Watch your boat. Thieves about.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

In the last couple of weeks several boats on trailers within 50 metres of my house have been subject to robberies/attempted robberies. The first, thieves stole items out of the boat and last night, my neighbour heard strange noises outside the house. When she opened the door, she found two blokes had pushed the A frame out into the road and were attempting to couple it onto a Hilux ute.

The trailer had coupling lock, but they were about to tow it using only the chains.

Even my empty No.5 trailer, which is out the front, had the tarps opened up to reveal the big nothing inside.

Seriously considering wheel clamps now.

[Ausfree]

Sounds like there might be a gang operating in your area targeting boats to re-birth,maybe??

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Sounds like there might be a gang operating in your area targeting boats to re-birth,maybe??Could be, and likely they won't even try to re-birth just pack them into a container and send them off to the relies in the Middle East.

The other option is that the small industrial section at one end of my mainly house suburb has recently seen the development of twelve high rise complexes in the last decade. This has brought in that kind of scum as tenants. :mad:

[Ausfree]

Could be, and likely they won't even try to re-birth just pack them into a container and send them off to the relies in the Middle East.

The other option is that the small industrial section at one end of my mainly house suburb has recently seen the development of twelve high rise complexes in the last decade. This has brought in that kind of scum as tennants. :mad:

Oh dear!!!:(

[Lotz-A-Landies]

A Police officer friend once told me that he'd never buy a house in a suburb with a railway station. His reasoning is that the crims catch the train to the suburb, do a burg or two and steal a car to drive home. :(

We've got a railway station and the station in the suburb next door is closer to my house that the one in my suburb, so that makes two, in fact you could also count Wolli Creek (where the high-rises are) and make three. :BigCry:

[p38arover]

This has brought in that kind of scum as tennants. :mad:

This one? :angel:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/788.jpg

[Lotz-A-Landies]

This one? :angel:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/788.jpgIs he related to Ariel? :p

BTW: That would be Tennant's!

[DoubleChevron]

I reckon the main thing is they need to be out of site, they won't get stolen if no-one knows they are there. If in plain view, they'll come equipped to get around any anti-theft implements you have used in seconds. If I wanted to steal a boat/box trailer that was both clamps and had a hitch lock ......................... I'd steal a car trailer with a winch first. It would be dragged on and gone in less than a couple of minutes.

There is NOTHING easier to rebirth in Victoria. ring up vicroads "I've made a trailer, can you please supply me with a VIN". Grind off any numbers on the trailers, stamp your "new" VIN and and you now own your very own trailer, registered in your name with a new VIN.

I've got the smae problems with my trailers and caravan. I'm open to good suggestions on theft prevention too :(

seeya,
Shane L.

[wardy1]

With the advent of pretty powerful battery powered tools, nothing is safe. The real pro's will just do it during the day while you're at work, 10 seconds with an angle grinder and its gone

[Homestar]

I keep my caravan in my driveway, but with the drawbar facing up the driveway away from the street - I winch it in with the Rangie. Although not impossible to steal, there are several other similar vans in the estate with the hitches facing the road and just a cheap hitch lock on them, so hopefully any potential thieves see those as easier targets than mine.

Basically, if someone want it, they will get it. As mentioned, having it locked up inside a garage would be the best protection, but not an option for most.

[ADMIRAL]

I reckon the main thing is they need to be out of site, they won't get stolen if no-one knows they are there. If in plain view, they'll come equipped to get around any anti-theft implements you have used in seconds. If I wanted to steal a boat/box trailer that was both clamps and had a hitch lock ......................... I'd steal a car trailer with a winch first. It would be dragged on and gone in less than a couple of minutes.

There is NOTHING easier to rebirth in Victoria. ring up vicroads "I've made a trailer, can you please supply me with a VIN". Grind off any numbers on the trailers, stamp your "new" VIN and and you now own your very own trailer, registered in your name with a new VIN.

I've got the smae problems with my trailers and caravan. I'm open to good suggestions on theft prevention too :(

seeya,
Shane L.
Try fitting one of these. A McHitch coupler. Unless they have one themselves, your van will not be going anywhere. Oh .. and a good bit of kit too. 102918

[DoubleChevron]

Try fitting one of these. A McHitch coupler. Unless they have one themselves, your van will not be going anywhere. Oh .. and a good bit of kit too. 102918

That won't slow them down for even 2seconds.... Take my old POS range rover. I'd drop the drawbar onto the rear step, wrap the chains around the step and be gone. maybe 20seconds tops :)

If I thought I had 5minutes as the caravan is really viewable from anywhere, I'd come with a cordless drill ... have that coupling off in about 30seconds, screw on a standard 50mm ball and be gone :) Look how accessible your coupling bolts/nuts are!

seeya,
Shane L.

[Eevo]

side thought:
if it worth stealing, its worth having insurance on it as no amount of anti theft protection will stop a dedicated thief with experience.

[Homestar]

When we leave light towers or VMS boards on the side of the road for work, the only way to keep them safe is to remove the wheels and take them back to the workshop. Although they could still be stolen like this, we don't lose them when the wheels are off.

Chains through the wheels is second best, but allows the trailer to be dragged onto a tilt tray easiy.