securing your generator

[Get415]

How is everyone securing your portable generators when camping? I got security chain that you have to use a cutting wheel to get through but now the weak spot is the genny handle that the chain passes under. (Predator 3500 for reference). I assume you can just use bolt cutters tor something to chop the genny handle. I know anything can be taken but i'd like to make it a pain in the ass or loud and not worth the effort.

 

[HALLETT BOY]

I think these days with a chain you’re just keeping honest people honest, and just making it a little harder for criminals . If they want it , they bring the right tools .

 

[jailbird141]

Like has been said, if they want it, they will get it. The key is just to make it harder to steal than someone else's. The crooks will move on to easier prey.

 

[outboard_256]

How is everyone securing your portable generators when camping? I got security chain that you have to use a cutting wheel to get through but now the weak spot is the genny handle that the chain passes under. (Predator 3500 for reference). I assume you can just use bolt cutters tor something to chop the genny handle. I know anything can be taken but i'd like to make it a pain in the ass or loud and not worth the effort.

What do you use for a lock on the chain? I feel like the lock is the weak point, if bolt cutters can cut the lock the chian is useless. I chain mine to the frame of my toyhauler and the lock is under the trailer on the frame so they have to crawl under the trailer to at least get to the lock. I don't know if it's actually more secure but makes me feel better.

 

[4Waters]

What do you use for a lock on the chain? I feel like the lock is the weak point, if bolt cutters can cut the lock the chian is useless. I chain mine to the frame of my toyhauler and the lock is under the trailer on the frame so they have to crawl under the trailer to at least get to the lock. I don't know if it's actually more secure but makes me feel better.

The more work they have to do the more secure it is

 

[Get415]

Its a pewag security chain/lock combo also around TH landing gear. Bolt cutter cant get thru that but a cut off wheel will. Im ok with that cause i'll hear a tool cutting it. Im just thinking someone could cut the handle off the genny and not even worry about the chains. I've seen people secure them to a hitch mounted cargo carrier but not sure how strong those are either. Just trying to make it as inconvenient as possible and give me time to say hello to any potential visitors. More of a night time deal as I dont leave stuff out when we leave camp.

 

[MPHSystems]

 

[MPHSystems]

oops, wrong picture.... this is how I secure our generator, just cable it to the trailer

 

[yz450mm]

Zip tie empty beer or soda cans to the chain or cable so it makes a bunch of noise if they try and mess with it.

 

[Danger Dave]

"Quit camping in CA?" - LargeOrangeFont

 

[Malibuvride07]

We started using the LowPro lockdown plates on our work trucks after we had a couple chains cutoff. They use vibration dampers so they stay quiet. If I was gonna use it with a trailer that couldn’t be bolted down I would add an extension of flat plate that could be parked on with the trailer tire kinda like the flag poles and then locked up with that kit.
Just another idea.

 

[Get415]

That sounds good, gonna look into that. Thanks

 

[pronstar]

Make it so the wheels are easily removable, and pop them off once you get setup.

No one wants to lug a heavy stolen gennie around in the middle of the desert.

 

[Blackmagic94]

Hard to steal my mil gens when they need a fork lift to move

 

[RiverDave]

I have never secured a generator while camping? I didn’t even know this was a thing?

Where are you camping where the theft rate is that high? I want to make sure I don’t ever go there.

 

[outboard_256]

I have never secured a generator while camping? I didn’t even know this was a thing?

Where are you camping where the theft rate is that high? I want to make sure I don’t ever go there.

I have never had an actual problem but always hear stories. I just lock it up so I don't become one of those stories.

 

[Havaduner]

I have never secured a generator while camping? I didn’t even know this was a thing?

Where are you camping where the theft rate is that high? I want to make sure I don’t ever go there.

Happens all the time at Glamis.

 

[Get415]

Exactly, just being prepared so i dont say dammit, whily didnt i lock this thing up.
And heading KOH soon, always seems like good people there but you never know whos creeping around that target rich environment, as dumb as that might be to steal from people at that place!

