|
|
04-13-2015, 08:47 AM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Aiken
Posts: 16
|
Securing your trailer while parked at home.
Would be interested in how all of you secure your travel trailer while parked at home. This weekend someone stole our old 1998 popup camper, but we think they originally came in to take our Jayco. One wheel chock from the Jayco was removed from the tire and fortunately with the stabilizers down they opted for the easier to take popup. Both had hitch locks, but that didn't give them a problem with the popup. Anyway, since we have taken the fuse out of the electric jack, but am interested in any other ideas. We had thunderstorms all night so did not hear a thing.
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 09:24 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Central California
Posts: 2,283
|
That sucks, I hate thieves. I'm sorry you have to deal with this.
As we all know, any security measures are really is just going to keep honest people honest. I implore two measures. First I use a pretty heavy duty coupler lock. Second I store mine at a fenced storage yard.
Others have discussed using heavy cable or chain through the wheels. But my thought is if they can cut my couple lock a chain/cable is just another 20 seconds for them to cut.
In out storage lot, some folks do nothing, even leave the batteries. Probably my best protection is mine would be a little harder to steal than some of the others.
__________________
2020 Ram 1500 5.7L
2007 Chevy Duramax LMM/Allison (Sold)
2012 Jay Flight 29QBH (Sold)
2012 Jay Flight 26BH (Sold)
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 09:51 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 3,430
|
Motion sensor flood lights.
While we don't have theft problems where I live, we do have an open yard, no fence and it adjoins an emergency access road which people walk on day and night. You cannot get 2 feet onto my grass without motion sensor flood lights lighting up the entire yard. Thieves don't like that as anyone looking out a window can see what they are doing.
__________________
Chuck
2013 Jayco Jayfeather X20 E (sold)
2016 Chevy Silverado LTZ 2 Z71 Crew Cab (sold, and dearly missed)
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 10:43 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,736
|
Popup are harder to secure. The tongues are light and you can drive off without the unit in the ball. You just use the chains to secure it good enough to the TV and go.
My utility trailer, I use an old ball that I cut the shank off up in the hitch assembly then I have a lock on the hitch, then just to make it harder.
On our HTT, it use to sit on the city street in front of our old house, and I was concerned about it growing feet and wondering off. For that trailer, I have a very good tongue lock that secures the entire hitch area from the underside, the key slot is integrated and under the unit, so if you want to drill it out you have to be on your back with a drill over your face to do it, pig PIA. It is a twin axle trail, so I wheel chocks that I lock with a traditional paddle lock. But to make it more difficult I place the lock on the inside of the HTT, this way I have to reach in to unlock it. This virtually makes it impossible to cut the locks.
There is a product out there call Wheel Boots, the better ones cost between $200 - $500. But they clamp onto the wheel, cover the lug nuts. The paddle lock mechanism is shrouded in heavy steel so it cannot be cut. There are cheaper ones out there, but I think they are not as noticeable and if you try to drive off with them you will tear up your wheel wells.
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 11:00 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 721
|
And then there is this ... Crooks Steal Entire Cabin!
__________________
Hattie
"I just go where I'm towed to"
Genealogy Community Social Group Moderator
__________________________________
2015 White Hawk 25BHS w/Outdoor Kitchen
2015 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD Z71/4x4 Duramax
Son's 2016 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 + gifted 1984 Coleman Sequoia Tent Trailer
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 11:31 AM
|
#6
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Aiken
Posts: 16
|
Everyone - thanks for the info and some great ideas, we are still in the mad stage. Going to get quotes on security systems for the house and shop and install some cameras and motion lights. Had they taken the Jayco and my wife knew who did it - we would have a real fight going on!!!!
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 11:38 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Bartonville
Posts: 513
|
I have a couple latch lock. But I also have a Coupler Lock, which blocks the coupler and prevents anyone from putting a ball in it, even if they should defeat the latch lock. A little over $21 from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-37...h+coupler+lock
Looks like this
I've never had anyone bother my trailers in storage, but feel a little safer with the coupler lock AND the latch lock.
__________________
Scoutr2 (Mike)
2015 Jay Flight 32RLDS Elite
2012 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab LTZ (6.6L Duramax/Allison)
Equalizer Hitch (1200# bars)
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 01:13 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Dale Hollow Lake Tn/Ky
Posts: 2,525
|
Set the trailer axles on blocks and remove the wheels on one side.
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 01:55 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Tulsa
Posts: 170
|
Good insurance!!!
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 02:04 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
|
Someone needs to invent an alarm system that whales like a siren when the wheels turn on the unit! Keep all the electronics inside the camper!!!
...wheels are a turnin'
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 02:30 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: MD
Posts: 3,856
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bassdogs
Set the trailer axles on blocks and remove the wheels on one side.
|
lol that'll stop them.
__________________
2017 JayFlight 28BHBE
2014 JayFlight Swift 264BH (Sold)
2007 GMC 2500 Sierra Classic Crew Cab LBZ Duramax / 6spd Allison
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 03:30 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Kalamazoo
Posts: 769
|
Besides the TT being stolen, you have to worry about the other stuff too. See the thread I started a while back.
http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...eft-25030.html
__________________
2019 Jayco 26BHX Eagle HTX Fifth Wheel
2018 Chevrolet Silverado Double Cab 2500HD 4X4 6.0L 4.10 axle
Reese 16K Round Tube Slider Hitch
HD Trailering Package with Integrated Brake Controller
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 03:54 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Havre
Posts: 148
|
I am working on the road full time with a travel trailer and I have invested a great deal of energy into this very subject. This is a list of SOME of the measures one can take. Some offer a greater measure of security and/or deterrence than others, of course.
- Wheel chocks (two--one on both sides)
- Cable with lock between tires.
