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02-25-2022, 09:47 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 128
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West Coast Trip - Advice from California folks
Hey Gang,
I'm looking forward to starting an epic 6 month trip from NM up the west coast into BC then down through MT, WY, CO back to NM.
I'm still hammering out the final details but it looks like I will be making a detour to meet a friend in Seattle for a week+ while I'm still in California in mid April. I was planning on getting up that far north by late May to June as opposed to April, it would be an additional 1600 miles / $600 ish in gas to drive up there and back to CA just for a week.
I'm considering just flying up there from somewhere in CA but I'm nervous about leaving my rig unattended at an airport parking lot / street parking. From what I've seen over the last few years the west coast (CA, OR, WA) has the highest rate of van theft and break ins compared to other parts of the country.
Anyone in California have any recommendations on parking and other ways to avoid getting jacked?
Cheers!
__________________
'08 V10 6.8L Ford E350 Superduty extended
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02-25-2022, 10:32 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 379
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I'm heading out for 2 weeks later this spring. If I can remember to do it (big if) I'm going to pull the fuel pump relay (#17) if I leave the van unoccupied overnight.
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02-25-2022, 03:59 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Boulder, CO.
Posts: 2,554
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Find a forum members driveway or property to park it in for those days, and get a Ravelco
__________________
'03 Ford E350 7.3L Diesel
(de)SMB'd Custom RB-50
Quigley 4X4 w/Deavers & Agile Offroad's R.I.P. package
CCV High Profile Pop Top
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02-25-2022, 08:44 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 128
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Quote:
Originally Posted by REF
Find a forum members driveway or property to park it in for those days, and get a Ravelco
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Working on it LOL! Yeah someone here actually did DM me about potential parking options.
I don't have a ravelco but I do have a similar ignition interlock security system on it so somewhat comparable just not as fancy or expensive as ravelco.
That's not a bad idea about the fuel pump fuse / relay, that's one more layer of protection how many thieves would have a spare fuse or relay on hand or even know to check that.
__________________
'08 V10 6.8L Ford E350 Superduty extended
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02-25-2022, 10:50 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Boulder, CO.
Posts: 2,554
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We’ve got some friends that are doing a west coast trip in a new to them Transit build, talked them into adding some layers of protection when they plan on parking for a few days, one being a boot.
__________________
'03 Ford E350 7.3L Diesel
(de)SMB'd Custom RB-50
Quigley 4X4 w/Deavers & Agile Offroad's R.I.P. package
CCV High Profile Pop Top
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02-26-2022, 08:21 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,244
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Anderson
Hey Gang,. I 'm considering just flying up there from somewhere in CA but I'm nervous about leaving my rig unattended at an airport parking lot / street parking. From what I've seen over the last few years the west coast (CA, OR, WA) has the highest rate of van theft and break ins compared to other parts of the country. Anyone in California have any recommendations on parking and other ways to avoid getting jacked? Cheers!
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As I read your post my first thought was that you need to secure your van. One was stolen last week from the Marriot parking lot by the Seattle airport. Ravelco is a great start. An alarm, tracking device, wheel lock, one wheel removal, backing into a parking place to make it more difficult to tow, parking in a secure gated lot with a guard, are other ideas. Better yet, get a burger bomb, but personally I’d likely forget and bomb myself. https://www.burglarbomb.com/products...141/category=0
__________________
Arctic Traveller
KC6TNI
2001 GTRV
Advanced 4wd
Agile Ride improvement package
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02-26-2022, 09:39 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 47
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Hit me up if you're going to be in the LA area. I can get you access to a very secure place for parking. It's about 10-15 minutes away from LAX.
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03-03-2022, 10:07 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Burlingame,California
Posts: 17
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I installed a switch (very concealed) that easily switches off the fuel pump relay while sitting in the van. Kind of a pain in the ass to do and was an effort to find the correct wiring diagram but worth the effort for the peace of mind.
__________________
1999 E350 V-10 Quigley 4X4
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03-03-2022, 11:19 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 379
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Anderson
That's not a bad idea about the fuel pump fuse / relay, that's one more layer of protection how many thieves would have a spare fuse or relay on hand or even know to check that.
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.. and just in case a thief has the determination to check the fuse box, one can get a spare fuse, disable it (cut off one leg?) and slip it in when removing the good one. That way the fuses will all appear to be in place if the box is opened, they just wont all work.
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03-03-2022, 02:15 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: GTA, Ontario
Posts: 1,102
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I'll give you a burned out fuse. I've got plenty.
I do my own wiring.
__________________
"Talk is cheap. Whiskey costs money."
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