Now that the stolen T has been luckily recovered, I am wondering if anyone has any experience with GPS devices for a trailer. Brands? Features? Costs? How would you keep one charged up when a trailer just sits and is not connected to the tow vehicle power? Etc.
A 12V solar panel should keep it charged as for cost depends on what you want to pay. More expensive units can even engage the trailer brakes when activated and start the clearance lights flashing.
I just did a quick search and found a few real time vehicle trackers on Amazon.
At least one has 80 hour battery backup.
I would think that a motorcycle or kids electric vehicle battery would be easy to hide and provide a long time.
Install the gps in your T where you probably already have a bat power source
The problem with installing it on the T is it would affect the originality of the car. I like the idea of it on the trailer though.
Yeh, that GPS suction cup on the windshield irreversibly destroys the originality of a Model T..
Paint is the great destroyer of originality, and not so easily reversed.
What suction cups?
If you install a GPS/GPRS device, it should be hidden. Only the cell phone and GPS antenna need exposure. That would be easy to do on a trailer by hiding them under a faux vent. If you travel with your T in a trailer a lot, these are a cheap security item. Less than $50 for the device and about $40 a year for the phone number.
If you set the alarm and the trailer moves, the device can call your smart phone and give a warning. If you call its number it give its location to within a few meters on Google Maps.
Here's an example:
http://www.amazon.com/AFUNTA-Vehicle-Anti-theft-Realtime-Tracking/dp/B00KVCTHK6/ ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t
Hey I thought we were talking about GPS locating device like companies use on their trucks to make sure employees don't go topless bars? Those are mounted under the car out of sight.
Just think if you had a marker in your trailer and didn't recover it quick enough, Your beloved T may be long gone by the time you find the trailer. Now that would be a shame after all the precaution.
I'd put mine under my T.
And if the T is in an aluminum trailer, you'll never find it since the GPS tracking would be unusable. I mentioned the trailer because of the other thread where the entire vehicle and trailer were taken. Many transport their Ts in a trailer and spend the night in motels. Notification of the trailer moving is almost instantaneous. They can be set up to apply electric trailer brakes, sound an alarm and flash lights. With a little creative wiring, they could also kill the ignition on the towing vehicle.
Presumably, if the T is out of the trailer, you're in it.
But the devices are reasonable enough to put them on both. You just need to be aware that the antennas need signal access. They're easy enough to hide behind headliners or in cloth tops though.
Just remember if it depends on cell phone service the thieves know the dead spots.
It is a much better idea than leaving it all up to the cops.
Stealing is getting so common around here the cops are not writing reports. People are loosing more ways than 1 because without a report, you have trouble with insurance.Do everything you can afford to do to protect your stuff yourself.
50 years ago Chicago figured out how to reduce crime year over year: report fewer crimes. It has since spread everywhere.
I will be adding one to my car hauler shortly.
I'm a firm believer that if the "pros" want it, they will find a way to nab it, but if we can slow the fly by night crooks down a little bit, then it is worth it.
Most trailers have a small battery for the emergency brake. Might be a source to power the locator/alarm.
On the theory that crooks are basically too lazy to work for an honest living I always chain both wheels on each side of my trailer over night even if the car is attached. I also put a reminder on the dash board just in case!