Taking Bikes and Locking Them Up

When we carried the bikes (4 of them) on the back of our motor home, I used a heavy duty plastic wrapped cable that I threaded through the rear wheel and frame of each bike and over to the front wheel of each bike, making one large loop. I then connected the two ends to the trailer hitch chain holder and locked them. The only thing that could get stolen in this configuration were the seats.

Sounds like a good plan.. Make sure you have cable or chain locks for when you are in the park...I only carry one..cable locked to the bicycle carrier which is in turn padlocked.

One park I frequent.. BIG sign "THIS AREA UNDER VIDEO SURVEILLANCE"

Saw Grandfather and Grandson in manager's office... Asst Park Manager was playing back Video of Grandson stealing bicycles... Grandpa was not looking happy..Memberships in that park go for six grand now (Cheaper when I got mine) and you can kiss one goodby over things like that.

For what it's worth, our bikes are Cannondales....never had an issue. We've had a cooler taken from underneath our camper before, but no one ever messed with our bikes.

Whatever you use, make sure it is easy for you and the kids to UNlock, or the bikes will not get used (and easy to lock up again, or that will not get done, either).

A tarp on top is a good idea -- out of sight, out of mind.

How secure I do up my bike depends on circumstances -- the vibe of the area, whether I will be leaving the bike at the campsite while I am out, etc. Locking to a solid object and covering with a tarp is the most secure.

Definitely put cables through quick-release wheels at night and when you are gone. If your seats have quick-release bolts too, consider replacing them with normal bolts so you don't have to be taking the seats out all the time.

Thanks for all the ideas and tips. Since we do have Trek Bikes, I think having the tarp will help. I like the chains over the cables as they seem to be a little more of a deterrent. I also liked the cable with the alarm built in. And we will definitely be taking the seats off.

The other tip I read about was to put your name in prominent locations on the bike in permanent marker or something like that. The primary reason is that most thieves want to quickly sell the bike and having people's names written on the wheel rims and bars makes it a pain to have to paint or clean up. Then throw in a chain and a few other items and it makes it not worth their while. (or so the theory goes).

BTPO1 wrote:

Bucky Badger wrote:
Agree with Second Chance^^

We use this, much easier than using a chain
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Brinks-Home-Security-3-8-in-x-30-ft-Cable-175-38300/204789500

This is what I use, only I use a shorter cable. I loop it through the frame and both wheels of both bikes and attach it to the bike rack. I hope that if someone is taking it I will be able to hear it on the other side of the wall. I started doing it this way after my GT Timberline was taken from the back of the MH in front of my S&B the night before a trip. I have a Trek 7300 now and know if someone really wants it they will get it, but they are going to have to work a little harder for it. JMO

Good idea about looping through both wheels. Most bikes are being made with quick release wheels and seats...

Bucky Badger wrote:
Agree with Second Chance^^

We use this, much easier than using a chain
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Brinks-Home-Security-3-8-in-x-30-ft-Cable-175-38300/204789500

This is what I use, only I use a shorter cable. I loop it through the frame and both wheels of both bikes and attach it to the bike rack. I hope that if someone is taking it I will be able to hear it on the other side of the wall. I started doing it this way after my GT Timberline was taken from the back of the MH in front of my S&B the night before a trip. I have a Trek 7300 now and know if someone really wants it they will get it, but they are going to have to work a little harder for it. JMO

kalynzoo wrote:
During our many years of motorhome vacations, and with 8 children, we always traveled with a bunch of bikes. I can gladly say, we never had a problem with theft, although we did lock the bikes at night. Remember, chains and locks protect you from honest people who have a sudden lose of conscience. A thief will have a lock cutter or a battery cutoff tool and will be gone in moments. Therefore, in my mind, running a simple chain through all the bikes with a lock is the basic night time security. Individual locks and chains can be added for daytime bike rides where the bikes will be left parked during activities.
JMHO

Same here...We just secure the bikes together with a bike cable from Walmart. If you want to secure them to a fixed object then by all means. But never had an issue. Put the ones you can in the van and the others on the rack. Just secure them all together. Back the van in as close as you can to the door of your RV. You can throw a tarp on them if you want. If will protect them from the elements.

I use these Kryptonite wrap it around the bike and lock it to the safety chain hole on your hitch or in a campground use the table or a tree.
I prefer cable to chains they are harder to cut

Standard chains are not the best security device as they are easily cut with bolt cutters. Security cables are made to make it difficult to cut with bolt cutters or a hack saw because of their flexibility/collapsibility. They are also sheathed with plastic so as not to scratch or damage the bikes. Our travel trailer has a "toy lock" built in at the rear next to the toy rack. This consists of a large diameter security cable on a retractable spool which is welded to the trailer frame. I mount the bikes on the toy rack minus the front wheels and weave the cable through several places on both frames and rear wheels (two bikes). This is more than adequate for travel and stopping to shop or eat. During park stays, I just run the cable through the bike frames with the mikes parked on the ground under the awning at the back corner. We've never had a problem. You might consider ordering a similar toy lock system and having it welded to the frame near the receiver near your bike rack. Of course, if you have $2,000 bikes, nothing is going to stop a really determined thief.