Here in the Louisville office we've been hearing a lot of chatter recently about cargo theft. It seems to be a really hot topic. Cargo theft causes issues with the production of goods, increased costs for consumers and suppliers, and higher insurance costs for carriers. So, what can trucking companies and drivers do to protect themselves from being a victim of cargo theft?
Most suggested steps are really basic and easy to follow. Be aware of your surroundings, and try to go at least 150 miles after loading before you stop for fuel or a break. Keep watch for vehicles following you from shipping locations, especially in less-populated areas. Don't discuss what you are hauling, or where you are delivering with others. Keep your windows up and your doors locked as much as possible. Always take your keys and lock your truck when you are at a fuel island, going to check in at a shipper or receiver, or stopping at a rest area. Take extra precautions on weekends and especially holidays when most cargo thefts occur.
As well as the above, there are some physical items a driver could use to help deter theft: cargo seals being one. Though there are many types of cargo seals, many are merely an indicator that a trailer door has been tampered with. However, there are products called seal protectors that some carriers use. These are available from many manufacturers and are made in models that can be moved from trailer to trailer or permanently mounted to the door of the trailer. These devices usually incorporate a high security padlock and will protect a seal from being tampered with and add a level of security to the door of the trailer itself. Several vendors are available on the internet and this option is reasonably priced for the amount of protection they provide. Other options to consider purchasing are glad hand, king pin and transmission locks, all of these are good deterrents to the theft of your equipment.
GPS tracking units for tractors and trailers are gaining in popularity. Carriers seem to be drawn to units for their tractors, but in many cases the tractor is discarded and thieves utilize another tractor to pull the stolen trailer. You may wish to look into a tracking unit for the trailer itself, these are available from various vendors also. If you utilize a GPS tracking device, try to position it toward the rear of your trailer, most jammers that a thief will use have a useful range of about 50 feet. Recently, I was personally able to track a stolen load of truck tires and assist law enforcement in stopping the trailer and apprehending the thief through the use of a GPS tracking unit. In this case the tractor was stolen with the trailer, the tractor had a tracking unit, but was dropped off and another tractor was used to haul the stolen load.
What else can you do to protect your equipment and your cargo? In my experience most trailers stolen are white 53' trailers of various makes with the carrier name and trailer number on one of the doors. A good deterrent to theft might be to have the name of your company on both sides of your trailer, it could be good advertising, much harder for a thief to conceal, and an aid to law enforcement in locating and recovering your trailer. Lastly, it is always a good idea to have vital information, including a description of tractor and trailer, VIN numbers, license numbers, tractor and trailer numbers handy in case of theft, the quicker you can get all of this information to authorities the better chance they will have in recovering your equipment.
Doug Mesecher
Assistant Manager, Louisville Office
[email protected]