Potentially Moronic Question

[niccofive]

Hello!

I am continuing to worry/work through/plan a cross country trip with my boys for summer 2015. I'm still in the beginning planning stages and am a super-newbie. I've never camped before.

I was looking online at the Trailmanor and Camplite models and talking to my husband about them. I was saying it would be convenient to be able to unhook our vehicle and go exploring vs having to take a Class C with us.

Then he asked me "How are you going to keep the camper from being stolen?"

I looked at him and told him they just aren't but honestly the thought had never occurred to me. I'm sure there is some amazingly obvious answer to this, but what keeps someone from just hitching your trailer up to their vehicle and leaving the campground?

[Chock_Full_o__N]

Wow, you're really getting a head start. I think it took me about 2 months to plan our cross country trip. But then again, I don't like to make reservations--just hit the road and see where we end up. We had two kids with us, 12 & 14. Best vacation EVAH. I can't recommend it enough!

I know a lot of RVers, but I don't know anyone who has ever had their rig stolen. Personally, we prefer a trailer over a motorized unit. Fewer systems to go wrong. I like being able to drop the trailer and use the F250 to get around, rather than having to fool with a toad. For us, smaller is better anyway. We've had pop-ups and trailers, one of them a 30-footer. Not for us. We have a 25-ft trailer now and it's probably going to be our last rig.

[anaro]

rent both a trailer and a class c ahead of time.... also what do you gave yo tow it with as that will limit your choices. Once you have rented both you can decide which works better or if you even like it. try getting DH to join you on a trip. warning, camping is addictive and you will only want to keep getting bigger and better rigs! As for being stolen, it seems storage lots and even dealer lots are what is most often hit. Campgrounds tend to have a lot of "nosey neighbors" watching out for each other's stuff. In fact a lot of people rarely lock doors at campgrounds. I for one don't suggest that but I know it to be true. A hitch lock doesn't stop a determined thief but neither do locked doors or windows on cars or houses, these things just deter theft.

[Merrykalia]

I don't know where you live on the East coast, but if you are within an area that has a camping group, they can be invaluable in helping a newbie. I am in SW Virginia and if I'm close, send me a PM and may be able to point you in the right direction or at least guide you.

I think it's a great idea, but you do need to do a few shorter, starter trips to make sure it works for you.

I am an experienced camper, but I am not sure if I would take off and do an extended trip with my two daughters, aged 9 and 6.

[Peg_Leg]

I wouldn't trade our worst trip for staying at home.

[Shadow_Catcher]

There have been a number of folks on the T&TTT forum that have had their teardrops stolen and one cargo conversion. Being a bit obsessive about the whole thing I decided to really look into it and the answer is, if some one wants it badly enough they will get it given enough resources and time.
If you can get a bolt cutter on it it is toast and this includes the vast majority of trailer locks, Do a Youtube search on bicycle lock testing and trailer lock testing and see what I mean. I changed the trailer hitch to a bulldog hitch so I could use one of these from Gus Hill http://66.147.244.244/~trailet4/shop/ He and I had a long chat concerning design and materials used.
BUT as I said if they want it badly enough it is gone. You can use a GPS tracker which can be hidden and powered from the 12V system but ultimately there is no substituent for insurance, though custom graphics and paint can help.

[niccofive]

Mr. Camper, sounds like a horrible experience! I hadn't yet read anything negative about TrailManor. What model did you have?

[bjcarpetguy]

I will say there is some people who just don't do the "outdoors". My older brother is this way. My Dad tried to take him when he was about 10. Did not go over so well. He retired about 10 years ago, bought a Bounder camped in his drivway for a few months. Went to an actual campground a couple times sold it to a friend.

Both my wife and I grew up camping. Love every aspect, but unless your husband has some interest in weather people interacting, fishing, hiking, outdoor photography, or some other aspect he'll probably be a tough sell.

[niccofive]

Yes, I definitely plan on a few trips beforehand, including a weeklong spring break trip. We'll rent a Class C to see what we think also.

[popeyemth]

.

[Randu]

Have heard of units being stolen from storage lots or driveways. Never heard of it from a campground. I was real uneasy about camping until wife eased me into it.

I had never camped until wife suggested a pop up to try it. She had tent camped many years as a teenager. 1st weekend I was hooked as you meet the nicest people and its fun to walk around the campground. 2nd benefit was cooking your own food that is much better and less expensive than restaurants. Sold the pop up after the first weekend as I really liked camping but needed more of a house on wheels as I had to move (pile and repile) anything I wanted in the pop up. Next was a 24' 5th wheel and that was back in 95. Might be a case of easing your husband into it like my wife did to me. Randu

[Mr__Camper]

As a former Trailmanor owner I can only speak of my experience. It would be invaluable in that if it was like ours (constantly dropped off pieces as we drove down the road) you'd always be able to look back and see where you had been. Sorta like breadcrumbs. And rest assured absolutely nobody will steal it.

[niccofive]

Ha!

Thanks for the answers! That is exactly what I expected. That it just doesn't really happen.

It was funny though when he asked me, because the thought had literally never occurred to me at all. I could have lived my whole life and not thought of that! 😄

I don't think it is that he isn't keen on the idea. Well, let me rephrase, he *isn't* keen on the idea of camping or anything else, but then again he's not invited. It's just going to be me and my boys while he stays home and works. He'll fly out and meet us somewhere once or twice.

[Snowman9000]

I have never, ever, ever heard of a trailer being stolen from a campground. Now, I'm sure it has happened to someone, but it's WAY down the list of things to be concerned with. I suspect he isn't too keen on the idea. 🙂

[Old-Biscuit]

Seems most rvs stolen are from driveways at home, parked on streets or from storage lots.

Sure it has happened...but I've never heard of one stolen from CG site.

[sch911]

Very little chance of that happening if your at a site in a campground. But no stopping and unhooking in a parking lot or the like as that not something you should be doing anyway. When in storage you should use a lock as suggested.