Portable Generator Security

[Karfae69]

We are getting a pair of the Yamaha EF2000is to run our RV when we dry camp at various race events or elsewhere tired of our noisy onboard. Will run while we are gone during the day and at evenings close I can always bring inside. Other than a high quality cable and lock system do I need to go beyond this? I suppose I could hire private security or put my lazy dog next to it. Is theft a real concern that I need to go over the top?

[Rangerman40]

Look up Pewag security chain.....

[ventrman]

Clicky

xyzHollyxyz wrote:
I promise you this is loud.

http://lockalarm.com/

[xyzHollyxyz]

I promise you this is loud.

http://lockalarm.com/

[MNRon]

Rosie - not trying to make fun. I padlock mine too. But I see comments suggesting even that isn't sufficient and so was curious if I should be nervous with typical precautions. My takeaway from the responses is to keep being prudent, and not to worry. Someone may someday take it, but we all run with a pretty good crowd camping 🙂

[ro_sie]

MNRon, my daughter and sil had theirs stolen, right out of the back of his truck. Yes, it happens. They were sleeping and someone, probably two people lifted it right out of the truck and walked away with it. It does happen. we cant make fun of the people who are cautious enough to chain theirs down.

[JoeTampa]

I bought 4 of these:

Brinks 165-62701 5/8-Inch x 7-Feet Flexweave Loop Cable

I keep the generator in the back of the pickup and chain it with all 4 cables and some hefty padlocks to both the front and back of the truck bed. I figure if the thief is going to climb into the pickup bed, cut through all 4 of these (and they are no-joke thick!) and gets away with it, he deserves it!

[ventrman]

I chained mine down with a Chain and a Padlock to the Cargo Carrier. The Cargo Carrier is locked to the Hitch.

[down_home]

I thought of this afore, so I went looking for the item and found same but can't find the band or name.
A cable like they use at various stores for bicycles and other things wth a tendency to walk off.
Current is cut by cable being cut or lock opened or anything and an alarm goes off. Plugs into an ac outlet which most RVs have or the pedestal.
Run it through available holes or handles and lock and connect to power or whatever the procedure is. Hook to very loud alarms or horns.

[MNRon]

Over a week and no one reporting they actually had one taken. I like that, it reaffirms we travel with a good bunch of people! 🙂

I'll continue to cable-lock mine to keep honest people honest, but won't stress about it.

[IBcarguy]

MNRon wrote:
People ask about securing gennys regularly. With that said, how many have actually had a problem with someone taking their generator? I'm curious to see real numbers of those that have had a generator stolen, and how it was secured at the time. Don't include "I heard of" or know someone, only direct experience. Is this a really big problem, or just a really big anxiety?

I doubt if many get stolen. They are heavy, and it would probably be noisy getting one out of a camp site.I've never heard of one getting stolen but I always lock mine (along with my bikes, satellite dish, and Q200 grill) down with a cable and pad lock. Maybe I'm being overly cautious...

[MNRon]

People ask about securing gennys regularly. With that said, how many have actually had a problem with someone taking their generator? I'm curious to see real numbers of those that have had a generator stolen, and how it was secured at the time. Don't include "I heard of" or know someone, only direct experience. Is this a really big problem, or just a really big anxiety?

[bgum]

Keep it out of sight or set in concrete.

[Rmack1]

I have a small motion-sensor alarm. I have this model;

http://www.gofastandlight.com/Portable-Motion-Sensing-Perimeter-Alarm-for-Camp-and-Tent/productinfo/E-DBL-MOTION/

Portable Motion Sensing Perimeter Alarm for Camp and Tent

It has about a 60 degree wedge shaped area of detection about 30' out. Anything moves within there it makes a very load noise. It uses a 9 volt battery. It's also really cheap.

It will not trip for leaves, very small animals, etc, but a cat-size critter might. You also have to watch out for wind, if you just sit it on the ground, or on something else without it being held securely. I just put a rock or something leaning on it to hold it steady.

In on of the first campground I stayed at, a National Forest campground, someone came by in the middle of the night and used bolt cutters to steal about a dozen generators while their owners were sleeping inside their rigs. Chains won't stop some thieves.

If you are leaving your campsite, either put then in your rig, or take them with you, as I do. I have two plastic boxes with lids that I keep my two Yamahas in.

I won't stop someone who breaks into your rig, but they would have to try it in broad daylight in my case.

[mgirardo]

If someone wants it bad enough, they will take it. Since you have an onboard, I would suggest running the onboard while you are away and use the Hondas while you are at the RV. Put the Hondas out of sight while you aren't on site. Otherwise, a really heavy chain or cable.

-Michael