Forum Discussion

SpeakEasy's avatar
SpeakEasy
Explorer
Mar 28, 2021

Leave TT Unhitched?

I've never had the opportunity to camp (boondock) on BLM land. We have an upcoming trip to Utah, and will be interested in doing some BLM camping. My question is for those who RV in travel trailers or 5th wheels. Is it safe to unhitch and leave the rig while you go exploring the area? I'm not talking about just hiking around in the area you're camped in, but actually leaving in your tow vehicle and driving around. With no established campground and no one keeping an eye on things, do other people respect your stuff?

Thanks in advance,

-Speak
Boondocking
Dry Camping
Public Lands
  • IDman's avatar
    IDman
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2021
    Yes, people will 'respect' your stuff.....and then take it! You don't have to worry about the honest folks, just the others.
  • WNYBob's avatar
    WNYBob
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2021
    Get a hitch lock!

    I use an old hitch ball with the bolt cut off and a padlock on the locking tab.

    Nothing is theft proof but it will slow them down.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Mar 28, 2021
    I unhitch and go. So far, no problems. In addition to a hitch lock, I padlock the safety chains to the tongue. Others also cable lock one side of the TT’s wheels.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Mar 28, 2021
    JUst do not camp close to a large city. We follow that rule as much as possible and in over 40 years of camping have never had a crime problem. Every stolen RV report I've seen has been off a dealer's lot. But a ball lock can't hurt.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Mar 28, 2021
    Seriously, I feel safer boondocking than I do in any campground...me, truck, TT and stuff.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Mar 28, 2021
    I don't know about Utah. But I've never had a problem leaving my campsite for the day out in the southern California deserts. I do have a hitch lock but it's not on when out there. my thought has always been that most crooks are not going to drive an hour outside the city for a chance to steal a trailer when there are so many just sitting conveniently in the neighborhood.
  • profdant139's avatar
    profdant139
    Explorer II
    Mar 28, 2021
    We have boondocked and dry-camped for the last 16 years -- probably a total of a thousand nights so far. We've never had anything disturbed or stolen.

    We do use a hitch lock when we are in a campground near a big city.

    Speak, which area of Utah are you focusing on? Let us know, and we can give you some general hints about where to look for potential boondocking sites!
  • SpeakEasy's avatar
    SpeakEasy
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2021
    profdant139 wrote:


    Speak, which area of Utah are you focusing on? Let us know, and we can give you some general hints about where to look for potential boondocking sites!


    Southern Utah - the "Mighty 5" national parks as well as a couple of notable state parks. At this point our boondocking plans are in the area around Zion and again in the area near Capitol Reef.

    -Speak

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