 100% prevent theft, if someone wants it badly enough, they will take it, but what can be done?

Part of the reason we build these cars is to be able to take road trips. That may or may not involve hotel/motel stays, extended perioids (several hours) when a car is not in line of sight, etc. so aside from literally hiring an armed guard, what can be done?

I plan to take a few overnight trips now that the car is mostly done, but worry big time about secure accomodations during the times I'm in my room, restaurant, or whatever.

Maybe some of the recent road warriors like Mr. Angry, and the guys who drove/own the Prodigy Chevelle for the Bull Run can chime in.

I'm sure we would like to know if hotels are willing to work with you to secure your car, IE supervised parking area and such.

Thanks

[dadto2jays]

This is going to get interesting as I really cant think of any precautions that cant be over ruled..

[MrAngry]

Hey man -

It really depends on where your going and more importantly, where your staying. We just got back (Mon.) from a 5400 mile, 24 day road trip and we did a few things to help ensure we'd feel more secure. First off, stay in reputable hotels. Most hotels have a nice covered entrance to them where you can pull up and unload - we generally called ahead to our hotels and simply asked if we could park overnight in their drop off zone. Most were very accommodating, especially when they saw the car we were driving. Those who were iffy about it on the phone always seemed to have an attitude change when we slipped them $20-30 bucks and in all honesty it was a small price to pay for the extra security.

When we could not park near the entrance we would cover the car at night and try to park it under our hotel window - we'd also pop a wire off the distributor just in case.

Otherwise there really is nothing more you can do, like you said, if they want it, they'll get it. Again and I can't stress this enough, stay at reputable hotels with good lighting and if you can find some with good underground parking all the better.

Hope this helps.
Mike

[BuddyP]

Hey man -

It really depends on where your going and more importantly, where your staying. We just got back (Mon.) from a 5400 mile, 24 day road trip and we did a few things to help ensure we'd feel more secure. First off, stay in reputable hotels. Most hotels have a nice covered entrance to them where you can pull up and unload - we generally called ahead to our hotels and simply asked if we could park overnight in their drop off zone. Most were very accommodating, especially when they saw the car we were driving. Those who were iffy about it on the phone always seemed to have an attitude change when we slipped them $20-30 bucks and in all honesty it was a small price to pay for the extra security.

When we could not park near the entrance we would cover the car at night and try to park it under our hotel window - we'd also pop a wire off the distributor just in case.

Otherwise there really is nothing more you can do, like you said, if they want it, they'll get it. Again and I can't stress this enough, stay at reputable hotels with good lighting and if you can find some with good underground parking all the better.

Hope this helps.
Mike

Yeah pulling wires or take the steering wheel off.

[aany001]

take the wheels off put it on jack stands and roll the wheels into your hotel room.that would really slow them down or they would move on to the next victim and spare yours!

[brans72]

take the steering wheel off also.

[Nine Ball]

1. quick-release steering wheel hub.
2. remove/disconnect a few key wires under the hood
3. club type bar that locks the clutch or brake pedal off the floor
4. boot type lock that fits on a wheel, rendering the vehicle immobile
5. huge train horn attached to the car alarm

[GetMore]

A few thoughts:
If you park in view of the road, then people driving past will see it, and you may attract a thief.
Most of the thefts were after a show, so the thieves knew there would be stuff worth stealing.
People, in general, are idiots. If they see someone winching a car into a trailer or onto a flatbed they will assume it broke down, or something like that. They won't bother to ask what's going on or mention it to anyone. Ask the hotel staff to keep an eye on the car for you and not to let anyone touch it. If they've got cameras park right in view of one and make sure the folks who could watch the cameras also know that nobody is supposed to tow the car away.

I like to cover idea. It still attracts attention, but you could also be some overly zealous person trying to keep their beater covered. It definitely won't attract as much attention as an excellent paint job, big, shiny rims, and the like.

[gtotto]

Is there really anything that can prevent a quick tow truck driver from scooping up your vehicle and sneaking away in about twenty seconds?? Have you seen these guys that work at the airports or downtown?? they're fast. Even if they lift from the front there are several ways of freeing up the rear wheels to roll. If you hide a GPS and have a laptop you might be able to at least locate the car before it's stripped

[Eric Howell]

[gtotto]

The best idea yet. That and maybe a hungry Rottweiller in the back seat

[joejaze]

I may go for both of these bad boys.


http://www.gettingit.com/article/69

[Mkelcy]

Although a thief could always flat bed my car away, I'm fairly confident no one without a flatbed is getting it.

I use an armoured cable operated lock for the hood that locks the hood release itself - unless you can find and cut the cable (pretty difficult) or are willing to destroy the hood and the front valence, you're not getting into the engine bay. The cable operated lock also incorporates a starter interrupt.

