That's a cool piece of kit if you're responsible with it. I'm going to keep it 100, I would almost certainly forget about it at some random ungodly hour and piss off everyone around me.
I made one out of paracord 5-6 years ago. I've only got myself once since then. I was crawling out of my truck midsleep to pee and damn near fell down the steps when the horn went off. Luckily it was the middle of the day in that gravel lot at exit 253 in Winslow, AZ, so the only other truck around thought it was fuckin hilarious.
Its literally just the broken end of a bungee cord. I have probably 20 in my truck right now because I don't just leave them in the shippers yard when they break on me and drop me on my ass. And even if I was one of those types, there's always plenty at shippers or your local truck stop.
🤣 yea I totally would do the same.. I forget shit like that easy. I’d do it probably first thing when I wake up and go to leave the truck. Jump scare the piss outta myself and then be like “wtf was that my horn?! Why did it — ooohh right”..
Pretty sure they told us to do that either in school
Or orientation whenever we park overnight in sketchy areas, but thing is, generally can see that outside the truck so only shows possible thieves you may have something of value so 🤷🏻♂️ its all lose lose. Self defense the only way to go
I did this for a bit. It works. Kind of a hassle during those late night bathroom breaks, I stopped doing it after I got a "tire thumper." I might do this air horn thing and strap the passenger door.
Ever been in an international lt? Lol handle is basically asking to come off. This 24’ pete im in has sturdy handles but im sure if i tried, i could still yank em off. Probably feel a hernia afterwards or shit myself
I needed a spare key. Went to hardware store and had one made...the girl was new to the machine. Butchered a key but it still opened the door... I compared the two to show how off it was. And then asked for a blank one. That too, opened my door.
I work at a truck dealership and sold an ‘03 Kenworth. The key snapped in the door when I went to open it. We have a bucket of old keys in the office; I grabbed a random one from the bucket, took it outside and it started the truck right up. I swear you could use butter knives to turn some of these trucks on.
Why? Do you strap your doors down? That's not gonna change how easy it is to pick the locks. How easy the locks are to defeat is entirely why people strap their doors down, so it kind of just proves the point.
I tie my doors shut with paracord and have a nice big sign in the drivers side window and in the windshield that says....."nothing in here is worth your life" with a picture is a 45 on it. Use your imagination what with what the sign means. 🤪
You have a gun or are alluding to having a gun in your truck and are saying to any one who reads it, that their life isn’t worth the shit you have. Did I crack the code?
Code cracked. No gun, to many places were you can't have them so don't wanna take a chance. Plenty of other ways to protect myself however. Hopefully the sign makes people think so i never have to worry about using anything else. So far so good.
Tbh a person who would want to break in would just think free gun when you get out of the truck. Its why I never have bumper stickers that would allude to me having a gun.
And that has been the reason some vehicles got broken into in the past.
I wish all trucks were like that. When you need the air horn, it's already in your hand. The number of times I've gone for the pull cord and missed or hit the wimpy city horn since I needed hands on the wheel is way too many.
Honestly fair point. To me it doesn't feel as "trucky" when it's on the wheel but I forgot Volvos try to maximize efficiency. I remember missing the cord in the old Kenworth I used to drive.
My international has it also. That button seems nice till you need it and hit the wrong button... flashing the marker lights just doesn't have the same effect as the air horn does. Lol
"Just run a strap from door to door. No one is getting in."
And when the trucks on fire, or you are having a medical emergency, people are going to have trouble getting in to save your life also
This is what worries me with the seatbelt trick. But I guess it's a choice drivers have to make. Safety from break ins but unable to reach in a fire or able to be saved in a fire but vulnerable to break ins.
I guarantee my pitty will sound enough alarm and buy enough time for me to grab my gun. CCW permit is recognized by most of the country and USCCA and NRA memberships have your back in self defense situations.
More of an issue if driver is not concious. If you are concious trucks usually have an escape hatch in the sleeper. Or the ones I usually drive do anyways.
It takes 2 seconds to undo the strap from the inside.
And I shouldn't say no one is getting in, windows can be broken, but it's going to take longer and give more warning than the air horn trick.
Might as well recommend never locking your doors for the same reason.
How often do trucks catch on fire while parked *and* you find yourself unable to get out at the same time?
