stolen trailer lights

i think we ALL have HAD to work on "passed off repairs"......God knows i have, and yeah, sub-zero temps are simply wonderful when doing them...

 

Rollover suggested a couple solutions, and since seeing your post, I've given the question some thought...

I first searched for truck lights designed to be theft resistant. They may exist, but I've yet to find them. Then, I thought of using Torx fasteners for any lamps which use screws for attachment. Fewer people carry Torx tips, so this might cause thieves to pass your lights up for easier fare.

However, many lamps are relatively accessible/removable without, or with common tools... If all lights are not replaced with theft resistant models (likely an expensive alternative), what could be done to make YOUR lamps less desireable to thievery, while also being quick and easy to do?

A side interest of mine is building electronics devices for recording studio use. The front panel labels are often engraved into the face, then the engraved depressions are filled with a contrasting color, making them easier to read. With small runs, I've used fingernail polish in the engraved depressions with good results. That lead to the thought of using Glow in the Dark paint in some distinctive pattern on the plastic truck lamps. They DO make GID fingernail polish... I found some at Amazon, and this may work fine for small numbers of lamps.

Clean the lens with alcohol, then paint on the GID polish in whatever pattern you choose (could be a ring around the lens, any number of slashes, circles, spirals... whatever you imagine for your distinctive markings). The polish I saw, although varying colors, ALL glow green in the dark. Red marking would be nearly invisible during daylight but glow green with ambient light after dark. Other colors would stand out more during daylight.

My thought is, a thief may choose to pass up your uniquely marked lights for ones less easily identifiable. However, should they be dumb enough to steal your lights, upon noticing your lights are gone, with a walk though the lot (or, if they've already left, even when you drive into some other lot... down the road), you should easily be able to identify your lamps and able to take appropriate actions.

Critical analysis?

 

I find it hard to believe that somebody low enough to steal your lights would bother to take the time and effort to put the old burned out ones back in the sockets! I had all 4 regular tail lights popped out and stolen once, and they even cut off the plugs too! So I couldn't just put in new plastics, had to wire in the plugs. My current trailer has LEDs that are riveted, nice except they don't melt snow cover.

 

That is a good idea Strider has. Don't get caught stealing the wife's fingernail polish though.

 

Or, you can spend $5.69, including $2.99 shipping for this, and try it:
http://www.amazon.com/Rubies-Costume-Co-Polish-Glowndark/dp/B0042ZY2UI/ref=pd_sbs_a_4

If "Not your color"... , there are assortments to suit...

 

If it helps,be glad your not a flatbedder,I"m thinking of insuring the stuff hanging in the back of truck...

 

Not a driver here, but there's a company called Fastenal that IIRC sells security screws; they require a specific tip to install and remove (included with the kit). Not knowing the types/sizes of the screws needed, that's all I can come up with for you.

 

Whoops, not Fastenal, Bryce fastener, here's the link:

http://www.brycefastener.com/page.asp?homeID=68