Safeguards against vehicle theft--paranoia and James Bond-type thinking both welcome in this thread!

[NY2LA]

I previously posted about protecting contents inside a 200. Now I'd like to start a discussion about protecting the vehicle itself from theft.

What do people see as risks and associated safeguards? If you have a very valuable 200 and you're going into the middle of nowhere, perhaps after you pass through some downtrodden areas, or if you are perhaps stuck parking in a high-theft area now and then, what could/would you do to protect the vehicle?

Someone on here posted about a theft via OBD port/key creation. So how about a hidden kill switch for the ODB port as one idea?

What about a wheel lock to prevent against a thief towing the truck away?

GPS tracking unit?

For fun, I'll throw in a crazy one: smoke-generator to fill cabin with smoke upon forced entry--used on some yachts.

 

[tbutler]

Personally - good insurance. If mine gets looted, I don't want it back.

 

[Dunbar]

Personally - good insurance. If mine gets looted, I don't want it back.

Where will you get a replacement?

 

[sedonut]

Where will you get a replacement?

Declared value policy. You just gotta pay for it. Mine worth ONE BILLION DOLLARS !!!

If the policy pays, I should do ok.

 

[Dunbar]

Mine is $100k but it would still be a pain to find one for that as good as the one I have. Once my Harrop SC. LRA tank, bull bar, etc come in and get mounted I'm going to have to up the stated amount.

 

[TeCKis300]

I think you know not much is going to stop a motivated burglar. Given enough time, they can get through anything.

Not sure what layer of security you're most concerned with? Sometimes too much may suggest there is something worth stealing? I think you're beyond that with how built out the car is. So maybe to your goal, you'll want to use all, overlaying deterrents, active deterrents, and recovery?

- Most of the classic third party car alarms probably apply, with flashing security lights, motion sensors, glass breakage sensors, etc.
- Dashcam with a very visible recording light
- RVs have security systems too and may some can apply here?
- External security locks? Earthroamer has an external mount that allows a bar to be thread across both doors/windows. We still have the hatch glass but maybe you can use security film

 

[Reckless]

I put the Dashcam up. I couldn't find a nest camera style one.

 

[stonepa]

Given how strong the key/computer interface requirements are, these days you are much more likely to get car jacked for your car than a parked car getting stolen. Unless you are one of the knuckleheads at the gas station that leaves your car running with the keys in the cupholder while you get a coffee.

 

[scottm]

Military plates, and a sticker on the back that says "Guns don't kill people, I kill people".

 

[scottm]

I'm looking at installing a fake clutch pedal, and putting a leather shift boot over my gearshift selector

 

[Madtiger]

Military plates, and a sticker on the back that says "Guns don't kill people, I kill people".

Thanks for telling me that you have a gun inside your car. It adds value to the target.


On a serious side, I put Apple Airtag inside my LC.

 

[scottm]

Thanks for telling me that you have a gun inside your car. It adds value to the target.


On a serious side, I put Apple Airtag inside my LC.

At least I'll be safe from Happy Gilmore fans.

I have a Tile hidden in my 100 that my son took to Seattle, going to put one in my 200 next week.

I was kidding about the sticker, not sure if they exist.

 

[NY2LA]

Given how strong the key/computer interface requirements are, these days you are much more likely to get car jacked for your car than a parked car getting stolen. Unless you are one of the knuckleheads at the gas station that leaves your car running with the keys in the cupholder while you get a coffee.

Good point. Carjacking prevention is something I've been thinking about too.

 

[scottm]

I am all too aware of how valuable my new ride is. Not really a problem in small-town Michigan, few people have any idea how expensive this thing is. But I work at O'Hare, and stop at some mildly sketchy gas stations on my drive. I normally don't have the mirrors tuck in when locking, but on that drive I lock the car when I get out to gas up, and having the mirrors tuck in makes it clear to anyone who is watching me. I walk around my car while filling, looking it over and looking at my surroundings, try to look casual but obviously paying attention. And never pull out my phone while outside my car. I just don't want to look like an easy victim, criminals normally wait for easy victims, pass on people that look like they will put up some trouble.

I've read thieves pass by cars with mirrors tucked, obviously locked and alarmed. That is why I do the mirrors.

Next week wife and I drive out to Maine on vacation. Mostly staying at small inns in small towns, Manchester NH is the biggest town we will stay in.

 

[bloc]

With the depth of this board if OBD thefts were a legitimate worry I’d think we would be hearing about them.

Also the factory glass break sensor is cheap and pretty easy to install. Will it stop a motivated thief? No. But they probably won’t expect it to be there and the extra attention after a broken window might demotivate them a bit.

 

[scottm]

I just walked six blocks to Pier 62 in Seattle. I guess rent something and leave the LC home if you have to drive here. This place is like an end-times movie set. Not just occasional homeless people, crowds of them. And the locals look like they are trying to blend in.

 

[TheIcemanCometh]

These days I would be less worried about the theft of the vehicle as I would be the catalytic converter. More over I would be more worried about smash and grab thefts.

 

[stonepa]

I just walked six blocks to Pier 62 in Seattle. I guess rent something and leave the LC home if you have to drive here. This place is like an end-times movie set. Not just occasional homeless people, crowds of them. And the locals look like they are trying to blend in.

View attachment 2803052

I walk by that spot often. Never ever ever leave anything visible in the car in downtown seattle. Your window will be smashed by a hopped up homeless person. Tourists often learn this too late.

That being said, i park my 200 in SLU all the time with no issues.

 

[04UZJ100]

I just walked six blocks to Pier 62 in Seattle. I guess rent something and leave the LC home if you have to drive here. This place is like an end-times movie set. Not just occasional homeless people, crowds of them. And the locals look like they are trying to blend in.

View attachment 2803052

Seattle is a s***hole with gorgeous surroundings.

 

[bloc]

These days I would be less worried about the theft of the vehicle as I would be the catalytic converter. More over I would be more worried about smash and grab thefts.

Have they figured out that the cats off a 200 would be valuable yet? Hear about this a lot on Tacoma’s and tundras (and I’ve seen at least a few toyota pickups with very loud exhaust sounds from under the vehicle driving around) but haven’t seen posts about it here yet.