Forum Discussion

LosAngeles's avatar
LosAngeles
Explorer
Feb 11, 2019

FastGuns / Hallmark - how to provide extra camper security?

Hi all

we hope to buy a new 9.5' Hallmark Everest plus a 2020 Ford F350

I am told that due to the aluminum frame of the current SuperDuty Fords... we have to get the TorkLift FastGuns.

but the little (optional) locks on the FastGuns seem only to help discourage anyone from stealing the (valuable) FastGuns.... what about some extra security to make sure to provide extra security for the far more valuable Hallmark?

Yes we'd likely leave the camper jacks at home... no need to haul them around.... so there is that...

does anyone use additional tie downs - - perhaps the ones hidden by the pickup side walls - so inaccessible from outside the Hallmark?

or - ?

thanks.

J
  • I'm actually surprised to read this. I've been full timing all over the continent for about 2 1/2 years.

    I have pins with clips holding my fastguns closed. That's it. No locks.

    I don't even go to campgrounds. I park anywhere and everywhere. New York City, Miami, sketchy small meth type towns, Los Angeles, El Paso, Coachella, Detroit, San Diego, San Francisco, LA suburbs, San Fernando Valley, West Covina, Santa Clarita, Orange County, Burning Man, Denver,Boise, you name it, I've parked overnight in it with this setup. Never even in a secure campground.

    I think you're overly concerned with fastgun theft. No one even knows what they are or notices them except other TC owners.

    I also doubt anyone is stealing a TC/truck combo. They stand out like crazy and are impossible to make a getaway from law enforcement in.

    Stealing the TC by itself is literally impossible without a forklift specially designed to have long tines to support it.

    Mine has been on the streets about 900 nights now. Only security issue was a truck driver trying to break in in Ottawa Canada. He gave up after he found the door was locked.
  • Long shank padlocks from the big box stores work just fine.

    Or a sign on the side of your TC something like this:
    Thieves will be shot and survivors will be shot again.

    Or the problem could be when you live....LA....

    Up in this neck of the woods we leave our keys in our vehicles and our homes and campers unlocked. Crooks know they may be facing the working end of a weapon if they attempt to steal. Not worth the price, so most leave things that don't belong to them, alone.

    Good luck.

    Lakeside
  • I agree. They'll take the whole truck rather than just the camper.

    Look into the RAVELCO anti-theft system for your truck when you get it.
  • Wouldn't the risk be much greater that the truck is stolen?

    I have never heard of a camper being stolen off the back of a truck, and the truck still being there. I'd be interested to hear if that has ever happened.

    We use 4 normal key-coordinated padlocks with long shackles instead of the OEM locks. Mainly because we are in Germany and the padlocks were locally available. The purpose is just to deter someone from unhooking or stealing the FastGuns.