TRX Stolen in Dallas

[Moparornocar]

I live in a rural area where I probably have a .000001 % chance of ever getting my TRX stolen. but I still had a Ravelco installed on my way home from Granger. I cannot imagine anyone owning one of these without a proven anti-theft device.

 

[PabloK]

One of two methods.

1 - signal repeater. If the actual key fob is in the vicinity (like, hanging on a hook just inside your front door), a two-man team can "capture" the signal from your key fob (which is broadcasting all the time) by way of a hand-held device with a big antenna attached to it, and "repeat" that signal to a device the second guy is holding right outside your truck... such that the truck "thinks" the key fob is right outside the truck. The passive entry is enabled, thief opens door, and starts the truck as normal (because the truck "thinks" the fob is close by). Once started, the fob can go away - the truck will stay running and driveable. They just can't shut it off until they get to where they're going.

2 - key programmer. First, they gain entry to the vehicle. Either by breaking a window, or drilling a small hole in the window and using a small tool (screwdriver) to pop up the door lock pin, or by breaking the sliding glass on the rear window. But before doing this, they disable the horn by reaching through the grill with a coat hanger, snagging the horn wire, and ripping it out. No horn = no alarm going off when they open the door.

Next, they pop the headlight switch off (no tools needed), which gives them access to the CAN bus hub that lives behind the switch. Using a laptop with a special cable, they plug into that hub, and now the laptop can talk to the computer(s) in the truck. They run a program, which easily bypasses what little "security" exists in the factory computers (read that as "none"), enter the RF Hub module, delete the existing key fobs programmed in there, and program a new one that they already have. Now their fob is "authorized" by the truck, and they start it normally and drive it away. They can shut it off, and restart it as often as they like, because they now possess an "authorized" key fob.

In either method, the more educated thieves will either remove the CAN bus connector from the hub that connects to the radio/GPS system, or they'll rip the center screen off the truck and disable/destroy the radio module behind the screen, or they'll pull the headliner down and gut the GPS antenna wire - any method will disable the GPS tracking ability of the UConnect system.

And, with either method, an experienced thief (or crew) can LITERALLY be "Gone in 60 Seconds". Factory security is no security at all. Do SOMETHING to protect your vehicle. Bluetooth-based GPS tracking tags do nothing to prevent thefts. Kill switches thwart amateur thieves. Dongle-type security systems thwart the amateurs, and slow down the more proficient thieves. CAN bus immobilizers prevent most all thieves except those with a flatbed. Relocated horns and a shock/tilt/glass break sensor will at least create a lot of racket while they're winching the truck up onto said flatbed. An aftermarket GPS tracking system could at least improve your chances of recovering the vehicle should it be flat-bedded, provided you get promptly notified that said theft is occurring.

(How'd I do with not mentioning any specific product?)

incredible write up - thank you big time.

i can't believe how naive i was on this.... you figure with the locks and all the alarm crap that comes on the truck it would be safe. I was so so wrong.

Never leaving my truck outside again.

 

[Twobits8002]

Sorry for the loss bro, This Friday the insurance will call my theft a total loss if it’s isn’t found. We shall see what number they throw out to replace it

 

[ARInfidel]

Just one AirTag??

Aside from IGLA, I have an AirTag in my glovebox that’s super easy to find, and a second one that’s attached to the undercarriage of the truck.

I did two AirTags in the all weather vaults with speakers removed. One sort of easy to find the other one is not. I also did the TSB on my 23 where it locks out the ability to create another key fob, bought a third key fob just in case something happens to one. Lastly, today I installed a shock sensor that compliments the factory alarm - from addshocksensor.com. It activates with the key fob and when activated even notifies via the Ram app. Jose with addshocksensor is awesome to work with. I texted him today (Saturday) with and install question and he responded in seconds. I still need to relocate the horn, but that will be another day.

 

[Doc RR]

I’ll update this post as things progress. I was assigned a police investigator following the submitted police report. The investigator (won’t be available until next week) and submitted an insurance claim. I’ll be very surprised if they make any effort whatsoever to actually find the truck.

My suspicion is it’s long gone and in the cartel living its best life.

 

[Doc RR]

Sorry for the loss bro, This Friday the insurance will call my theft a total loss if it’s isn’t found. We shall see what number they throw out to replace it

How long since the theft?

