Catalytic converter stolen

[UDFlyer]

I found out Sunday that someone had cut through the security fence and stole 6 catalytic converters from various motorhomes in our storage area. The cost to me will be $750 plus the cost of labor to install it. My question: what do you do to safeguard your motorhome while it's in storage? This particular lot has barbed wire and cameras. Apparently these converters are easy to take to a scrapyard and get paid. I wonder if it's realistic to mount a motion detector or trail camera on the unit. My other concern is that these people know that the converters will be replaced and can repeat this down the road. The video from the security cameras shows the two individuals, but of course they were wearing dark clothing and masks. Any ideas would be appreciated!

[Rustic Eagle]

Here's a recent thread on the subject of storage security that may be helpful:

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...lot-67756.html

Bob

[JFlightRisk]

If a thief really wants something, they'll find a way to get it, and may be back to get your new ones too. Welding them isn't a deterrent since the invention of cordless saws. I'm sorry you've been a victim, like so many others have, but the only way to catch them is to guard it yourself, not knowing if or when they'll come back (not feasible), or besides calling the police, notify every scrap yard within 100 miles, and ask them to notify the police if someone tries to scrap some converters. The recycler in our area requires a driver's license to be copied, in order to be paid for them.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

The recycler in our area requires a driver's license to be copied, in order to be paid for them.

Most states do, so obviously the thieves have an underground connection to sell them.

[gprapim]

Originally Posted by UDFlyer

I found out Sunday that someone had cut through the security fence and stole 6 catalytic converters from various motorhomes in our storage area. The cost to me will be $750 plus the cost of labor to install it. My question: what do you do to safeguard your motorhome while it's in storage? This particular lot has barbed wire and cameras. Apparently these converters are easy to take to a scrapyard and get paid. I wonder if it's realistic to mount a motion detector or trail camera on the unit. My other concern is that these people know that the converters will be replaced and can repeat this down the road. The video from the security cameras shows the two individuals, but of course they were wearing dark clothing and masks. Any ideas would be appreciated!

Do you need an annual inspection on your motor home by the State or local authorities in order to renew your license plate? The only reason I ask is because maybe it is not necessary for you to replace it, just to be stolen again. I live in AZ, and do not have to have my vehicles inspected every year because I live in a smaller city with less population and we are exempt for this reason. Just asking. I realize there are smog laws, but enough is enough !!

[norty1]

It is a epidemic around my area. Often you hear of 5 or 6 in one neighborhood in an evening. Also they go into used car lots and have a field day at night.

My grandson had one cut off his car while in a gym.

They arrest them but it's low hanging fruit for crooks.

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by gprapim

Do you need an annual inspection on your motor home by the State or local authorities in order to renew your license plate? The only reason I ask is because maybe it is not necessary for you to replace it, just to be stolen again.

Well... lets hope - Mojave County has been debating the inspection requirement recently... it looks like the folks on the west side of the river have been influencing the council to enact inspections... The reason I choose to get the 5-year renewal now.

[Lake Huron]

$750 plus a little labor is kinda cheap. Wouldnt your insurance cover it? Does a crook strike the same place twice? Not even a dumb one will. So I'd put another one on it and not worry about it.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Lake Huron

$750 plus a little labor is kinda cheap. Wouldnt your insurance cover it? Does a crook strike the same place twice? Not even a dumb one will. So I'd put another one on it and not worry about it.

Easy target, they'll be back. Have a coworker who uses a park and ride, she lost three catalytic converters in one summer parking there. Know a few others that have lost multiple converters while parked in storage lots.

[LuckyDuck]

Barbed wire or cameras won’t stop most determined thieves. But a couple of dobermans or pits would. Maybe talk to the RV yard owner about using a guard dog service? Might be worth the small added monthly cost to you.

[Scoutmaster253]

Catalytic converter use is a necessary expense to maintain a healthy environment. We shouldn't even consider leaving the cat off our vehicles even if our local ordinances are weak on pollution control issues.

Catalytic converter theft is a real issue, and our large vehicles with big catalysts and good ground clearance are easy targets for a thief with a saw-z-all. A short web search turned up several options that might slow a thief down, or cause them to skip the protected vehicle all together:
1) Hardened steel rods or wire rope clamped around the pipe where the thief would like to saw the cat apart. https://www.catstrap.net/ or https://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.co...Converter-Lock
2) Large ventilated panels that are mounted to the frame and reduce or eliminate access to the catalyst area. https://getcatsecurity.com
3) Alarm systems that sound when a catalyst removal is detected.

[16WhiteColly]

Haven’t heard of a stolen catalytic convertor in years, but it hasn’t been on the News, guess it’s still happening. Last I heard, they were cutting them off in the mall parking lot as people were shopping.

[Midnightmoon]

Platinum and Palladium are high on the precious metals markets right now. That seems to be the driving force behind the uptick in converter thefts. Just a few years ago it was copper theft from construction sights when it was up in the market.

[Shokyle1]

On newer vehicles you need your cat in place or you will have a check engine light. Many years ago they had only oxygen sensors upstream of the cats. Now they have them down stream as well.

[muckinfuss]

Noted that nothing is 100%..including dogs if the thieves brought enough steaks...but trail cameras plus this 12 volt solution

https://www.amazon.com/GLW-Waterproo.../dp/B00W4ZMIP4

should keep all but the most ardent of thieves from your unit. They like darkness. This annoys them away from your unit...especially if they see the trail cam since the photos are no longer infrared, but nice, bright and clear.

I know someone who, once bitten, put a cheap dash cam under the body. It detects motion and click, click, click.

[Crossingover]

Originally Posted by gprapim

Do you need an annual inspection on your motor home by the State or local authorities in order to renew your license plate? The only reason I ask is because maybe it is not necessary for you to replace it, just to be stolen again. I live in AZ, and do not have to have my vehicles inspected every year because I live in a smaller city with less population and we are exempt for this reason. Just asking. I realize there are smog laws, but enough is enough !!

How do you propose one do a cat delete on a Seneca so the engine runs ok without one? I have no intention of every doing that since I respect the air quality we all breathe.

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by Crossingover

How do you propose one do a cat delete on a Seneca so the engine runs ok without one? I have no intention of every doing that since I respect the air quality we all breathe.

Does your Seneca have a Catalytic Converter?

[Old and soft]

Then the next question is does it have a o2 sensor downstream of the cat?

[Shokyle1]

Originally Posted by Old and soft

Then the next question is does it have a o2 sensor downstream of the cat?

Yes because if it is older and only one up stream I would not replace it. I would straight pipe it. The extra pollution put out is probably less than the amount they used over in China to mine and process the precious metals to make the new one.

[Crossingover]

How does the cat component interface with the component that uses DEF?