How to keep a TC from being stolen when not on the truck?

We've been camping in a TC all over the country since 2002. Never had anything stolen, nor had my TC stolen and it's often off the truck and lowered until we load it to leave. We don't worry about it.

One good thing about TC's tho', no one can steal your tires. :)

stickdog wrote:
Something my daddy taught me years ago. If you can't afford to replace it, insure it.

My daddy taught me if you can't afford to replace it, don't buy it.

For me, though, the best way to prevent theft of a TC is to unload it from the truck. Jacks up, jacks down, however you want. Off the truck it's too much of a hassle for the casual thief. They'll break in and take anything valuable, cut the cables and take your Honda generator(s).

The only "realistic" (albeit highly unlikely) situations where someone would "steal" a whole camper are:

1. You just happen to be at a campground with another identical camper, and they mistakenly load up the wrong camper.
2. Someone is playing a prank on you.

*sigh*

two (or four) portable drills with attachments can lift/lower any camper if the jackstands are still attached in a few minutes...

Then again, in the Spring/Fall it is not unheard of hearing chainsaw's during the day - forget the door/window alarms - simply saw your way inside!!!


Personally I don't worry about it.


- Mark0.

Although rv thefts are rare, it does happen.

Since prevention is usually cheaper & easier than fixing a bad outcome, I changed the code on our first camper's remote (similar to customizing a garage door opener). With our current camper, I've been too lazy to do the same. Maybe it's old age creeping up on me.

joelc wrote:
Don't know about a trailer, but there is a lock that goes around the hitch pin on a 5er and I assume that they would have a like lock for a trailer coupling. They would have to destroy the hitch to get the lock off. Then of course, they could not steal it anyway.

You’re assuming that a thief that was out trying to find a fifth wheel to steal wouldn’t have a battery powered cutoff tool (or torch - if he’s really serious) with him. Ever hear about the catalytic converter thefts? However, any thief that is going to target a TC, 5er, or trailer is going to want to have that particular unit pretty badly to begin with, because they are not normally easy targets for a quick buck.

You biggest worry will be battery and propane tank theft rather than the unit.

mellow wrote:
I will lower it down so it is more stable, that and a truck can't get under it. I have powered jacks. If someone wants it bad enough they can still break in and power up the jacks from inside if they find the remote and know what they are doing. If you are worried about that happening I would put a tracking device in the camper or an airtag at a minimum.

or just declutch them and use a drill with a end like the manual crank has, disconecting the batteries or hiding the remote won't stop the ability you run the jacks by hand.

Geo*Boy wrote:

srschang wrote:
I don't worry about it.

This^^^^

Ditto.

I used to disconnect the batteries that are in a locked compartment.

Don't know about a trailer, but there is a lock that goes around the hitch pin on a 5er and I assume that they would have a like lock for a trailer coupling. They would have to destroy the hitch to get the lock off. Then of course, they could not steal it anyway.