 

[TRXNUT]

I’ll update this post as things progress. I was assigned a police investigator following the submitted police report. The investigator (won’t be available until next week) and submitted an insurance claim. I’ll be very surprised if they make any effort whatsoever to actually find the truck.

My suspicion is it’s long gone and in the cartel living its best life.

It already has a bed mounted machine gun, 30 kilos of pure cocaine in the back and 4 mexicanas singing Maria Maria heading through the jungle.

 

[marksoup]

didn't know that.

i'll look it up.

not tryin to argue with anyone just protect my truck thats all.

Simple - don’t go cheap with a kill switch etc. if you spent the $$ to purchase these beasts, spend the $$ on IGLA.

 

[PabloK]

Simple - don’t go cheap with a kill switch etc. if you spent the $$ to purchase these beasts, spend the $$ on IGLA.

agree 100% im not cheap on parts lol

 

[RAMTRX99999]

sorry bro... that's such a piece of shit move.

i put an apple airtag in my TRX... not sure if that will even help in such situation.

tell me more about the kill switch...

People suck. hopefully u can get her back or insurance gets you a new one.

better days will come bro.

IGLA, nothing less.

 

[BryanE4435]

Exactly. There are several options for AirTag mounting that can withstand the elements.

Yes, if an AirTag is found moving with you (that’s not yours) your iPhone will alert you, but that’s why I have one that’s meant to be found, and another that would take having to crawl underneath the truck with a flashlight not knowing where to even start.

I got a few in my truck but I also ripped out the speaker inside them so they can’t ping it they’ll be lucky to find them all without lifting the truck and taking it apart.

 

[marksoup]

I got a few in my truck but I also ripped out the speaker inside them so they can’t ping it they’ll be lucky to find them all without lifting the truck and taking it apart.

I did the same - just when they think they found it, there are more - buys us time ;-). Especially when we have IGLA installed. Overkill… maybe…

 

[BryanE4435]

I did the same - just when they think they found it, there are more - buys us time ;-). Especially when we have IGLA installed. Overkill… maybe…

For now I sleep pretty restfully since I’m in military housing. Can’t fart outside without patrol popping out of nowhere lol jk. mainly because people always speeding since it’s a 15mph area.

 

[Nickorette]

Air tags only work on amateurs. I had another vehicle stolen that had two airtags and 3rd party GPS tracker, they must've used a scanner because everything was found and discarded from vehicle within 5 mins. Fortunately it was recovered by chance

 

[G5892]

Was on the fence about getting any security, had my truck for almost a year and haven't had any issues. Was foolishly lucky nothing happened. Took a carjacking happening in my town to push me over the end and do it. No Regrets at all. Looking back it should've been a week 1 task. Don't wait.

 

[TrxeatRaptor]

My 2022 Blue Hydro was stolen in Dallas metro yesterday. It sat outside of the Texas A&M school of Dentistry (close to Downtown) for about 3 hours and was jacked from the surface lot. No broken glass.

No aftermarket theft deterrent was installed.

Make sure you install the kill switch on yours immediately! They are coming for it.

Like most have said igla or raveloc or whatever type you choose a "kill switch" is a must!

On the topic of air tags or relying on ram gps to find your truck...don't!! Trx/hellcat/high end car thieves are using cell phone signal jammers;once on ram won't be able to track the vehicle and neither will you with an air tag, assuming they don't find it (even if you can turn off sound)

 

[marksoup]

Air tags only work on amateurs. I had another vehicle stolen that had two airtags and 3rd party GPS tracker, they must've used a scanner because everything was found and discarded from vehicle within 5 mins. Fortunately it was recovered by chance

Get IGLA if not already installed

 

[Jrod2692]

How long since the theft?

January 3

 

[Russ103]

I got a few in my truck but I also ripped out the speaker inside them so they can’t ping it they’ll be lucky to find them all without lifting the truck and taking it apart.

What do you mean you ripped out the speaker inside? As in, inside the AirTag?

 

[Air’d outSRT]

What do you mean you ripped out the speaker inside? As in, inside the AirTag?

Yes, stops the ping sound when trying to locate. AirTags work 10% of the time.