posted 11-22-2010 08:50 AM                  

In preparation for our cross-country Prowler trip, I'm considering what security measures can be taken to protect the car from break-ins and (more importantly) vehicle theft when it's parked overnight at hotels and stuff.

The car will be covered, so that's one deterrent. I also plan on rigging up a battery disconnect and taking the required hardware with me after the car is parked. That way if someone breaks in, they won't be able to start the car even if they are smart enough to get under the hood and try to reconnect the battery.

At this point, the car does not have an alarm. Just the keyless entry, I believe. As a result, there isn't anything that needs to remain powered up and disconnecting the battery entirely shouldn't make a difference.

Any other thoughts on precautions to take?

posted 11-22-2010 11:19 AM                  

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Originally posted by HScott:
However, they did say that someone may just take it for a short joy ride!

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My experience when I was a cop was that most of the vehicle thefts ended up being just joy rides. The vast majority of the time they were recovered a short distance away with some damage. Just someone that wanted to take a car for a spin.

posted 11-22-2010 01:12 PM                  

Anyone confirm that?

I'd just pull that fuse out,,,since its covered during the nite, I don't think you'll have a problem. If you have a quality 'Club', might also take along....

Borrow a handicap placard,,,,that will usually give you a well lighted, up front, parking spot.

posted 11-22-2010 01:30 PM                  

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Originally posted by lionberger:
Unless it has been disabled you should have an alarm, every Prowler came with one.

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posted 11-22-2010 01:40 PM                  

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Originally posted by Blown632Monte:
Interesting. What type of alarm? Like a content theft type of deal? That would be where when the doors are locked and one is opened, the horn honks and maybe the lights flash, but it does not prevent starting the car and driving it away...

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Yes, this would be correct.

posted 11-22-2010 02:35 PM                  

What I was thinking about doing was installing the disconnect on the main cable, but also putting in a small fused bypass wire that would keep 12V to the cable and to the rest of the car. The fuse on the wire would be like a 2A so as to keep the alarm powered up. But, if someone were to try and start the car, the fuse blows and the car is then totally electrically dead.

posted 11-22-2010 06:19 PM                  

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Originally posted by ed monahan:
With all the trips we have taken collectively I only recall one incident and that was Dave Mills window getting broken to steal his GPS, as I recall.
I don't remember hearing about any other incidents. If it is covered, I think you are cutting way down on the chance of it getting broken into overnight. Try to park really close to the office or right out by the street.

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That was on his dakota, not the prowler on the trailer with the keys in the truck.

I no longer leave my spare set of car keys in the truck when hauling it.

I use to worry about the car. I try and park out front where it will be on camera and under light or right outside my room so i can see and hear.

A club is a good idea, I have one

another thing you could do would be get a long security cable (plastic coated) and run thru the wheels and lock it up. When I was on Oahu I seen a lot of cars with cables locking them to poles.

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Larry & Sue Mayes

posted 11-22-2010 10:50 PM                  

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Originally posted by phil2237:
Get a 44 Mag, You won't have any problems !

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Don't think the thought of taking one of my "friends" with me hasn't crossed my mind.

posted 11-23-2010 01:21 PM                  

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Originally posted by jjprowler:
Joe if you want a club, I will give you one with the bra and you can always mail me one of your friends.

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I may check one of them still. Have to get a locked case for it though. Might be a good idea to have one since I'll be in unfamiliar areas with a cute blonde girl and a nice car.

I'll have to investigate the club. Jon, would you want me to ship it back to you when I get home or what? We're still on for the evening of December 18th, right? I got a hotel room in Daytona Beach...

posted 11-23-2010 02:37 PM                  

The next morning, my wife wants to go to Disney Orlando for the day since we're there (lucky me) and they will have it all decorated for Christmas. So, we'll probably be up early and take off for that too.

posted 11-23-2010 03:09 PM                  

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Originally posted by Blown632Monte:

But, if the TSA found it on me while we were headed to our flight out to FL.....nevermind, there's enough of that in the news already...

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Yeah, and can't even put it down there with your "junk" now either ... thos "aggressive" pat downs would surely give it away ... or simply say "all that touching got you aroused!"

posted 11-23-2010 10:48 PM                  

If you talk to the hotel, they may let you park it up front by the door. Park it under the lights. We've even had hotel security make a special effort to camp out right by the Prowler.