Ways To Make Your Golf Car(t) Less Attractive To Thieves
 

I thought it would be a useful conversation to have, to discuss various products designed to make one's golf cart less attractive for thieves. The theory being, of course, that we can't make it impossible, but a little deterrence will make it more likely that a thief will move on to someone else's cart.

I was going to post links to all of the products, but that's really a PITA, so anyone who is interested in finding more information online needs merely to GOOGLE a few keywords to educate themselves.

1. "unique" keys, vs. "common" keys, vs. "uncommon" keys. From what I've gleaned on searching "Buggiesgonewild" ( golf cart forum), an "uncommon" key might be what you have if you've had a headlight kit installed on your Yamaha. While it is harder to find than the "common" keys, it is more easily defeated than a "unique" key. As I understand it, to get a "unique" key ignition you have to buy a new one, so labelled, and have it installed.

I am not absolutely sure I understand all of the nuances of this, and would welcome more discussion from someone more knowledgeable. I think I do understand , however, that even such a system can be defeated by someone willing to put the cart in neutral and pull it onto a trailer. Certainly not as easy, and certainly more likely to arouse suspicion, than merely acting like you own the cart with a key that works and driving off in a matter of seconds.

Which leads me to another set of products that in one way or another immobilize the cart mechanically, such as:

1. A wheel boot.
2. A pedal to steering wheel lock bar (which can be used to fix the steering wheel to a part of the frame if the pedal hook doesn't fit the pedal for your particular cart).

3. A pedal lock, which fixes the gas pedal in one spot, and some of them fix the brake in the "set" position making rolling it onto a trailer even more difficult, if not impossible.

My inclination is to get a pedal-to-steering wheel lock bar. Simple, not too expensive (around $30-$40), and immediately obvious to the causal thief that there is easier prey available.

Thoughts?

have one of these just tucked away inside the cart. If you even touch the cart the alarm sounds- loudly. 20 bucks.

amazon.com/Wireless-Anti-Theft-Vibration-Motorcycle-Waterproof/dp/B0734QN8KR/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PZEFkGgGGXFJ7Hr8eJ2YUU quq104byC4dXoYoVaMYK5296xxJ8n9XYc0MKY_t-dL2RIeIj-0Q1aM8Sshyq4q5IAPO-QJDaR9oY7-d-TBvscB4lfwjJDejNyI0gdPAA9aATDMTJsuGVzlHvMpF8bHrio2 9u-jb6nUTB2p5_NjvbrZy4rRwxnyXoF_Sj5NFrHmqYHpCoMz8amve FNTjt_Wz8EE7WWBTeSe9lT89gwQhrZIhlEGm7KtCZwhdf1SPJw SzQeiT-CL9uZDS_1KgWQnJO3rqqlqZEALNlSJu56mTLU.RVMTKSqaWlFs pRjUSXKe8c3gunTU6yzgXmVzwgooGcc&dib_tag=se&keyword s=bike+alarm&qid=1709314146&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

I use a universal automotive ignition switch which came with 4 keys and are unique between switches. I have installed 3 or 4 of these and none had the same keys. Now a word of caution, these work very well on the 2 wire Yamaha switch installations, I need to research the 4 wire Yamaha switch replacement as I am not sure what the extra position is used for. This switch costs around $20 and is available at most auto parts stores. It also fits well in the existing hole in the dash. Please feel free to send me a PM if you want more info, or want to discuss over the phone.

I was just commenting on this on another thread.

I suspect wheel locks are going to be difficult for older folks to get down on their knees to lock/unlock.

How about a steering wheel lock? I would lean towards one that is just a steering wheel lock, no brake pedal involvement.

Three very easy solutions, use all three and it’s extremely unlikely a thief will risk spending time with your cart and move on to the next target. First, a well hidden kill switch. Second, a unique keyed ignition switch. Third, turn your steering wheel all the way in one direction and run a cable bicycle lock through your steering wheel and around the roof support tubing and lock it (with very little slack in the cable). The third option is only necessary if your cart is parked in a high risk location where the cart could be pushed onto a trailer. With the steering wheel cabled, if you push the cart it will go in a circle.