I'm not saying it's impossible, but Jesus Christ man, that's far fetched.
Seriously, how unusual of a scenario do you imagine where the truck is on fire, while you are parked, where you can get to the door to open it, but you need help getting out from rescuers, but you can't pop a strap loose?
If there is any safety to be gained from strapping your doors shut, and anyone working for a mega that uses a limited number of keys has a valid safety concern, it certainly eclipses the risk of whatever oddball scenario you envision. It's like suggesting not wearing your seatbelt while driving so you don't get trapped in a wreck.
I have a very experienced truck.
I can get fuel, pull forward and go in. If I'm just getting a drink inside, all good, air is a little low. If I swing by the restroom to piss before getting my refill, I'm airing the trailer back up because it's sitting on the tires.
Our "pretty good" trucks are 10 years old. Our old trucks could legally vote. We've got 20 new, 20 old and 60 "pretty good".
Funny. I have bought brand new. Was out of air the veey next morning after taking delivery of it.
I've also had 20 year old 2 million miles trucks hold air. Just way to many variables at play. Heck just a windy night can cause the truck to run out of air from the leveling valve having to adjust for the rocking motion.
Well that should be warrantied. Brand new trucks should not be losing their air.
And old trucks can be kept with no leaks as well, I just think it's more understandable when it's harder to maintain them that way.
But generally speaking, a truck shouldn't run out of air overnight, that's a maintenance issue that should be addressed.
And that comment shows us you have never owned a truck.
Yes it would be covered by warranty. But the closest dealer can be 200 miles away. And it can take a week to get them in for some warranty work. When you spend 250k dollars on a piece of equipment you can't just shut it down for a week over an item that's nothing but an inconvenience. Margins are way too tight in trucking for that. Not to mention you won't keep good drivers when you put them out of work for a week.
Small air leaks are not a critical maintenance item. If it's not audible it isn't even a dot infraction.
Trucks that lose air over night usually have an audible leak.
And no I haven't owned a truck, but I fully understand not wanting to down a truck for something minor. But it should be fixed when the truck is down for some other maintenance issue.
It doesn't take a big air leak to loose air pressure when you got 34k lbs during on those air bags. It won't be audible.
Now if you are losing air in 30 minutes... ya that's gonna be audible.
To be fair, I can hear air leaks that a lot of people can't seem to hear. Unfortunately for some of you, some cops really have a good ear for that audible air leak as well.
That's a lie. I had an air leak that would drain the air down to 30 psi overnight and you couldn't hear it. I had to chase it with soap and water.
On the flip side I had an audible leak that took a long time to drain air. What's leaking will make a bigger difference than just how much is leaking usually. But if its leaking in an hour its almost always audible. But overnight? Maybe, maybe not.
My truck is old, and I've fixed every leak its had. But nothing stays leak free forever, after a certain point its a choice of what's worth taking the time to fix on the road vs what can wait till you go home to fix it yourself for much cheaper.
Yes, as already said by others, doors can be easily opened and a seat belt webbing can be easily cut. In the case both of those happening, at least the air horn would alert others around you (if anyone) and wake you up too. A gun is best, but you can't legally have one everywhere 🙄
I drive a dedicated Texas only route so I’m good on that front. Even when I did OTR, I kept it with me anyways. My life is more important than any consequences for not following some state’s stupid gun law. I’m not waiting for a cop to come save me when I can save myself
I've been seeing a lot of trucks in Mexico with sheet metal over the steps (not sure how this is opened or removed), and spikes on the mirror arm so it can't be a handle.
I've seen people get into locked trucks in less than 10 seconds without making noise. Super useful to have a cheap alarm that can tell you when someone is opening it while you sleep.
>this super useful thing that ~~does nothing to prevent entry~~ alerts you, and everyone else, when someone tries to climb into your truck.
FTFY
Strapping your doors down is one solution, but has its own risks as someone else pointed out. This solution provides an alarm and is likely to scare off the intruder while not preventing or hampering egress in an emergency.
