New to RVing, have a new TT I want to take care of.When I go to a park, drop off the trailer, and then go for a hike... how do I keep it safe? What prevents someone from hooking up and driving off?Also, I understand the locks on the trailers and the comparments are not very secure. What is the best solution to prevent break ins? Thank you much!

Be like the rest of us and don't worry about it.Jack L

I lock my door and storage compartments and head out to have fun. In six years I've never had anything stolen from my campsite. We leave our kayaks out, grill and chairs. On second thought, I do lock up my electric scooter with a bike lock. If they want my RV they can have it, it's insured.

While I'm not naive enough to believe theft's never or can't happen. Thefts are very rare. There are easier targets than the CG. Theft of the entire trailer occur more at storage lots,RV dealerships and from your own driveway.As far as lock compartments. Your correct the doors are very flimsy and they can't be locked. If your going to enjoy RV'ing you will need some attitude adjustment. Buy insurance and leave your worries at home

If by "park" you mean the camp ground your staying at, then you don't need to worry much. Your fellow campers will usually respect your property.If it makes you feel better, then use a hitch lock

rvshrinker wrote:New to RVing, have a new TT I want to take care of.When I go to a park, drop off the trailer, and then go for a hike... how do I keep it safe? What prevents someone from hooking up and driving off?Also, I understand the locks on the trailers and the comparments are not very secure. What is the best solution to prevent break ins?Nothing, but if it makes you "feel better" throw a hitch lock on the coupler. Anyone can easily get inside your camper or any of it's storage compartments so obviously the solution is to not keep anything truly valuable in either. Each entry door will have it's own key # but almost all compartment locks use a 751 key, meaning everyone in the campground has one anyway. Carry insurance and go enjoy yourselves, otherwise you're worrying about something you can't control anyway. :R

Travel trailer security - keep it or stuff from being stolen

valhalla360
Navigator
Mar 10, 2018
Passin Thru wrote:
We own an Arctic Fox and my friend who is a locksmith says it is nearly impossible to break into one. I have never worried about thieves in a park but a guy accosted me in Siloam Springs AR. I stopped at a Roach Coach serving Tacos and this guy, while I was eating dinner, opened my door and said he just wanted to come in and talk to me. I carry a 45 ACP and told him I was about to shoot is A..

You need a better locksmith.

If I didn't care about damage, I could break into your rig in under 2 minutes with a hammer and crowbar. Probably less than 15 seconds with a little practice.
jbjuices
Explorer
Mar 06, 2018
Before I got my new Travel Trailer, I used to leave TV's and nice bikes outside the trailer. Never had a theft issue at a campground. Too many people sitting around, therefore making the risk high.

With my new TT set-up, I have my TV inside the outdoor kitchen (easily locked) and I have my kids put the bikes on the rack and throw a cable through the wheels.
drsteve
Explorer
Mar 06, 2018
Passin Thru wrote:
We own an Arctic Fox and my friend who is a locksmith says it is nearly impossible to break into one. I have never worried about thieves in a park but a guy accosted me in Siloam Springs AR. I stopped at a Roach Coach serving Tacos and this guy, while I was eating dinner, opened my door and said he just wanted to come in and talk to me. I carry a 45 ACP and told him I was about to shoot is A..

Impossible? No, a crowbar will do it.
jimx200
Explorer
Mar 06, 2018
jimx200 wrote:
rvshrinker wrote:
I’m surprised more of you aren’t concerned about your trailer being towed away. If I boondock and head out for ten hours for a hike, that’s a lot of hours and very few eyes on my rig. A hitch lock seems like pretty cheap insurance, obviously it won’t stop a determined criminal but it might deter him long enough that he looks elsewhere.

Exactly our thoughts as we often park in remote areas to hike/kayak in our Sierra's in N. California and many times there is no one near. We are in our Class C 23' and do have a alarm et for the cabs doors. It might be a good idea to check out a side door alarm as the loud noise might cause them to scamper.
jimx200
Explorer
Mar 06, 2018
colliehauler wrote:
Wanted to add that while I have had things (disappear) from my driveway, I've never had anything taken at a campground in over 20 years of travel and I do not lock my RV.

Love the 45cal!I have my WW2 era Marine Corp dad's early production Colt Model 1911 and a Remington R1 model. I keep the Colt in the safe, but the Rem travels.
jimx200
Explorer
Mar 06, 2018
rvshrinker wrote:
I’m surprised more of you aren’t concerned about your trailer being towed away. If I boondock and head out for ten hours for a hike, that’s a lot of hours and very few eyes on my rig. A hitch lock seems like pretty cheap insurance, obviously it won’t stop a determined criminal but it might deter him long enough that he looks elsewhere.

Exactly our thoughts as we often park in remote areas in our Sierra's in N. California and many times there is no one near. We are in our Class C 23' and do have a door alarm we set for the cabs doors. It might be a good idea to check our a side door alarm as the loud noise might cause them to scamper.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Mar 06, 2018
Wanted to add that while I have had things (disappear) from my driveway, I've never had anything taken at a campground in over 20 years of travel and I do not lock my RV.
Passin_Thru
Explorer
Mar 06, 2018
We own an Arctic Fox and my friend who is a locksmith says it is nearly impossible to break into one. I have never worried about thieves in a park but a guy accosted me in Siloam Springs AR. I stopped at a Roach Coach serving Tacos and this guy, while I was eating dinner, opened my door and said he just wanted to come in and talk to me. I carry a 45 ACP and told him I was about to shoot is A..
crosscheck
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2018
As campers who boondock a lot and are frequently away from their TT all day in remote places, I Installed a Proven Industries 2516 hitch lock that also locks up the chains so theives can't use them to rap around their own hitch for a quick get away. Also disabled the electric tongue jack when we are not there. Other than that, there isn't much one can do if a thief has time and privacy.

I have a battery operated grinder with a diamond blade, a big sledge hammer and a long wrecking bar and I have seen first hand what they can do. A flimsy trailer doesn't have a chance.

Dave
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Mar 05, 2018
Takamine wrote:
The only theft I ever dealt with at a campground was from those pesky raccoons taking food that wasn't put away.

Me too.

If your worried about theft lock the doors and use a hitch lock. Then you just have to put it out of your mind and go have fun.

In the rare case of something ending up missing keep insurance on the TT and they will cover the damage. It will suck but, at least you will be covered.