Stuff stolen from a locked compartment

[Jcape]

Originally Posted by ciditad

Was at KOA up in Boston/Cape Cod this past week, the place was packed and we had a pretty good time. When it came time to put things away I realized stuff were taken from my locked compartment: a 50' and a 30' 30amp extension cords, a 50/30amp connector, and a box of brand new blocks (orange kind that everyone uses). Total loss about $150 as I will need to buy them again, these were brand new as I just got my TT a month ago. All the things taken were in a large plastic box inside the compartment. So whoever took it must have gone through the boxes and took just those items and left the others.

I have ordered new camlocks on Amazon and just wondering if theft is part of camping? It's frustrating to realize this at the end of a great week of vacation.

Like all the others, I've been camping in a travel trailer since 1968 and have never had anything stolen. But, you can thank the rv industry for making rv's less secure. The 751 key is universal and will open the locks on all rv's made for the last 40 years or so unless you have changed the locks. It's not that the locks are poor quality, they are just all alike. There are new locks available that can be keyed the same as your entry door so that you only need one key for everything. By chance couldd someone else have an entry door key like yours, sure, but someone could have a key just like the door to your house. RV service people have a master key, so they can open all the trailers on their lots and not carry a hundred keys in their pocket.

[KJ6MTJ - John]

I stopped off at a Buckie's in Florida. Fueled up and wifey wanted to go inside to see the Buckeye's experience. Thought I was ok where I parked. Buses had driven away and there was another Dodge pulling a 5th wheel. After we locked up and started to walk away from ours - We get up to the entrance and the place was jammed packed of people. Lines for checking out, we didn't even make past the entrance. We turned around and started to walk back to our vehicle. That 5 to 10 minute stop - My 5 ton floor jack, Yellow plastic foot for tongue jack and my 3/4 inch adapter bit was missing. I get to my RV park 10 minutes later, go to unlock my compartment and find out, wait its still locked but open - opened it up and went for my yellow foot deal e o - gone - then it dawned on me - That wasn't the couple that owned that fifth wheel. They were going thru peoples campers because they were putting stuff into an older grey sedan. Then I remember seeing a lady carrying something heavy but found it odd that they would carry something heavy and walk under the fifth wheel but the car was right next to camper... I had to fix that metal railing that the lock locks into - they had used a pry bar and really jacked up the channeling. Now double check everything no matter where I go...

[KnP]

Also... you never know witt the influx of people. Some of them, might see kindness and respect as a sign of weekness. Seen that attitude on several cruises with some cutting in the line/queue.

[richardbrucewinquestjr]

Trusting people at times can be extremely difficult. But most RVs I’ve seen all use the same keyed storage compartment locks. Walk into any RV place and buy keys that will open almost all storage compartments. My last RV purchase I immediately sent for programmable combination locks just to help honest people stay honest. I view this approach as trusting people with boundaries. If someone wants to get to your stuff that will slow them down and in a campground that will attract a lot more attention. Doesn’t stop someone who is determined to get to your stuff but in most crowded campgrounds thieves aren’t looking to make themselves more visible.

[IDguy]

I usually leave 751s in my compartment locks. Mostly so I don’t have to find one but also so thieves don’t have to break my compartment doors. That said no losses in over 50/years and thousands of nights camping.

However this thread convinced me to take the keys out and the most valuable items with me when I leave Martha (Georgetown RV) at a State Park CG by herself tonight.

[Richbo69]

Originally Posted by ciditad

Was at KOA up in Boston/Cape Cod this past week, the place was packed and we had a pretty good time. When it came time to put things away I realized stuff were taken from my locked compartment: a 50' and a 30' 30amp extension cords, a 50/30amp connector, and a box of brand new blocks (orange kind that everyone uses). Total loss about $150 as I will need to buy them again, these were brand new as I just got my TT a month ago. All the things taken were in a large plastic box inside the compartment. So whoever took it must have gone through the boxes and took just those items and left the others.

I have ordered new camlocks on Amazon and just wondering if theft is part of camping? It's frustrating to realize this at the end of a great week of vacation.

In today's world, don't trust anyone. It is sad that you would have to worry about having your stuff taken at a campground. However, it is reality anymore.

[Bhrava]

Those 751 locks are also used on truck toppers. I had t order a new set of handles since the salt from winter corroded the heck out of the locks. The new set used the same exact key!!

Then I discover the same key worked on the Coleman doors. Gives a great sense of security....NOT.

[Axeman49]

As they say “Locks keep honest people honest, they just slow the thief”

[Bev4banff53]

This is the very reason I added coverage to my TT insurance to insure the contents of items in my trailer. It only cost me $11 per year for that coverage.

A few years ago, one of my brothers had his Class C stolen from the SFO parking lot while he flew to China on business. The police eventually found his RV; the thieves had pretty much destroyed everything inside and as I recall, they were making drugs in it (it brings "Breaking Bad" to mind!). Needless to say, the RV was a total loss.