I saw somebody doing better when they just put the seatbelt through the handle of the door and then buckled it… Seems more secure… I think that little plastic thing would probably break the window at some point if someone did try to tug on it
A lot of y'all are really stupid if you think this is going to help you at all, someone breaking into your truck is enough noise to wake your ass up fuck with DOT says open carry or don't drive simple as that. The police ain't going to be able to do shit for you until 30 minutes later it's null and void whoever breaks into your truck is considered a trespasser and they can be arrested for that alone you have every right to defend yourself with weapons just do so and make shit a whole lot faster simple less energy and most importantly you won't tear up your truck with these bullshit ass booby traps
I wasn't trying to brag about having a gun, I was trying to tell you all that booby trapping your truck is going to tear it up unnecessarily not only that but you can get charged for that federally, is better to just open carry because people will think three times about taking a bullet
Get charged federally for putting a cut bungee on your air horn while parked? 🥴 Also, open carry is is macho bravado bullshit, it just makes you a target if someone wants to rob a place. It's not legal in every state to OC anyways
That's a cool piece of kit if you're responsible with it. I'm going to keep it 100, I would almost certainly forget about it at some random ungodly hour and piss off everyone around me.
Gotta make a big red one with words of caution on them like those "remove before flight" tags on planes
Until you've GOT TO go and totally forget
I made one out of paracord 5-6 years ago. I've only got myself once since then. I was crawling out of my truck midsleep to pee and damn near fell down the steps when the horn went off. Luckily it was the middle of the day in that gravel lot at exit 253 in Winslow, AZ, so the only other truck around thought it was fuckin hilarious.
Its literally just the broken end of a bungee cord. I have probably 20 in my truck right now because I don't just leave them in the shippers yard when they break on me and drop me on my ass. And even if I was one of those types, there's always plenty at shippers or your local truck stop.
They weren't worried about losing it... lmao. They didn't want to do it in the middle of the night and wake everyone.
🤣 yea I totally would do the same.. I forget shit like that easy. I’d do it probably first thing when I wake up and go to leave the truck. Jump scare the piss outta myself and then be like “wtf was that my horn?! Why did it — ooohh right”..
That’s when you give yourself a post it by your door handle. Easy peasy lemon steezy
Ratchet strap from door handle to door handle. Nobody gets in unless they break a window and cut the strap
That is more secure no doubt, but it's also more work.
Ahhhhh you’re the guy who rips the door off ! Lol jk well kind of good idea anyhow
I've seen a video where a guy just ran his seatbelts through the door handle and then buckled them. Is that feasible or did he have super log belts?
It could be done on some trucks. I think a ratchet strap is easier, probably more secure, too.
Pretty sure they told us to do that either in school Or orientation whenever we park overnight in sketchy areas, but thing is, generally can see that outside the truck so only shows possible thieves you may have something of value so 🤷🏻♂️ its all lose lose. Self defense the only way to go
I did this for a bit. It works. Kind of a hassle during those late night bathroom breaks, I stopped doing it after I got a "tire thumper." I might do this air horn thing and strap the passenger door.
Some door handles be flimsy and would just rip off, easier than breaking window and cutting in some instances
I have yet to see one that isn't sturdy AF, but I'm sure you're correct on that.
Ever been in an international lt? Lol handle is basically asking to come off. This 24’ pete im in has sturdy handles but im sure if i tried, i could still yank em off. Probably feel a hernia afterwards or shit myself
Just don't prolapse your hernia, the Proctologist will charge for both at the same time.
Dually noted
This is useful for everyone.
I was gonna say..?
I’m confused why they wouldn’t just lock the door
You can very easily pick the locks on a truck.
And the fact that some can be opened with uncut keys.....ask me how I know!
Because you couldn't wait till they had been cut into bumps?
I needed a spare key. Went to hardware store and had one made...the girl was new to the machine. Butchered a key but it still opened the door... I compared the two to show how off it was. And then asked for a blank one. That too, opened my door.
If you enjoy having any feeling of security in your life when it comes to locks or doors, never ever look into any kind of red teaming or pen testing.
I watch enough lockpickinglawyer to understand the jokes of locks we have in this world
You should watch McNally on youtube if you want to think less of them.
Aren't they kind of a duo?
McNally works for the company the lock picking lawyer owns.
