Burglary of RV

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
A would be theif encountering these bars is more likely to move on to an easier target where he doesn't have to deal with bars. Ever have a dwelling broken into? Most likely not as the feeling that someone having been there robbing you is very unsettling.

Really - why would you knock someones anti-theft efforts?

Not knocking their anti-theft efforts per se, just observing that it won't take a very determined thief to get into an RV regardless of a few bars. It's not like a house where you can bolt bars into a very solid framework. RV's are made relatively flimsy and there is no very solid framework to work with. You could put a $500 deadbolt on an RV door, but it really doesn't make the door any more secure because what you bolt the deadbolt to isn't very strong.

Exactly. It's like trying to secure a paper bag. You can bolt as heavy of bars as you want to a paper bag but it's still a paper bag.

Basically you have two choices with trailers. Bolt your bars to a 1"x1" stick of pine or bolt your bars to a piece of .060 sheet metal aluminum. You can use the best and biggest carbon steel bars there is but you're still bolting them to one of those two things.

I had to rebuild my trailer door a few years back. I was shocked at how it was constructed.
.060 Aluminum frame surround screwed to a 1.5" x 1.5" pine. Then there is a skin of FRP on the outside about .060 thick. Then foam board makes up 80% of the inside door. Then FRP on the inside. That's it. It weighed less than 10 LBS I bet.

After seeing that I could break into my trailer with a razor knife in about 60 seconds.

My late brother said it best. I asked him why he never locked his soft top Jeep. He told me: The top is worth $500.00 and my radio is worth $25.00. Why would I invite any thief to wreck my $500.00 top with a razor for my $25.00 radio? I think he made a good point. :)

You may as well have posted "15 minutes can save you 15 percent with Geico". Everyone knows that....

People showing how they deter (read deter) theft helps other people which is what this forum is about. No one needs to be told how dumb of an idea it is to do so since its so obviously easy to break into an RV. Maybe next you will tell me that my tongue lock is useless and that I should just offer up my stuff like a lamb tied to a stake in the middle of a tiger preserve.

2012Coleman wrote:
A would be theif encountering these bars is more likely to move on to an easier target where he doesn't have to deal with bars. Ever have a dwelling broken into? Most likely not as the feeling that someone having been there robbing you is very unsettling.

Really - why would you knock someones anti-theft efforts?

Not knocking their anti-theft efforts per se, just observing that it won't take a very determined thief to get into an RV regardless of a few bars. It's not like a house where you can bolt bars into a very solid framework. RV's are made relatively flimsy and there is no very solid framework to work with. You could put a $500 deadbolt on an RV door, but it really doesn't make the door any more secure because what you bolt the deadbolt to isn't very strong.

So what does RORO mean?

fj12ryder wrote:

pugslyyy wrote:
I have burglar bars on my 2 skylights. Good for peace of mind.

From the construction of most roofs, those could be easily pulled out by a couple guys, one guy if he was determined enough. Probably cheaper to replace the TV than repair the roof. RV's just aren't anywhere near burglar proof, anybody with a large prybar and a little determination is going to get in. It just depends on how much damage their going to do. Save your money and spend it on a lower deductible. :)

I disagree. A would be theif encountering these bars is more likely to move on to an easier target where he doesn't have to deal with bars. Ever have a dwelling broken into? Most likely not as the feeling that someone having been there robbing you is very unsettling.

Really - why would you knock someones anti-theft efforts?

They just added dogs as another level of security at ours. Concertina wire aalrm wires and lights and cameras and staff on call.Heavy steel doors and huge lathes and locks. It' inside and so are the dogs. They won't take food or treats except from handler either.
I've considered offering to sleep in the coach when there are a bunch of folks here.
Light sleeper and mean old guns.

My neighbor has a Class A and stores it at the storage lot across the street from our neighborhood. I asked him about it once, and he said "it's convenient, but plan on having your rig broken into at least once a year."

He continues to store it there.

I would rather drive 30 miles south (we currently live 10 minutes from downtown Indianapolis) and store our trailer at our dealer's lot, which is in a small town and doesn't have the break-in problem. So far, three years with no problems (winter storage is in a farmer's barn in the middle of nowhere in southern Indiana).

coming through the roof vents is common place. they use the stock ladder too.

Roof vent is how they got into mine. Ladder helps them too.

fj12ryder wrote:

pugslyyy wrote:
I have burglar bars on my 2 skylights. Good for peace of mind.

From the construction of most roofs, those could be easily pulled out by a couple guys, one guy if he was determined enough. Probably cheaper to replace the TV than repair the roof. RV's just aren't anywhere near burglar proof, anybody with a large prybar and a little determination is going to get in. It just depends on how much damage their going to do. Save your money and spend it on a lower deductible. :)

I guess different people have different approaches. My vehicle is designed to be fully secured for RORO travel to other continents. It's pretty hard (i.e. impossible) to get ANY insurance for ex-US travel - and I want my stuff to be there, not just know I have coverage to get it fixed.

burglary bars on sky lights and then doors..

You become a prisoner in your RV.

My Camping trips wouldn't be the same. If your neighborhood is that bad, I would leave.