Break ins?

[Pbgbrv]

A thousand thoughts going through my head as we get ready to full time. Since almost all of my worldly belongings will be in my fifth wheel, what sort of protection to people use against break ins? I have seen some upgrades to main door locks but what about basement doors? Hate the idea of an alarm if there is another way, but won't rule it out. Not too much worried about it when I'm there, I can take care of me and mine just fine... but when I'm not? I'll bet there are some great ideas out there. Just wondering.

[donanddona]

I don't do boon-docking so I can't speak to that side. I have been full timing it for eight years and I haven't heard of it in any RV campgrounds. You will find most RV'rs are friendly for nothing else but that reason. Share a drink or a campfire, know your neighbors, they will thank you.

[Pbgbrv]

Originally Posted by donanddona

I don't do boon-docking so I can't speak to that side. I have been full timing it for eight years and I haven't heard of it in any RV campgrounds. You will find most RV'rs are friendly for nothing else but that reason. Share a drink or a campfire, know your neighbors, they will thank you.

I agree donanddona. We have been "vacationing" in rv's for thirty years and have not even came close too having a problem. It's certainly not the rv community I'm concerned with. We have several friends we have met while camping. It would be hard to meet a better group of people. Probably just being paranoid. Things you think about when it's getting close. Can't wait!! Thanks for the reply.

[fella10]

Originally Posted by donanddona

I haven't heard of it in any RV campgrounds.

Well, it does happen ..... in our four years of trailering and travels, we've seen all sorts of valuable items left unattended, outside, around campsites, .... grills, bicycles, chairs, coolers, ect., ..... and had always considered the campground environment as one of the safest, friendliest, places possible, ... full of just "good old folks", .... Until our last trip two weeks ago, ..... we arrived Saturday noon, and late that afternoon went to DW's favorite seafood restaurant, we returned after dark and my bicycle was gone, .... it was locked, still on the "front" bike rack, not hidden in the rear of the trailer where messing with it could have gone undetected, .... but everything was gone, bike, cable, bungee cords, everything, .... so don't think it can't happen, it can and does, even while you're surrounded by all of those "good old folks" ............

[Salt Shaker]

Good insurance and a 1911. We stay on the 3rd coast frequently. I never leave anything out or not locked up. Even locked up it will walk away. Between the boat and the 5er I sometimes wonder if it is worth it. I hate thieves always some lowlife waiting to make a buck.

I am not as trusting as the others. Other campers aren't the concern it's the druggies that are on the peripheral and the are everywhere now .

Salt

[jjSpeedwagon]

Yep salt shaker is dead on. 10mm

[seakayaker]

I agree that most campgrounds are safe with few worries. However, theft happens everywhere and some moderate prevention goes a long way. Best be prepared.


I use a hitch lock on my TT when disconnected.
I have a removable battery disconnect at home (with the "connect part" removed no 12V so no jack or lights)
I assume no matter what type door lock I install, a thief will get in. So...I haven't bothered changing locks.
I have an inexpensive Doberman brand alarm on the interior that is on 7 second delay. Long enough for me to disable upon entry but believe me...any intruder won't stick around once it goes off. I'll probably get one to go inside the locked outside storage as well. I think they were less than $25. Amazon is your friend.


I'm sure there are all kinds of holes in the level of protection described above but I consider it reasonable and a good fit for us at extremely low cost.

[goldtrike]

You can't stop them all so you have to take whatever precautions make you most comfortable.

Years ago I learned that perception is a powerful deterrent. We put a beware of dog sign in the window beside the door. When we went away we would put out a couple of big old dog dishes by the front tire with water in one and a bit of dog food for the sea gulls. Then we would attach a broken dog leash to the same front tire and leave. The door wasn't even locked. No matter where we were parked we would come back and the neighbors (if we had any) would say they hadn't seen our dog all day and it must have broken the chain and run off. We would thank them and assure them that he was still watching the place and would come cruising on back when he saw we were not busy talking to visitors.

Had all of our worldly stuff in the RV but that is just stuff after all and we were living in the RV so we would have more time with each other and less stuff anyway. Forty some years later and I don't even have most of that stuff any more but I still love the time spent with with each other.

[Oaklevel]

Yes it does happen and use a little common sense. Don't put out those expensive Yeti Coolers etc. to be tempting ?? ..............

We rarely lock our camper doors in a campground but we have old chairs, bikes, grills and Coleman coolers. In 35 plus years of camping nothing has ever been stolen to date. I would be most concerned of theft on the road, or even at home.