Rosspbig

I am going to be pulling a race car from california to colorado in a couple months on an open trailer, and I want to know what kind of things I can do to help deter theives when I have to stop and rest during the 24 hour drive home.....

I am thinking, hitch coupler lock, heavy chains through the trailer wheels, and cover the race car. I can even chain the race car to the trailer if I need too......Also I was wondering what people do to prevent thieves from stealing their tie down straps? It would kinda suck to walk out in the morning and see your tie downs gone. Any ideas? Any other suggestions for my peace of mind?

Thanks in advance

Kanmer

Are you stopping at motels or sleeping in the truck? When we tow long distance we stop at reputable truckstops that are well lit and populated. Flying J's cater to the motoring public and you can stay in their front lot. Its where we stay but we sleep in the truck. Never had an issue. If you are stopping at motels, park in the well lit area where the clerk can keep an eye on it.

You really shouldn't have much of a problem at rest area along your route. ( I am thinking I-15 to I-70?)

Bob

myles930

Most traveller oriented hotels have cameras watching their lots. To add to my piece of mind, I find a worker that is on the night shift and I tip them to keep an eye on my rig.

brkntrxn

I personally have never had any issues. Like the others suggested, I try to stay at reputable hotels and only stop at decent looking truckstops/gas stations. And I always try to park the truck and trailer in a well-lit area, in view of the front door if possible.


-Kevin

TedDBere

I cover the car, park it in the front of hotels, carry an extra set of tow straps, and sleep in the truck at reststops with the truckers nearby. So far, so good...knock wood.

Z07coupe

We have discussed this before.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...e-trailer.html

1. Northern Tool (and I think Harbor Freight) has solar motion lights and maybe even remote security alarms which would permit you to place the transmitter in (or on) your trailer and the receiver in your room. When triggered they would send an alarm to you.
When hotel security cameras are your only security, they will simply show the bad guys driving away in your truck and towing your racer.

2. When making reservations, get a room looking over the parking lot.

ZR1 MK

My trailer safety chains get pad locked to the car (bolted end to trailer is welded), the Corvette tires get cables through them and pad locked to the trailer and the extra tires on the tire rack have a cable through the center pipe with pad locks on each end. I dont lock the trailer tires, but if I was in an unknown possibly unsafe territory, the trailer tires would get cable locked to the trailer too as you mentioned. If I left the trailer (never did yet), it would get a hitch pad locked to prevent tow away and the tires cable locked. All cable is 3/8" coated with large pad locks.

Theres nothing you can realistically do about the tie downs, but you should have extras anyway and that covers theft issues. My Grand Cherokee and Corvette both have alarms. Both are quality and sensitive enough, that if someone where to try and remove tie downs or do anything else, the alarms would trigger immediately. I always get a room near my trailer within sight.

Theres more at stake than just loosing mostly insured items. A wrecked track weekend with an investment of money and time is worth serious precautions.

Rosspbig

Agreed. I think I am just going to end up bolting everything down with heavy duty chains. Ill probably just sleep in the truck at a rest stop so I should be able to hear anyone messing with the car. Thanks for the replies guys.

0RAAMaudio

All great advice!

My wife wants an Irish Wolf Hound, they are mellow dogs that lay in wait protecting the sheep. I wonder if one would like to have a comfy bed on the trailer with a doggy door into the car?

Rick

johninar

This has always worked for me.

WNeal

I have also always carried an extra set of tie down straps, trailer hitch pin etc.
If you leave it for even 5 minutes at a rest stop etc., check EVERYTHING when you come back before pulling out

Bink

Buy a .45 and carry it with you.

Rosspbig

I figured that was a given. I carry my Glock 9mm with me everywhere.

rws.1

My track tires have steel water wiping that goes through the hub and is padlocked to the racking.
Teh toll obs is bolted to the deck and padlocked. I never thought of chaining the car to the trailer... or worry about the tie downs.
I do have a couple lock and a separate hitch lock if uncoupled.

Z07coupe

One last suggestion.
Whenever I park the trailer & racer overnight, I take several photos of the entire rig. (Including all for corners). In the event that the rig is damaged or stolen overnight, you have dated, digital photo proof of the condition of everything visible at the last time you left it. This along with your hotel receipt and police report, should be all the required proof to be reimbursed by insurance.

C66 Racing

I towed my car around for years on an open trailer. My precautions were limited to these:
- Chose overnight options carefully (good safe locations)
- Attempted to park car in sight of hotel office, and out of sight of main road
- Covered car
- Trailer hitch lock

NASCAR314

No Problems in 11 years of open trailer hauling for me.
Not everyone out there is a thief, or thug!
I'm more concerned about my "tow vehicle", than my race car.
Just use common sense

0C5stein

I've never had any problems when I had an open trailer, but here are a few ideas that some of my customers have used with good results.
Car alarms with motion and proximity sensors on tow vehicle and car on trailer. Wireless infant monitors (radio shack, Walmart...) one on the nightstand and one in the car on trailer. WindowValet for C5 and C6 to roll up the window.

Don't forget to lock your ramps, especially if they are aluminum, they seem to go "Missing" more often than anything else.

Last C5

Don't forget to lock up your ramps. Also, I've found the Indian Casinos are a pretty good place to stay. Big parking lots, good food, reasonable rooms, and usually some pretty good parking lot secuity.