Stolen Av's

fyabug · May 9, 2004

What is it about the Av or Chey truck's that make so easy to steal. I live in Windsor, Ontario CANADA and were I work 10 people own Av's and in the last Month 2 have been stolen

??

m02redl · May 9, 2004

i have read 2 accounts over the last 2 weeks where the av was stolen buy people obtaining a key from copying the vin# and having a key cut. COVER YOUR VIN # on the dash

Cisco04 · May 9, 2004

wildfire said:
i have read 2 accounts over the last 2 weeks where the av was stolen buy people obtaining a key from copying the vin# and having a key cut. COVER YOUR VIN # on the dash

That's good info to know wildfire....This may sound like a dumb question, but is it legal to cover the vin number? I really didn't notice my exposed vin number until I saw it at the bottom of my windshield.

Rahn · May 9, 2004

I covered mine when I got it, worry if it's legal later, would be minor violation compared to violation of being stolen

ditch · May 9, 2004

My dealer told me No, No, don't worry about it no one could get a key made.

I told them B.S. I'm keeping it covered anyways...

m02redl · May 9, 2004

cisco, good question, unfortunatly i didnt even bother to check. i have a black dash mat and just took a piece of black felt and covered it. easy enough to remove if anyone needs to see. the only times i can remember anyone needing to see it was the dealer for service or at a smog check station. you might want to check local laws as im sure they vary by state, but i'm keeping mine covered until someone questions it for my peace of mind

Cisco04 · May 9, 2004

Thanks guys...I'll cover mine up first thing in the morning

danlwil · May 9, 2004

mine are covered with CAFCNA cards

aetatis · May 9, 2004

If you are worried about someone stealing your
truck I would look into something else than
just a piece of paper over the vin.

Do you have onstar? You might want to look
into a car alarm of some sort. If they really want
the truck they can still steal it but with some
things you can get a discount on insurance..

With onstar they can actually track the vehicle.
We had a Suburban 2004 stolen around where
I live and they recovered it in 40 minutes!

Aetatis.

I CHNGE · May 9, 2004

aetatis said:
If you are worried about someone stealing your
truck I would look into something else than
just a piece of paper over the vin....
Aetatis.

Aetatis....
I respect what you have to say alot...but I differ with you here...Too many Avs ARE being stolen with a key made from
the VIN #...I totally agree with the rest of what you said but some members are not in a position to spend big bucks on a security system...and covering your VIN # is an EXCELLANT FREE MOD that offers a SERIOUS measure of protection...
I have had mine covered since day 1 and will continue to do so at all costs...

Anyway by my count I have 4 security measures on my Av...
1) Covered VIN #
2) Factory alarm and passlock systems
3) Onstar...as a recovery system it is good...but the draw backs are that if the antenna is disabled and/or the battery is disconnected...it's useless...and most thieves know this...
although your excellant example of recovery helps with thieves that are "stupid idiots"...
4) I'm not talking about this one (for obvious reasons) but even a seasoned thief would likely give up on my Av...

Victory Red · May 9, 2004

Ditch said:
My dealer told me No, No, don't worry about it no one could get a key made.

I told them B.S. I'm keeping it covered anyways...

Your right, the dealer is BS. I've had a key made at the dealer with the VIN only. They did copy my drivers license, but no proof it was my vehicle. A GM service dept employee could make a key for any GM car they want. Think about that.

pdxkevin · May 10, 2004

It is easy to cover the vin. Did it on the way off the dealer lot.

midlifecrisis · May 11, 2004

Is the VIN located anywhere else that's recoverable?

OviedoAV · May 11, 2004

It's in more than one place. But the one on the dash is the one they could see to copy.

sbutch6969 · May 11, 2004

OviedoAV said:
It's in more than one place. But the one on the dash is the one they could see to copy.

Unless they break into your vehicle to look at the VIN on the door, glovebox, etc. But if they break in, you will know about it.

I too learned about this inexpensive mod on the news a couple days ago. I just threw a business card over it and all is good. I think that the only time it needs to be exposed is when you are renewing your inspection sticker.

Keepin it safe is the name of the game.

SB

Joe Pollick · May 11, 2004

When I brought my Avalanche to work for the first time, one of the guys here at my office told me a story about Avalanche's being stolen.

