I am going to drop my camper off next Tuesday to make sure I get a decent spot for the 4th of July weekend. I am a little worried about leaving it unoccupied for a couple of days/nights until I can get back up there on Thursday. Thought about getting some solar rope lights to string out to help light it up at night, but was worndering what other things people do on here to help make it look like somebody is at the campsite (both day & night)?

My feeling is that if you are leaving it out in a remote, unoccupied, unsupervised campground/location..you take your chances. Lights aren't going to keep it safe from someone who wants to break in or tow it away.Anyway, good luck and have a good trip.

A timer on a couple interior lights may help. Can you set out some folding chairs, etc.?If it's at a CG maybe management could check on it. If you're at a boondock site?

It would be left at a campground next to the lake. There are other people there, but if I can make it look like somebody is there, then I would feel a little more comfortible.

All the lights in the world won't fool anyone. No cars or people will be a give away that the RV is unoccupied. I'm sure yours won't be the only RV there that is unoccupied for three or four days. A thief will have plenty to choose from.

Do you have a jumpit for jump starting cars? If not you should have one on board when RV'ing! :WI used one of those with a small cheap plug in inverter and then plugged in a residential small table lamp.Makes it look like someone is home 'inside' the RV and the battery jumpit will provide the power to that lamp for couple days. I also used CFL bulb in lamp less watts. + + This combo is also priceless to have in case of an emergency.I can watch a small TV all night with it too!

Leaving camper unoccupied - help | Good Sam Community

westernrvparkow
Explorer
Jun 23, 2016
Since your tow vehicle won't be there, everyone around is going to know pretty quickly you are not there. The knife edge you are going to be walking isn't likely to be thieves and other criminals, it will be all the people who are there legitimately and are angry you are working the system.
sch911
Explorer
Jun 23, 2016
westernrvparkowner wrote:
Since your tow vehicle won't be there, everyone around is going to know pretty quickly you are not there. The knife edge you are going to be walking isn't likely to be thieves and other criminals, it will be all the people who are there legitimately and are angry you are working the system.

Agree... And is this even allowed? Or are you breaking the rules?
NYCgrrl
Explorer
Jun 23, 2016
westernrvparkowner wrote:
Since your tow vehicle won't be there, everyone around is going to know pretty quickly you are not there. The knife edge you are going to be walking isn't likely to be thieves and other criminals, it will be all the people who are there legitimately and are angry you are working the system.

Why would this be considered working the system if the OP paid for the site? Trying to think of this from a hotel POV which I'm more familiar with. To me working the system is a state park w/ a limited time reservation allowed on site and when the reservation ends a friend/family member w/ a different last name and the exact same equipment takes over.
Jack_Diane_Free
Explorer
Jun 23, 2016
Just leave a pair of old size 14 work boots outside the door.
westernrvparkow
Explorer
Jun 23, 2016
NYCgrrl wrote:
westernrvparkowner wrote:
Since your tow vehicle won't be there, everyone around is going to know pretty quickly you are not there. The knife edge you are going to be walking isn't likely to be thieves and other criminals, it will be all the people who are there legitimately and are angry you are working the system.

Why would this be considered working the system if the OP paid for the site? Trying to think of this from a hotel POV which I'm more familiar with. To me working the system is a state park w/ a limited time reservation allowed on site and when the reservation ends a friend/family member w/ a different last name and the exact same equipment takes over.
It's working the system because many National Forest, BLM and state campgrounds require that human campers actually occupy the site. An empty trailer or tent doesn't meet those requirements.
Homer1
Explorer
Jun 23, 2016
Set some sandals or depending on your location some muddy boots out on the step or on the ground near the step. Probably your best bet is just not worry about it, what do you carry insurance for.
et2
Explorer
Jun 23, 2016
I've done it many times without any worrying. Never a issue. We've done it for 6 months before and go up for long weekends. Quit worrying and have fun.

Our MH is kept in a storage yard. I don't let it bother me being there either.
fireman41
Explorer
Jun 23, 2016
Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
Just leave a pair of old size 14 work boots outside the door.

With a few empty shot gun shells laying around. :B
darsben1
Explorer
Jun 23, 2016
westernrvparkowner wrote:
NYCgrrl wrote:
westernrvparkowner wrote:
Since your tow vehicle won't be there, everyone around is going to know pretty quickly you are not there. The knife edge you are going to be walking isn't likely to be thieves and other criminals, it will be all the people who are there legitimately and are angry you are working the system.

Why would this be considered working the system if the OP paid for the site? Trying to think of this from a hotel POV which I'm more familiar with. To me working the system is a state park w/ a limited time reservation allowed on site and when the reservation ends a friend/family member w/ a different last name and the exact same equipment takes over.
It's working the system because many National Forest, BLM and state campgrounds require that human campers actually occupy the site. An empty trailer or tent doesn't meet those requirements.

To take it a step further the Tonto National Forest and other Government Campgrounds have BIG SIGNS that state " The camper MUSt BE occpied the first night or it may be removed
NYCgrrl
Explorer
Jun 23, 2016
westernrvparkowner wrote:
It's working the system because many National Forest, BLM and state campgrounds require that human campers actually occupy the site. An empty trailer or tent doesn't meet those requirements.

Ahhhhhhh! Can't think of any state or Fed campsites by me that do that but good to know that some others do; no idea about any of the county campgrounds around me though. I do know that a lot of people who camp in this region live nearby and just want a change of pace so sometimes they go a day or 2 w/o returning to the site. Fine with everyone nearby as long as they DON'T forget and leave their garbage on the picnic table thus giving all an opportunity to exorcise their inner yenta...