Preventing Boat/Trailer/Parts Theft While on the Road
 

A lot of boats I am looking at are back East, so there is a good chance I will be towing it home to So. Cal. cross country. I wanted to see if OSO members had some ideas on keeping the boat/trailer (and the parts on them) from getting stolen during the trip back, while getting much needed rest in the motel. I've heard motel parking lots are one of the worst places for boat theft. I did a search, but didn't find much info on this in the archives. Any security tips would be much appreciated!

Michael

Hire BGCHuby and leave the driving to him! Be sure to request towing with the cover off so he can get the interior cleaned for you at his expense. :D

When I towed my 382 from LA back to Ohio, I just pulled over or hit a truck stop and slept in the boat with my MagLight and Glock.

A couple years ago me a few Buds where trailering our Bikes down to Daytona Bike week. I heard all kinds of stories of bikes being ripped off . We spent the night in Atlanta at the Sheraton ( nice place right ? ). We backed the two trailers right tight to each other under the lights . Went to bed thinking all was safe . 3 AM we get a wake up call from security saying we better get down stairs quick . The POS bastard thieves went under my truck (GMC HD ) and disconnected the shifter linkage and just rolled the truck and trailer ahead . Cut the locks and had the rear ramp door down when Security saw and chased them away .
Nothing was taken just needed new locks and a new shifter cable . Don't know what more to say but if you can park your rig right out front where everyone can see it not in the back under a light . Good luck and a safe haul . Paul S.

Whenever we travel, we always stop to rest at a motel that we can park our rig right out in the front of the front desk where the desk person can see the whole truck and boat. Sometimes we need to stop at a few places before we find a motel that we feel comfortable with. Also make sure to ask the desk clerk if he or she is gonna be there the whole night, and stress the point that if "ANYONE" is seen tampering with the boat or truck except for you, to call the police imediatly, and then call your room.

We've never had any problems. I think alot has to do with the area that you choose to stop to rest. Make your decisions wisely. If you don't like the looks of an area, keep driving till you feel comfortable with the surroundings.:cool:

Good luck
Frank

Also make sure there is adequate parking at the hotel you plan to stay at. I had to park at a Hooters a few blocks from my pre-booked hotel because I could not even fit in the parking lot. The Hooters manager was very nice about it and at least had me park under a 24 hour camera in case something did happen.

yeah sleep in the boat or get a portable alarm bats for the motion detector and plug the base in your room its good for 1200ft at R S.

give the security guard a 100 bones to park and watch the boat all night

I stopped in South Carolina last night on the way back to Virginia with my new rig. We pulled into one town and didn't like the looks of things. I fueled up and drove another 45 mins. and stopped where things looked OK. Parked right in front of the office at a Hampton Inn and requeated a room in front where i could see the boat. Took this pic. from my room door. Like 10x said if you stop and it doesn't look cool get fuel and drive till your comfortable. My baby is home in the driveway tonight safe and sound. :D

LOOK AT ME i THOUGHT MINE WAS SAFE IN MY YARD:rolleyes:

THE name of my new alarm which you can add up to 4 motion dec's to is called THE REPORTER from radio shack it will give you a span of 1200ft. I can here it in other rooms when testing it. I have 1 in the boat and others pointing at it so if the wind blows the cover it won't set it off:rolleyes: :D . also thought of a rubber coated chain going from loops on the transom to between the prop up to the other side, have amaster lock on each loop plus stern lock this way if they go to pull the pins on the gimbil and take the drive off , they can't. now I have to think about a device for ex steering, and a hidden lock for engine cover so they can't steel my carb again. the best would be to have a alarm hard wire to the cops. which I will before my boat will be back together so if I am away they will come maybe:rolleyes: also priced out barb wire looking for razor wire. it going to look like a prison by the time I get through for the azz behind me:mad: art

Basics I use:
Remove props
Drive locks
Lock trailer hitch to trailer
Wheel boot on trailer (bought one like the parking police have)
Lock and Alarm truck
Palm some money to person working the front desk on the overnight and have them let you park near the main entrance.

