Installed generator stolen?

Most thieves want something quick and easy to steal and easy to fence.

Catalytic Converter:
- Every vehicle has one, so easy to find. 20 seconds with a battery powered Sawzall and fits in a backpack and they are off.
- No identifying info on it and dirty salvage yards happy to give them a few hundred bucks making it easy to fence.

Portable Generators:
- Sitting out easy to see. 20 seconds to cut the cable/chain and toss it in the trunk.
- No identifying info on it and easy to sell on craigslist. Large pool of buyers.

Built in Generator:
- Most casual thieves may not even be aware that there is a generator in the RV. If the compartment is locked, you need to break into the hatch. Then you need a tool set to unbolt it and cut the cables. If it's remote start, do you break into the living area and pull the control system...if not, it reduces the value. All this takes time while someone may come by and ask what you are doing because it's obviously out of the ordinary.
- Selling it becomes more challenging as it's only good for someone with an RV that has a generator compartment but no generator (usually, if you get the compartment, you get the generator). That's a small pool of potential buyers and if you didn't get the control unit, it further reduces the value and may scare off some of those buyers.

Given the right situation or a determined thief, anything is possible but it's simply not a good target.

I agree with everyone above... On a normally stored unit, not in storage for long term I find it hard to believe that would be an issue,

I moved my Cummins/Onan from my totaled RV into my new RV and it was not something I believe someone would try under cover and not being noticed.

My brother in law an myself did it.... after some cursing, and friendly persuasion, we got it out.. going back in was the easy part.

They'd be fairly difficult to remove.

In your application, I've seen internally mounted generators get stolen from long term RV storage lots that are generally lacking in security, but in popular campgrounds with people present, generally no. Nothing is impossible, but, IMO, it takes too long, makes too much noise, and the genny's are too heavy/bulky to easily depart with. It's much easier to grab a portable Honda 2000i or similar sized unit. All you need is a bolt cutter.

Chum lee

That would be rare. Just like stealing an rooftop AC unit.

I have never heard of one being stolen but i guess it could if the perp had enough time, tools and maybe out of the public eye. Dealer or repair shop lot or unoccupied storage facility with no security.

At 172 lbs each, they'd be a challenge to move without some sort of racing jacks, and in some installations the bolts that hold them in place have to be accessed from the inside of the coach, and carrying them while running away, without dropping and damaging them, might be an issue.

Harder to steal and likely more difficult for them to sell for profit. I’ve never heard of one being stolen. The small inverter generators that people just use a cable lock on would be a different story.

Not on board generators, no.