So sorry that someone decided that your stuff should be their stuff! That kind of thing really burns my biscuits!

[jtsriding]

Originally Posted by Road King Russ

A lot depends on where you are camping. If you are in California, camping near civilization, lock EVERYTHING down, and even then, nothing is safe. We had our locked generator taken at a state park near Santa Cruz. Because the value was less than $950.00, the ranger said they wouldn’t even investigate it. The thieves know that and “case” the campsites in the day, and steal everything at night.

Part of a few reasons why I've changed my route and will not go to California is the new laws of less than $950 no charges. Having been in law enforcement in the past I find that amazing they would allow that. Besides that forest fires cost of gas homeless problems and what appears to be no effort to fix anything. AZ NV and NM and Texas here I come.

[jtsriding]

Originally Posted by ciditad

I did let them know and unfortunately it wasn't until the day of departure I found out stuff were taken. I had a 10 hour drive home and they asked if I wanted to call the police, knowing that will take hours I declined.

you may want to make a report. When I was in law enforcement thousands of stolen items seized by police ended up going to auction because the owners didn't make a report. Just a phone call and who knows they might have already recovered it for you.

[mmartin_tdc]

Originally Posted by KnP

I replaced all my locks CH751 for the Cylindrical type key. Also, changed the camper lock with a remote control, cypher pad and key lock. On my 5th wheel, the propane tanks are secured with a non key lock, stupid I must say, replaced those too

Do you know it is illegal to have propane tanks in a locked compartment.
Anyone must be able to access the tanks to turn them off in case of emergency.
You can lock the tanks to the trailer as long as the valves are accessible.

[Axeman49]

Originally Posted by mmartin_tdc

Do you know it is illegal to have propane tanks in a locked compartment.
Anyone must be able to access the tanks to turn them off in case of emergency.
You can lock the tanks to the trailer as long as the valves are accessible.

It’s not stupid that the propane lockers are not locked. In an emergency trying to find a key to the lockers makes no sense. Do you think manufacturers would’ve not had that a locked compartment if by law they were allowed.

[Bev4banff53]

Originally Posted by jtsriding

Part of a few reasons why I've changed my route and will not go to California is the new laws of less than $950 no charges. Having been in law enforcement in the past I find that amazing they would allow that. Besides that forest fires cost of gas homeless problems and what appears to be no effort to fix anything. AZ NV and NM and Texas here I come.

As a "former Native Californian", it really saddens me what has happened to that state. I've lived in Texas now for 23 years, but I do return to my home state only to see my family. Fortunately, they do NOT live in the "big city". It's such a beautiful state with great weather, an amazing variety of scenery, but alas I will NEVER live there again! I can bet that tourism there has dropped off ten-fold due to the problems in the state; but that is the fault of the leadership there and the people who voted those leaders in. Sad, sad, sad....

Stay safe y'all and enjoy your camping in states where law enforcement is held in high regard!

[Mandog]

Originally Posted by ciditad

Was at KOA up in Boston/Cape Cod this past week, the place was packed and we had a pretty good time. When it came time to put things away I realized stuff were taken from my locked compartment: a 50' and a 30' 30amp extension cords, a 50/30amp connector, and a box of brand new blocks (orange kind that everyone uses). Total loss about $150 as I will need to buy them again, these were brand new as I just got my TT a month ago. All the things taken were in a large plastic box inside the compartment. So whoever took it must have gone through the boxes and took just those items and left the others.

I have ordered new camlocks on Amazon and just wondering if theft is part of camping? It's frustrating to realize this at the end of a great week of vacation.

I’ve been lucky for 2 years so far but info hang up a sign in front of camper.

“Smile your on camera”.
Not sure if that helps but doesn’t hurt. I’ve had multiple camp hosts and owners tell me to remove my sign though. I tell them to go pound sand. I’ve only been thrown out of one place for that!

[KnP]

Originally Posted by mmartin_tdc

Do you know it is illegal to have propane tanks in a locked compartment.
Anyone must be able to access the tanks to turn them off in case of emergency.
You can lock the tanks to the trailer as long as the valves are accessible.

Did not thought about that... thanks. Going to change that and use a lock and chain instead. Is not hard to do.

[Homebrew]

Originally Posted by KnP

Did not thought about that... thanks. Going to change that and use a lock and chain instead. Is not hard to do.

I was told battery compartments can’t be locked just like the propane compartment.

[Axeman49]

My battery compartment came from the factory with a lock. It is vented to the outdoors to allow any gas build up to escape.

[KnP]

Same here, battery compartment had a lock on mine and also is vented.

[Homebrew]

My 2015 came with both battery compartments without a lock, dealer told me it was illegal to lock them. But they have been wrong before.