Best way to stop a thief from towing your Jeep?

[wibornz]

We travel a lot and often park in hotel and motel lots. Is there anything that you do to make ulyour jeep harder to tow away?

I park between two vehicles, nose in first. Turn the wheels to full lock one direction, put the transfer case in 4low. This makes it very difficult to get it out of the parking spot and difficult to tow. Not saying these obstacles can’t be worked around, just saying it make the process way more difficult.

What strategies do you use to make your Jeep harder to be stolen?

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[rcadden]

I know it's not always an option, but I try to book hotels in more populated areas, higher quality locations, etc.

I try to also always park as close to the front door as possible, or under a street light, well-lit areas, etc. Make'em do it in the daylight if I can, so to speak.

Also try to park in a place that would be hard to get a tow truck into - curves, turns, etc.

At the end of the day, if they want to steal it, they're going to.

 

[Vinman]

You have most of the parking bases covered. I would also add a tracking device hidden in the Jeep. Apple Air Tag? No experience with them but I hear they work good.

 

[Philly_]

Take all the wheels/tires off and leave the Jeep on jack stands.

In all honestly, you’ve already thought of more than I could have come up with on my own.

Curious to see what ideas others have.

 

[GATORB8]

Just to throw some stuff out there.

Would 4LO increase the tire leverage on the transmission parking pawl, making it more likely to damage the internals than 4 hi without significant increase in difficulty?

From the 4WD/AWD tows I've seen (or 2wd backed in), they'll literally drag the truck out with the tires skidding. If it's in 2wd, they'll swap sides for the tow, in 4wd, they'll throw rollers under the other side.

 

[Megawatt]

1st floor room. Park in front of room. Not theft proof but better to see for police report description.

 

[Beasty]

Is this really happening? I guess maybe if its a 392 but I don't see or hear often of Jeeps being stolen let alone towed by thieves. Just surprising to me.

 

[GATORB8]

Just to throw some stuff out there.

Would 4LO increase the tire leverage on the transmission parking pawl, making it more likely to damage the internals than 4 hi without significant increase in difficulty?

From the 4WD/AWD tows I've seen (or 2wd backed in), they'll literally drag the truck out with the tires skidding. If it's in 2wd, they'll swap sides for the tow, in 4wd, they'll throw rollers under the other side.

To expand a little. Would it be better to go full lock in 2WD? That way they wouldn’t be able to just skid it out, they’d have to roll it into the neighboring car.

 

[1Evil55]

Tie a big, angry, hungry dog to the steering wheel.

 

[rcadden]

Another thought is to air down at night. Make it look less enticing.

 

[GATORB8]

Is this really happening? I guess maybe if its a 392 but I don't see or hear often of Jeeps being stolen let alone towed by thieves. Just surprising to me.

OP is a big traveler for wheeling all over the country. I’d guess it’s less about it getting stolen and more about making sure they don’t get stranded in the middle of nowhere.

 

[GATORB8]

Tie a big, angry, hungry dog to the steering wheel.

That just adds PETA to the list of potential burglars.

 

[mnjeeper]

OP is a big traveler for wheeling all over the country. I’d guess it’s less about it getting stolen and more about making sure they don’t get stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Same thought. For him, it could wreck a three month trip. For me, worst case is I ride bitch for a week...so it's not a huge thought for me.

 

[Sparty]

Is this really happening? I guess maybe if its a 392 but I don't see or hear often of Jeeps being stolen let alone towed by thieves. Just surprising to me.

It is - and there are numerous instances in hotel parking lots. In this current time period the news tends not to report problems like these

It's a mess out there. Along with the OPs comments, I try to find a very well lit area in a very good part of town. No hotels in seedy areas. I don't need my Jeep stolen and I don't need to be assaulted

 

[Opus]

When I picked up my Jeep from the dealer in November they helped me set up the Jeep app on my phone, but they also set up a program called Theft Patrol. Does anybody else have this? One of the features is that you can always see the location of your Jeep and you can set up a Geofence around it. Basically it's a prescribed perimeter and if the Jeep leaves that perimeter you get a message and you can call 911 and track where it goes. Obviously it won't stop somebody from stealing the Jeep but it might help recover it afterward.

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