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Well, Mar-E, my new-to-me F-150 got violated. Someone cut the cable to the spare and ~ well you know the rest. Already put wheel locks on so someone else doesn't make off with my nice chrome rims and have a new rim, tire & spare lock on order to be put on next week. I also leave the tailgate locked because people make off with those also (it's even in the owners manual!).

May last 3 vehicles have all had the spare underneath and this is the first one stolen. There goes a nice little chunk of change that was going towards getting a TT.

Any thing else I should do as a preventative for anything else on Mar-E. I've already asked for really bad karma to hit the person who swiped the tire.

We had the spare tire (cut cable) stolen from one of our trucks, somewhere between Oregon and Louisiana. It was a brand new truck, we bought it and went to Oregon to move Ronnie's grandmother down here. We didn't even notice it was missing until we got back and my brother noticed that we didn't have a spare. Figured it happened at one of the hotel parking lots. After that, we just put a big logging chain around the new spare in the bed of the truck.

how horrible, I just hate thieves. Many years ago when I had a pick up I had heard about the tail gate thing back then and just took mine off. At that time, (about 20 years ago) it cost $300 at the salvage yard to buy a not so new tailgate, and thats why they steal them.

Cheryl, you seem to have handled your loss much better than I with my solar panel! So sorry, though.
Sandi

That sucks. I hate thieves. Hopefully your insurance is helping?

Thanks for the chain idea Vicki - I might do the overkill fix (spare lock and cable cover as well as a chain).

Trust me Sandi - I did not really take it well. Definitely got my Irish up if you know what I mean.

Not sure about the insurance yet Beth - going to call my agent tomorrow. Would be nice if I can get a little something back.

Thought of this today - Mar-E also came with a vinyl tonneau cover that I keep open to help with aerodynamics (wind-drag on the tailgate), but think I'll now keep it rolled up, just so some jerk doesn't slice it to see that I don't have anything underneath. I'll roll it up only when on a long trip / drive. Have to keep my step I pre-bought for a rig (wishful thinking) in the truck now so I can get in the bed.

You know the saying 'if I didn't have bad luck I'd have no luck'? Guess I've just learned to go with the flow sometimes.

Sandi,
What did your insurance company say about the solar panels ?

Cheryl, That is really a bummer...
Sandi, where are you! Happy to see you posting again. lyn

BayouLady wrote:Sandi,
What did your insurance company say about the solar panels ?

I ended up telling the insurance I thought the panel blew off. I really have no idea whether it blew off or was stolen. If stolen, I'd have to file a police report which I don't have. So they're sending someone on Tues. to video and then I guess they'll tell me what's next. I'd like to have it fixed in Quartzsite where I had it installed but am worried whether they can put one on so it'll stay. I don't know where else to go. If I do go back to Solar Bill's, I will ask them to cover the deductible.
Sandi

SoCalGalcas wrote:Cheryl, That is really a bummer...
Sandi, where are you! Happy to see you posting again. lyn

Hi Lyn, I made it home. Still upset about the solar. Makes me so mad. But, the first half of my trip was wonderful. I definitely had a hard time with Midwest weather. I don't think I could ever get used to beautiful sunny weather followed 15 minutes later by a raging thunderstorm and pouring rain. Guess I'm too used to beautiful, predictable California weather. It's all part, however, of seeing this great country.
Sandi

In my opinion thieves and vandals don't deserve to live.

Thought I'd pass this along for any other truck owners, but you may know this already:

Found a tailgate lock http://www.masterlock.com/product_details/TruckBedSecurity_No.8253DATTailgateLock/8253DAT# 2 week delivery at minimum. Looks like all the stores around me are sold out.

Also found some quick fixes that may have to do until I can get it installed are a zip tie or pipe clamps

UPDATE

Karma is a wonderful thing! They caught the guy who stole my spare - a heroin addict stealing only F-150 tires in my work's suburb and the surrounding ones and get this ~ caught in the act stealing a tire from an off duty cop's truck

Comprehensive portion of insurance is covering the tire, rim etc so only need to do the minor deductible amount

Maybe my luck is changing - now where's that lottery ticket

Great news! I'm glad they caught him.