Trailer Security

[Patriot]

4 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

Really, just buy a Proven Lock for your hitch and fuggedaboutit.

As @ScubaRx says, invest in the Proven Industries lock and go camping. If you pull into a CG that just does not feel right, rely on your gut or sixth sense move on. 48 days out west last fall and we never had a concern about our Oliver being stolen. Certainly wise to be really careful where you boondock as well. Leaving your Oliver unattended in a remote location is certainly a more welcome invite to a thief. Have the best insurance you can buy. 

Just a note, the search engine on this forum is just well….ok at best. If you have a subject you really want to dive into try and google it first. This approach will likely get you to the topic on this forum much faster. Many questions you may have will likely have been covered already and if you can’t locate them through a google search ask away on here or take deep dive in Oliver University. Oliver goes to great lengths to provide DIY videos and manuals.

Welcome to the community and go enjoy your Oliver! 

Here is a quick link to a Proven Industries lock.  - https://www.provenlocks.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=623644265&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoP_FBhDFARIsANPG24P24V7cZluGHT9hqzS1qag2vawvTXC7gbReb0s4vqcAJnJaBvIhm9saAmYsEALw_wcB

Edited September 10 by Patriot

[Ronbrink]

On 8/23/2016 at 12:43 PM, Try2Relax said:

One thing you might add to your list is a Delorme Spot Trace, this you can mount under and AC shroud and either run it on the batteries installed, replace monthly or work to hardwire a 12v source up there. You can set it up so that as soon as your trailer moves you are sent a ping and can then track it movements. There is an annual contract, but it runs on GPS and has coverage basically everywhere.

No recent mention of the many tracking devices used and recommended by Oliver owners in this forum. Not to highlight the referenced tracker in the above 2016 post, but rather bring attention to the fact that GPS trackers are readily available and a useful tool in the event of theft. 

Edited September 10 by Ronbrink

[Pat Radack]

Thanks...I'll try to limit my dumb questions...Never owned a truck, never owned an RV...KInd of overwhelming...

[jd1923]

3 minutes ago, Pat Radack said:

Thanks...I'll try to limit my dumb questions...Never owned a truck, never owned an RV...Kind of overwhelming...

Reason to ask more questions! There's no such thing as a dumb question (what I tell my students daily in project management training).

Many members here want to help. All questions are good and you've already shown you search the forum first, ask good questions, and have quickly added a proper signature.

To operate trucks, tow vehicles effectively, and towing trailers requires a wealth of knowledge! What can we help you with! 😂 

[Ronbrink]

7 hours ago, Pat Radack said:

Thanks...I'll try to limit my dumb questions...Never owned a truck, never owned an RV...KInd of overwhelming...

You’ve got a really good truck and RV, so well equipped to overcome any anxiety! Ease into your adventures and you will soon gain confidence while enjoying the RVing experience! 

[Steph and Dud B]

On 9/10/2025 at 8:03 AM, Ronbrink said:

many tracking devices used and recommended by Oliver owners in this forum

I've seen some solar powered ones that don't need a power source.

[Patriot]

On 9/10/2025 at 9:57 PM, Pat Radack said:

Thanks...I'll try to limit my dumb questions...Never owned a truck, never owned an RV...KInd of overwhelming...

@Pat Radack 

We all started somewhere with regard to learning and towing our Ollies around the country. You can ask away and we will glad help you out. Not sure if you use social media such as F/B? Oliver has a great Oliver Owners FB page as which also a wealth of information. We still use our checklist when we set up and break camp and my bride and copilot truly is my second set of eyes!👀 

Pro tip - Never be in a hurry when settling up or breaking camp and packing up. Take your time and it will become second nature.

 

We are on the road right now headed to the Great North Woods! Enjoy that Oliver and go camping! 🍁

Patriot🇺🇸

Edited September 13 by Patriot

[Steph and Dud B]

4 hours ago, Patriot said:

Never be in a hurry when settling up or breaking camp and packing up. Take your time and it will become second nature.

Make a checklist, like a pilot, and stick to it. Failure to follow my own list has led to a could of expensive mistakes over the years.

[Patriot]

On 8/23/2016 at 12:43 PM, JMSpoff said:

Have any of you employed other types of security measures, or does anyone think they are necessary? 

@JMSpoff I still use air tags not as much for a security measure, but a recovery/tracking device. I have one buried deep in my Honda 3200i generator, TV and of course our Oliver. I replace the 2032 batteries yearly. See the attached link. I think I have only read about one theft of an Oliver Elite 1 during my time on this forum and the Oliver FB page. It was recovered pretty quickly from what I recall. 

 

[Mountainman198]

The Collar, ABUS lock with 2” de-shanked hitch ball locked in the jaw. If leaving for extended period, will remove safety chains. If they want it, they will find a way to take it, merely deterring honest and lazy thieves is the goal. Buddy had SOB trailer stolen from his drive by thief merely wrapping safety chains around hitch and dragging it off, sparks flying down the road. 

[Geronimo John]

On 9/9/2025 at 4:14 PM, jd1923 said:

Wow, never seen a post after the phrase, “9 years later!” That’s almost as old as our old hull.

I am impressed that Pat Radack took the  time to search the archives and then posted.  Well done Sir!  And  welcome to the family.

On 9/9/2025 at 4:14 PM, jd1923 said:

Yep, good news is there’s not a black market for Oliver parts, given we are a small tight-knit community. I promise you thieves would target Winnebago and the other big names. I’ve never seen “Parting an Oliver” on Craig’s!

Maybe not Craig's list, but I am aware of two OTT's that were destroyed and totaled.  They went somewhere and likely were parted out.  But your point is well taken.

When I'm worried about where I've parked our Ollie, I remove the fuse to the front jack after I have lowered the tongue all the way down.  Then I put a locking collar on the hitch, and pull the safety chaines up to the front box and padlock them there.  

Possible Future Enhancements:

But I'm thinking of a couple of hidden game cameras and several of the anti-theft tracker disks.  Maybe post a sign that there are 8 of them in/on the trailer even if there is only two. 

But I would like to learn about the trackers with battery back-up.  

Maybe a motion sensor that would put 50,000 volts to the hitch to take out the theft tow vehicle electrical system.  Oh, June says that  would also take out our Ollie electrical.  Ok maybe a mortar from the propane tank  to disable their TV?  Ok maybe this is overkill.  Besides the above suggested Claymore mine would be more effective.  

I guess the WiFi trackers is the way to go.  But that's another thread already!  I bet Pat could  track it down and revive it.   Surely there have been technical updates over the years.  

Edited December 15 by Geronimo John
typo