Travel trailer security - keep it or stuff from being stolen

[rvshrinker]

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!

[valhalla360]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[colliehauler]

proxim2020 wrote:
Most of your thieves out there these days are just opportunistic. Instead of going around smashing windows, they're just going around and pulling door handles until they find a door that opens. They aren't cutting locks, chains, or performing high tech trickery to defeat security devices like you see on TV. These days they're simply walking away with the stuff that isn't secured.

When tailgate thefts were really hot a few years back, a simple $1 hose clamp could prevent the theft. Sure the hose clamp could be defeated, but why would thieves waste time messing with 1 troublesome tailgate when they can quickly hit 15 unprotected trucks down the street. Same thing happens with wheels and wheel locks.

Simply locking up your stuff is enough to prevent it from being stolen in most cases. Keeping your doors locked and take reasonable measures to prevent trailer theft is all that's needed to prevent most thefts. Even cheap locks work better than no locks. Out of sight out of mind goes a long way too when it comes to valuables. Thieves gravitate towards easy targets. Thieves are incredibly lazy and like to avoid hard work. The simple presence of a lock is enough to have them go look for easier targets. Sadly, there's plenty of easy targets for them out there.

Have to agree with you. Even in my small town we have meth heads that will steal what has easy access. The neighbors and I put up security cameras which serves as a deterrent.

[Community Alumni]

Most of your thieves out there these days are just opportunistic. Instead of going around smashing windows, they're just going around and pulling door handles until they find a door that opens. They aren't cutting locks, chains, or performing high tech trickery to defeat security devices like you see on TV. These days they're simply walking away with the stuff that isn't secured.

When tailgate thefts were really hot a few years back, a simple $1 hose clamp could prevent the theft. Sure the hose clamp could be defeated, but why would thieves waste time messing with 1 troublesome tailgate when they can quickly hit 15 unprotected trucks down the street. Same thing happens with wheels and wheel locks.

Simply locking up your stuff is enough to prevent it from being stolen in most cases. Keeping your doors locked and take reasonable measures to prevent trailer theft is all that's needed to prevent most thefts. Even cheap locks work better than no locks. Out of sight out of mind goes a long way too when it comes to valuables. Thieves gravitate towards easy targets. Thieves are incredibly lazy and like to avoid hard work. The simple presence of a lock is enough to have them go look for easier targets. Sadly, there's plenty of easy targets for them out there.

[BurbMan]

jerem0621 wrote:
If it makes you feel better you can get a real chain and a real padlock and chain your tires together.

So if you've ever seen an episode of "storage wars" you'd know that a cordless grinder with a cut off wheel will go through any hardened padlock or chain.



I have one and will vouch for its effectiveness.

I think what the OP is referring to is boondocking out in the middle of nowhere, not parking in a CG. Sad to say that rigs are being stolen for the sole purpose of turning them into mobile meth labs. So the thief is not looking for valuables to fence, they want the TT itself. The issue is not so much that stuff can't be replaced by insurance, it's that after parking out in the woods and hiking all day, who wants to come back to where your TT used to be and not be able to relax and clean up?

Go with a coupler lock as pictured and hope for the best, we all know there is no way to stop a determined thief.

[rbpru]

I am with the group that locks the TT and does not worry. The only things of values are the world's cheapest television and microwave. My camera, phone and electronics are usually with me. I suppose they could also take the four year old battery.

We have never had an issue with theft of the stuff we leave out of doors, that would mean another trip to the resale shops.

The lock through the ball latch lever sounds like a good idea.