 

[monkeyswrench]

Camping theft was never a big issue for me...But here's what I know about securing stuff in work trucks. The lock can be a weak point, but so are chains. Good bolt cutters will pop most links. The steel cables aren't as easy. The bolt cutters don't cut like wire cutters, the cutting faces leave a gap. On a multi-strand cable, that gap leaves more than a bit of steel. Most thieves have the cheapest equipment that can do the job quickly. Most won't use a cutoff wheel because it is louder, and takes more time.

 

[4Waters]

Camping theft was never a big issue for me...But here's what I know about securing stuff in work trucks. The lock can be a weak point, but so are chains. Good bolt cutters will pop most links. The steel cables aren't as easy. The bolt cutters don't cut like wire cutters, the cutting faces leave a gap. On a multi-strand cable, that gap leaves more than a bit of steel. Most thieves have the cheapest equipment that can do the job quickly. Most won't use a cutoff wheel because it is louder, and takes more time.

They are using cutoff wheels because people are using cables now, 20v Dewalt and 18v Fuel Milwaukee cut through cables fast

 

[endobear]

 

[hallett21]

Electrify it

 

[monkeyswrench]

They are using cutoff wheels because people are using cables now, 20v Dewalt and 18v Fuel Milwaukee cut through cables fast

Well then, camp away from other people is my best solution. Pretty messed up, leave the city to escape for the weekend, and the pricks go there too.

 

[4Waters]

Well then, camp away from other people is my best solution. Pretty messed up, leave the city to escape for the weekend, and the pricks go there too.

That's what they are using at the Ventura state beaches campgrounds for cable, bolt cutters still for chain. I'm sure they are doing elsewhere.

 

[pronstar]

Well then, camp away from other people is my best solution. Pretty messed up, leave the city to escape for the weekend, and the pricks go there too.

I think the thieving tweakers tend live out there.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I think the thieving tweakers tend live out there.

This is why we should be able to buy hunting tags for them.

 

[DLC]

I would use a 2nd audio alarm for vibration
something like this

either zip tie to the genset or the cable … remote arms it

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

I Use a cable through my generator handle have a heavy duty lock. Not sure the metal but its tougher than wood pecker lips to cut with 24" bolt bites.


Im too young i think but my in laws told me about a time when the fuzz found a bunch of buried bikes near the glamis beach store? Guess there was a theft ring nabbing banshees and 250r's in the night and they would bury them and dig them back up to part out.

Any truth to the story?

 

[LHC Kirby]

For those of you using a chain

Now go buy another one and use it as well

Makes it a bit harder if they have to cut two, and if possible add a thicker metal to the handle that the chains go around. I suggest welding the extra metal…. If that doesn’t effect the electronics of the generator.

 

[bilz]

Mine stays in my truck, under the roll top cover. It is chained to the bed with just a basic chain, roll top and tail gate lock. Hopefully out if sight out if mind.

 

[4Waters]

Mine stays in my truck, under the roll top cover. It is chained to the bed with just a basic chain, roll top and tail gate lock. Hopefully out if sight out if mind.

This is what my dad does

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

Cable with an alarm

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/trimax-screamn-demon-alarm-lock-and-quadra-braid-cable?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CSmart%7CBoating%7CGeneral%7CNAud%7CTopPerf%7CNMT&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzeSdBhC4ARIsACj36uFr0wPFMqDxkea2NpMcN7nZ0RvgObJ6gpxo5i8k3h2trm8po7PqtksaAqqZEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[4Waters]

Cable with an alarm

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/trimax-screamn-demon-alarm-lock-and-quadra-braid-cable?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CSmart%7CBoating%7CGeneral%7CNAud%7CTopPerf%7CNMT&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzeSdBhC4ARIsACj36uFr0wPFMqDxkea2NpMcN7nZ0RvgObJ6gpxo5i8k3h2trm8po7PqtksaAqqZEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

You want that to stay on the generator, they definitely won't want to take something that's screaming in the back of their truck