ravelco anti-theft device

[suzy]

everyone agrees that professional thieves can get around any anti-theft device but, that being said, does anyone have any comments about the ravelco anti-theft device?

here is some information:

http://www.nohotwire.com/faqs.html

[seattle_Jerry]

I really think the best anti-theft device for our cars is a switch that disables any one of the components that are always keeping us from starting our cars. Its an intricate system that the average thief and most of us are clueless about.

The quote below is from the ravelco website qouting some car theft experts in California (http://www.nohotwire.com/news/news_008.html)


"Folck said homemade antitheft systems that cut off power to a key mechanical system often cause thieves more trouble than a factory device because they are so unpredictable in design. But even if a homemade or factory electronic system does work perfectly, it will not necessarily protect a vehicle.

Some theft teams use casters to elevate a car off its wheels and then roll it onto a flatbed tow truck."

[benzportland]

I've wondered in the past, for those who have to park their cars outside overnight, if a wheel boot would be a practical solution to the tow-away problem?  I am thinking it would at least make a bunch of noise if someone tried to tow.

[seattle_Jerry]

I don't know what the casters they use look like...but I would think an obscenely rough/uneven parking surface (cobble stone) would make them hard to use. I'm just thinking of what a pain it is to move a rolling tool box, fridge or piano.

I'd like to see a rube goldberg alarm contraption involving a cat and a raccoon. They seem to be the loudest things around when paired together.

I think a silent alarm that alerts you is best so you can call police. The alarm on my work van is useless. Too many people have the same one and are having false alarms all the time. I don't know if its mine or someone elses going off. The stereo shops set them up way too sensitive.

[Richard Madison]

Caster unit is a metal platform or plate welded to a frame with four small wheels, one on each corner. The caster unit is just large enough to fit a tire on the base plate. Four caster units are used to move a car.

They are used in New York City by construction and paving companies to move a car out of harm's way when repaving a street, for example.

The front or rear of the car is lifted and a caster unit is slid under each wheel. A car on four casters can be pushed by one strong person.

It can be difficult to push a castered car over a rough surface. We don't have dirt roads and cobble stone streets are not common in Manhattan but a nice size pothole can bring the move to a halt.

Richard M, NYC

[waltklatt]

What about the best advice they said in addition to the Ravelco device?
That was turning the wheels to the extreme left or right and then I suppose engage the steering lock once the key is removed.
Think that was the original intent of the designers when they invented the steering wheel lock.
But I do know those can be defeated by snapping them loose, dont ask how I know.
Walter
1967 220SL-diesel

[seattle_Jerry]

The article from the auto theft experts quoted on the website contradicted the turning the wheels advice. You can easily snap the lock or just put the turned wheels on casters.

Was the original purpose of the steering lock anti-theft or to keep the steering locked into a full turn position in case the car rolls forward while parked?

If it were for security, they could have easily made it not so easy to break.

I feel like the ravelco could be defeated with a multimeter.

If you don't want the car to start just ground the wire that goes to the points through the distributor. It did a pretty good job of keeping mine from starting.