The Ford Barn

John Gibson · 06-09-2023, 05:06 PM

I’m thinking of hiding “Airtags” in both of my old Fords. It’s really cheap insurance that actually works and would take you right to the correct location in the event of a stolen vehicle. The gas tank came to mind but the AirTag isn’t really waterproof. Maybe inside of a door in a plastic bag with one of my business cards tucked in for good measure. Any thoughts or recommendations out there.

Thanks,
John

petehoovie · 06-09-2023, 06:30 PM

"AirTags" can work both ways. Thieves are now using Apple AirTags to steal valuable cars. It's about who gets to retrieve the car first...

https://screenrant.com/airtag-car-th...eport-warning/

mhsprecher · 06-09-2023, 08:20 PM

I think the likelihood of your car getting stolen are very small. If you have your car in a trailer, thieves may want the trailer, not the car. I read of one incident where the stolen trailer was recovered using an AirTag.

baceves · 06-10-2023, 09:52 AM

I think that is a great idea. I also been thinking about getting an apple air tag for the 47 ford the past year or so. Gas tank is too risky in my opinion to hide the air tag. I would suggest the door panels, in between your floor pan and carpet, trunk, almost anywhere.

Bored&Stroked · 06-10-2023, 10:10 AM

Short note: I put an AirTag on my Step-Dad's keychain last year - as he has some level of dementia and I wanted to ensure that I knew where his keys were. He doesn't drive anymore, but does use his keys around the ranch. We spent HOURs last year looking for his dang keys - before we put in the AirTag.

Anyway, was out in South Dakota doing maintenance work the last 2 weeks and used his truck and keys. Forgot them in my pocket and went to the airport with them. After being dropped off for my flight, I received a message from Apple that the AirTag had moved (about 45 miles from the ranch) . . . which was the one that was in my very pocket at the time.

So, the technology obviously works - it alerted me to my mistake!

Dan McEachern · 06-10-2023, 11:06 AM

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Nothing is perfect, but they are better than nothing. My neighbor has had several trucks stolen, and his guys just go find them and take them back since the police are too busy dealing with the lower levels of the gene pool.
No need to get super fancy hiding them- under the front seat, under a floor mat, engine compartment etc. Just do it!

ford38v8 · 06-10-2023, 01:55 PM

Sounds like a plan for me ‘cause I always forget my head. My wife and I both have cel phones and we’d be up the creek without a paddle if we both forgot them at the same time!

itslow · 06-15-2023, 09:14 AM

Because devices such as this rely on very low power RF transmitters, you need to ensure you maximize the amount of unobstructed "outside" that it sees. Mounting it up under a dash or in the trunk of a coupe, for example, will really hamper its range.

The AirTags do have an ingress protection rating (IP67) that would allow you to mount it externally to vehicle. So somewhere like on the backside of a bumper would work well.

Unfortunately for AirTags, you also need to have an Apple iPhone or iPad. There are alternatives for non-Apple users, such as the Tile Tag, however they don't have the same level of coverage since they can't utilize other folks' devices for location determination.

ronn · 06-15-2023, 09:31 AM

If you already have Ring at your home, do they not offer a similar device?

06-09-2023, 05:06 PM	#1
John Gibson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Coastal Georgia Posts: 131	Insurance that works I’m thinking of hiding “Airtags” in both of my old Fords. It’s really cheap insurance that actually works and would take you right to the correct location in the event of a stolen vehicle. The gas tank came to mind but the AirTag isn’t really waterproof. Maybe inside of a door in a plastic bag with one of my business cards tucked in for good measure. Any thoughts or recommendations out there. Thanks, John

06-09-2023, 06:30 PM	#2
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,124	Re: Insurance that works "AirTags" can work both ways. Thieves are now using Apple AirTags to steal valuable cars. It's about who gets to retrieve the car first... https://screenrant.com/airtag-car-th...eport-warning/ __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0 Last edited by petehoovie; 06-09-2023 at 06:45 PM.

06-09-2023, 08:20 PM	#3
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,817	Re: Insurance that works I think the likelihood of your car getting stolen are very small. If you have your car in a trailer, thieves may want the trailer, not the car. I read of one incident where the stolen trailer was recovered using an AirTag. __________________ 1924 Model T Coupe 1928 Model A Roadster 1930 Model A Town Sedan 1939 Deluxe Fordor 1945 pickup 1951 Custom convertible

06-10-2023, 09:52 AM	#4
baceves Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: La Puente, CA Posts: 31	Re: Insurance that works I think that is a great idea. I also been thinking about getting an apple air tag for the 47 ford the past year or so. Gas tank is too risky in my opinion to hide the air tag. I would suggest the door panels, in between your floor pan and carpet, trunk, almost anywhere.

06-10-2023, 10:10 AM	#5
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,064	Re: Insurance that works Short note: I put an AirTag on my Step-Dad's keychain last year - as he has some level of dementia and I wanted to ensure that I knew where his keys were. He doesn't drive anymore, but does use his keys around the ranch. We spent HOURs last year looking for his dang keys - before we put in the AirTag. Anyway, was out in South Dakota doing maintenance work the last 2 weeks and used his truck and keys. Forgot them in my pocket and went to the airport with them. After being dropped off for my flight, I received a message from Apple that the AirTag had moved (about 45 miles from the ranch) . . . which was the one that was in my very pocket at the time. So, the technology obviously works - it alerted me to my mistake!

06-10-2023, 11:06 AM	#6
Dan McEachern Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 193	Re: Insurance that works Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Nothing is perfect, but they are better than nothing. My neighbor has had several trucks stolen, and his guys just go find them and take them back since the police are too busy dealing with the lower levels of the gene pool. No need to get super fancy hiding them- under the front seat, under a floor mat, engine compartment etc. Just do it!

06-10-2023, 01:55 PM	#7
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,644	Re: Insurance that works Sounds like a plan for me ‘cause I always forget my head. My wife and I both have cel phones and we’d be up the creek without a paddle if we both forgot them at the same time! __________________ Alan

06-15-2023, 09:14 AM	#8
itslow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 691	Re: Insurance that works Because devices such as this rely on very low power RF transmitters, you need to ensure you maximize the amount of unobstructed "outside" that it sees. Mounting it up under a dash or in the trunk of a coupe, for example, will really hamper its range. The AirTags do have an ingress protection rating (IP67) that would allow you to mount it externally to vehicle. So somewhere like on the backside of a bumper would work well. Unfortunately for AirTags, you also need to have an Apple iPhone or iPad. There are alternatives for non-Apple users, such as the Tile Tag, however they don't have the same level of coverage since they can't utilize other folks' devices for location determination. __________________ Mike Wanted: - '32-34 Open Cab Pickup (RPU) parts and documents/articles/info - ARDUN parts

06-15-2023, 09:31 AM	#9
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,787	Re: Insurance that works If you already have Ring at your home, do they not offer a similar device?