View Full Version : Truck got towed
So I get home from work today and my truck is missing. My first thought is it got stolen and they probably broke in my house, threw my safe in the bed, and drove off in my truck. I go to my door to find a Aurora Police card that wasn't filled out and just says "truck towed, horn going off for 3hrs" and nasty note from one of my neighbors.
My old truck has a horn that sometimes goes off when I hit little bumps and such. I live in a condo area with private parking. When I called APD to find out where it was impounded, they told me I had 15 minutes to get there before they closed. I rushed out my door and made it there in 18mins,... Now it will cost me $250 because they are closed Sundays/Mondays. I know it is really shitty that my truck made all that noise for 3 hours in the middle of the day, but is it really legal for the police to tow it off private property? I am trying to contact HOA to find out if they gave them permission.
I know its my fault since my truck went off. It is just the LAST thing I needed after a shitty day at work dealing with bitchy customers. I am actually suspecting the only way my horn went off is if someone bumped it with their car. It has NEVER just gone off parked before. [Bang]
On a completely different note, how hard is it to disable my horn?
islandermyk
05-11-2013, 19:29
I have no answers... but can say "That f*cken sucks man!"
Hope you get sh*t handled... the situation is pretty messed up.
hurley842002
05-11-2013, 19:35
On a completely different note, how hard is it to disable my horn?
Find fuse box, pull fuse. Had a Jeep with a mystery horn, been there done that. Fortunately mine never got towed, sorry to hear.
ailachami
05-11-2013, 19:38
On a completely different note, how hard is it to disable my horn?
I know my car has a fuse for the horn and I can remove. but I don't know if your truck has one or not. or you can just cut the power wire to the horn.
Wow, that sucks. In a better time, they would have cut a wire for you and spared you the problem...hope you get some slack form the PD, but probably not.
I know my car has a fuse for the horn and I can remove. but I don't know if your truck has one or not. or you can just cut the power wire to the horn.
Gonna try to find it when I get it back on Tuesday.
Wow, that sucks. In a better time, they would have cut a wire for you and spared you the problem...hope you get some slack form the PD, but probably not.
Yeah I don't think I will get any slack at all. I can be respectful and hope they will be nice to me. All my neighbors like us and a few tried to get under my hood to disconnect my battery. Found out it was my new neighbor above us who called the cops. They all have my # now so they can call me if there is a next time.
islandermyk
05-11-2013, 20:04
I was just thinking... does your truck alarm have some sort of sensitivity adjustment thing? Disabling the horn I guess works, but will your truck function right with the alarm running?
KestrelBike
05-11-2013, 20:05
Other people would have torched your neighbors car by now. You have much patience.
I was just thinking... does your truck alarm have some sort of sensitivity adjustment thing? Disabling the horn I guess works, but will your truck function right with the alarm running?
It doesn't have an alarm, more of what hurley was was saying. "ghost horn" type deal where it will go off randomly after hitting bumps.
islandermyk
05-11-2013, 20:09
It doesn't have an alarm, more of what hurley was was saying. "ghost horn" type deal where it will go off randomly after hitting bumps.
gotcha... my bad...
Dang.. that's a trip! Ever have it go off by accident when there are hot babes around [Coffee]
jerrymrc
05-11-2013, 20:18
Found out it was my new neighbor above us who called the cops. I have never been in the situation but middle of the day? I know that the $250 would come from somewhere......[Flower]
If it's so old that the release is in the grill. Someone could have disco'd the battery. And what's up not working on Monday. Does that mean no tows on Sunday and Monday? Protect and serve.
Be prepared to jump start it...if the horn is on for 2+ days, that's gonna be one dead battery.
better take a battery to get the truck unless they were nice enough to pull the fuse for you.
wow that sucks! Where do you live in Aurora? and APD doesn't have anything better to do!
OneGuy67
05-11-2013, 22:18
wow that sucks! Where do you live in Aurora? and APD doesn't have anything better to do!
Better than answer a call for assistance?
I hate car alarms, especially those alarms that include the horn as part of it's annoying sounds. I don't even understand why people have them anymore. Any time I hear a car alarm going off in a parking lot, it isn't like everyone stops and looks to see if someone's car is getting jacked. 99% of the people just bitch that some jack-hole's alarm is going off. Just like a POS Harley with pipes so loud you can hear it 3 counties over.
Present the bill to the neighbor that called the police.
tom
usually small connector with 2 wires coming out of bottom of horn. pull them out. 1 second fix. then you can rewire the horn with a button in the cab for a couple bucks. bypassing any problem you have, if you want to go that way.
You can blame our litigious society driven by attorneys. Common sense is not allowed anymore.
So it seems to me that the neighbor caused you $250 worth of trouble. Be a damn shame if he received the same consideration in some creative form or fashion. How much does a windshield cost?
Maybe the neighbor works nights and couldn't sleep through a solid two hours of constant horn.
Be mad at the tow yard for their shady, but standard, tow yard practices.
ANADRILL
05-12-2013, 09:01
voodoo?
KevDen2005
05-12-2013, 09:32
Depends on what their muni code says. If it fits within disturbing the peace or something similar they probably can. I doubt they would tow it if they can't. They also probably don't actually care but the neighbors next to your truck care and probably "signed a complaint" to help the pd enforce such laws. And yes, I believe that APD has lots better to do, but as I often tell people when they ask, " no I don't, you have my undivided attention and I'm here for your problem."
