Security System?

Them dang bears in the mountains around here (where we most often camp) don't care at all about alarms or lights!
If a cooler is left out where they can get at it, they will tear it open and find whatever is inside.
If they smell the bacon you cooked for breakfast, they are quite capable of tearing the side of the trailer off to get at it.
No, it doesn't happen often, but it has happened.
I don't much worry about people, it is the four legged critters that concern me. There are some mean ones in them thar hills!

Best system I have ever had was a Rottwieller.

The last park we were in distributed a flyer to their monthly residents that indicated that there were a series of break-ins to the storage sheds they provide on site. The third night we were there, I heard an odd noise at about 03:00 or so. Went to look around and found the door to the shed on our site wide open. It was firmly latched but not locked as we had nothing in it, so I know someone intentionally opened it. I figure they either realized the sound might have attracted attention or they heard me coming, because they made no effort to close it at all.

For those worried about alarms going off all day - most of them have a timer setting that will turn off the siren after x minutes. Before you go cutting someones wires (property damage you would be legally liable for) or disconnecting their power, give it a few minutes. Keep in mind that their alarm may have just saved you from a bad experience.

I recommend a good alarm with contacts on outside-leading doors and windows, changing any CH751's and R001's, and keeping doors and windows locked. Motion-detecting lighting isn't a bad idea either.

You want the alarm loud enough to wake the dead.

Realistically, all you need to do is make yours take longer to break into/get something from than the next guy.

First - criminals generally fear being seen. Motion detecting lighting makes that likelihood go way up. A flashing light, or one that comes on that wasn't there before, will attract more attention. Our trailer is equipped with subdued blue LED's that aim down on the underside to light the steps. It means that anyone around the trailer will cast a silhouette to anyone looking - a sure way to be seen. Most criminals don't like that.

Second - criminals fear time. Times means the likelihood of being seen/caught goes up. Anything that makes them have to spend time is a deterrent. Keep your doors and windows locked - a locked door will take a lot more time to open. What if they have the common keys to try? If you change your locks to something not common, the time required goes up again. They will move on to the next one.

Third - criminals fear anything that draws attention. An alarm system that's loud enough to wake the dead will draw a lot of attention and the odds are they will leave with extreme speed.

I look at these things as doing my part to save them from themselves. As a firearms instructor, I'm trained and well equipped to defend myself and my family. If the above have not deterred them and they keep trying to enter, I know they haven't come to deliver presents or shine our shoes and will respond with all requisite force. I'd prefer not to have it get to that point. Ammo is costly, and I doubt their estate would have enough in it to cover my expenses.

We've full-timed for 16 years, traveled constantly and loved staying in the boonies. We've never had a problem and know no one who has.

Enjoy camping and stop worrying.

I know a gal who travels on her motorcycle and tent camps. I noticed an empty pistol holster on her gas tank once. I asked her what she carries and she said she rarely carries. The empty holster is just there to make evil types stop and think. Basically, if the weapon isn't there, were is it?

When I am there: Kel-Tec PF-9, concealed carry permit holder, extensive training

When I am not: 60 lb English Bulldog

2oldman wrote:
It's not common to have a breakin, it is common to have bikes stolen. The poster above me has been lucky.

I'm the poster above you. :B

I do have a chain and lock for our bikes that I do use on occasion but I've forgotten how many times I forgot to lock them up and they have never been stolen.

Maybe it's better in Canada. ;)

Personally I'm more concerned about my trailer while in storage rather while camping.

I have cats, not dogs, Am a diagnosed paranoid, and have a motion detector in here SOMEWHERE.. don't ask me where, i do not use it.

ONE time I got ripped off while camping.. at a campground where they took only things OUTSIDE the Trailer (Lost my breakfast even before I could eat it) So I got a new cooler, more breakfast/lunch/dinner and locked it in the tow vehicle at night. Only time I ever had an issue.

Idiot wishes to break in and not only will Watch Kitty alarm.. but Beware the Owner, There is no dog but there is an owner and though I do not personally carry a thunder stick... I can do major damage without one.

To me, alarms area nusiance. Especially when the person is not even around to turn it off. There is a reason why municipalities are charging homeowners for nusiance alarm calls.

1) Someone else probably has the key to your camper already, unless you have changed the locks. This goes for the door and the common CH751 bay doors.
2) If your next to me and your alarm goes off because of your dogs or any other reason, and you are nowhere to be found, you will probably come back to removed or cut battery wires and your RV unplugged from power. Hopefully it won't get too hot or cold for your dogs inside.
3) Don't take anything of value with you camping. If there is a concern, take it with you, when you leave.

As others stated, we've only had a cooler taken from underneath our old TT once. It had beer in it and the cooler was found that morning in the dunes at teh beach, minus the beer. Our unlocked Cannondale mountain bikes were sitting 10 feet from teh cooler and were not touched. If I felt concerned, I would just lock up everything, not leave the campsite at all or go elsewhere. Rving is about relaxing. RVing in fear is not relaxing.