Maintenance & Restoration

Bruce H · 03-01-2021, 03:48 PM

I would want to catch the thieves.

CarlD · 03-01-2021, 03:56 PM

I want to catch the thieves also, but only if the cops are with me!

ThomasC · 03-02-2021, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasC

I like this idea. I have to get into my fans anyway to do that mod that Slim Potatohead had in one of his videos. It is a fan speed controller.

Well let me try to post that video again. It is the second mod in the video. I have already purchased the two controllers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAgk2NCjH_Y&t=503s

Darwin Maring · 03-03-2021, 04:09 PM

Tie a Long Chain to the rear bumper and hide it underneath. As the thief goes down the road it will uncoil, drag and create many sparks and sooner or later a cop will pull them over.

AC0GV · 03-03-2021, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darwin Maring

Tie a Long Chain to the rear bumper and hide it underneath. As the thief goes down the road it will uncoil, drag and create many sparks and sooner or later a cop will pull them over.

Then when the chain pulls tight the back bumper and license plate of the thief will be left behind.

computerspook · 03-04-2021, 07:39 AM

I run APRS for my scamp. But that is as much as anything being a nerd. I also run that in my SUV. Use the open tracker stuff for both. I now have a dedicated computer mounted in my scamp with a mounted TV/computer monitor. Will be rigging that up on of these days so it can operate a APRS display screen when I want it to.

jgilliam1955 · 03-15-2021, 01:49 PM

I had a GPSANDFLEET GPS for 2 years. No fee. But it was $279. It was OK. But no real-time tracking. It sent out a signal twice a day or 4 times an hour. ( But this wore down the battery. ) The battery was supposed to last 3 years but at 2 years the GPS stopped working last week.
I just replaced it with Optimus GPS 3.0. The battery will last a month. It will let you know when it needs charging. No contract & it is $19 a month. You cancel anytime. It uses Google maps. It does the same stuff everyone else does. It shows you in real-time. It will go to sleep until it moves or goes out of the GEO-Fence. The GPS itself was $39. The other Optimus GPS is 2.0 and it comes with a case.
I do not know why more folks do not use a GPS for their Campers.

gordon2 · 03-15-2021, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgilliam1955

...It uses Google maps.....

Care to guess how many times Google Maps API's have broken some applications? Don't ask me because I don't know.. but I do know that more than a few apps and sites that I have used have no longer interfaced with Google Maps at one time or another.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgilliam1955

I do not know why more folks do not use a GPS for their Campers.

Perhaps because, like me, they don't take their campers where the risk of theft is so great. Seriously, if I had to so frequently have my camper in an area where I was sweating the risk of theft enough to subscribe to a tracking service, then I would just stay home.

jgilliam1955 · 03-15-2021, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordon2

Care to guess how many times Google Maps API's have broken some applications? Don't ask me because I don't know.. but I do know that more than a few apps and sites that I have used have no longer interfaced with Google Maps at one time or another.
That explains why they also have their own map.

Perhaps because, like me, they don't take their campers where the risk of theft is so great. Seriously, if I had to so frequently have my camper in an area where I was sweating the risk of theft enough to subscribe to a tracking service, then I would just stay home.

As a former police officer, there is no safe place. Very few people expect to be a victim.

funkgun · 03-16-2021, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Adams

Kenneth, I just ordered mine with the 12 volt pigtail. If I don't like how the case looks in terms of disguise, I will see about disguising it using the case from another piece of equipment. I'm thinking about making it look like a power supply for something else.

Maybe remove the cover of a smoke detector. put it in plain site. =D

jgilliam1955 · 03-16-2021, 04:48 AM

I am thinking about placing the GPS on the roof of my Casita. I can glue a metal plate on the roof & place the GPS on that. Who would look on the roof for a GPS?

AC0GV · 03-16-2021, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgilliam1955

I am thinking about placing the GPS on the roof of my Casita. I can glue a metal plate on the roof & place the GPS on that. Who would look on the roof for a GPS?

I would not use a metal plate, it may affect the radio signal. How about inside the A/C cover?? Good high location and it is in plastic. Be sure to get the instructions out of the RV so the thief will not find them and get tipped off that there may be a tracker.

jgilliam1955 · 03-16-2021, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC0GV

I would not use a metal plate, it may affect the radio signal. How about inside the A/C cover?? Good high location and it is in plastic. Be sure to get the instructions out of the RV so the thief will not find them and get tipped off that there may be a tracker.

Good idea. I'll check it out.

Darwin Maring · 03-16-2021, 05:33 PM

B 4 I would install a GPS Tracker, I would get the correct insurance that would replace the RV when it is stolen. Ordinary auto insurance may not do that. My insurance is through the GoodSam club that does insure Campers the right way.

Jon in AZ · 03-17-2021, 11:42 AM

Not sure what you mean by “the right way.” Do you mean a full replacement policy, which is only available for new RVs?

Ordinary policies offered through many common auto carriers are RV policies, but they will only cover the actual cash value at time of loss. They typically offer to settle for NADA value, which is usually far below market. You do not have to accept the offer and many people have gotten a better settlement by providing comps.

The other type of policy available for older-but-valuable RVs is an agreed value policy, which typically requires an appraisal (at your expense).

The best choice depends on the age and condition of the RV, as well as your tolerance for risk. Full replacement and agreed value coverage are not available through all carriers, so you might have to do some shopping around.

Insurance is not required for a trailer, as liability extends from the tow vehicle. RV insurance on a towable covers collision and comprehensive damages (including theft).

The OP has (I believe) a custom-built Lil Snoozy. That rules out full replacement and might make agreed value tricky, too. I think some insurers accept receipts as proof of value, but that won't cover the time invested. Having put that much labor into a project, I can understand focusing on theft prevention and recovery.

Natalie21 · 06-02-2021, 02:38 AM

I have bought Garmin 760LMT Portable GPS Navigator. Fantastic. We traveled all across Canada, and all across the US, and this really helped our journey. I really like the voice command feature, and the way it finds the nearest gas station. Only issue (for me) is that I have not yet figrued out how to save preferred routes.

zack sc · 07-30-2021, 05:01 PM

Insurance only gives you money. It is not easy to buy a replacement Scamp. There is a 2 year wait for new Scamps; our travel trailers may be worth a lot more than we paid for them.

zack sc · 07-30-2021, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC0GV

I just noticed that they are on sale!!
https://shop.trak-4.com/

I just ordered a Trak-4 12v GPS Tracker with Wiring Harness. Is that the right one? Thanks a lot Kenneth and everyone. Your comments here are very helpful and appreciated!