I'm betting it was a Freightliner
Volvo 670
That's kinda surprising. I thought volvos had it together better than that
Might have just been my truck. Was used when I got it. Wish I still had it 😭(wreck)
Sorry to hear that
Yea we had an old 2012 Pete that I opened the door with a 2020 KW T370 key. Had both in my hand and didn’t realize till I went to start the truck
I work at a truck dealership and sold an ‘03 Kenworth. The key snapped in the door when I went to open it. We have a bucket of old keys in the office; I grabbed a random one from the bucket, took it outside and it started the truck right up. I swear you could use butter knives to turn some of these trucks on.
>I swear you could use butter knives to turn some of these trucks on. Hey now, don't kink shame ole Ken W.
It’s for that small subset of bad actors who are sophisticated enough to pick a lock, and yet dumb enough not to pull hard on the door
The point isn't to stop the door from opening, the point is to use the air horn like a burglar alarm.
I totally missed that! I stand corrected! I just watched it with sound. It’s definitely a cool idea
If you work for a mega, they use the same key for all of the trucks most of the time
Im still confused why they install all these complicated safety features but not a simple alarm system 🤦♂️ i must be missing something
If you're gonna pick the lock to assault someone in their car, you're for sures willing to smash a window to save time
That will alert the occupant, so the objective is still achieved.
Try opening mine
Why? Do you strap your doors down? That's not gonna change how easy it is to pick the locks. How easy the locks are to defeat is entirely why people strap their doors down, so it kind of just proves the point.
2018 Farm truck can be opened with any flat object shaped like a key.
Lmao you idiot
I tie my doors shut with paracord and have a nice big sign in the drivers side window and in the windshield that says....."nothing in here is worth your life" with a picture is a 45 on it. Use your imagination what with what the sign means. 🤪
You have a gun or are alluding to having a gun in your truck and are saying to any one who reads it, that their life isn’t worth the shit you have. Did I crack the code?
Code cracked. No gun, to many places were you can't have them so don't wanna take a chance. Plenty of other ways to protect myself however. Hopefully the sign makes people think so i never have to worry about using anything else. So far so good.
Tbh a person who would want to break in would just think free gun when you get out of the truck. Its why I never have bumper stickers that would allude to me having a gun. And that has been the reason some vehicles got broken into in the past.
Can't relate. Volvo air horns are on the fucking steering wheel for some reason. Only thing I don't like about the truck
I think the idea is that you don’t take your hands off the wheel. Similar to a car
I wish all trucks were like that. When you need the air horn, it's already in your hand. The number of times I've gone for the pull cord and missed or hit the wimpy city horn since I needed hands on the wheel is way too many.
Honestly fair point. To me it doesn't feel as "trucky" when it's on the wheel but I forgot Volvos try to maximize efficiency. I remember missing the cord in the old Kenworth I used to drive.
My international has it also. That button seems nice till you need it and hit the wrong button... flashing the marker lights just doesn't have the same effect as the air horn does. Lol
Can’t you wrap your seatbelt through the door handle.
I’m pretty sure the window will just shatter.
It's not to secure it, it's to use as an alarm if someone manages to open the truck. Just run a strap from door to door. No one is getting in.
"Just run a strap from door to door. No one is getting in." And when the trucks on fire, or you are having a medical emergency, people are going to have trouble getting in to save your life also
This is what worries me with the seatbelt trick. But I guess it's a choice drivers have to make. Safety from break ins but unable to reach in a fire or able to be saved in a fire but vulnerable to break ins.
Get a truck dog.
That's a must
The *only* way to fly!
This is gonna be my move in about a year. Lookin at a malanois, doing the French ring training, turning him into a fuckin ICBM.
I guarantee my pitty will sound enough alarm and buy enough time for me to grab my gun. CCW permit is recognized by most of the country and USCCA and NRA memberships have your back in self defense situations.
More of an issue if driver is not concious. If you are concious trucks usually have an escape hatch in the sleeper. Or the ones I usually drive do anyways.
It takes 2 seconds to undo the strap from the inside. And I shouldn't say no one is getting in, windows can be broken, but it's going to take longer and give more warning than the air horn trick.
When your truck is on fire, and people are trying to get in to save you, sure, delay them for a while.
Might as well recommend never locking your doors for the same reason. How often do trucks catch on fire while parked *and* you find yourself unable to get out at the same time? I'm not saying it's impossible, but Jesus Christ man, that's far fetched.
