Can anyone tell me about options for tool trailer/jobsite security alarms? I have
been thinking about the “Tattle Tale” system. Are there any other systems I
should be aware of? The “Inter Trak” I know of and don’t think that I need
the GPS feature. I have a job coming up that is a remote subdivision and I think
the time is right to invest in something.
The price for the “Tattle Tale” system will be about $1500 up front and $30/month for monitoring costs. This is probably a fair price for what it does, but it still seems a little high to me. Any other choices and lower costs.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
This centuries-old paint offers vapor-permeabiity, maintainability, and longevity with zero VOCs, but know its limitations before you get to work.
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
seriousness aside, a large hungry pit bull chained to the trailer
what exactly is the tattle tail system, what does it do, and how does it work?
The Tattle Tale is a motion sensor which is able to call out via cell phone when it goes off. It also has "loop" and other accessories that allow it to cover a very large area, 2000' or so. A loop is like an electronic bike lock that triggers the alarm. This is a crude description of what it is, but it gives the idea of it. My problem is the cost and monthly fee to the monitoring company which is about 30/mo. Overall it sounds like just what we need but I am a little bit reluctant to spend the 1200-1500 for it. If you want to check it out go to http://www.tattletalealarm.com
Another good point is that you buy the equipment and own it.
John
I'm also thinking about a cheap radio shack alarm. Magnetic switch with a 30 second delay that goes off soon after the door is opened.Ditch
I would be apprehensive to leave thousands of dollars worth of tools in a trailer you can pull behind your truck, no matter how well you anchor it down, if someone wants it, they can get. I like the earlier suggestion or renting one of those large metal trailer type units that can not be lifted with out a forklift and a good lock, maybe put the time delay alarm on that.
I'm also thinking about a cheap radio shack alarm. Magnetic switch with a 30 second delay that goes off soon after the door is opened."
And then what?
90% of the time my trailer is parked in a customers driveway or on a residential street. Then what? I hope it makes enough noise to scare the __sholes away. Same as a car alarm.Ditch
i hate to say it but i generally ignore car alarms. I generally find them annoying going off at slightest non intrusive bump or some kids loud stereo with boom boom speakers. I think the original poster said this was in a newer subdivision with little houses. Doesnt sound like any alarm would deter crime only annoy the burglars
Bill,
I'm with you...I generally ignore car alarms..... in parking lots. An alarm blasting away at 2 in the morning in your driveway or in front of your house would be a different story. The alarm I'm refering to would only switch on once the actual ramp door is opened, and only after 3 locks have been cut. Unloading a trailer with an alarm sounding in a residential neighborhood at 2 in the morning? Most thieves' won't take that much risk.Ditch
lets say the police were called due to the alarm. By the time they got there, all your good stuff was grabbed. Thieves know what brings the best money at the pawn err stolen goods store. They will grab your CMS/SCMS your nailers and drills in less then 3 mins. They are long gone by the time the law comes to help fill out a theft report that they can really do nothing about unless they pull the theives over on some traffic violation. And if they do catch your tools most likely they will be evidence and you wont get them back right away costing you even more money. Its a total crock of crap. All that happened was that annoying alarm that the neighbors will complain about the next day :(
Hey Bill, Ya keep takin' me away from my saw!! HaHa -Gotta' love havin' a CPU in the shop.
I'm not trying to invent a fail safe to thieves, just looking for the best deterents. I've worked in enough developments to know that thieves always look for the easiest takes. Usually the guy who was tired and forgot to put something away, like a ladder or compressor. Most crooks of this magnitude won't work very hard, they're not jewell or art thieves. My 3 locks (Chrome Moly of some sort) will probobly be enough of a deterent, the alarm if it ever goes off may scare them off. If all else fails, I've got more than enough insurance.
Ditch
Try the BMW approach. A smoke maker is set off when the alarm is tripped, yea its a bit 007 but I like it, fills the vehicle and if you can't see it you can't steal it!
Go to the farm store and get an electric fence charger. set the jack on a rubber or plactic mud flap and wire that sucker up . get the strongest one that you can get . maybe wrap the trailer with a round or two of electric fence wire so it has to be cut to open the door . That should wake up the low lifes .
I've been thinking about your post and have been able to come up with everything except for the delay switch. Where would you get a 30 second delay? I think this could be a very cheap and effective alarm system.
Jon Blakemore
> Where would you get a 30 second delay?
In the olden days, we would have used a 555 IC timer. I think I must have a tube or two of them in storage, and you can probably still get them from Radio Shack, along with the spec sheet and some sample schematics.
-- J.S.
Ken,
I installed the alarm over the weekend, and it works well. All you need is some wire, a toggle, normally open magnetic switch from Radio Shack, and a siren. When the cap door (I'm doing this on my truck) is opened, it chirps very loudly. All for about $20.
Jon Blakemore
Did Radio Shack hook you up with a delay? Did you hide the toggle well?Ditch
I didn't worry about the delay. The toggle is on the under-side of the dash about where my right knee would hit if I slid forward.
Jon Blakemore
i got a gorilla lock on the hitch.....about $40....covers the ball receiver
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I also have the same lock on my hitch, as well as 2 wheel locks. My major concern is break-in of the trailer itself. I would like to hook up an alarm as well as something like a Lojack GPS....but cost...
A buddy has a sticker on his trailer: "Nothing in this trailer is worth your life!!" and: "Thieves; please carry I.D. so next of kin can be notified."Ditch
your best bet is to take it home with you when youre done each day. trailers at a site? might as well leave it unlocked with a sign that says, no one is watching you take what you want.
If you have to leave it on-site. investigate those rental agencies that deal in cargo containers and/or small semi-tractor trailers for temporary storage.
A box knife in the hands of a burglar will open up all but thick claded steel trailers.
I've always thought that when I get an enclosed trailer, I would lock the hitch and get four chocks and string a cable through them so #1 you're trailer won't roll away on you and #2 it won't be easy to roll away.
As another poster said, break-in is more what I would worry about.