What can we do?

[icestationzebra]

Just reading about another poor soul who has had their lorry stolen..... and it leaves me fuming.
What can we do to make our lorries more secure? I'd have mine on the drive at home or locked in a barn if I could, but sadly neither are an option. Does anyone have any good practical advice about what makes a vehicle more secure?

Any ideas? It seems we have to do all we can to protect our property these days. Stinks doesn't it

 

[sillygillyhorse]

ISZ I know you would like to booby trap yours but guess you would be contravening the thiefs human rights!

My next lorry will be having a tracker fitted, not yet decided whether it will be a one with driver recognition one or not (that one as I understand it triggers the system if someone tries to take the vehicle without a key). I appreciate it will not stop the vehicle from being stolen but I would stand a greater chance of it being recovered.

I have also arranged for it to be parked in a bunded storage area with computer controlled gates, sirens etc. I know the bunds are secure as the owner tried climbing them in a tracked digger and a landrover, neither of which could get over them!

 

[foraday]

fuel cut off switch! They cost around £70 and then your HGV mechanic can easily fit in a couple of hours.

Theives can still break into lorry and start it but within 10 seconds your lorry will be staved of fuel and won't go anywhere!

Even more handy if you DRAIN your AIR TANKS after every use like you are supposed to do therefore no air, no fuel and no way is your truck going to move.

After theives have been you will need your HGV engineer to bleed the system to get the fuel running again (obviously with the switch back on) about 10 mins using the lorries lift pump.

Insurance should give you a good discount for this

 

[KarynK]

I would use good quality steering locks and a wheel clamp, they might seem expensive but not if you want to keep the lorry. Search online for products and you can ask your local Crime Prevention Officer for advice.

Also as per post above on Equine Crime Prevention paint your postcode or buy some stickers and put the postcode on the roof of the vehicle, that way it can be spotted by airwatch or police forces off motorway bridges or by air support units, it makes a return a bit more likely.

Also look into tracking schemes, some of the ones by Mobile Phone are very inexpensive and you can do a quick check on where your lorry is at any time, all you need to do is charge the phone battery regularly, or you could rig it up on a solar charger or off the lorry battery.

You can also immobilise the vehicle if you are not going to use it for a while and you have someone that can do that for you.

 

[icestationzebra]

Too right I would!

I have visions of Policy Academyesque midnight patrols around your new truck! Good on ya I say

 

[icestationzebra]

Thanks - the bit about the tracker is especially interesting. A solar charger sounds right up my OH's street. I'll look into it - thanks

 

[icestationzebra]

Thanks. I will speak to my mechanic about this

 

[Heidi1]

I have an immobiliser on mine, can still break in but no chance of getting away with it.
Did consider wiring it to the mains

, but YO wouldn't let me

....Shame.......

 

[KarynK]

[ QUOTE ]
fuel cut off switch!

[/ QUOTE ]

Foraday - would you mind copying this one on to the sticky crime prevention thread above? It's really useful info!!

 

[dotty1]

My landrover had a good quality steering lock. It was forced off and left in a bent mangled heap on my drive. Waste of time.

 

[sillygillyhorse]

My lorry had a fuel cut off switch and was still nicked

 

[sillygillyhorse]

Understand about the post code thing but no way am I going to advertise my home address to criminals who sit on motorway bridges! I have considered having my first name and initial of my surname painted on the roof, will not spoil the look of the lorry but will be seen from above.

Getting a mechanic to immobilise the lorry is just totally impractical, I used my lorry at least once a week if not 3 or 4 times.

A tracker will be a definite and after discussions today it will be an all singing all dancing driver recognition one!