Cable Locks, chains, etc. Do they work?

REPO · Jan 15, 2015

So with reading all the posts about stolen threads I was thinking about how I store my owns sled. I bought one of those cable locks that I can put through several spots in the rear suspension to hopefully keep it from being stolen out of my garage. BUT, has anyone tested these? Are they easy to cut like chain? I mean it's a 1/2" cable, but I presume that any old set of bolt cutters would go right through it? What's best? Just sort of thinking out loud....curious what you guys are using, or may have actually tested.

imdoo'n · Jan 15, 2015

REPO said:
So with reading all the posts about stolen threads I was thinking about how I store my owns sled. I bought one of those cable locks that I can put through several spots in the rear suspension to hopefully keep it from being stolen out of my garage. BUT, has anyone tested these? Are they easy to cut like chain? I mean it's a 1/2" cable, but I presume that any old set of bolt cutters would go right through it? What's best? Just sort of thinking out loud....curious what you guys are using, or may have actually tested.

google it on u-tube, guys cut the master python cables with small bolt cutters, the 5/16cable with pliers!! master locks have good sales hype for the buyer, but easy pickins for thief. Biggest thickest hardest chain, wrapped tight will work better, sched 80 if you can get it, or the largest square link chain you can find, locks are a different story, locks from hardware store, crap tire walmart are next to useless to the organized thief.
internet has made high school kid a master lock picker.

Vance Matheson · Jan 15, 2015

i used theft insurance, in my experience if they want it bad enough it will be gone.

TylerG · Jan 15, 2015

all any lock/chain/security device is going to do is keep the honest people honest...... just like the locks on your trucks/cars/homes.

I've used the cable locks on quads/sleds on the truck deck, padlocks on front & rear superclamps, now I'm shopping for some big thick chains to put thru the rear suspension and around the rear of the deck.

imdoo'n · Jan 15, 2015

TylerG said:
all any lock/chain/security device is going to do is keep the honest people honest...... just like the locks on your trucks/cars/homes.

I've used the cable locks on quads/sleds on the truck deck, padlocks on front & rear superclamps, now I'm shopping for some big thick chains to put thru the rear suspension and around the rear of the deck.

guy on u-tube was using skidder cross bar chain, square link, friggin expensive, no idea if I will hold up to a grinder, but it defeated hacksaws and bolt cutters

TylerG · Jan 15, 2015

imdoo'n said:
guy on u-tube was using skidder cross bar chain, square link, friggin expensive, no idea if I will hold up to a grinder, but it defeated hacksaws and bolt cutters

at least someone would hear a grinder or see the sparks....... what else is a person todo? I mean obviously we're insured, but at what point do we just stop locking our stuff up and say "hey you want it, take it"?

The other thing that surprises me is how many people travel with their keys in their machines..... Mine are NOT in ANY of my machines when I travel.

imdoo'n · Jan 15, 2015

yes, I'm thinking anything that makes noise flashing lights etc would likely work, thieves like privacy. princess auto in red deer was broken into 3 times Monday night, they just hammered lock off.

TylerG · Jan 15, 2015

imdoo'n said:
yes, I'm thinking anything that makes noise flashing lights etc would likely work, thieves like privacy. princess auto in red deer was broken into 3 times Monday night, they just hammered lock off.

when I took my ATV operators course years ago now, the instructor had a siren under the deck of his truck, with a single wire he ran thru the machines and connected back to the circuit, if this circuit was broken, the siren would go off. This would draw attention as it was more of a home style siren instead of the old annoying horn honks and car alarm sounds that 90% of the world ignores now.

imdoo'n · Jan 15, 2015

TylerG said:
when I took my ATV operators course years ago now, the instructor had a siren under the deck of his truck, with a single wire he ran thru the machines and connected back to the circuit, if this circuit was broken, the siren would go off. This would draw attention as it was more of a home style siren instead of the old annoying horn honks and car alarm sounds that 90% of the world ignores now.

yes likely the best bet

TylerG · Jan 15, 2015

imdoo'n said:
yes likely the best bet

or a capacitor charged up and attached to metal parts that they would have to grab to move machine...... shock the sum beaches!

ferniesnow · Jan 15, 2015

Motorcycle shops have great devices. Big honking pad locks with motion sensors and alarms, special chain that bolt cutters can't cut and ordinary grinders apparently can't grind (I didn't try it but maybe I should). I got my stuff at Blackfoot Motorsports and the big honking lock (it has a 5/8" shackle) came from a shop in Montreal. I use this set-up on my deck when I travel and back into my parking space with the window open at night time. That's the best I have figured out.

I find most of the time, out of sight out of mind. I am vulnerable to the thief I drive by on the way home and wants to follow me to see where I live but there is only so much one can doo.

Summitric · Jan 15, 2015

Yup, at least chain or cable and lock 'em down.... If they want 'em, they'll get 'em. A theft deterrent is better than nothing at all.

imdoo'n · Jan 15, 2015

Summitric said:
Yup, at least chain or cable and lock 'em down.... If they want 'em, they'll get 'em. A theft deterrent is better than nothing at all.

A $20 lock will give you $20 worth of protection lol
Better than nothing

Iron Horse Racing · Jan 15, 2015

Sleds are locked to the deck, inside an inclosed trailer, doors locked, trailer locked to the truck, hitch locked, club on the steering wheel and denver boot on the trailer.....I know if they want it bad enough, they'll get past all my security

I use the I have bigger and more locks then the guy next to me, so they take his stuff first approach...

Summitric · Jan 15, 2015

iron horse racing said:
i use the i have bigger and more locks then the guy next to me, so they take his stuff first approach...

so true.....

Dutchman · Jan 15, 2015

Come on you guys, no one has brought up the old cover trick. Put the Doo cover on the Pro and nobody pays attention to it....... :rollinglaugh:

OK, joking aside, when traveling, the hitches / slider have padlocks, superclamp padlock, and heavy chain through suspension. The chain I have is some weird HD and takes a long time to cut. But the padlocks would be a simple bolt cutter. I agree, its just a deterent, but better than nothing.

Steve D · Jan 15, 2015

Buddy of mine found his sled hanging off his deck upside down one morning held up by a bike lock.

So, yeah, depends on how committed the scummy piece of sh!t coward is.

imdoo'n · Jan 16, 2015

TylerG said:
all any lock/chain/security device is going to do is keep the honest people honest...... just like the locks on your trucks/cars/homes.

I've used the cable locks on quads/sleds on the truck deck, padlocks on front & rear superclamps, now I'm shopping for some big thick chains to put thru the rear suspension and around the rear of the deck.

find anything yet?

imdoo'n · Jan 16, 2015

TylerG said:
when I took my ATV operators course years ago now, the instructor had a siren under the deck of his truck, with a single wire he ran thru the machines and connected back to the circuit, if this circuit was broken, the siren would go off. This would draw attention as it was more of a home style siren instead of the old annoying horn honks and car alarm sounds that 90% of the world ignores now.

that might just work, with a baby monitor, you might hear the alarm when it goes off.

TylerG · Jan 16, 2015

imdoo'n said:
find anything yet?

got a PM from adamg last night in regards to ABUS 12ks chains..... look dang tough, going to do some research on them this weekend.

Cable Locks, chains, etc. Do they work?

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