How do you secure your bikes while camping?

Cable to the tongue or one of the stabilizer jacks (depending on campground configuration). Use a straight home depot cable and not the curly dedicated bike lock types that are a b*tch to manage.

Campfire Time wrote:
I've left all sorts of valuable things out and have never had anything touched. As said by some others, maybe it's where you camp? We bought new bikes last year too, and they weren't cheap, but I still don't worry when we're camping.

I do however use a cable when hauling them in the back of the truck.

Dave H M wrote:


The beauty of not having designer bikes. :W

Designer bikes? :h

No just well made bikes. Huge difference between the fit, finish, and ride quality from the Wal-mart specials. I'm betting your riding consists of short tours around the CG. We ride for hours at a crack.

I agree I buy higher quality bikes because I want years of use. The last low quality bike I bought I spent most of my time repairing things that broke. I switched to a Trek and put ten years of trouble free normal maintenance. I have had a Raleigh for the last seven years with good results and now switched back to a Trek comfort as I am getting older and most riding is on pavement now. None of these bikes are cheap but I get ten plus months a year of use from them.

If at a CG, even a basic lock is good enough -- it keeps the skulkers at bay and the honest people honest.

On the road, if it is one bike, I have a mount on my truck where it goes in, the front wheels goes inside the rear cab, and I then use a heavy duty security chain to ensure that if someone loosens the bike from the mount, it won't go far. For two bikes, I'd do the same thing. That way, if a thief wanted to ride off, they would have to steal the wheels from in the truck as well as break the locks on the outside.

Once I make the jump to a motorhome, there are hitch mounted bike racks (no, not the bumper, since that is asking for the bumper to become de-welded, taking the bikes with it. If I go for an enclosed cargo trailer, that definitely solves the bike security issue as well.

I use a long cable and secure bikes and even loop through the handle on the kayak to keep it from just walking off... I picked up a couple of padlocks that use the key from the truck so I don't have to carry extra keys.

Campfire Time wrote:
I've left all sorts of valuable things out and have never had anything touched. As said by some others, maybe it's where you camp? We bought new bikes last year too, and they weren't cheap, but I still don't worry when we're camping.

I do however use a cable when hauling them in the back of the truck.

Dave H M wrote:


The beauty of not having designer bikes. :W

Designer bikes? :h

No just well made bikes. Huge difference between the fit, finish, and ride quality from the Wal-mart specials. I'm betting your riding consists of short tours around the CG. We ride for hours at a crack.

i am busted, but you did not say up front the purpose of having upscale bikes. I wil stay in my corner now on this one.

cyntdon2010 wrote:
5 years of camping, we have never locked a bike on a camp ground.

call me a Fool but the only time something has been stolen is shrimp out of a cooler..Racoons

I'm more concerned about the store parking lot on the way to a campground. People there can grab and go.

5 years of camping, we have never locked a bike on a camp ground.

call me a Fool but the only time something has been stolen is shrimp out of a cooler..Racoons

Ace Hardware had a 3-pack of cable locks that share the same keys. We use them for our generator, loungers, etc. Just looking to slow down the opportunistic/unplanned thief.

The TT's frame up by the tongue seems to work the best for us in most campsites if it is something we'll need more than once during a trip.

I've been trying to get someone to steal mine so I have an excuse to get a new one. No luck yet after three years of leaving it totally unsecured.

Cable and lock to tongue of trailer. I use a BBQ cover (heavy waterproof materials) to cover.

Out of site out of mind.