MTFCA Forum

Looking for ideas for locking down my “ C “ cab while on a tour, when vehicle is parked in hotel parking lot overnight & loading on trailer isn’t an option. Thanks for your help!!

Remove the ignition key. Hardly no one knows how to start or operate a Ford to steal it

Then get a large blue tarp and bungee cords. Cover from the hood to over the rear of the pickup bed. Prevents tampering, hood lifting or sticky fingers on the pickup bed contents.

Finally, park in solo space surrounded on one side and front or rear to an obstacle, to reduce likelihood of removal of your TT, and chain an axle with lock to that obstacle, lamp pole, etc. Of course a nicer lodging in a nicer part of town helps.

A cover is a great deterrent. You can buy a fitted cover designed for a small pickup that would probably work. I bought one from Henry's Car covers that fits both my 1952 M38A1 Jeep and my 1917 Touring. Easy to install, it has elastic around the bottom and I use plastic clamps to attach it to the running board and fenders. If you're really concerned about someone rolling your T away you can run a cable thru a wheel to some part of the body. I also prefer to park under streetlamps but like Dan says, be a little choosy when you pick where to stop.

BTW - I worry more about someone stealing trinkets like a motometer or something of that nature....another reason a cover is good...they can't see what you've got (and it keeps your seats dry!)

Dean Yoder has it figured out. He sleeps in his truck.

Nobody that knows how to drive a model T is inclined to steal one. The biggest risk is theft of things like the key or radiator cap. Get a car cover and use it.

Dean Yoder has it figured out. He sleeps in his truck.

This is how I spent a rainy night in Auburn. Not long after I took this picture I was snug in my "tent" when I heard somebody messing with my trunk lid. I yelled "HEY!" and an apologetic voice said, "I didn't know anybody was here." I guess it's OK to get into people's stuff if they aren't there.

If your parking overnight at a hotel or motel park it in the LIGHT somewhere with a chain attached to the rear axle. Will that always work against theft? Not always but its the best start to protect it. And of course remove any easy removal items that souvenir collectors would grab!
I can remember here in Texas that people have enclosed trailers with locks on the doors only to find out the next morning the whole trailer is gone along with the chain that was used to secure it to the building handrails.

Not too worried about theft, but I have to chase off the scrap dealers. I do pull the key in places I think warrents it.

Sound is best thing to deter theft, install a battery operated motion sensor in the cab of the T, or in the trailer and if anyone other than the owner opens the door or gets inside a loud alarm will sound, running the intruder off. I did this with a house that I was restoring that I was unable to lock as I was replacing the doors, windows and siding. I got a motion sensor that had an alarm that sounded like a vicious dog. I mounted the motion sensor on the wall that covered the interior (the interior walls were also open) and stuck the speaker under the house so it sounded like a big guard dog was under the house. The house was that way for several months and I never had a theft or trespasser. Jim Patrick

Disconnect the battery. No one would know how to crank start on mag.

We used a highly effective deterrent during deployment. Those who dared,
only did so once.

What needs to be remember is that locks are to keep honest people honest. The pros will get your stuff no matter what you do. I'd stick with the chain and cover.

A kill switch somewhere hidden helps as well, don’t forget to remove the key to it as well.

Nunsio1 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 08, 2021 8:48 am

Looking for ideas for locking down my “ C “ cab while on a tour, when vehicle is parked in hotel parking lot overnight & loading on trailer isn’t an option. Thanks for your help!!5DAEF5CC-0B54-45A0-9D9C-D9B417AB3E13.jpeg

The best thing to do on a tour with several vehicles
traveling together that are staying at the same motel
is to “ circle the wagons “ around vehicle(s) that are
not being trailered with those that are.

Take turns sleeping out in the parking lot
on a cot to stand guard for everyone’s safety.


FJ

I am apparently an unusually trusting or unusually lucky soul. I have no idea how many Model T tours I have participated in, but they have been in a dozen or so different states. Each night of each tour, I have parked on the hotel parking lot with the other 20-50 cars on the tour, turned off the gas, pocketed the key and gone either straight to my room or to the restaurant or bar (if there was a gathering there). The next morning, everyone wandered out to the parking lot after breakfast, chatted for a while and set out on the day's tour route.

When we go on a tour, I noticed a lot of people leave their keys in the ignition.
The only folks around that know how to drive it are in attendance.
One older gentleman had an issue with his car that was going to take hours to fix.
He figured the car was done and would load it up in the morning, he left his key in.
A few guys on the tour worked on his car and got it running like new all the while he was sleeping up stairs.
Got to love this hobby!
They were able to take it for a test drive and fine tune the fix, because he left the key.
The gentleman came down was about to load it. We told him to take it for a test drive.
He finished the tour with out any more issues.
They guys that worked on the car said that they finished about 4 am and was able to get a couple of hours of sleep.
The selflessness of this hobby is unbelievable.
All the parts and time needed where donated.
Seeing the gratitude was worth it all.

In short. I don't leave anything in the touring, and I take the key.