portable solar panel, ever stolen?

That's a definite worry for me. I've left it out a couple of times and hoped it was there when I got back.
I'm going to Yellowstone for a week and plan to put it on the roof. People will think it's attached, I presume.

There's plenty of worry but no reports of actual theft on this board. The most thefts, ironically, are from secure storage facilities.

We had a 130W portable that we used for about 4 years and although no one ever took it, I was always afraid it might walk one day. When possible we used a big bike cable on it to tie it to the rig, but I didn't have much hope that that would deter a determined thief. Two 20# weights on tight quick-links might have also helped. They might take it, but they'd have to work carrying it off. I met a few people who had small generators stolen that had been chained down with heavy log chain.

Those 1/4 inch dia steel cables are very hard to cut. More difficult than chain and quite easy to handle. If they want it bad enough they will steal it anyway but the cable will slow them down. That is what we use on our portable solar panel.

A battery powered little disc grinder from Harbor Freight can zip through a cable of any size or chain or lock in less than a minute.
If I'm boondocking in the desert, I lock my Honda up inside the MH when I'm gone. I do use a chain and lock while its in use and running.

hershey wrote:
A battery powered little disc grinder from Harbor Freight can zip through a cable of any size or chain or lock in less than a minute.
If I'm boondocking in the desert, I lock my Honda up inside the MH when I'm gone. I do use a chain and lock while its in use and running.

My thought is anyone who would sit out and use a grinder to steal something would just as likely break a window or jimmy a door to steal whats inside.

I know lots worry about solar panels getting stolen, but how many ACTUALLY had or know of someone that had it stolen?

Just because ou haven't heard, doesn't mean it doesn't happen.
Why make it super easy.
Thieves look for the EASY target. If they have to put out effort or spend time in public doing it, they'll probably pass.
There will always be someone who leaves everything out and open.
I don't believe in inviting crooks in.

So I am guessing the everyone who has a portable solar panel worries about it being stolen...but no one has had or knows of anyone who has had one stolen?? When I get mine I will put a cable thru the frame and lock it to the RV, but it does not seem like a lot are being ripped off!

Use a cable on mine. However I think it has a better chance of being stolen from my locked shed at home.

TOMMY47 wrote:
That's a definite worry for me. I've left it out a couple of times and hoped it was there when I got back.
I'm going to Yellowstone for a week and plan to put it on the roof. People will think it's attached, I presume.

Good Idea. Makes sense capturing sunlight.