Kenworth Truck Company is now making an anti-theft system available optionally on its Class 8 T680 and T880 tractor models.
The OEM said the system integrates the engine with the Kenworth Driver Performance Center and provides operators with essential data on vehicle and engine functions through a 5-inch, color LCD screen within the dash’s instrumentation cluster.
Once the driver enters the cab and turns the ignition, the Driver Performance Center engages and prompts the driver to enter a unique passcode to start the truck, explained Kenworth.
The driver must then complete the startup of the truck’s engine within six minutes of entering the code or the code must be re-entered. If an incorrect code is entered, the anti-theft system disables the truck’s engine until the correct code is used.
Passcodes can be changed and the system can be activated or deactivated through any Kenworth dealership’s service department.
“Recently, there have also been reports of thieves trying to use jamming devices to interrupt tracking units during attempted thefts,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. “The anti-theft system is an excellent way for truck fleets and operators to add an extra layer of security on top of their GPS tracking devices.”
The OEM noted that Freightwatch International, a global logistics security services provider, has advised that 950 cargo thefts occurred in the U.S. in 2013-- for an average of about 80 a month or 2.6 per day. What’s more, according to Freightwatch, nearly 75% of all reported thefts involved both the theft of the load and the truck.
The security firm also pointed out that “deceptive pickups,” in which thieves use stolen trucks and then assume the carrier’s identity to broker legitimate loads, are also on the rise.
