Thinking of changing the hitch

[Macca_75]

So....

Before I even take delivery of our new van i have already starting thinking about non factory upgrades.

Firstly, I am thinking of changing the hitch. I don't think I will ever take the van where a ball hitch isn't suffice however from a security perspective, I am thinking if I change the ball over to something like a McHitch or Treg then the likelihood of theft would be significantly reduced.

After the thoughts and feedback of far more experienced people than I.

Currently we will be storing the van in our drive (visible to anyone that drives by the street) with a hitch lock and wheel clamp.

I am guessing sometime in the near future this will be moved to a secured caravan storage premise.

Do you think a less common hitch would be a theft deterrent?

 

[NoWorries]

There is a UTube video showing how easy it is to take a trailer without using the hitch, easy as and still tows fine
you just cross the chains underneath it.

Best thing is a wheel lock or a bloody big tree and SS cable,
But if they want it they will take it
Insurance is the best thing for a Van.

You can jack it up and take the wheels off, that would put most people off.

 

[Dobbie]

Sorry to be a pessimist but if they want it, they'll take it.

The 12v angle grinders will get them through any hitch set up, methinks, and a different one will only slow them down. Though it might be more difficult for them to tow it away quickly with another hitch but it has been done.

There are several threads on security here already and the general consensus covers things like GPS trackers, removing hitches and Bulldogs.

As said, don't want to be a pessimist!

 

[WHHEMI]

No, in my opinion if someone wants it they will take it.

 

[Macca_75]

Cool - it will be insured and I get if they want it they will take it.

So what do people do? Basically a lock on the hitch, wheel slamp and maybe a steel cable around some solid structure (all of which I guess are pretty easily defeated).

Are there any units on the market that can "override" the built in break away system and apply the breaks unless a little hidden switch is deactivated?

 

[davemc]

GPS tracker
I heard of someone put a kill switch in for electric brakes

 

[Bellbirdweb]

2nd vote for a hidden GPS tracker

 

[Macca_75]

GPS tracker
I heard of someone put a kill switch in for electric brakes

I like the idea of a kill switch for the brakes - one more step that seems pretty easy to implement (as just as easy to over come I guess)

 

[NoWorries]

I would be worried about a override for the brakes as the battery would probably go flat after a hour or so and you might find the system burns itself out, No facts to back up this statement just a thought.

 

[yabbietol]

Our van came with an auto McHitch and we really like it, our security when travelling consists of two keyed alike Arbus (with long shanks) padlocks. The first shorter shank is through the hole in the coupling and hence even any one with a McHitch cannot hook up without removing the lock. The second padlock picks up the towing chains (so they cannot be used to tow) and couples them through the handle of the jockey wheel clamp (and A frame), which in turn holds on our trail mate jack. Not impossible to get the jockey clamp undone without removing the padlock (also lock discourages theft of trail mate jack), but not easy.

Takes us about a minute to lock and the same to undo and cost about $70 for the quality long shank keyed alike padlocks from a local locksmith. Of course, a determined thief can cut or break the locks, but they still need to take time and make noise and finally our van is insured. Not keen to put up photos as it may help thieves (not that I think any thieves would be members of this forum). They may have time to have a think about how to defeat this simple system, but if you have any questions don't hesitate to PM me.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Here is one of the videos showing how the hitch locks are useless

 

[pauljygrant]

When our boat & trailer were previously stored off site in a shed, I jacked it up on axle stands and left the wheels on (good for the tyres anyway to be off the ground) but removed the wheel nuts. Wouldn't have been obvious until the got a few hundred metres down the road!
If concerned, what about hiding an old smart phone (with 12v battery lead so it's always charged) somewhere then us an app to locate it?
Alternatively I had considered a raft of minor tweaks such as a car horn to the brake lights with override switch. If they drive it away the first time the use the brakes you would hear it? Or a switch that directly earths all light wiring to fuse their vehicle that may bring them to police notice? Would rely on you remembering to turn off any of these traps before legitamately moving it.

 

[davemc]

I keep thinking of Mad Max 2 and his kill switch.
Really if they want to steal it they will.. We have a old iphone I could setup. looks like $50 for 5gb a year Telstra data only plan
For us that have to get through gates, dog, wheel lock and hitch lock then a pain to get the van out anyway.
If they want to do all of that then I have insurance.

 

[Drover]

I've had the idea of tying off the breakaway lead to the ground out of sight so if someone cuts the locks they will pull the pin as theyd rive off and the brakes come on.......................alternatively jack up the insurance.

 

[davemc]

checking out apps the standard find my friends app lets you geofence someone so your notified if they move.
So you can use an old iphone setup it up and it let you know when it moves.

Now to find a plan and work out a hidey hole got some ideas where to hide it lots of hidden spaces in the 22.68

 

[davemc]

ok so prepaid plans
Vodafone $10 plan
2 cents a meg not charged if under 512k. so 500 meg a year should be enough
http://www.vodafone.com.au/prepaid/plans/state/recharge/pay-as-you-go-plus

Aldi $15 plan uses Telstra so maybe better? 5 cents a meg so 300 meg
https://www.aldimobile.com.au/plans/15payg

Telstra and Optus are $70/$60 unless you go data only.

Edit look at network map of Vodafone nothing most of the outback so looks like Aldi the winner

 

[Dobbie]

Someone here recommended the Telstra prepaid when we were fluffing around last year.

We went for ...data prepaid for 2 years....16 gb? $140
....mobile prepaid 1 year ....$70 ....200 mins?
Only reason for suggestion as a possibility is the blue tick coverage....we use this phone for emergency only as our other mobiles have no coverage outside major cities.

The phone might be an option for your security plan?

 

[mfexpanda]

ok so prepaid plans
Vodafone $10 plan
2 cents a meg not charged if under 512k. so 500 meg a year should be enough
http://www.vodafone.com.au/prepaid/plans/state/recharge/pay-as-you-go-plus

Aldi $15 plan uses Telstra so maybe better? 5 cents a meg so 300 meg
https://www.aldimobile.com.au/plans/15payg

Telstra and Optus are $70/$60 unless you go data only.

Edit look at network map of Vodafone nothing most of the outback so looks like Aldi the winner

Dave I think 2 tins with a piece of string would work better outside of a big city than Vodafone

 

[Drover]

I think better off getting a proper GPS tracer than using an old phone. Telstra would be the only way to go anyway.

 

[NoWorries]

If you want a very cheap Data only sim
Vodafail is doing a 8gb , 180 day expiry for half price at the moment
http://www.vodafone.com.au/mobile-broadband/prepaid/state/starter-pack/sim-only
it is the $50 sim starter pack for only $25 until the 20/09/2016

Yes not as good coverage as Telstra