If you haven’t heard, catalytic converter theft is a major problem on trucks and motorhomes. We want to introduce you to a product we sell and install called the CatStrap™. It just might prevent your vehicle’s catalytic converter from being stolen on your tow car, truck, SUV or RV.
Replacing a catalytic converter can set you back about $2,300, sometimes even more. This is a very expensive item. It might be covered under most insurance plans, but it can take months to get the part. Who wants to be waiting for a part or stuck dealing with trying to get the vehicle back and forth to the repair shop?
The CatStrap uses a high-temperature adhesive to stick to the pipe and the catalytic converter. You also secure it in several places to make sure it remains in place. The idea is that the high-strength cables inside the mesh outer wrapper will dramatically slow down the thief trying to cut the pipe. Further, the bright label could act as a deterrent and the thief might move on seeing this.
Class A and C motorhomes catalytic converter protection
Installation and price
The entire installation can be completed within 30-60 minutes, and with the cost of replacing a catalytic converter, is well worth the time and price of the CatStrap. This doesn’t include the cost of the U-bolt exhaust clamps, which we will determine the size needed once underneath the vehicle.
Installation prices at California RV Specialists.
- Motorhome: Price varies, $550 to $600 without the Cateye Alarm (movement sensor and ear-piercing alarm).
- Truck: Price varies, $350 to $400 without the Cateye Alarm.
- SUV/Car: Price varies, $275 to $350 without the Cateye Alarm.
Why steal catalytic converters?
Easy money! It’s easy to steal a catalytic converter on many vehicles and even more so on motorhomes as well as large pickups and SUVs. Essentially, thieves simply slip under the vehicle with a skilsaw and cut the exhaust pipe on either side of the device. Then off they go with a haul of high-value materials to a place that will pay them for the metals or even the complete device itself.
What can you do about catalytic converter theft?
- Park in secure, well-lit areas. (Unfortunately, this is not always possible.)
- Install anti-theft products such as a CatStrap.
Hopefully, this gives you an example of products that are out on the market to help combat theft.
Watch the video below for a demonstration with, and without, a CatStrap.
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Or you can pay me 250 and I’ll build a cage around your cats guaranteed no one will take them or I’ll pay for the repair
I work at a exhaust shop. 33 years in the field. Converters have been stolen with this electric theft device. It’s a great deterrent. I build cases, thousands of them. Only 1 customer has ever returned with damage. The cage had been cut many times after the thief cut the pipe before and after the converter. I repaired the cage and welded the cut pipes back in place.
I’ll bet Smith & Wesson makes a gadget too.
I have one of those gadgets, Rich.😉 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane aka Mountain Mama at RVtravel.com
I have a roll of razor sharp barb wire fencing under my rv,it works
Donut Media does an experiment with these, they are absolute garbage. It took an extra 30 seconds or something like that to get through.
All the pics show the cat strap being held in place by simple exhaust clamps, simply cut the clamp, move the cat strap out of the way and cut the cat converter. Dumb! It’s going to take better precautions than this to prevent theft. Also one pic shows wire tie wraps holding the cat strap, better fire the ad agency over that.
The u-bolts and stainless steel straps are just for securing the strap to the pipes. As said in the article, the catstrap glues down with heat activated glue. Then there are 2 stainless steel aircraft grade in the cloth jacket. After the glue is set, you still will not be able to remove the carstrap very easily if you take off the clamps. The 2 cables are designed to roll inside the covering if you try to saw through it.
My Mobile RV Service installs this system as well. Oh, don’t forget the motion sensor alarm.
Unfortunately the best way to prevent a cat conv theft is to not have one. After friends and family having theirs stolen I thought I would prevent mine from being stolen. I installed 8 pieces of 3/4″ rebar and 1/8″ metal plate by fully welding it all together around my converter and my SUV has an alarm system with shock and motion sensor so I’m thinking I will have no problem. The people stealing must be really desperate for drug money because eventually they came for mine in the middle of the night, I did hear my alarm go off and I could hear noise going on while I was getting pant on ran outside only to find them gone. I was thinking that they could have never got through that thick layer of metal cage surrounding my cat but not only did they get through it my converter was gone to. I did find broken pieces and remnants of high speed cut off wheels they used to cut it off. I was thinking they used a saw tool like in your demonstration but they used a high speed cutoff tool, hardened steel is no match for that. Thief’s are getting high tech. I now have a flanged straight pipe installed were my cat goes and I know this is not legal but neither is the theft. I have security cameras that recorded the two thief’s and their getaway car with license plates and the police didn’t want to look at that they said you need witnesses. No justice
This product its garbage I can prove it
Your price to repair a stolen catalytic converter is far too low. Thieves don’t carefully disconnect sensors before they cut, and aren’t careful about what else they may cut into. Therefore, the repair will often run over $10,000.
Thank goodness my ’04 Chevy Duramax didn’t come with a cat (from the factory).
Dependable (but low powered) older diesels came without cats, DEF, or regen requirements. Aah, the good old days. I loved my 97 Powerstroke but alas, I gave into pressure from wifey to ‘move up’.