It sucks, but you knew the horn didn't function properly. Like someone else said, your neighbors may work graveyard shifts, maybe they work from home, maybe they have small kids, etc. The people that live around you shouldn't have to listen to a stuck horn for 3 hours.
Life happens.
Byte Stryke
05-12-2013, 10:08
you could be facing a summons for disturbing the peace...
find your blessings where you may.
I am trying to contact HOA to find out if they gave them permission
It's not about 'association', it's about control. And it's why a whole lot of us wouldn't even remotely consider living in one.
Sorry you got towed.
KevDen2005
05-12-2013, 10:18
you could be facing a summons for disturbing the peace...
find your blessings where you may.
That's pretty wise
Are you renting a condo in a Community? When I was renting, my garage and car port were subject to the property owners rules. If they gave the ok to tow and paid the money for it, bye bye vehicle. Your private property is another story, I'm not totally clear on the legality of this but it seems others here are more in the know then me.
Byte Stryke
05-12-2013, 10:27
I am pretty sure none of this has to do with HOAs or renting anything. if your horn is going off for hours, you are getting a visit from the Local PD unless you live in the middle of your own 400 acres...
Your vehicle, through mechanical fault or otherwise, was creating a disturbance, Local PD was contacted and the situation was resolved within reason.
pay to get the truck back, unplug the horn until you get it fixed and count it as a lesson learned
So it seems to me that the neighbor caused you $250 worth of trouble. Be a damn shame if he received the same consideration in some creative form or fashion. How much does a windshield cost?
Perfect example of Dem logic, right there. "I caused a problem, but since someone else called me out on it I'm going to conveniently blame them and punish them for it."
Unbelievable.
OP, it sucks that the tow yard wouldn't wait for you. Did you try calling them before you drove out there to pay?
It'd be nice if they worked with you on the charge, but I have a feeling they won't. It sucks.
If I were in your shoes, I'd go and apologize to the neighbor that called the cops on you, and explain what happened. You may be able to make an ally out of him/her, in case something like that ever happens again. You'd put a human face onto an irritant, and make them realize that shit happens to nice people sometimes.
You don't say what your "old truck" is, but I'd bet it's the horn button, not the horn. As I understand it, most horns operate by power going through them, in and out, from a power source to the horn button, which is a switch right before ground. When you push the horn button, that switch goes to ground, completing the circuit, and horn energizes and makes loud noise. A broken spring in the horn button assembly could allow it to get to ground when you don't want it to (bumps, etc.). Make sense?
Like they said, remove the power source to the horn (fuse or wiring) until it's fixed, but I'd start at the button end. At least the horns I've dealt with in the past all worked this way.
KevDen2005
05-12-2013, 12:52
Might I also add to the OP, get to know your neighbors a little and exchange phone numbers. In the future if there is a problem at your home they may call you first rather than the police.
Sure, you gotta accept responsibility but it makes me wonder; old truck + slimjim = problem solved.
Don't the PD and/or tow drivers carry these for getting into most cars in semi-emergency? Like a locked in dog or child? Assuming of course, the glass breaker isn't needed.
How much is a new side window. That's what I would be considering if i had to listen to your horn. Then I could get to your hood release.
If it's old enough, the hood release is probably up front like they ALL used to be.
KevDen2005
05-12-2013, 15:17
Sure, you gotta accept responsibility but it makes me wonder; old truck + slimjim = problem solved.
Don't the PD and/or tow drivers carry these for getting into most cars in semi-emergency? Like a locked in dog or child? Assuming of course, the glass breaker isn't needed.
Locked dog or child equals emergency which equals broken window. Most PDs that I know of are no longer carrying this stuff because of possible damage and liability...people like to sue the police.
hurley842002
05-12-2013, 16:03
Locked dog or child equals emergency which equals broken window. Most PDs that I know of are no longer carrying this stuff because of possible damage and liability...people like to sue the police.
Same response I was thinking of. I'm sure there are minor issues such as these, which many cops would love to help with, however in today's sue happy world it's just not an option. In fact I'd be willing to bet many agencies have policies in place for instances like this. Most of the time policies are put in place because it's been tried before, usually with a less than desirable outcome. Hate to say it, but sometimes we are our own worst enemy, gone are the days of giving your "neighbor" a hand.
Perfect example of Dem logic, right there. "I caused a problem, but since someone else called me out on it I'm going to conveniently blame them and punish them for it."
Unbelievable.
OP, it sucks that the tow yard wouldn't wait for you. Did you try calling them before you drove out there to pay?
It'd be nice if they worked with you on the charge, but I have a feeling they won't. It sucks.
If I were in your shoes, I'd go and apologize to the neighbor that called the cops on you, and explain what happened. You may be able to make an ally out of him/her, in case something like that ever happens again. You'd put a human face onto an irritant, and make them realize that shit happens to nice people sometimes.
Yeah I did all of that. Truck is impounded with APD. Talked to all the neighbors, gave them my number, and formally apologized immediately after I got back from the impound. Thing is I talk to these people a lot and they are really nice, but the other neighbors said that one particular neighbor above me was trashing me/my roommate to them. We are good neighbors, don't do anything wrong.
Like I said, it's completely on me, being the owner of the vehicle. Does not stop it from sucking less.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.