Make sure you have your trailer hitch DRAWBAR locked to the receiver on your truck. No sense in locking the coupler down if they can pull a hitch pin and take the whole drawbar.

Sounds like a good excuse for explaing to your wife why the boat and truck were at hooters all night.:eek: :evilb:

boat theft prevention
 

Sternlock will soon have an affordable gps tracking device for boats.I brought one to the ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY to have their company surveyor test it and to obtain their endorsement.STERNLOCK website is WWW.MARINESECURITIES.COM.

It is more than theft.......Two people I know who towed there own boats from long distances were hit...one in the rear at a toll plaza paying the toll the (person was on the cell not paying attention...the other was a drunk driver with zero insurance....the guy was a drifter and had only what was in his car. The insurance company paid nothing because the driver with the boat was not insured for transport.


Do yourself a favor call Jeff Murray 909-*********.

He is the best and hauls for all the big dealers as well.......we use him and never had anything but a perfect delivery with a big smile and some wicked Chinese food!

If they knew your wife they wouldn't of even think about touching your rig or boat.:D Didn't know they had windows in the Cafe Risque.:evilb: :evilb:

when ever I stop in a hotel I just park at the front door even if it is a fire lane. if the boat is visable to the front desk most people will not touch it. I have never had that problem

Still think I have the best German made security you can get. Stopping at a rest area Dakota badlands middle of nowhere at 3am. The one on the left saved my Excursion, she broke out the side rear vent window, the one on the right saved me!!!!

I tow with 2 Rotties and a Glock. All three have been used as theft deterent. Wife drives from CA to AZ and back every weekend... 3 Rotties in her truck, they have saved her at a gas stop. Spend enough time on the road and you meet everyone!

All three sleep comfy in the back of the Excursion. If they dont break out a window they should make enough noise to scare most robbers away!

Take at least one with if I'm driving and will be stopping at rest area's along the freeways. 9 times between Seattle and LA in the last year and a half. Once Buf. NY to SEA that trip almost robbed. Came close in Fresno, CA being robbed as well, dogs again saved the day. Another time at a state park two guy's and a pit bull, they tried sicking their dog on mine, friends polite Alabama accent "not a good idea Bubba" and Mr S&W ended that adventure real quick.

The problem with highways is there's alot of transient types travelling as well. See a guy like me, before Excursion it was a Navigator, nice car, etc, most think easy target rich puzzy!

When parked overnight Ive always disconnected the boat from the trailer, locked the coupler on the trailer, lock the wheels on the trailer and take my hitch with me and pull the truck ahead a foot or so.

my insurance guy told me by far and away most boats get stolen with the owners own truck........"they get your truck, they got your boat....... trucks are easy to steal" was his words exactly.......

when you disconnect the boat they have to solve the coupler lock, in my case locks........solve the two cable locks on the tires......they will probably think the hitch is simply in the back of the truck but it isnt......so they'll have to go get a hitch or get your truck out of the way and use another truck...... trucks are stolen everyday and are therefore easy to replace, usaually within days......

Get your boat stolen and they want at least 90 days to pay (thats practically a whole boating season gone up here!) and have you told your insur co about all the upgrades youve done to your boat?.......you can really get hosed there.......worry about your boat.

another little trick I stumbled on was my trailer jack went south so I took it off and use a farm jack to lift and a heavy duty jack stand to hold up the tongue......take your farm jack with you too........let them try to lift that by hand!!

They don't. Thats why i had to get my lap dance in the COCKpit of the boat :evilb: :drink: :D

Drive at night, rest during daylight.

True, but you still may have to stop at a rest area or even gas station. Having a nice tow rig and boat makes you a target, like walking down the street with a fist full of $100's.

I like the dog idea.


My dog is in training for shutzhund protection:


http://www.caninetrainingconcept.com/