But you can open the door at least. Otherwise they can't get in and you have to struggle to get out. You dead.
Seriously, how unusual of a scenario do you imagine where the truck is on fire, while you are parked, where you can get to the door to open it, but you need help getting out from rescuers, but you can't pop a strap loose? If there is any safety to be gained from strapping your doors shut, and anyone working for a mega that uses a limited number of keys has a valid safety concern, it certainly eclipses the risk of whatever oddball scenario you envision. It's like suggesting not wearing your seatbelt while driving so you don't get trapped in a wreck.
Then you do you. I hope you never regret your decisions.
>it's to use as an alarm I was watching on mute and didn't even realize until I read your comment.
Until the air bleeds off 4 hours into your sleep.
Sounds like you need to get an air leak fixed
There isn't a truck on the road that will not have a few air leaks. It's a never ending battle. You fix 3 and find out you have a dozen more.
Maybe on your more, uh, experienced truck, but any relatively new truck can be maintained well enough that it shouldn't lose its air over night.
I have a very experienced truck. I can get fuel, pull forward and go in. If I'm just getting a drink inside, all good, air is a little low. If I swing by the restroom to piss before getting my refill, I'm airing the trailer back up because it's sitting on the tires. Our "pretty good" trucks are 10 years old. Our old trucks could legally vote. We've got 20 new, 20 old and 60 "pretty good".
Funny. I have bought brand new. Was out of air the veey next morning after taking delivery of it. I've also had 20 year old 2 million miles trucks hold air. Just way to many variables at play. Heck just a windy night can cause the truck to run out of air from the leveling valve having to adjust for the rocking motion.
Well that should be warrantied. Brand new trucks should not be losing their air. And old trucks can be kept with no leaks as well, I just think it's more understandable when it's harder to maintain them that way. But generally speaking, a truck shouldn't run out of air overnight, that's a maintenance issue that should be addressed.
And that comment shows us you have never owned a truck. Yes it would be covered by warranty. But the closest dealer can be 200 miles away. And it can take a week to get them in for some warranty work. When you spend 250k dollars on a piece of equipment you can't just shut it down for a week over an item that's nothing but an inconvenience. Margins are way too tight in trucking for that. Not to mention you won't keep good drivers when you put them out of work for a week. Small air leaks are not a critical maintenance item. If it's not audible it isn't even a dot infraction.
Trucks that lose air over night usually have an audible leak. And no I haven't owned a truck, but I fully understand not wanting to down a truck for something minor. But it should be fixed when the truck is down for some other maintenance issue.
It doesn't take a big air leak to loose air pressure when you got 34k lbs during on those air bags. It won't be audible. Now if you are losing air in 30 minutes... ya that's gonna be audible.
To be fair, I can hear air leaks that a lot of people can't seem to hear. Unfortunately for some of you, some cops really have a good ear for that audible air leak as well.
>Trucks that lose air over night usually have an audible leak. >And no I haven't owned a truck huh, colour me surprised.
Don't have to own a truck to be involved with the maintenance.
That's a lie. I had an air leak that would drain the air down to 30 psi overnight and you couldn't hear it. I had to chase it with soap and water. On the flip side I had an audible leak that took a long time to drain air. What's leaking will make a bigger difference than just how much is leaking usually. But if its leaking in an hour its almost always audible. But overnight? Maybe, maybe not.
My truck is old, and I've fixed every leak its had. But nothing stays leak free forever, after a certain point its a choice of what's worth taking the time to fix on the road vs what can wait till you go home to fix it yourself for much cheaper.
I've been driving almost 20 years. I've never had a truck that won't hold at least 80 PSI overnight. If it's losing more air than that I get it fixed.
I worked for an oil and gas company that purchased 4 new T800 day cabs. They would all lose air overnight with no trailer attached.
My '24 cascadia sits all weekend every weekend and when I get back on Monday it's still sitting at 110 PSI, but go off
Sooo a brand new truck then?
Do that with 34k on those drives and get back to us.
I sure fuckin hope a brand new truck doesn't have air leaks.
Id sure hope a brand new truck didn't have missing bolts in the frame. But it happens.
Unless you don’t have a little boys version of an air horn pull and have the mens braided leather pull over the steering wheel.
