Aftermarket burglar alarms

[Axekicker]

Time to add an aftermarket burglar alarm to the truck. Which one's are you guys happy with... and which ones to stay away from?

 

[Axekicker]

Kick-in-the-pants

Wow. So... . I'm the only one concerned with having my truck stolen. I went to a show at the convention center recently and an out-of-town couple driving a heavily-optioned F350 parked several spaces away from mine, came out with our group after the show and 'she' let out a scream of '... . NO... . NO... No... No... . NO!!!!' #@$%! when they came to their empty parking space. She left her purse in the truck... they had all their 'stuff' for the trip in the back of the truck. Gone... . all of it... for lack of a burglar-alarm. Surely I'm not the only one on the board worried about about this scenario with our trucks?



A little help here guys! Don't be bashful. I want an alarm that will kill the Cummins if someone tries to drive it off. Not sure if the regular passenger car alarms will work with our Cummins... and I'm just as sure someone out there, in our community of 'Dodge-Brothers', has already found which one's work and which one's don't. Help? TIA... ... .....

 

[Dutch & Di]

Hey Axekicker,
I can't help you but we are looking too so we are "watching" your thread. We have had an aftermarket on our 96 since 1996 but it is starting to not work here and there so we are "looking" to replace it.
If we hear of something or find anything, we will definitely post it here. Di

 

[Axekicker]

Hey Axekicker,

I can't help you but we are looking too so we are "watching" your thread... . If we hear of something or find anything, we will definitely post it here. Di

Many thanks... I've searched through the 'forum' but find very little on the subject. We'll be patient and someone(s) will come to our rescue!!! :-laf

 

[seafish]

OK... instaed of an alram, why not a device that will actually prevent your truck from being driven away instaed of letting you know (maybe) that someone is trying to steal it!!

MANY people on TDR have installed a hidden "mystery" switch which keeps the truck from being started or even hotwired. Do a search for "mystery switch" to read about it.

ALSO do a search on "ravelco" which is the routre I chose.
The Ravelco "plug" switch also disables the starting circuit on your truck and for all prctical purposes CANNOT be hotwired. The comapney claims to NEVER have had a car or truck stolen.

NEITHER a mystery switch or a Ravleco plug will keep your truck from being towed off by a flatbed truck or trailer (which apparently some thieves prefer), however commonsense parking tips including curbing the wheels will easily prevent that approach to theft as well.

 

[Mark31]

If you want a burglar alarm that screams and hollers when the truck is molested, I can't help you. If you want an anti theft device, get a Ravelco. Like Seafish said, if the rogue doesn't use a rollback or trailer, your ride is staying put. It's pricey, but it helps us have a good night's rest when we travel. I think I read maybe here on TDR that some dealers down near the border are installing them on their lots because of thefts that go across the border.

 

[Axekicker]

Theft-proof is good....Ravelco eh?

ALSO do a search on "ravelco" which is the routre I chose. The Ravelco "plug" switch also disables the starting circuit on your truck and for all prctical purposes CANNOT be hotwired. The company claims to NEVER have had a car or truck stolen.

Good idea seafish. Forgot about Ravelco. Did you do your own install? We don't have any approved Ravelco shops in Nevada. If I went that route, I'd have to do the install myself.



Glenn... ... ... ... ... ...

 

[seafish]

Axekicker, I had a Ravelco dist in Menlo Park, CA do the install.
He put the plug right where I wanted it (on the knee panel below the light switch) and did a good clean install. It is expensive, but IMHO worth the good nights of sleep when I travel to the city.

I DON"T know if they will even let you install yourself, but a quick call to Ravelco would answer the question.

 

[CDonaldson]

I have the factory alarm, it works, makes noise, but most people ignore a vehicle with the alarm system going off . . so, if you are not within ear shot . . your truck could be gone.



I went the RAVELCO route, def works at disabling the ignition and a couple other things. I would rec it to everyone. I have one in my Miata, jeep Wrangler, and my Bobcat . .



They are easy to install, takes about an hour or so. You can buy it direct from Ravelco if you do not have a dealer in your area.







CD

 

[goodguys75]

Good idea seafish. Forgot about Ravelco. Did you do your own install? We don't have any approved Ravelco shops in Nevada. If I went that route, I'd have to do the install myself.



