RAVELCO THREAD

[TRXBankheist]

@TRXBankheist I hope this comes across as friendly debate and not me trying to pick an internet fight with you.

My experience is digging around under the hood of my buddies car looking for where the Ravelco was connected, finding a couple connections but knowing it had more, and giving up because it wasn't that important to us to remove it (there were other things needing fixed). But, what I got from that experience was an understanding of how it works. I understand what the guys in the video were doing, because I started down that path. The video is plausible. There's no brain to the Ravelco. The fob just completes a bunch of circuits. When you get yours installed, watch the install and talk to the installer. You'll also then understand. If you've experience with circuits, you'll understand how it can be defeated with a multimeter.

There seems to be an internet lore that Ravelco is super secure. So my point is, like all the security options we've discussed on this forum, Ravelco can be defeated (even the trunk monkey can be defeated - hint, bananas). It's a deterrent that'll thwart most thieves, and that's the best we can hope for.

Fair view

 

[BlueTRX]

Thank you for the warm welcome.
Just as a follow up, Tom488 answered my question exactly how I was hoping and I’m confident this is the way I will be protecting my truck when I get it.

I appreciate this community and it’s members for all the shared knowledge base regarding this truck we all love.

What specs did you go with? Level, color?
Were you able to go with a big dealership/ones most here are getting their rides the quickest? It seems shortages are getting worse. Read an article yesterday Ford will stop some production lines due to some shortages. The F150 was one of the mentioned vehicles. Things are getting out of hand

 

[jonny_pockets]

Say Hi to Chuck and Megan for me... tell 'em Tom with the red TRX said "hey". Chuck got a kick out of the fact that so many of us on the forum kind of "know" each other.

Yea chuck was talking about you to me like we know each other how he was by u the day before lol. Too bad your shop wasn’t available for them to install it on my truck cause I know they were cold out there, I felt bad.

 

[BlueTRX]

Say Hi to Chuck and Megan for me... tell 'em Tom with the red TRX said "hey". Chuck got a kick out of the fact that so many of us on the forum kind of "know" each other.

They're here now. Chuck said "hi" to you as well. Said your garage is insane to say the least. Those two work hard and shared with me their work schedule for the next few days along how many units they've installed in the northeast in 2022.
I asked him if I could later post here some of the info as many have inquired or are trying to size up how many of these systems are being installed. Obviously public info not related to the system itself wil be shared

Most were TRX/Trackhawks with some Raptors, Tractors and even nuclear plant trucks.

Here on Long Island there are TRXs everywhere. I just saw 2 going to get coffee this am. I have a few buddies out east with TRXs and while talking to them noticed none knew about the theft problem. Chuck was saying they are insanely busy and with the recent theft rise things are definitely getting out of hand. Good for business but way too busy with traveling around
Chuck shared their January Installs

 

[Johnkn]

Chuck and Megan work hard to make us happy, sometimes in tough conditions. I know they appreciate a gratuity for a job well done...


.

 

[BlueTRX]

Chuck and Megan work hard to make us happy, sometimes in tough conditions. I know they appreciate a gratuity for a job well done...


.

I took good care of them. Weather didnt help at all but they worked like it didn't matter.
I was intrigued with the amount of work that goes in installing this thing. They both worked non stop for about 2+ hours.
Installed mine hidden and my truck is now at a shop getting a shock sensor installed.
If my shit gets stolen all I can say is I tried. I know I won't settle for a Raptor if that happens, so I pray you fellas wont ever find my ass on the waiting/delayed order threads of this forum in the future.

Chuck and Megan posed for a pic. A sharp hardworking couple. Thanks for hooking my ride up!

 

[Meatball1]

Something doesn’t add up though. Think about it. 5,000,000 units sold. They’ve been in business for 45 years. That’s 111,111 units a year. 2,136 units a week. An installer can only do 3-4 a day, max. So let’s say an installer can do 17.5/week on average. That would mean they have had 122 installers working consistently for 45 years. They only have one guy for the whole state of Tennessee (and he also covers a couple of other states).

