Protecting Power Cord from Theft

Wrap a chain tightly around it and chain it to a tree. But if they bring bolt cutters it's theirs anyway (they'll just cut the cord on each side of the chain or cut the chain, whichever is easiest). I just try make my stuff less desirable; make it easier for them to steal someone else's stuff rather than mine. But if they are determined to get something, they can and will. Take normal precautions and don't sweat it.

I have no idea of the current rates for copper. However it is a well known and published fact that thieves steal the copper wiring out of homes and recently two A/C units were stolen from a church nearby!! With the drug culture and dependency that is so common today in our society there is no way you cannot count on thieves upending your life. I also just upgraded to a 5th wheel with 50 amp service and was shocked at the size and weight of this cord!! My first thought was why steal the copper from the walls of a vacant home when you could just unplug this big cord and carry it away.

We also have camped for more years than I care to admit and always bragged to non campers that we had never had anything stolen. However just last year while camping in Kentucky we had a Coleman stove taken while we were on the lake fishing. The people who run the state park we were at said there was a huge drug problem in the area and they believe this is fueling all the theft.

I know we have Never had a power cord stolen or even heard of one in our 20 yrs of camping. W have had 2 bath towels stolen about 15 yrs ago. If some one wants it... they will get it no matter how "secure" you think it is. Good Luck and Happy Camping !!

ScottG wrote:
Copper isn't worth nearly what it was a while back. I dont think theft is an issue anymore.

This is why you don't need to worry. Copper and all other metals except gold and silver are nearly worthless right now on the scrap market.

In over 20 years of camping - I've never had anything stolen - and I don't even lock the storage compartments. I think you're worrying about nothing.

Smith & Wesson. Ruger, Remington.

This is an interesting post, as there are two differnt sizes of power cords. First is 30 amp many times attached to the trailer. The other is a 50 amp cable that is usually separate mgr ok the trailer. The 30 amp is smaller and lighter than the 50 amp. The cost of a 50 amp cable is at least twice as much as a 30 amp cable of the same length. If you worry about every thing that can be taken from you site, why not just pack up everything anytime you leave your site.

7 yrs we FTd and not only was our cord detachable but we also have a portable PI surge Protector.
It hung from power pedestal then 50A cord going to 5vr.

10 yrs and still have same surge protector and same old cord.

Come to think about it........
In over 50 yrs of camping in some form or another the only thing that has ever been stolen was some cold drinks out of a old Coleman cooler sitting out one night some 20 yrs ago.

Copper isn't worth nearly what it was a while back. I dont think theft is an issue anymore.

I don't think you can secure it. Bolt cutters and it's gone. From my time as a cop, thieves will steal any copper wire they can get their hands on, burn off the insulation, and sell the wire for scrap. I think the only saving grace we have is the semi-security of being in an RV park.