Towing and Hauling / RV Discuss towing and hauling here. Share your tips and tricks. RV and camping discussion welcome.

Going camping, how do I secure generator from theft?

Old Apr 6, 2008 | 01:04 PM
  #1  
jmccart's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Going camping, how do I secure generator from theft?

Hello all. I got a new (new to me) Honda EU3000 generator. How shall I secure this thing from thieves? I can go to Home Depot right around the corner from my house. What do you all suggest?

Thanx.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 01:21 PM
  #2  
Buckshotram's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 558
Likes: 0
From: NC
I hate to say it but just take it out, If someone wants something bad enough they will get it. bolt it down or lock it with a chain but that will only stop someone from just taking out the back. Bolt cutters, haxsaws and torches will get it off your truck just how determined the thief is.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 01:47 PM
  #3  
jmccart's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
That is a good point, if someone wants it bad enough they will get it. I was thinking at night chaining it to the trailer frame, kind of tucked under where I sleep. Maybe if I am going to be gone for a while, I should just put it in the trailer.

Thanx.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 02:03 PM
  #4  
BC847's Avatar
1st Generation Admin
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,601
Likes: 118
From: Buies Creek, NC
Locks are for honest people.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 02:10 PM
  #5  
BigIron70's Avatar
Cummins Guru
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,191
Likes: 65
From: Sunny Southern California Land of Fruits and Nuts
Buy the heaviest chain you can with the biggest lock and chain it to your axle, or just chain your dog outside at night near your camper.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 05:02 PM
  #6  
Jeff in TD's Avatar
Registered User
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,528
Likes: 16
From: Oregon
Those generators will bring good cash used, so I always lock mine down, even when it's stored inside the locked garage section of my toyhauler.

Kryptonite makes a nice heavy cable. It's supposed to be very difficult to cut with a hacksaw (little hard wire strands grab the blade), and not cut with a bolt cutter. Naturally a cut off wheel would likely slice through it, as would a torch, but your average tweeker thief probably doesn't carry stuff like that around.

Anyway, I use a EV disk lock (little mini U lock) since I have one for my motorcycle. If you use one of the big U locks, be careful that you lock it onto something so a theif can't get a bottle jack inside.

A determined thief will still take anything, but all you really have to do is make yours harder to steal than your neighbor's.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 05:50 PM
  #7  
chasetruck100's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Ventura Co.
I miss my EU3000. Had it for 3 months,went camping here at the Rincon Hwy in Ventura,locked it up and next morning gone. My heart just sank. And you know how much they are out of the box. My .02 is Kryptonite like Jeff said. Very strong cable, and the weakest link to it would be the lock you buy for it. The 3000's are kinda heavy to lug in and out of a coach, but worth it. Good luck.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 05:51 PM
  #8  
Alwaysworking's Avatar
alwaysonDTR
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 0
From: Keizer, oregon
locks and chains stop the lazy theifs.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 07:15 PM
  #9  
electrifried's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Indiana
A good lock and chain or cable shows the insurance company that you tried...........
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 09:07 PM
  #10  
mikebol's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, GA
Doberman and a 6' chain.

Mike
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 09:38 PM
  #11  
duner's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
From: az
i use a 1/2" wire choker and a lock to lock up the rail at night. then i set one of harbor freights wireless motion detectors ($20) where it will "see" any activety near it and put the receiver next to my head. make sure you test it for function to make sure you get a good signal. then get some sleep.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 09:45 PM
  #12  
crobtex's Avatar
Chapter President
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,983
Likes: 1
From: Sedalia, Texas
A good, heavy twist cable takes a lot longer to cut than a chain. Like said before.... pick a lock that won't allow cutters to to get around it.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 10:03 PM
  #13  
Oilguy's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
From: Bryan/ College Station, Texas
Paint the housing to look like a dog kennel...
Don't forget to paint the dogs name on the front... Killer or Cujo LOL
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 10:55 PM
  #14  
jmccart's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by crobtex
A good, heavy twist cable takes a lot longer to cut than a chain. Like said before.... pick a lock that won't allow cutters to to get around it.


Good to know.

Thanx everybody!
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 08:09 AM
  #15  
high bid's Avatar
Registered User
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 10
From: Sarasota, FL
Originally Posted by mikebol
Doberman and a 6' chain.

Mike
Use the chain for the doberman or the generator?
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:15 PM.