You can have an alarm installed. Gold Shield Cart Alarms, LLC | Golf Cart Alarm Installations | The Villages In addition to that place a tracker such as an Apple Airtag in an inconspicuous location.

I just drive an old noisy unattractive club car. I can't think of anyone who would WANT to steal it.

Agree with Top on a kill-switch.

Also, get a GPS chip.
Cheap.
Won't stop the crime, but the fuzz will find it and the bad guys real quick.

I like the first two ideas. They are quick and simple. I like the third idea, but I know myself (and the Mrs) and we are not going to cable lock the cart very often. I also have an AirTag secured onto the cart in a non-obvious location. Not that it can't be found, but it isn't hanging off the steering column either. I just swap out the batteries every January 1 and they are good to go.

AirTags are cheap and amazing. I have an about a half-dozen of them. I hide them in each car, the golf cart, the boat, the Jetski, my wallet, my car keys, have a couple spares for putting into luggage (great to know your bag is in Hawaii when you're going to Bermuda) when travelling.

In the Harley-Davidson world, if you go on a trip and leave your bike parked at a hotel or campground, the best way to keep it from getting stolen, is to use a Bike Cover that proclaims there's a Honda under the cover.

Are there really that many golf carts stolen around TV? I've never much worried about it, but if I was, I'd just attach an Air Tag or a Tile to it, like someone else mentioned. Now that I think about it, I'd probably stick it in my golf bag, where it would be harder for a thief to find. Seeing my golf bag is always on my cart, I'd be protecting my clubs and cart.

A "kill switch" would certainly help, but that's a little bit of a pain and very old school.

Have also done both; piece of mind.

Apply a sticker "Tracked by GPS" to deter a thief

https://www.amazon.com/Warning-Vehic...335c3f62a7aac0

Paint your cart pink and put Barbie stickers all over it. :)

I’m going to get a lo-jack for mine.

and who going to pay attention. Just like car alarm going off. Nobody cares unless it their car.

IMO that would attract thief cause he knows the reliability of Honda’s. :pepper2:

I'm covering my cart with duct tape & then every time I leave the cart, I am going to remove the steering wheel and carry it around with me wherever else I go on foot.

If Bikers really cared about reliability, Honda would outsell Harley-Davidson, 10:1 in the Heavyweight Cruiser category (which is the only market H-D is in).

Instead, Honda is just a novelty in the market. Cruisers for Camry owners. Honda makes "transportation vehicles", Harley-Davidson markets "cool" (or as H-D puts it, "lifestyle"). What other vehicle manufacturer sells toilet paper with their Logo on it and has loyal customers who get the brand, tattooed on their arms & chest?

& just for the record, I've owned 8-10 Harleys, but once I grew up (mostly), I bought a real motorcycle.

Any accurate stats on the number stolen each year?

I love to see some. I'm sure it happens, but doesn't seem like it's much of an issue in a place like TV. Of course, it's a huge issue to the few people who have their cart stolen.

Harley’s are for old men. This is why they continue to have long term viability issues. Young people have no interest in Harley’s. Check out Sturgis, it’s The Villages with black shirts.

When was the last time you heard the therm fuzz? 🙂

My first motorcycle was early 60s HD 125 dirt bike (really an Aermacchi), 50 years later my last was a Honda St1300 with 35000 miles on it. I couldn't wear out either one of them. After owning 3 or 4 'modern Harley's' I came to hate them due to them becoming a status symbol for posers and their horrible reliability (the reason they use so many chrome parts on HD is so they are easier to find in the ditch after they've fallen off). Most of favorites were Yamahas.

An episode of The Mod Squad in 1972 :1rotfl:

I use a wheel boot. Makes the cart less attractive. Towing it off harder so a would be theive moves on to an easier target.

Would it be gauche to say, park next to carts that are MORE attractive to thieves?

