My wife and I are considering buying a travel trailer. I already own a pick-up and we were thinking that we'd buy a "new-ish" used travel travel (within towing limits of my truck) and leisurely tour the country (not full time), now that we have more time. We thought travel to an area of interest and stop at a camp ground, unhook the trailer and then use our truck to tour the surrounding area. Basically using the TT as a home base. So over the past few months I've done a ton of reading/learning about RVing, towing, travel trailers, etc. Unfortunately, I keep reading more and more that travel trailers are prone to theft. I've read stories about people returning to their campsite to find their rig was broken into or that their entire rig was stolen!Obviously we have to take precautions but I'm wondering how big this problem is and if it is a real concern. So is it a big concern or are these just isolated incidents? Does anyone know the real statistics on TT or RV theft or where I can find them?Your comments and experiences are greatly appreciated!Thanks

BeerBrewer wrote:My wife and I are considering buying a travel trailer. I already own a pick-up and we were thinking that we'd buy a "new-ish" used travel travel (within towing limits of my truck) and leisurely tour the country (not full time), now that we have more time. We thought travel to an area of interest and stop at a camp ground, unhook the trailer and then use our truck to tour the surrounding area. Basically using the TT as a home base. So over the past few months I've done a ton of reading/learning about RVing, towing, travel trailers, etc. Unfortunately, I keep reading more and more that travel trailers are prone to theft. I've read stories about people returning to their campsite to find their rig was broken into or that their entire rig was stolen!Obviously we have to take precautions but I'm wondering how big this problem is and if it is a real concern. So is it a big concern or are these just isolated incidents? Does anyone know the real statistics on TT or RV theft or where I can find them?Your comments and experiences are greatly appreciated!ThanksI've not heard of it being a "big" problem. I've had a pop up for 13 years and never a problem. I went to a TT this year. They are easy to break into but I've not seen it or heard of it happening.

BeerBrewer wrote:Unfortunately, I keep reading more and more that travel trailers are prone to theft. I've read stories about people returning to their campsite to find their rig was broken into or that their entire rig was stolen!In a storage lot, sure, but in a campground? :h - after 20 yrs of this that would be news to me. I can't think of a single person I know who has suffered trailer theft from a campground. If you're concerned put a coupler lock on it, make sure it's properly insured, and forgetaboutit. ;)

RV theft per se is pretty rare in or from an established camp ground. If you have to store your RV in some parking lot, sure, lots of problems there. But in over 35 years of RVing my RVs have always be next to my house. There are ways to better secure an RV, coupling locks, locking wheel chaulks, digital entry locks. These sorts of things will stop all but the most dedicated criminal.

I agree with SoundGuy, lock it up and don't worry. Just about anything can be stolen or vandalized.Chances of any problems at a CG are very slim.Will you have a housesitter for your S&B while you're traveling?

In a campground there is always a lot of people around to "look out" for such activity.We do a lot of dry camping and boondocking where we are the only people around. Never had a problem in 16 years of camping. We do have a lock on our hitch to security it when towing and to keep someone from towing off the trailer, but the lock is easy broken -- don't ask me how I know -- lost key

Travel Trailer Theft | Good Sam Community

ctilsie242
Explorer II
Jul 25, 2018
Here in Texas, TTs are hauled off to use as hunting lodges, meth "kitchens", or venues for nefarious stuff, then torched when done.

I toss a basic long shackle padlock on the latch. The wheels get chained via high security chains, and I use an European "Insurance Lock" (which has to be up to a very high spec) to secure the chains. The lock on the latch is to show that the vehicle is secured, and the wheel chains show that any thief will have to fight for the rig.
marininn
Explorer
Jul 26, 2018
Campgrounds should be very safe to leave it.

Out west many people camp along BLM roads or just out in the middle of nowhere. That is a place to be concerned.
I have never unhooked in the desert and left my trailer. Im took scared, it is too easy for a thief to hook up and drive off, too few people around to see also. I have left the trailer hooked and locked to TV and left it though.

Insured, yes. Able to just write a check and continue the trip? never. Game over.

A better question is how safe is leaving a camper in the BLM type area?

(and I mean a nice trailer, not an old popup nobody wants to steal anyway, no offense)

Also, I theorize that a 5th wheeler would be safer as fewer thieves will be able to tow one, or be set up for 5th, and most who have a 5th hitch have enough money so are not petty thieves.

What security measures are best? Wheel locks, hitch locks, removable hitches???
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Jul 26, 2018
marininn wrote:
Campgrounds should be very safe to leave it.

Out west many people camp along BLM roads or just out in the middle of nowhere. That is a place to be concerned.
I have never unhooked in the desert and left my trailer. Im took scared, it is too easy for a thief to hook up and drive off, too few people around to see also. I have left the trailer hooked and locked to TV and left it though.

Insured, yes. Able to just write a check and continue the trip? never. Game over.

A better question is how safe is leaving a camper in the BLM type area?

(and I mean a nice trailer, not an old popup nobody wants to steal anyway, no offense)

Also, I theorize that a 5th wheeler would be safer as fewer thieves will be able to tow one, or be set up for 5th, and most who have a 5th hitch have enough money so are not petty thieves.

What security measures are best? Wheel locks, hitch locks, removable hitches???

There is none. Cordless tools make any lock, chain, cable or whatever obsolete. IOW's don't leave your trailer abandon out in the wilderness or you are just asking for trouble.

I have many tow truck driver friends. They tell me they can get anything if they want it. And it's not that hard if you know what you're doing. Thieves know what they are doing. At least a lot of them do.

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