Glenn... ... ... ... ... ...

get the revelco... I got about 3 done in a day... . you purchase it. . and when they have a few customers lined up they will come out to you... no additional cost... bought mine and they came out like 2 weeks later... . get the revelco... nothing else works as well... I sleep much better at night because of it. . no joke

 

[goodguys75]

also had a friend buy it off ebay... but I would rather they do it, because they will back it up if your truck ever gets stolen... just dont be lazy and leave it in the truck... ... sometimes I have to force myself to get it and think how if i did not, my truck would be gone for sure... lol

 

[JCJohnson]

I have an Avital security system it works well. Pickup sound in the truck too, so don't leave your cell phone on buzz inside with it on or it will let you know. It also has remote start. Model 5300 I believe.

 

[goodguys75]

I have an Avital security system it works well. Pickup sound in the truck too, so don't leave your cell phone on buzz inside with it on or it will let you know. It also has remote start. Model 5300 I believe.

works well dont cut it... . they can still take your truck... with the revelco, no one is getting your truck... they can still break in, but your truck will still be there... . I never leave my truck anywhere that they would have that much time to take a lot of the stuff... and in my house I have a camera, pointing at the truck... . No im not a paranoid person... just want to keep my truck:-laf

 

[seafish]

I was curious about the ebay Ravelco sales and while looking into it, found this from Ravelco--



Apparently, none of the ebay sellers are authourized Ravelco distributors, which means you get NO support from ravelco if you need it, not even for extra plugs. FURTHERMORE, the switch you get from eBay may well be an older, substandard style Ravelco that has been recalled.



Of course, maybe Ravelco is saying all this to make more sales themselves, but in my limited experience, and AFAIK, they are a reputable company that has an excellent customer service record.



Here is the link with the warning--



Ravelco - eBay Beware Page

 

[goodguys75]

I was curious about the ebay Ravelco sales and while looking into it, found this from Ravelco--



Apparently, none of the ebay sellers are authourized Ravelco distributors, which means you get NO support from ravelco if you need it, not even for extra plugs. FURTHERMORE, the switch you get from eBay may well be an older, substandard style Ravelco that has been recalled.



Of course, maybe Ravelco is saying all this to make more sales themselves, but in my limited experience, and AFAIK, they are a reputable company that has an excellent customer service record.



Here is the link with the warning--



Ravelco - eBay Beware Page

some do this so they can install themselves... . but why would you when you get no support from revelco... . maybe if you install on like a motorcycle or sandrail, and stuff like that... . if mine gets stolen, and i can provide two plugs. . they take care of me... that simple

 

[seafish]

I don't mind paying for high quality products with solid customer support.
I also do NOT like supporting rip-off artists or fraudsters.
I had my Ravelco installed by an authorized distributor.

NOT saying there would be anything wrong with a DIY install IF Ravelco would sell you one legitimately.

Just my . 02

 

[JCJohnson]

A concealed weapons permit as back up.

 

[Axekicker]

Now, the work begins....

(edited for brevity)... I went the RAVELCO route... works at disabling the ignition and a couple other things. CD

Thanks to all who responded. I'm going the 'multiple-layers-of-safety' route. 1) an alarm on the truck that activates a 'fob' on my keychain to let me know if someone is 'fiddling' with my truck and 2) a 'Ravelco' device to disable the Cummins and immobilize the truck so it can't be driven away. That should work when I'm away from home. At home I've got noisy-dogs... . a shotgun & a backhoe and aerial recon (jets & drones from Nellis AFB fly over my place 24/7) .



Until I save enough 'coin' for my Ravelco... . does anyone have a 'kill-switch' diagram or can point to me to one on this website... or at least point me to 'THE' wire to cut into for the switch. I've seen 'references' to a kill-switch on TDR but can't actually find it. I could use a KS until I can afford the Ravelco device.



Thanks for all the input guys. TDR is the best.



Glenn in La$ Vega$... ... ... ... .....

 

[JCJohnson]

You could always buy the battery connects with the thumb screw and remove the thumb screws when you want it immovable.

 

[Axekicker]

You could always buy the battery connects with the thumb screw and remove the thumb screws when you want it immovable.

True... we used to do that in the old-days. I had an under-hood knife-switch that worked great on my '69 ford pick-up. But today... . with all our current-sipping full-time electronics... disconnect your batteries and you'll be reprogramming everything when you hook it back up.