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hello , i plan a 3000 mile road trip in may 2020 using my 1939 chevy flatbed truck . i am asking for ideas about security from theft . i have door and hood locks , locking gas caps , battery cut off switch , fuel transfer switch . plan parking in well lit areas at hotels , no nite driving . how is road trips been for other owners with classic or old vehicles ?

thank you 1pete1

Pete, you could stop by here if you wish. Sounds like you have theft covered, could also remove the coil wire, too. Biggest problem that worries me, too, is if you have a breakdown and have to leave it. Another good reason to keep us up to date on here.

Ed

I'd consider removing the rotor. What thief going to have one of those? Maybe a coil wire, but a rotor?

Hide one of those bluetooth chips on your truck so you can track it with your phone.....but call the cops if you find them.

I'll tell you my trick and its basically free. It's related to a couple of ideas above: a fake coil wire... grab some 1/4" or 5/16" vacuum hose (whichever matches the diameter of your coil wire) and superglue some scrap boots on the end (ones that also match your real coil wire or at least fit over the coil and center distributor post). When you leave the truck, pocket your genuine coil wire and install the fake one. A pretty thorough look under the hood, or even popping the distributor cap off, will not show anything obvious is missing. The truck won't start with the fake, obviously, and a thief won't likely have time to run through a troubleshooting checklist - assuming he knew what to do in that regard in the first place. Good luck on your trip - sounds like fun!

Provided that you choose decent locations to stay, I wouldn't be overly concerned with security. A new Camry would be a much more likely to be stolen than your truck. How many people even know how to drive a non-synchronized manual transmission? For such a long trip, issues like fuel availability between stops and spare parts would be a bigger concern. Sounds like an interesting journey.

Let us know your route and we can set up a Stovebolt rescue team.
If you'll be passing thru mid Missouri, I'll PM you my cell number and if you have any issues, maybe I can help.
Or just meet up for a meal or coffee.

Don

I have traveled from the Rio Grande to Minnesota and made a lap of the USA in my 37 Buick and it doesn't even have a key. The ignition is a flip switch on the steering column and I don't know if the doors or trunk will lock. If someone stole it what would they do with it other than selling it for scrap to buy dope. They couldn't find the battery, 90% can't drive a stick shift, especially a floor shift 3 speed, has no radio, not one in a thousand knows how to engage the starter, parts off a straight eight don't have a hot market, and finally it would take the cops nanoseconds to spot it. I park it at theaters, malls, sporting events and the only problem is one has to allow extra time to answer all the questions from onlookers. I think you are fretting a non-problem.

[img]https://i.postimg.cc/s1WGQTfN/Deep-snow-011.jpg[/img]

When staying at motels/hotels ask to park within view of the desk staff. That’s usually where the best lighting is. Don’t accept a room on the backside or in a far dark corner , thinking out of sight out of mind. That’s exactly where the dope heads hang out. Fake Coil wire is an old school trick that will fool 100% of the car thieves out there today. Do not leave anything of value inside your truck. Thieves will look before they break windows or take the time to mess with unlocking the door. Good luck with your trip and have fun.

1Pete1, Sounds like you have a good handle on securing your truck. I've driven my '51 on two trips (app 1,400 miles each) and have not had any issues with tampering or vandals. The biggest concern has been rude thoughtless folks parking too close. Of course with a flat bed the opportunity for door ding damage is less than with a standard truck. What I've done if unable to park in a safe area (from too close vehicles) is ask the front desk if I could park right in front of the office. Never turned down since most appreciate old vehicles.

Good Luck with the trip and PICTURES, we need pictures man!

added in edit: Shoot, guess I should finish typing a reply before getting another cup of coffee! Ditto what Martin said.

RonR

For a determined thief there is nothing you can do. For the casual thief, a stick shift might be enough also a floor emergency brake lever. The lighted area and out front is a good idea. I have gone to Kansas City for the last 9 years in my 1954 3100 and I have pulled the coil wire slightly, I have installed an alarm system that I found only last a few minutes and is a parasitic draw on the battery.

I like the idea of putting a gps tracker on your vehicle. I just did a search and they are inexpensive. If someone does manage to figure out how to get away with your ride you can find it.

Pulling the rotor button was my go-to...before I updated to HEI

Personally, what would worry me more is someone pulling up with a flatbed trailer and a winch. That would be a super easy way to steal a stovebolt. A GPS tracker, parking in well-lit lots with cameras close to the front desk, and a quick dis-able of the ignition system sounds like a good combo to me.

Could you rig up a second ignition switch in a hidden place, that when switched off would disable cranking?

I'm with Evan. Your potential for problems is pretty small. Who could even get your truck started and moving in the first place? Maybe some old geezer like me, and what would I do with it after I stole it.

@RonR First time I had my newly painted Model A pickup at a grocery, I was standing there talking with an admirer and some air-headed lady smacks the fender with her door. I yelled at her, but there wasn't much that could be done about the paint chip in the fender.

Gentlemen, please stay on topic. Thanks

I suggest the GPS tracker.
I just put two guys in jail (Soon to be prison)
They stole a 1938 truck...
Then returned and stole a 1965 Mustang .
Both using a car carrier trailer!
I put a GPS tracker in the Mustang hoping to lead me to the 1938 truck...
They stole the Mustang and I tracked them 40 miles away.
I did recover the truck, mustang, and a Harley!
GPS works Great..
Todd
****Different companies offer a variety of trackers.
The one I use has a Geo-Fence I can set up ( if it moves outside the said Geo-fence) you get an alert on your phone & Email. I usually set up a 100' fence. They are dead accurate. (The Mustang was within 20' of the GPS on the Suspect's property)..the 38' truck was 50' from the Mustang I put GPS under the dash!!

Any suggestions about a specific GPS tracker? Do they make them to signal you if the truck is moved 10 feet or do you have to get up, see no truck and start tracing it?

How about using "The Club" on your steering wheel? Is that device not considered effective?

Read Shaffer's1950's post just above yours, the part about the geo-fence.

With old steering wheels and the leverage the club provides, it is only a visual deterrent.

You might look at FIN

www.finditnowusa.com

A very popular GPS security tracking system.

Tile and Cube are very small units.