He has a friend that works in the international business community and often needs to visit Europe. For whatever reason he crosses the border into Canada to fly overseas. The first time he did so with his new Av, he came back after a week long trip......and it had been stolen. The insurance company paid the claim and the guy bought another Av.

Six months later he went back to Europe, via Canada, and upon his return......yep, the second one was stolen too. The guy bought his third Avalanche and his insurance company actually put a rider on his policy that they are not responsible for theft if he leaves it in Canada while he travels.

I would suspect Yakmar but I don't believe the two missing Av's were SOM. >:D

Joe Pollick

manny · May 11, 2004

fyatrk said:
What is it about the Av or Chey truck's that make so easy to steal. I live in Windsor, Ontario CANADA and were I work 10 people own Av's and in the last Month 2 have been stolen??

I need to move to Canada and get a job where you work then.

djheywood · May 11, 2004

Well, I can tell you that in California, it would be a violation of law to cover the VIN on purpose. It is used as verification when there is a question of false license plates, etc.

With that said, I see VIN's all the time that are covered, and there isn't really anything we do about it. It's not that big a deal. I did not know it was that easy to make a key with the VIN, I will definitely be covering mine. Worst scenario it would be a minor 'fix-it' ticket, but I don't know anyone who would actually write that.

Hope that helps. Keep in mind each states vehicle code laws differ, although California's are some of the strictest.

karlmd · Jul 7, 2004

Do any of our fine members that are LEOs in NY (I never knew what an LEO was until I joined here!) know if it's a violation to cover up your VIN on the registration sticker? I read about the VIN number mod and was going to do it soon after getting my lovely orange beast until I noticed that my registration sticker in the window has the VIN printed right on it so even if I cover my VIN plate, the number is still in plain view.

Any help would be appreciated.

Tubbyslanche · Jul 7, 2004

fyatrk said:
What is it about the Av or Chey truck's that make so easy to steal. I live in Windsor, Ontario CANADA and were I work 10 people own Av's and in the last Month 2 have been stolen??

YAK must be Stocking Up parts for Next Years GTG @ Niagra >:D

pdxkevin · Jul 7, 2004

The only place the VIN is exposed to the public when the doors are closed is up on the dash. I have a piece of cloth pushed up there covering it.

We went in to the DEQ this past Monday to get our air quality cert. and new tags for the AV. The guy working there simply pushed it to the side and scanned the numbers into the computer. Never said a word about it being an issue or not if they were covered.

One thing I thought was disturbing was they no longer put the test stick in the exhaust tube and ran the engine at a set RMP. They plugged in to the AV under the dash and downloaded the info. If they want to start charging hwy tax per mile it would be very easy to get the info this way. :8:

Durwin · Jul 7, 2004

Good Morning all,
I live in California and keep the VIN of my Avalanche covered at all times. California's vehicle code may be one of the strictest, but hardly any of it is enforced. The CHP and local law enforcement are overwelmed.

I would rather get a small "fix it" violation from Ponch and John than to have my Av stolen. Vehicle theft is not reguarded as a serious crime here in California.

Blue_03 · Jul 7, 2004

I would keep your VIN covered, and in addition to a good alarm - spend another $35 on Some of these Jimmi Jammers

Let them move on to easier prey.

bonedog · Jul 7, 2004

Just to clarify for the faint of heart about the VIN covering. As long as the VIN plate is still there and can be acessed upon request from an officer there is NOTHING to worry about.
Basically it goes like this with the officer.. he or she understands about the key thing..it common among all makes.. if there is a question he or she has with the vehicle and asks you to see the VIN just lift the business card or whatever you have covering it. We are not taking about perminant coverings.. I know a few guys in my chapter that just used a piece of business card with some black marker on it, when asked to see the VIN it just gets moved.

I put my shoulder patch over it.. 2 reasons A)covers the VIN B) Lets fellow LEOs know >:D

Hope this helps and takes the worries away.

Bonedog

FLINTaVa · Jul 7, 2004

OviedoAV said:
It's in more than one place. But the one on the dash is the one they could see to copy.

pdxkevin said:
The only place the VIN is exposed to the public when the doors are closed is up on the dash.

Are you guys forgetting it's on the frame under passenger side and also inside the driver door jamb ? Anyone can read the one on the frame with the vehical locked. Mine's painted out as I undercoated it, the Niagara Falls dash plaque covers the dash one and looks good too. I didn't stick it down, easy to move.