Storage Compartment Theft

[Heymon]

Had our pass-thru storage compartment broken into while our trailer was in the storage yard. This is the fairly flimsy door with the CH751 key. In this case they just pulled on the bottom of the door and bent the inner lip where the cam lock tang grabs. The question is whether there is anything that can be done to beef this compartment up in terms of break-in prevention. I really don't want to have to empty it every time I put it in storage.

Thanks,
Andre

[Old-Biscuit]

I would unload anything of value that you can't easily replace....good insurance coverage helps also.

Majority of thieving is done in storage and repair places.

Easy targets that are NOT readily exposed.

99 cent tool bin special ----large flat blade screw driver and even those beefed up compartment doors will yield.
Or even a utility knife and hammer......score an 'X' across door then whack it with the hammer.Door skin will collapse.
Takes about 30 seconds.

Valuables..leave them at home.

[Heymon]

I appreciate the post so far from happy2rv, because adding that L channel and converting the twist open side to a lock as well would probably get me where I want to be.

As far as moving, it is very difficult to find suitable storage for my size rig at a reasonable price. I could move to one that costs about $130 more than what I pay now but that adds up to $1,560 per year in additional costs. The stuff that was taken was a grill, griddle, collapsible trash can, butane stove, area mat, and dog dishes. A few hundred dollars worth. I don't think that trade off is worth it yet.

This was likely the work of nearby homeless losers (there were cameras so they are reviewing footage). The vagrants are fairly easily thwarted and though they tested my trailer entrance doors the deadbolts stopped them (I don't lock the upper latch on the doors so that people like this don't break them to see if the deadbolt is secured). They didn't break the glass to get in and they could have done that, so I am thinking they are going for the low hanging fruit. If nothing better than the L channel idea comes along I am going to do that.

Andre

PS to azdryheat: What would compel you to post an unhelpful response response like that? I was asking for a way to improve my rig. I already know about the option to shrug my shoulders and give up, but I prefer not to roll over quite that easy.

[Rover_Bill]

The way I see it, the more money you spend hardening the doors, the more money it's going to cost you to repair the damage. A secured door may be more tempting to a determined thief (what's so valuable in there that you need the extra security?). I would look for a different storage area.

[happy2rv]

I can think of many ways to "improve" the security of most storage compartments. Unfortunately most of them will only keep the honest at bay. The simplest thing is to change the cam locks with something other than a CH751 key. While doing this you could look at reinforcing the area where the cam lock engages. I could see adding a section of steel L channel screwed to the existing thin compartment door strip where the cam lock engages and then also screwing it to the floor of the compartment. This would probably require a longer cam lock, but those are available. This would give you a slightly more secure compartment.

However, as you mention, the doors aren't that thick. If they want in, the could simply bash the door in. You could reinforce the door with plywood backing, but this would require visible bolt heads to be effective.

I would be looking long and hard at the storage yards security practices and consider whether better storage might be the answer. Yes, it could happen in a campground or parked somewhere on a trip, but most never have problems with other campers around.

[azdryheat]

You can never beef up an RV enuf to keep out a thief. Accept the loss and move on.