Break-ins through door handles

[smurfslayer]

They are both correct because they are talking about two very different scenarios. There are two distinct classes of thieves out there with two very different objectives - (1) amateur smash (whether it be the glass, the door handle, etc.) and grab thieves looking for a quick score by stealing valuables, and (2) professionals that are there to steal the vehicle. I was the victim of the latter in Houston a few weeks ago. The whole thing was on the hotel's security video. It took them less than 3 minutes. They clipped the horn wire, got the door open (don't know how exactly, that part was hidden in the video, but it took them less than 15 seconds), and then programmed a blank key fob.

Not leaving valuables in the vehicle, especially visible ones, is a no brainer that obviously always applies to both scenarios, and @rfc805 is correct that it will help deter (but not completely prevent) the amateur smash and grab *********. As I've researched this more and more over the past three weeks, I've discovered and firmly believe that @JohnyPython is onto the best solution. You absolutely have to move or secure the horn wire so that the thief can't cut or unplug it. If the scumbag thief (especially the professional that is trying to steal the Raptor) can't operate discretely from the very beginning, in almost all cases, they'll move on. That said, the professionals are getting into the vehicle by hovering, scouting and stealing remote codes, and then later unlocking the vehicle with what the truck believes is from the owner's remote, so in that case the alarm does not sound. That's where the Ravelco comes in. Once they get in and see the Ravelco (or program a blank fob but it won't start because of Ravelco), they are going to move on virtually every single time. Again, if they can't steal it, in silence, in less than 5-7 minutes, they're moving on to another one.

The Jimmi Jammer, passenger door, etc. solutions may be effective in preventing that particular entry point, so they may deter some of the smash and grab punks, but many of them will just pierce the window in a more quiet manner as the poster from San Antonio noted above. These measures will have very little effectiveness on the professional who is there to steal your Raptor in 3 minutes.

My gen2 is no doubt flying all over the Mexico desert mule'ing drugs and being an accessory to cartel crime. My wife jokes that it (my Raptor) really just wants its old life back - sitting clean and pretty in a climate controlled garage 6 days a week.

Man, that’s disheartening, sorry to hear about that.

 

[4wheelinAZ]

Man, that’s disheartening, sorry to hear about that.

Damn Smurf, that sucks. You definitely have me thinking about the revelco. My truck isn’t a daily, so it’s garaged all the time, but for that time I’m parked overnight or something it would be worth it.

 

[cdiddy4224]

No more remote starts with Revelco though, right?

 

[rfc805]

I have a feeling the ravelco is a bit like your treadmill at home.

Thoroughly researched to pick one out, excited and use it every day for the first month, then less and less, until it just sits in there forever, maybe becoming a hanger for something else.

 

[JohnyPython]

I have a feeling the ravelco is a bit like your treadmill at home.

Thoroughly researched to pick one out, excited and use it every day for the first month, then less and less, until it just sits in there forever, maybe becoming a hanger for something else.

I don’t know about that. I habitually use my Ravelco.

My treadmill on the other hand, has 6” of dust on it.

 

[SurfRaptor]

I thought all about this before got my Gen 3 and I can honestly say I’m glad I skipped all the small steps and just got the Ravelco. Besides a tow truck I’m confident it isn’t going anywhere and that’s nice at certain times in certain areas. Use it as much or as little as you want. There are some negatives about the remote start only working when the ravelco unit is plugged in and that’s true but if you have a safe parking spot every night or only need it at “certain times in certain areas” then the $800 total it was for me with tax and extra key works out to $100 per year (8 year 150k warranty holding onto it for 8 years). My friends BMW was just stolen from in front of his own house at 4pm in the afternoon. They were able to just walk right up and take it with a programmed key of some type. I worked too hard to save for this truck and went through a waiting process from hell and then drove it 3500 to CA. If I could get a new one, I’m out features and for sure a few thousand if not more. I’d sure be glad to just replace a door handle or window. Legit clean professional install from the company. Great installer who really knew what he was doing because I’m the type of guy that asked plenty of questions during the install lol

The only other must have imho is window tint. Even if you just got the entire truck done in the clear the ceramic tint is a game changer and makes longer drives and even driving at night much better. A little less visibility with the darker tints but I did the windshield in clear. So worth it also. Just go out and spend the money on both of these items.

I wasn’t a believer in either or the type to spend the extra cash. But a kill switch installed by me wouldn’t have been so complete. I didn’t want elecrronical issues with the truck either since I take it into the middle of nowhere by myself.

 

[Littlefx4]

I thought all about this before got my Gen 3 and I can honestly say I’m glad I skipped all the small steps and just got the Ravelco. Besides a tow truck I’m confident it isn’t going anywhere and that’s nice at certain times in certain areas. Use it as much or as little as you want. There are some negatives about the remote start only working when the ravelco unit is plugged in and that’s true but if you have a safe parking spot every night or only need it at “certain times in certain areas” then the $800 total it was for me with tax and extra key works out to $100 per year (8 year 150k warranty holding onto it for 8 years). My friends BMW was just stolen from in front of his own house at 4pm in the afternoon. They were able to just walk right up and take it with a programmed key of some type. I worked too hard to save for this truck and went through a waiting process from hell and then drove it 3500 to CA. If I could get a new one, I’m out features and for sure a few thousand if not more. I’d sure be glad to just replace a door handle or window. Legit clean professional install from the company. Great installer who really knew what he was doing because I’m the type of guy that asked plenty of questions during the install lol

The only other must have imho is window tint. Even if you just got the entire truck done in the clear the ceramic tint is a game changer and makes longer drives and even driving at night much better. A little less visibility with the darker tints but I did the windshield in clear. So worth it also. Just go out and spend the money on both of these items.

I wasn’t a believer in either or the type to spend the extra cash. But a kill switch installed by me wouldn’t have been so complete. I didn’t want elecrronical issues with the truck either since I take it into the middle of nowhere by myself.

Mind posting a few pics of your install?

 

[SurfRaptor]

View attachment 379251

 

[KCHawkeye02]

Love the Ravelco idea. May get that

 

[SurfRaptor]

Love the Ravelco idea. May get that

Ravelco and Window Tint are musts on these trucks.