Backing that up is a hidden latching battery disconnect operated by a hidden switch. If someone does get into the engine compartment they need to diagnose both the battery disconnect and the starter interrupt to start the car.

And then backing both of them up is a Grant removable steering wheel that locks a steel cover over the splined steering shaft to prevent someone steering with a pair of vice grips.

As I say, I'm defenseless against a thief with a flatbed, but otherwise feel reasonably comfortable. I'm implementing all of this for my project '68 Camaro (together with the ISIS security measures), and will probably carry a car cover for times I feel particularly insecure.

[WS6]

A hidden kill switch is a good idea. Not hidden as in a switch under the dash. That's easy. I'm talking hidden in the sense that one must turn something else on first before the car will start. An example would be that the passenger's side window switch on the driver's door must be pressed in the up position before the ignition will engage. You just wire it up on a relay system much like the actual key switch is wired up.

More times than not, if the car can not be quickly started, the car won't be stolen.

[Zanie]

A hidden kill switch is a good idea. Not hidden as in a switch under the dash. That's easy. I'm talking hidden in the sense that one must turn something else on first before the car will start. An example would be that the passenger's side window switch on the driver's door must be pressed in the up position before the ignition will engage. You just wire it up on a relay system much like the actual key switch is wired up.

More times than not, if the car can not be quickly started, the car won't be stolen.

that's a good one; not only an anti-theft device, but it will stop you from driving your own car if you drink too many cocktails!!!

"Now, what was that order of button pushing to start this rig??" Doh!

[CarlC]

I too have slipped the night watch at the hotel a $20 and parked in the covered drop-off zone with the alarm set.

[shmoov69]

I do like Tonys idea of a air train horn to the alarm......as long as it's not one of those overly sensitive ones! Pull a couple wires. Removeable wheel and lock it. And the relay operated starter is the best for the semi professional thief is the bomb! Good ones guys!
Does the iPhone have an app for that if you leave the phone in the car as a tracking device?

[jackfrost]

for my g-body I have a steel collar that locks on the steering column. I think this is mandatory for any car with a column ignition like these cars.

Does the iPhone have an app for that if you leave the phone in the car as a tracking device?

yup.

http://www.iphonebuzz.com/ihound-tra...one-056061.php

[IMPALA MAN]

I do like Tonys idea of a air train horn to the alarm......as long as it's not one of those overly sensitive ones! Pull a couple wires. Removeable wheel and lock it. And the relay operated starter is the best for the semi professional thief is the bomb! Good ones guys!
Does the iPhone have an app for that if you leave the phone in the car as a tracking device?

Sometimes simpler is better and the thief doesn't expect it. My vehicle was stolen in college and the one I got to replace it, was outfitted with my new design of cheap car alarm.
1. Tap into a hot wire that is live when the vehicle is started (acc., radio, etc)
2. Wire it to a toggle switch in a hidden location of your choice (under a seat, etc.)
3. From the toggle switch run a wire to a separate horn that sounds just like the car horn in a rear quarter or some place no one would look.

Anytime you shut the car off, flip the toggle switch on. The next time the car starts, the horn will stay on until the switch is flipped. This means the thief is left with two choices (even if the car is hot wired):
1. Start the car and start looking for the switch. Find the switch...probably not. He could also cut the horn wire...however he will soon find out cutting the wire didn't kill the horn as there is another horn somewhere. at this point he will most likely give up and flee.
2. Steal the car without starting it, which could happen.

Don't get me wrong, it's probably not what you will find at Ft. Knox, however it's also under $25.

[R32Jordie]

Sometimes simpler is better and the thief doesn't expect it. My vehicle was stolen in college and the one I got to replace it, was outfitted with my new design of cheap car alarm.
1. Tap into a hot wire that is live when the vehicle is started (acc., radio, etc)
2. Wire it to a toggle switch in a hidden location of your choice (under a seat, etc.)
3. From the toggle switch run a wire to a separate horn that sounds just like the car horn in a rear quarter or some place no one would look.

Anytime you shut the car off, flip the toggle switch on. The next time the car starts, the horn will stay on until the switch is flipped. This means the thief is left with two choices (even if the car is hot wired):
1. Start the car and start looking for the switch. Find the switch...probably not. He could also cut the horn wire...however he will soon find out cutting the wire didn't kill the horn as there is another horn somewhere. at this point he will most likely give up and flee.
2. Steal the car without starting it, which could happen.

Don't get me wrong, it's probably not what you will find at Ft. Knox, however it's also under $25.

All kidding aside. My friend wired the fuel pump to the rear defrost switch (didnt use the defrost ever) in his car. Everything looked factory, you just had to hit the switch before starting it. But Impala man said, there is still the possibility of stealing the car without starting it, in which case you should install a GPS system hidden somewhere (behing interior panels) so the vehicle can be tracked and located from a computer if the unthinkable happens.