Concerns or Problems with Crime - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Future Fulltimers · RV-Dreams Family Member

Concerns or Problems with Crime

Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Since being on the road for 6 months now you should always take precautions as you would in your own home or neighborhood. We do not travel with valued possessions. Try to spend your time on the road in good rv pks, perhaps with security of which lots of them offer. Most RV'ers do look out for one another. There are locks for everything we have, truck, fiver, compartments for storage, tripod, some of us traveling have very expensive motorcycles and can leave them out by RV with no problems. Most RV parks do not let the public in unless they ck first at office. No we do not overnite in Wally World lots. We do have 2 dogs that travel with us. This was never a big concern with us full timing.
Others here I am sure can tell what they do also.
southwestjudy & Bob & 2blackdogs

Sandra · RV-Dreams Family Member

We've been fulltiming now for 2 1/2 years and have never felt unsafe in any parks we've stayed at. Probably the worst area we stayed in was Mardi Gras RV Park in New Orleans pre-Katrina. The RV park had an 8 foot gate with spikes on top. That concerned me more than the neighborhood but I guess since they had it, it must have been required! We always lock our doors even if just walking around the park itself unless one of us is in the RV.

I'm more concerned over leaving items in the truck when we're in parks etc. but so far we've not had a problem there either.

ahoweth · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have been on the road for just a bit over 2 years now and I have yet to stay any where that I was overly concerned with crime or valdalism. Maybe we have just been lucky but nothing yet. We have occasionally stayed in a Wal-Mart parking lot and felt safe. Wal-Mart has pretty good security in most places. Of course no place is totally safe if someone really wants what you have. Sometimes I wonder how wise it is to lock every thing up tight because a determined thief will get in even if they have to tear up your unit to do it.

We don't carry much cash and we don't carry anything overly valuable. I think our biggest loss would be the coach itself if something did occur. Of course you have to do what makes your feel secure but I wouldn't be overly concerned. Just use your head and don't put yourself in compromising situations. If you feel insecure your probably are. Listen to your feelings!

mcw50 · RV-Dreams Family Member

We've been on the road for over 6 years and never had a problem. We try to be smart...always lock our doors...never advertise our names or the fact that we are full-timers. We frequently stay in rest areas or Wally World and always look around and pay attention to our surroundings. (Is it well lighted, are we in an area that might have a lot of foot traffic, is the Wally World open 24 hrs.? etc.) When parking at a Wally World we ALWAYS ask permission and also ask about the neighborhood. There have been times when the manager has told us we could stay but he wouldn't be comfortable doing that. In those cases we have moved on! Some RV parks are places we would stay overnight while on the road, but not for an extended stay. Some are gated and have good security and we can leave our chairs, bikes, golf clubs outside all the time. Just be observant!

blijil · RV-Dreams Family Member

My dad used to tell me "Close the gate!" I soon understood he meant that I should not make it too easy for the bad guys. It seems they always try to pick on the vulnerable, the predictable, and those like me who didn't pay attention to the obvious common sense tools people use to maintain security. While campgrounds and RV parks are pretty secure under most circumstances I have seen and heard about thefts that occured because in my opinion the victum made themselves too tempting. Surprise, surprise, the $1000 portable generator was stolen right off the ground in front of the 5th wheel by the main entrance of the park during the night. LOTS of goodies hanging out of basement doors left open for days at a time. The door left wide open in a sparsely populated campground while you and your spouse take a two hour walk every day. And even though I have seen vehicles left running outside the rest area with no one in them while a few hitch hikers sit and watch the owners go into the facities there are very few stolen.

But on the other hand a GSA worker bringing my government car around in LA Airport told me that a white man driving a car with government plates is a target in WATTS in the daytime and a total fool in the night. He ought to know, he lived there. There are dangerous places at dangerous times and it is wise to be aware of those.

However other than a very few random travel situation robberies and the traditional vacation spot risks the RV community seems to be a very safe place to be and as most campground hosts will tell you those that loose there stuff pretty much ask for it by offering way to much opportunity.

So close the gate.
Larry

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

The main crime that happens with RVers is theft, theft from outside the RV. We lost our bicycles during a stormy night (noise) and they had to cut three different cable locks to get them, this inside a campground with a gate. Once we lost some gas from our gas motorhome while we were camped for the night at a repair facility, we knew it was siphoned because the tank was full when we came in.
We were around in Quartzsite this winter when someone lost a Honda generator. They were watching TV in the dark and had it up loud, the generator was running and the generator was stolen as they watched. They were charging the batteries and running the TV on inverter. They figured the thief stopped the generator, noticed the TV was still going strong and then cut the lock and took the generator.
The only inside theft I have heard is that thieves around Tucson, AZ know where the safes are put into high end motorhomes and they watch for the occupants to leave, break in through a window, and then pry the safe out with a crowbar. Of course it is also common for RVs stored in people's yards to be broken into and the electronic stolen.

