Stolen: 2001 Ford E350 4x4

[1der]

Ignition killing >>>>> Ravelco

arctictraveler has recommends for GPS tracking below

Then only have to add an intrusion alarm unless part of the GPS tracker.

[rallypanam]

Ravelco! Loads of thread and reviews on here.

Don’t waste time with an alarm, it will just annoy the neighborhood but nobody will actually do anything.

I also use a spot tracker in my truck. $150 a year and it texts me when it moves and pings location on every start, stop, or 10 mins. Of course if they take it and put in garage or container, there’s no gps signal!

[dougmitchell]

Thank you!

[arctictraveller]

Originally Posted by rallypanam

Ravelco! Loads of thread and reviews on here.

Don’t waste time with an alarm, it will just annoy the neighborhood but nobody will actually do anything.

I also use a spot tracker in my truck. $150 a year and it texts me when it moves and pings location on every start, stop, or 10 mins. Of course if they take it and put in garage or container, there’s no gps signal!

I agree that alarms are probably the least effective deterrent, but in some cases they really help. My neighbor across the street had his garage wiped out, he lost all his tools to his daughters meth head boyfriend. That same week, my alarm went off two different nights, the only time it has, so I assumed he was attempting to get in my van too and the alarm saved me. It may have been less effective in the city where they are heard pretty often, but around here it's really quiet at night. Additionally, it's just another layer of protection that might cause a thief to give up a bit sooner.

The spot tracker is a great device, it works on satellite if I'm not mistaken, so may not work well indoors. The tracker I use can triangulate a position from cell signals too, so it should work anywhere your phone does, but I've never tried it indoors and, as I learned last summer while exploring the Black Rock desert, without a cell signal it's useless unlike the Spot which would have worked fine. I know this because Mrs A/T checks on my location every night to see where I am (it has live tracking and records my track too), and I went off the radar for a few days. Multiple layers of protection seem best.

[JWA]

Originally Posted by arctictraveller

I agree that alarms are probably the least effective deterrent, but in some cases they really help.

Agreed, 100%. They certainly won't stop an attempted intrusion but once they're alerting most crooks will leave, not wanting the attention they attract especially if its rare in your area.

They tend to be cheap and reliable, not overly difficult to install and a nice bump of the confidence you're somewhat protected from those who want your stuff.

[BroncoHauler]

I hate to sound callous, but in reality all the possible theft prevention approaches are just to make your vehicle less appealing to be stolen than someone else's down the street. A determined and knowledgeable thief can always steal your vehicle if they are determined enough, but the person down the street or across town with a lightly protected vehicle is a much more appealing target.


Lock doors, don't keep valuables in your vehicle (or at least keep them out of sight), an alarm, Ravelco, and parking in a garage or near a motion-sensitive light are your best bets. If all that fails, you better have some good insurance.


Herb

[arctictraveller]

Another free strategy that will help prevent tow away's is to back into your parking spot. That prevents the tow driver from lifting the drive wheels that are locked.