A huge portion of that is fleet vehicles. I know they had contracts in the 90s with aaa and a ton of other large companies. I feel like most of the sales were early in the companies life and they have just been hanging on.

 

[Johnkn]

A huge portion of that is fleet vehicles. I know they had contracts in the 90s with aaa and a ton of other large companies. I feel like most of the sales were early in the companies life and they have just been hanging on.

Plus a significant percentage of their sales are OCONUS


.

 

[ronnie]

My install is tomorrow and so far Sam (Samantha) has been spot on with communication. For ease of use and theft deterrent/prevention reasons, I really am thinking about mounting that ugly thing right here:

View attachment 32155
It might keep them from tearing shit up more...or it might have the opposite effect and they tear the dash up entirely .
The installer will have better info, so we will see mañana.

That is where I had mine installed. Usually insert it before I get in.

 

[ChemLab]

That is where I had mine installed. Usually insert it before I get in.

Who performed your install?

 

[Redeyecrazy]

There may be more than one, but Bret is the guy who is responding as the “southeast” installer in Nashville (a couple have used him already, I’ll see him in a few days).

Bret installed mine today - went smoothly - works as advertised - counting on this minimizing the theft risk. willing to give up the remote start to avoid theft/worrying about theft.

 

[Pumphry Bigelow]

How did you have it mounted? Is it the vertical installation or horizontal on the dash.

 

[Redeyecrazy]

How did you have it mounted? Is it the vertical installation or horizontal on the dash.

vertical so sits below the dash - is visible but easy to insert plug - works for me

 

[Pumphry Bigelow]

I intend on having installed at the same place. Is it a real secure fit? Just want to make sure there are no concerns of it falling out. I do not intend to hang other keys on the plug that would add weight.

 

[os1r1s]

Bret installed mine today - went smoothly - works as advertised - counting on this minimizing the theft risk. willing to give up the remote start to avoid theft/worrying about theft.

I called him to prep for doing mine over in Memphis. He said he was in the middle of installing it on another TRX

 

[BlueTRX]

I intend on having installed at the same place. Is it a real secure fit? Just want to make sure there are no concerns of it falling out. I do not intend to hang other keys on the plug that would add weight.

The installer told me not to hang anything to the clip the plug is hooked to. Said key fobs can be heavy.

Connecting back the plug vertically is a bit of a pain if you don't know where the connecting port is located.

 

[Pumphry Bigelow]

Is it a necessity to make it a point to tell the service department that it is installed when dropping it off at the dealer for service? It would be my intent that if I am waiting for it to be worked on, I would just leave it in. I could just picture someone being confused by it if you leave it out and hand it to the service desk with the key. My salesman never heard of Ravelco, so I am sure there are plenty of others as well.

 

[TReX-RAM]

Is it a necessity to make it a point to tell the service department that it is installed when dropping it off at the dealer for service? It would be my intent that if I am waiting for it to be worked on, I would just leave it in. I could just picture someone being confused by it if you leave it out and hand it to the service desk with the key. My salesman never heard of Ravelco, so I am sure there are plenty of others as well.

I think someone had their vehicle stolen from the dealer while it was there being serviced.
I think if they would have had a Ravelco and the plug was removed the end result might have been a little different. I plan on communication with the dealer effectively and in writing about the Ravelco. If something happens while they are negligent it helps with a claim that much more.

 

[TRXBankheist]

This may sound crazy but I plan on giving the service department the work address bcuz. I don't trust the kids working back there. If u lose your truck to a service appt it most def was an inside job.

 

[Redeyecrazy]

I intend on having installed at the same place. Is it a real secure fit? Just want to make sure there are no concerns of it falling out. I do not intend to hang other keys on the plug that would add weight.

fit is secure - its not going to fall out