Community Forums

MurphyMan · 03-07-2021, 09:38 AM

It was in a fenced storage lot with a few cameras and an electric gate. They used bolt cutters to get through the fence and hit another two other RVs besides mine.

I will get it replaced. Has anyone installed a catalytic protector to keep the replacement from being lifted. We have the Ford E-450 chassis.

As easy as it is to steal the converter, it looks like this is going to be an on-going problem. Just think of all the times you are away from your rig for just 5 minutes. That's all it takes. https://youtu.be/F3GwjlZCdtQ

TMyers17 · 03-07-2021, 09:55 AM

Sadly, I don't think you can stop it. There is no shortage of thieves and as long as scrap yards pay good money for them, it's easy money. Also, if you put anything in place to deter it, you might just make them mad and they'll vandalize your RV or vehicle costing you more.

Laws have tried to crackdown on the scrap yards by requiring them to get ID from anyone bringing in a converter for scrap.

Down South · 03-07-2021, 10:10 AM

I've been reading numerous threads lately about this problem. The best answers that I've seen in all of the threads was to build some sort of cage around it.

Arch Hoagland · 03-07-2021, 10:21 AM

They just caught a guy here in central California who had $167,000 worth of stolen catalytic converters.

https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/ne...-converters-2/

AZ RV'r · 03-07-2021, 10:25 AM

I had it happen on a work van, after it was stolen the second time I did something about it. They slide underneath with a cordless reciprocating saw and, one cut at each end and they are done. With a quality saw and a new blade it could be way less than 2 minutes.

I went to a welder and we came up with a thick screen, the same kind you see used on trailers on the sides or on the ramp gate on the back. We did a couple of quick coats of red Rustolium from a rattle can and he cut and welded it in place. The screen was welded underneath between the frame rails and ws long enough that if they cut the pipe outside the mesh it would be next to impossible to slide out. We never had a problem again. Im sure it could be done on an RV but additional vertical pieces might have to be added or fabricated.

We did the red as a visual deterrent. The mesh was chosen for two reasons, first obviously cooling and air flow but second its much lighter than a solid plate. If they even started cutting with all those holes in the mesh it would take him a half hour and make a terrible racket.

To answer the question you're probably thinking, "what if I need to replace it?" Well, you are going to have to pay someone to go under there with a grinder and cut it all off. Heres a picture of something like what we used. I would go to a trailer shop or a welder to start..

Good luck!

Alpine36 · 03-07-2021, 10:29 AM

I keep flagging these ads, they keep popping up like a whack a mole. Apparently Facebooks fact checkers are busy with other real world problems.

D20 · 03-07-2021, 10:50 AM

I have been looking a bit to see what is available as a deterrent. I understand nothing will stop them but maybe there is something that could slow them down enough so they decide to go elsewhere to look for an easier target.

https://catclamp.com

https://www.catstrap.net

Gordiegaffer · 03-07-2021, 01:54 PM

try a ground rod into the ground and a hot lead to the RV, electro shock therapy works

RRR · 03-07-2021, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpine36

I keep flagging these ads, they keep popping up like a whack a mole. Apparently Facebooks fact checkers are busy with other real world problems.

Do you think FB cares? Follow the money.

MurphyMan · 03-08-2021, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D20

I have been looking a bit to see what is available as a deterrent. I understand nothing will stop them but maybe there is something that could slow them down enough so they decide to go elsewhere to look for an easier target.

https://catclamp.com

https://www.catstrap.net

D20, is that a one-of protection shield or a store-bought unit? Looks like it would do the trick.

D20 · 03-08-2021, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MurphyMan

D20, is that a one-of protection shield or a store-bought unit? Looks like it would do the trick.

The photo I included is what U-Haul is putting on their trucks. I imagine that U-Haul makes them in-house for their own use.

oilman51 · 03-11-2021, 07:28 PM

We had our catalytic converter stolen last fall. Since then I painted the converter red, put sandbags on the ground around the converter, added a Catstrap, and battery operated motion lights and a camera that records to a micro card. In January at 2:15 in the morning the camera recorded a guy looking under our rig. He looked and left. I credit the precautions I've taken. I showed the recording to the police. They are also interested in who buys the converters.

Mr Lars · 03-11-2021, 07:46 PM

So far no one has taken mine, if they did, I would just slip in a straight pipe. Never have had anybody look under my Motorhome during the yearly inspection. They would never know it was gone.

Isaac-1 · 03-13-2021, 05:20 PM

I store my coach in a metal shed which is located in a field where these guys live (when they are not actively at work a few weeks out of the year) a quarter of a mile behind a locked gate on the family cattle ranch. Overall so far they seem to deter theft, even when they are doing their 80's hair band impersonation.