- Locking lug nuts so the above security measures are not easily thwarted.
- Solar powered outdoor light w/motion sensor
- The RIGHT coupler lock (the ones listed on this thread so far were shown on a YouTube video to be easily broken with a crowbar in a matter of seconds--literally. The kind with a steel chamber over the tongue is about the only kind that really works).
- Locks on your stabilizers (not easily available in the U.S. but can be bought overseas)
- Home security type system...many of relatively inexpensive these days and will operate off of the cell phone tower and notify authorities and your smartphone if your RV is removed)
- GPS tracker (i.e. Spot)
- Large vinyl letters and/or numbers on the roof making it easy for law enforcement to spot from the sky
- Adding something to the exterior of your camper/trailer/RV that makes it obviously and easily distinguishable from all other units
- Padlock on coupler
- Visual deterrence (i.e. NRA sticker on door window or large dog food bowl outside of RV, etc.
- Loud dog
- Removing the chains from the hitch...there's also a video on YouTube that shows how easy it is to just pull up and use them to remove a trailer
- Removing the fuse from the electronic trailer lift
- Replacing locks on all exterior doors
- How you park it
- Where you park it (including indoors)
- X-chock wheel stabilizers
- Removing a wheel or two
- And lastly, have good insurance and keep it paid up.
__________________
Todd Klassy
https://www.toddklassy.com
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 04:22 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 721
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Todd Klassy
The RIGHT coupler lock (the ones listed on this thread so far were shown on a YouTube video to be easily broken with a crowbar in a matter of seconds--literally. The kind with a steel chamber over the tongue is about the only kind that really works).
|
Todd provides some great ideas. For all who post suggestions, I'm sure others would also appreciate hyperlinks and/or pictures to these examples ... the RIGHT coupler lock has me curious and would love to see what that is.
Here is a link to exterior locks - how to pick the right ones.
__________________
Hattie
"I just go where I'm towed to"
Genealogy Community Social Group Moderator
__________________________________
2015 White Hawk 25BHS w/Outdoor Kitchen
2015 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD Z71/4x4 Duramax
Son's 2016 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 + gifted 1984 Coleman Sequoia Tent Trailer
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 04:37 PM
|
#15
|
Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
|
Extended my home security system out to my TT
Todd has some GREAT ideas listed.
We have SimpliSafe for my home alarm company because I was able to purchase my own equipment from them. The one feature that I like most is that you have TOTAL CONTROL over all your sensors. We have a privacy fence that circles my property and all the gates (4) have DOOR/WINDOW sensors on them. When a gate is opened I have them set up as an ALERT sensors, so it only sends me a text message and tells me which gate was opened. You have to look real hard to see the sensors. I can then look at my tablet/smart phone and bring up any of the 16 cameras ( NightOwl) to check what is going on. The NightOwl system also has motion alert and the capability of texting you if there is any movement detected.
I park the TT next to the house and I have 2 motion sensors inside that are set to ALERT and they also send me a text message (I do not have these sensors set in ALARM mode, which would call the ALARM company) if there is any movement inside the TT.
If we are going away for any length of time, I can reprogram them from ALERT to ALARM mode from my smart phone, PC, or Tablet.
The base station has a cell site module in it and it can also be connected to a Land Line, if any one still has them (VOIP line is also acceptable).
We have two of their power horns (LOUD) one inside and one outside. I do not have the outside power horns programmed into the system... Gee, I wonder why.
If you have cell service where you have your TT, there is no reason that you could not get a basic system for your TT. You could come up with some way of making use of the Window/Door (magnetic) sensor (like I have on my gates) so that it was triggered if the TT was moved, or mount a MOTION sensor facing down under the TT so if the TT is moved it will activate the alarm or text you.
You will need to purchase your equipment from them (Reasonable pricing) and the monthly service with smart phone/texting for $24. NO CONTRACTS!!! Well worth the investment and monthly fee.
Just my thoughts,
Don
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 05:56 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Havre
Posts: 148
|
I purchased the SimpliSafe system too. I only wish it had a module where you could use your iPhone to pull up a live camera inside the trailer. There are several new companies on the market that do what the SimpliSafe does without the monitoring service and with the ability to receive texts every time a motion sensor is activated and/or to just look in using a camera hooked up to Wi-Fi or cellular telephone signal.
__________________
Todd Klassy
https://www.toddklassy.com
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 07:12 PM
|
#18
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Aiken
Posts: 16
|
Thanks everyone for all the great information. We now have to decide what we are going to do.
|
|
|
04-13-2015, 09:03 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Eagle River, AK
Posts: 900
|
Not much of a problem with TT's and such being stolen here in Alaska. Sometimes pop-ups, but mostly flatbed utility type/tilt bed snow machine/ATV trailers that get stolen.
Even though Alaska is a big state, communities are small and people notice. The biggest problem we seem to run into is trailer break ins and sometimes in the winter months homeless will sneak in and live in it. They don't see to mind that batteries are disconnected and there is no heat.
It's really a problem when they bang on the house door in the morning and hand you a grocery list and tell you the black tank is full.....
__________________
We are just a humble drinking couple with a hunting and camping problem.
2018 Jayco Octane 260
2019 Dodge Ram 2500, 6.4 Hemi, 8 spd A/T
2021 Argo Aurora 8x8/2008 Arctic Cat M1000 SnoPro
Previous: Komfort 5er/Jamboree MH/Lance Cabover/Jayco Whitehawk 25BHS TT
|
|
|
04-16-2015, 07:10 PM
|
#20
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Aiken
Posts: 16
|
Well we have decided on the SImpliSafe product for our home and shop will rig a sensor up on the camper too. Will place the order this weekend.
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|