I live in the town next to Laconia, NH. I've watched it for years. It's the sorriest bunch of losers imaginable and dying a slow and a not nearly painful enough death.

The photo of my FLSTS I posted a few posts back? This was my License Plate.

In other words, don't park next to one of those carts from Yesterday or Street Rods? You're sure to have yours stolen?

Golf cart security features
 

I added a golf cart alarm and feel confident if someone tries to take it, the entire neighborhood will hear it.

I’ve heard that the thieves pass on electric carts, so there’s another reason to get an electric cart.

Good point. Electric Carts are like the dye packages, bank's put in the money bags, when they're robbed. Damn electric carts are prone to explosion ... who wants that to happen, when you're on the lam.

jacksonla
 

Back in the 90s my Family had a weekend cottage in Southern Maryland on the Potomac River. River rats (bad guys) would come on their boats at night to private docks and steal boat motors. Dad bought a new boat motor for his sailboat, and he spray painted it with neon blue paint. It looked terrible and was easily identifiable. He had no problem with theft.

inconspicuous battery kill switch.

I did two things which I believe gives me as much protection as possible.

1. I installed an ignition "lockout" in the dash between the ignition key and the gas gauge. This was an electrical "barrel lock" which has a unique key. You'll often see them on vending machines and electrical panels The key is round, the size of a pencil eraser, with serrations on the end. You'll find one on Amazon. All you need to do is cut the wire leading to the ignition switch and connect the two ends to the terminals on the barrel lock. The chance of a thief having the correct barrel key as well as the correct ignition key are next to nothing.

2. I installed a lock on the brake pedal which prevents the cart being towed or pushed. I drilled a hole in the top right corner of the pedal and a corresponding hole in the floor board. Next, I installed an eye bolt through the floor board with fender washers on both sides of the floor and nylock nuts on each side. With nuts on each side, you can adjust the length of the eye bolt so it is close to the brake pedal when it is fully depressed. Then, I bought a decent padlock with a slightly longer shackle and put it through the eye bolt and then through the hole in the brake pedal. Finally, just to be ultra-careful, I bent the end of the eyebolt under the floor to prevent the locknut from being removed.

The brake lock took no more than 10 minutes time to install. You need to be careful to get the two holes properly aligned. Although not necessary, I bent the eyebolt 90 deg to make it easier to insert the shackle of the padlock. Finally, you adjust the distance between the eyebolt and the brake pedal so the padlock will fit and will not allow the brake to be "kicked off" by pressing the gas pedal.

The barrel ignition took a little more work, perhaps 20 minutes. On a Yamaha you have to remove the top of the dash and then cut the wire leading to the ignition switch. You'll need to splice in some wire as you will connect the two ends to the barrel lock after the wires have been pushed through the hole you've drilled in the dash. Finally, I had to solder the ends of the wires to the barrel lock, although I expect you can find one with screw terminals.

The result has the appearance of a professional job.

I frequently use the ignition cut-out as the most common thefts are done with duplicate ignition keys. The brake lock I use when I have parked the cart in one of the parking lots behind the buildings at the squares or when I am at a restaurant or store outside The Villages where a thief might push or tow the cart away, particularly so at night.

I doubt that you can use a "brake pedal to steering wheel" lock as you need to lock the brake pedal in the "down" position. All of these locks I've seen go behind the pedal and keep it in the "up" position, which is the opposite of what you need with a golf cart.

I have seen several carts with tire "boots". Those would be effective, although they are messy to install, are heavy, will fill the basket on the cart, and will rattle around in the basket when the cart is in motion.
,

That is a GREAT idea.

That's cute you think thieves take the time to read, assuming they do or if they do that they can read quickly without sounding out the syllables and moving their lips.

Accidental Touches
 

seems like a nice device, just have a concern when parked in the squares, if someone accidentally touches the cart while getting into their cart, will this startle them unsuspectingly and when does the alarm switch off - thanks for any thoughts here

Or use the apple air tag.

When I started growing public hair.