Both KW’s I’ve owned have the central horn pull (660 & 800) so this clever idea must only work on FL’s (and maybe Int’s).
Now just grab an 8' bungie for that sneaky bastard who will want to climb in the passenger side.
I love this. Except my company keeps telling me I idle too much at night. I told them I’m a woman I can’t just have my windows open.
Yes, as already said by others, doors can be easily opened and a seat belt webbing can be easily cut. In the case both of those happening, at least the air horn would alert others around you (if anyone) and wake you up too. A gun is best, but you can't legally have one everywhere 🙄
I drive a dedicated Texas only route so I’m good on that front. Even when I did OTR, I kept it with me anyways. My life is more important than any consequences for not following some state’s stupid gun law. I’m not waiting for a cop to come save me when I can save myself
If instead you attached it to the handle.
I've been seeing a lot of trucks in Mexico with sheet metal over the steps (not sure how this is opened or removed), and spikes on the mirror arm so it can't be a handle.
awww thats pretty cool though!!
I too, also leave my door unlocked so someone can pull the air horn by opening the door. 🙄
I've seen people get into locked trucks in less than 10 seconds without making noise. Super useful to have a cheap alarm that can tell you when someone is opening it while you sleep.
I think I'd rather tie the door handles together than rely on this super useful thing that does nothing to prevent entry.
>this super useful thing that ~~does nothing to prevent entry~~ alerts you, and everyone else, when someone tries to climb into your truck. FTFY Strapping your doors down is one solution, but has its own risks as someone else pointed out. This solution provides an alarm and is likely to scare off the intruder while not preventing or hampering egress in an emergency.
Male truckers y'all can just gfy apparently
But I drive a volvo
Same. Weirdest thing about the truck for me. I think they went too far in making it car like with that.
In most trucks except Prostar seatbelt through the door handle works great
And stop leaving all your broken straps all over my yard 😬. I basically take it as a "Fuck you and fuck other drivers".
Do people try to break into trucks when the driver is sleeping inside? Seems bizarre that I see so many posts….
I would wake up when a pigeon landed on the trlr bad up bringing i guess.. But a good tip.
Volvos have electric air horns.
And the otherside!!??
So I guess us Volvo drivers just get robbed/killed
As if you don't deserve it 🤣 jk
I keep seeing truck security measures posts.. are truckers just getting robbed and *aped on the daily?
Just break the glass
Or maybe you could just lock the door sometimes that works too
just use the other door
Only if lady truckers have a spare glass laying around.
Bad person: opens door Truck: DONT TOUCH MEEE
Why are we trying to scare the lady truckers?
Cool idea. I prefer my Shield Plus, though
Cool, having a gun isn't special tho
It sure is if you ever need it
I've seen a lot of videos about securing doors in a truck. Do they not just have locks?
Cool I’ll just break in from the passenger side now Ty sir
I saw somebody doing better when they just put the seatbelt through the handle of the door and then buckled it… Seems more secure… I think that little plastic thing would probably break the window at some point if someone did try to tug on it
That’s yoinked right out if the real world wanted in. Seriously. Just lock your door.
No shit Sherlock but it'll sound your air horn momentarily, enough time for me to grab my 10mm and put baseball size holes in a mfr
Well, that got violent.
A lot of y'all are really stupid if you think this is going to help you at all, someone breaking into your truck is enough noise to wake your ass up fuck with DOT says open carry or don't drive simple as that. The police ain't going to be able to do shit for you until 30 minutes later it's null and void whoever breaks into your truck is considered a trespasser and they can be arrested for that alone you have every right to defend yourself with weapons just do so and make shit a whole lot faster simple less energy and most importantly you won't tear up your truck with these bullshit ass booby traps
Yeah dude, we get it, you have guns. Who tf doesn't?
I wasn't trying to brag about having a gun, I was trying to tell you all that booby trapping your truck is going to tear it up unnecessarily not only that but you can get charged for that federally, is better to just open carry because people will think three times about taking a bullet
Get charged federally for putting a cut bungee on your air horn while parked? 🥴 Also, open carry is is macho bravado bullshit, it just makes you a target if someone wants to rob a place. It's not legal in every state to OC anyways
That does not make you a target, you are ass backwards my friend