Van theft has become epidemic

[arctictraveller]

It seems that not a week goes by when I don't read about another van being stolen, either here at the SMB forum, or one of the other van forums I read. Most of the reports I read seem to be located along the West coast, Calif, Oregon and Washington, but in the last year there have been plenty of other locations too. Every time I read about another one I vow to up my security to a higher level. I already have a multiple layer system I prefer not to discuss publicly, but my paranoia has grown to the point that when I won't be driving the van for a few days, I'm removing a wheel to prevent a drive away theft. By backing in and removing a rear wheel, I'm also preventing a tow away theft. That works fine when I'm stationary, but when traveling I want to further increase my security, so I've decided to install a Revelco. Current installed price seems to be around $600, but there are no installers near me and it would require a two day drive each way to have one installed. Instead, I found them on Ebay for $100.00 Self installing would probably be very difficult for most non electrically savvy folks, but I'm pretty sure I can do it. Meanwhile, I also came across a new (to me) form of GPS tracker that is very inexpensive, easy to install and includes a set of contacts that could be used to cut off a fuel pump, starter circuit or what ever else you want. It does require a GSM sim card which means you will pay a monthly air time fee, but I think you can get inexpensive data only cards.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/112136195963?epid=2302336573&hash=item1a1bd68f7b:g:A94AAOSwmCxfmQ~S

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=ravelco&_sacat=0

 

[boywonder]

Jeff: PM sent

 

[Mikerson]

JSYK, I emailed Ravelco about those being sold on EBay. The response was that they are fake.

 

[arctictraveller]

JSYK, I emailed Ravelco about those being sold on EBay. The response was that they are fake.

It will be interesting to see what I get. It's so simple, even a counterfit one should work since they are just a multi pin socket with a matching plug that shorts out different combinations of pins to complete the circuit.

 

[Mikerson]

It will be interesting to see what I get. It's so simple, even a counterfit one should work since they are just a multi pin socket with a matching plug that shorts out different combinations of pins to complete the circuit.

Agreed. Please do report on what you find!

 

[Scalf77]

There is probably some truth that these our fake units. I have to say their packaging and everything looks pretty much like the real deal. The give away appears to be the font on the button. It does not match the font and logo design of the one I purchased directly from the company.

I do agree that this is not the most sophisticated design, so you it should be fine.

I did purchase the real thing directly from the company, they charge $454.00 (shipping included). They ask you to provide information on the make, model, year, engine for the vehicle you are installing on. It came with some general instructions and then some detailed information on the vehicle I supplied. The information they provided was spot on, down to wire colors of the recommended circuits. For that price, I also have the ability to purchase additional buttons if needed.

-greg

 

[Mikerson]

…I did purchase the real thing directly from the company…

Greg,
Was this for your Transit or another model van? Which two circuits (maybe more?) does this interrupt?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Scalf77]

It was for a Jeep.

-greg

 

[arctictraveller]

Greg,
Was this for your Transit or another model van? Which two circuits (maybe more?) does this interrupt?Thanks,Mike

The Revelco is basically a switch that you put in series with what ever you decide to interrupt. Two pins are connected to each pair of the supplied wires coming out of the back of the dash mounted socket. Until the plug is inserted, there is no connection between them, but once you insert the plug, it shorts together the two female pins completing the circuit. This means that it's not model specific, but the authentic one apparently comes with instructions explaining which wires to splice, but if you have a wiring diagram it should be pretty easy to decide what circuit to interrupt.

 

[Jeff94598]

Just a thought to share. I do have the Ravelco system installed on my van, and the installation tech that came to my home to install it made a good suggestion. He suggested that I purchase a third key from the company. Since Murphy's law states you will be away from home when you lose your keys, and your second key that comes with the system will also be at home. And the company will not just send you a replacement without an individualized product card they give you at the time purchase, which will also be at home. So he suggested getting a third and giving it to family member or friend who could FEDEX it to you. The third key unit took about 3 weeks to get and they made me include the product card and returned it to me with 3rd unit. So you might check to see after market products allow for additional key units.

 

[arctictraveller]

Just a thought to share. I do have the Ravelco system installed on my van, and the installation tech that came to my home to install it made a good suggestion. He suggested that I purchase a third key

That's an excellent suggestion that makes total sense, but in my case I seriously doubt that I would be able to order another key since it's likely that the unit I'm getting is counterfeit, and the seller doesn't even allow returns unlike a reputable seller. I see a few possible solutions though. First, I can hide the second key under the frame somewhere nearly invisible. Second, since I'm self installing, I'll know exactly where I spliced into the vans wiring harness and could return the wires to normal, third, I'm pretty sure the male and female plugs are simply, readily available Molex or similar connectors with the caps molded on. Once I get it and can do some measuring I'll see if I can find them. And lastly, I'll know which pins connect to what other pins and could simply push in jumper wires to complete the circuit.

 

[boywonder]

The Ebay units have the card included to purchase an extra cap/key, and the address is Ravelco's address.

 

[arctictraveller]

The Ebay units have the card included to purchase an extra cap/key, and the address is Ravelco's address.

Well, that's fascinating, and would make me think they are authentic, but why would Revelco allow them to be sold on Ebay at such a huge discount? Anyway, I got notice today that it had shipped........

 

[Scalf77]

Ravelco now requires you to provide proof of purchase from either them or an official installer when ordering a extra plug. I was actually very impressed with how well they matched the real Ravelco product, the packaging, window stickers and yes the extra plug order from. I didn't capture the picture of the plug on the ebay listing( the ebay listing is now gone). Hopefully they did as good as job on the product.

My first thought about the Ebay product was that it was picked up at some going out of business sale. I had almost purchased one, and when I went back searching I came up with nothing for about four weeks. I gave up and purchased the real thing. I am not advocating purchasing one or the other, just trying to be clear what you get if you were to purchase directly from Ravelco or maybe I'm trying to make myself feel better for spending the money.


-greg

 

[BroncoHauler-SMB]

So let's say you have a $50,000 van. Ravelco, at around $700 installed, is about 1.5% of the value of your van, and a small price to pay for the piece of mind IMO.

That, and even if the imitators are functionally equivalent, I won't support companies (countries) that rip off American ingenuity.


Herb

 

[boywonder]

I recall when JWA and I bought ours from Ebay the auction was shut down soon after......so they are clearly "unauthorized"....


I was surprised that Artictraveller found them again on Ebay. Whack-a-mole I suppose.


If I can remember I'll post a pic of the cap logo...perhaps Gregg can post one of his to spot differences.

 

[JonBertsch]

I had a Revelco installed installed on my van. It cost $650 for the unit and installation. The tech took about an hour to install it. It definitely makes me a lot more comfortable knowing that someone cannot just break in and drive off with the van - especially when I'm out hiking in a remote location.


Jon

 

[Scalf77]

Here is a pic of my Ravelco cap with their logo.

[/IMG]

you can also see it on their website Ravelco.com

The picture of the ebay listing had just Ravelco in a nonitalicized font and an attempt at a bogus trademark.

-greg

 

[boywonder]

Gregg: That cap logo is completely different than the ebay caps.......as you've mentioned the ebay caps have a generic "Ravelco" on them.



I'll post a pic later tonight.

 

[1der]

Ours is about 5 yrs old - Certified Ravelco installer