The only mugging and more violent crime I have heard of is in rest areas. The story is almost always the same, someone knocks and tells the occupant there is something wrong in back of their RV so they come out and get mugged.
Some random vandalism every once in a while also happens. I know someone who was egged parked in front of a relatives house. I have talked to a couple people who have had their RV "keyed", which is where someone gouges the paint with a key, which is a common problem with cars also.
In campgrounds that have a lot of permanents there are instances of more serious crimes in the permanents places, rapes, murders, armed robbery, meth labs, etc., but the overnighters just seen to hear about it and not be victims themselves.

It doesn't seem to be the RVers doing the crimes, but we are not invisible to others who will commit crimes.

I just wanted to point out things are not perfect out there. Some good friends were debating going full-time, and what clinched their decision was coming back to the house to find it burglarized and the van stolen. They actually recovered the van and tow it now. They recovered some of the contents, but the house lost its appeal and going full-time they have had great experiences.

-- Edited by bjoyce at 12:08, 2007-03-02

-- Edited by bjoyce at 09:24, 2008-06-19

jayc · RV-Dreams Family Member

I guess I've been lucky while camping and have never lost anything other than a clothes line that I had strung up between a couple of trees to hang bathing suits on. Nothing was on the line and I think the line cost me .99 at Wal Mart and I figure I could afford to lost that much.

We don't boondock, so thats not an issue for us. We don't usually lock the storage compartments while in a park because everyone else has the same key, and if a thief wants my stuff that's in the storage that bad, he will break in anyway, so why risk the damage to the trailer? When camping with a group of friends, I leave the trailer completely unlocked because if the trailer catches fire while I'm gone, hopefully someone will get the dog out. The rest is insured, but I don't want to replace the dog.

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are finding the lifestyle one of the most comfortable we've ever been in. Most of the time we forget to lock the truck overnight, and have only locked the outside compartments once in a year and a half, when a really rowdy group of youngsters was partying next to us at a campground on the ocean in LA.

Fred

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have been Full-timing for over 6 years now, and have never had any problems. Depending on the park, we lock compartment doors and don't leave too much standing out, if there is any doubt.

We had more trouble with theft when we had a house than we do now. I have seen many valuable items sitting on picnic tables, and no one bothers them, but why take chances?

For the most part, campgrounds don't have much trouble with theft or crime. Campers are a pretty good bunch of people. biggrin

-- Edited by Jim01 at 08:37, 2007-07-15

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

For the most part Jim you are correct. We have been living in our 5ver for one year and so far no problem. I think RVers are some of the best folks on the earth. You never can be too careful. It does not hurt to lock up before you go to bed or leave the site.

Joe

wmalefyt · RV-Dreams Family Member

Unless we are at the site and awake we keep things locked up. I know even this will not stop a determined thief, but it will at least slow them down and maybe cause them to move on some where else!

My concern is leaving my truck and trailer in a shopping center parking lot while we go shopping. Years ago did that in Las Vegas with a car full of luggage and came back to find the luggage gone!

SKOOBDO · RV-Dreams Family Member

Best advice to anyone is to keep your "stuff" out of plain sight.

khan · RV-Dreams Community Member

Very informative thread!

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

One thing we found. We had a 1989 Georgie Boy motor home. We noticed it had the same key number to the storage compartments as our storage shed at our house. Then last year we sold the MH and bought a 2002 Cedar Creek Fifith wheel. Dang if the storage compartment keys were not the same as the MH's and our home shed.

We told a friend who checked his fifth wheel. Same key. He went to a RV dealer and checked several trailers and fivers - Yup, most had same key.

We figured if we knew this, so do the thieves. We changed all our locks to outside storage compartments.

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

This is a great thread....very informative. My hubby and I start fulltiming in 12 days (but who is counting) and we will be changing the locks on the storage compartments and the door of the RV before we leave. Hubby also purchased a motion detector. I think I would only want to use it while sleeping though. I would hate for it to go off accidentally while we're not there and completely annoy our fellow campers.

We did go to a self defense class. The instructor said he recommends carrying a fake wallet with a 20 on the outside and a ton of 1's on the inside in the case of a mugging.

I think it is also important to trust your instincts. If one of you has a bad feeling about a place or certain people it is always best to trust those instincts and move on. I worked at a bank for several years and my intuition never failed me. The few times I got that gut feeling it turned out the person had been previously convicted of wire fraud or something similar.

