Theft Protection

Orpha123 wrote:
Someone cut and stole the land line to my RV while I was not in it. I am wondering how to avoid having it stolen again. Also can someone explain to me what a hard wired system is and what it looks like physically, and why it cannot be stolen? I am new to RV-ing and a single woman, so feeling a bit vulnerable. Thanks!!

Hard wire EMS
The protector is wired inside the RV directly into the load center and to your shore cord. Therefore, a thief has to break into your RV and then has to disconnect it to steal it.

Orpha123 wrote:
Someone cut and stole the land line to my RV while I was not in it. I am wondering how to avoid having it stolen again. Also can someone explain to me what a hard wired system is and what it looks like physically, and why it cannot be stolen? I am new to RV-ing and a single woman, so feeling a bit vulnerable. Thanks!!

what "land line" are you talking about? the electrical cord? if it plugs into the side of your RV the only way to keep it from being stolen is to remove it and place it inside when you leave. you could devise some way to lock the cord at the pedestal but then if they really want it they could just cut the plug off and put their own on. I assume hard wired is where the cord is not plugged into an input on the side of the RV but is hard wired into the electrical box inside a compartment. but as you have discovered, sorry about that, that they can cut any cord off.
bumpy

Someone cut and stole the land line to my RV while I was not in it. I am wondering how to avoid having it stolen again. Also can someone explain to me what a hard wired system is and what it looks like physically, and why it cannot be stolen? I am new to RV-ing and a single woman, so feeling a bit vulnerable. Thanks!!

How great that they returned it to you! Yay for them!

Security is good but FWIW I've used my surge protector for years just plugged in at the box without a problem. Wait..one problem-one time I forgot it and nice people at Temple View RV park St. George UT. mailed it back to me.

I use one of these on each component of my hook-up from the power pedestal back to the MH. I then secure each fitting with a nut and bolt installed with Gorilla glue, and then run a cable through all of the fittings and secure with a padlock.

it's not perfect, someone can just cut the power cord, but it would probably discourage a casual their?

Cyclone Fence Fitting

Hard-wired is the way to go. It not just is a lot more theft resistant than a box hanging from a pedestal, but it is always on... no forgetting to grab the external one and plug it in.

Even with an EMS, I'd go with a surge suppressor just so that something relatively cheap takes the hit of a nasty spike.

As for securing it, one better method I have seen was just plugging the cord in at the pedestal, threading the cord under the rig, and placing the portable EMS there, on top of a board or block to keep it off the ground (chained to a wheel, of course.) Not 100% secure, but the key is both having a theft deterrent, as well as having it not visible to a would be "borrower" in the first place.

A little bit of swing-set style chain, a bicycle inner-tube and a conduit clip, which fastens around the surge protector's wire/cable and are available in the electrical aisle. You could use one-way head screws to bolt it together if you wanted an added measure of security above a regular bolt head. Instead of the conduit clamp, a couple of "two-hole straps" (sized appropriately for the surge protector's cable) bolted together around the surge protector's cable would work, too. Having a mooring point for the chain on the surge protector allows maximum flexibility for securing it to available objects. If nothing else, it has a fair intimidation factor, so, hopefully, the would-be Artful Dodger moves on to an easier target.
Usually, the pad lock through the power pedestal's metal clips works fine, but sometimes the clips are boogered up. It's not worth making an insurance claim for a 200 dollar item. It's easier to lock it and look like I don't trust people, which is fine with me. If someone takes offense, they'll just have to get over it.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Really worrying about something that rarely happens n a CG....at a storage lot sure.
But at CG rare.

Theft happens...just like at home

7 yrs. of FT travel
100's and 100's of CGs
Potable 50A surge protector hanging out in the breeze, big comfy gravity chairs under awning, Weber kettle BBQ set up etc.
Never an issue.

And if it did disappear.....insurance.

Thieves are everywhere so I am not going to jump through hoops taking extra time consuming methods, hauling extra stuff around or worry about it.

X2

CloudDriver wrote:
Several years back someone posted that they bought a 30 amp extension cord to connect to the campground post and connect that to their portable SurgeGuard that remains inside a locked electrical compartment. Another way to achieve "out of sight, out of mind".

Not my post - but I do something similar.
I did away with my 50amp "Anaconda" power cord.
It's replacement is much more flexible cord - on a 12V powered cord reel. Pull out what you need - push button to reel in.

The cord & reel are mounted inside the front compt, which is also where the power center is located.
A "notch" in the compt door allows the door to be closed with the cord extended.

From the power center, I have a short pigtail (with male plug) which allows:
1. Use of the cord reel (normal set-up).
2. Connected to the original internal wiring to the Marinco connection at the rear of the trailer.
3. With pigtail - connected to lighter 30amp cord to campground pedestal or my generator (in the pickup bed).
Only *one* "configuration" is possible - the options are all 50amp female, including the PI EMS)

The portable PI 50amp EMS is connected (or not) "in-line" between the pigtail and the desired wiring configuration.
It's located inside the compt - close to the power center.

Obviously - this could be done via the use of an extension cord as indicated.....or the hard-wired EMS.
*If* your power cord is via an external Marinco connection, not close to a compt, the extension cord probably won't work - as the portable EMS will still be outside "somewhere".

For me - the powered 50amp cord reel was the modification I was after.
The various "combo" options were just icing on the cake..:C

BTW - powered reel and cord was "pricey" - but if and when I buy another RV, it can easily go with me (or not).
(For me = rates as best gadget, gizmo, or modification ever!)

~