joispoi
Senior Member
I had a visit last night from an aspiring fuel thief. Not only was the fuel cap on the truck dangling from its chain, the thief cut and stole the flimsy wire fence I was using as a gate. In order to at least make it look like I'm not extending an open invitation to the general public, I picked up a couple of 2m high temporary fence panels and used them to make a quick and dirty gate. It's not how I wanted to spend my Sunday afternoon, but I guess you don't get to choose when you get robbed.
If the guy got any fuel it couldn't have been much. I make it a point to fill the truck in the morning and only put in enough to get through the day. I think I coasted in on fumes the last time I parked the truck. Fuel theft is a common problem here and I figured it was a question of when, not if. I don't have a locking fuel cap- there are thieves that will puncture the tank to get to the fuel.
Fencing isn't the best solution because they simply snip the wires. The last fence installed wasn't up for a week before it was cut in 3 different places.
I'm thinking about coiled barbed wire, but that's a problem with weeds and briars. A livestock electric fence might be an option, but unless it's set up in a way that it's difficult to cut, it would be pretty easy to defeat. I've considered rigging an air horn to sound if tension is lost on a wire- probably not a popular option with the neighbors.
Motion activated flood lights and a cctv system would make me sleep better as well. If anybody has input on a simple cctv system with 1 or 2 cameras that they use and like, please share. Ideally, I would want something that stores footage for a week or two and then records over it.
When the thief steals your gate, it's probably a good sign that it's time to get more proactive about security.
Any input or ideas?
If the guy got any fuel it couldn't have been much. I make it a point to fill the truck in the morning and only put in enough to get through the day. I think I coasted in on fumes the last time I parked the truck. Fuel theft is a common problem here and I figured it was a question of when, not if. I don't have a locking fuel cap- there are thieves that will puncture the tank to get to the fuel.
Fencing isn't the best solution because they simply snip the wires. The last fence installed wasn't up for a week before it was cut in 3 different places.
I'm thinking about coiled barbed wire, but that's a problem with weeds and briars. A livestock electric fence might be an option, but unless it's set up in a way that it's difficult to cut, it would be pretty easy to defeat. I've considered rigging an air horn to sound if tension is lost on a wire- probably not a popular option with the neighbors.
Motion activated flood lights and a cctv system would make me sleep better as well. If anybody has input on a simple cctv system with 1 or 2 cameras that they use and like, please share. Ideally, I would want something that stores footage for a week or two and then records over it.
When the thief steals your gate, it's probably a good sign that it's time to get more proactive about security.
Any input or ideas?