-C

wmalefyt · RV-Dreams Family Member

In my opinion it's not worth the expense to change the locks on storage compartments. If a thief wants something bad enough they can fairly easily pry open these doors. The best advice is to not keep anything of great value in these compartments. Large expensive items like a portable generator could be chained and padlocked inside the storage compartment.

I think you'll also find that the doorknob lock on most RV's are keyed alike so that RV salesmen can easily get in all the RV's on their lot. Only the deadbolt lock is keyed differently for each RV.

-- Edited by wmalefyt at 11:47, 2008-06-19

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good point about the storage compartments.....I guess if they want to steal our dirty laundry and extra sewer hose they can go right ahead :)

-C

Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Most of us carry more things when full-timing than dirty laundry and sewage hose. We carry compressor, tools, freezer, and a concentrator for DH oxygen at nite time, and a battery charger for boat. So its best to at least remember to lock-up when leaving. However I do agree if someone wants to get in bad enough they will. Also campground people usually look out for one another. Some campgrounds have a guard post with gate and codes.
southwestjudy

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

We'll be carrying more than sewer hoses and dirty laundry, but our storage compartments are not very big in our mid-profile. As we're moving from the house to the RV we're realizing that we have much less space than we expected, but still enough to get by. Tools are probably the only thing of much value that we'll keep under there and we'll keep an inverter chained in the front storage compartment.

-C

RVDude · RV-Dreams Family Member

RV locks, unfortunately, are very standard. There are only a few dozen key combinations. For a visual education of this go to a good service center and ask to see their key ring. A couple dozen keys to carry around and you can open 95% of all RV locks. Hence, changing locks is really of no value. Correcting this requires custom made lock cylinders ($$$) and then I'd still assert it's easier to just pry off the door.

RV'ing is NO different than sticks-n-brick'ing. Play smart, think smart. Don't show off your load. Keep things locked to help keep an honest person honest. If a real thief sees something and wants it, consider it gone – either from an RV or your sticks-n-bricks.

Keep that wallet, fake or otherwise, locked up - you are camping now and don't need it - besides, bears maul, they don't mug. That wallet certainly need not be stuffed. Keep that $20 wrapping up the $1's in the ATM machine until you need them – and certainly not a ton of them. Split up your credit cards and the like in different places and different pockets. If you do lose your wallet or it gets stolen, better to have lost only some cards. Again, just like you should do anyway in the pre-RV days huh?

The difference is that you may PERCIEVE that you are more vulnerable in our thin, mobile, parked in the wide open RVs. You may PERCIEVE more security in your brick-n-mortar former castle. Just watch one episode of that it takes a thief show on TV and that perception will be quickly equalized.

Play smart and think smart like you already do. Get out there and enjoy yourself. You will quickly feel more secure with experience.

thebearII · RV-Dreams Family Member

In our 35 years of RVing mostly in California with a few long trips back east, we've never had a problem. Both of us are very alert and aware of our surroundings. We've never had a problem at a rest stop. When approached by strangers we always look them in the eye and are quick to say a greeting to them so they know we are aware of their presence.

However-
We store our 5'er at what was a very secure RV & Personal storage lot near our house.
They had a very sophisticated security system which included cameras, lighting, a fiber optic fence monitor, razor wire, tall fences and managers that live onsite.

Recently the fiber optic system was cut, the storage lot management tried to get it fixed but the manufacturer had gone out of business. A few days later a hole was cut in the fence by thieves and several RVs were broken into. The thieves pried open storage compartments. On a couple of the RVs they used a crowbar and bent back the bottom of the entry door enough to either climb in or reach up and unlock the door. Tools, electronics, jewelry and other valuables were taken.

The moral of this story.... if the thieves want it bad enough they will find away to get to it.

jdensie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Having been camping over 30 years and for 12 of thoes years owned a CG I knew about the locks on storage compartments. I have seen at one time or another all kinds of damage crooks did to RV"s.
The best advice I was ever told in area was: LOCKS ONLY KEEP OUT AN HONEST PERSON.

To all have safe and happy travels.

galeanna · RV-Dreams Family Member

As a family who had their stick built broken into between 22-23 yrs ago it doesn't matter if it's an RV or house if they want in they get in. All anyone can do is take normal precautions locking things up etc. My parents have not had any problem in the almost 20 years they have been full timing. Anna

dgorila1 · RV-Dreams Family Member

One thing I haven't seen mentioned by anyone yet is the use of alarm systems and other active security measures. An RV, like a car, generally has a 12V system so it should easily be able to operate an electronic security system similar to a car alarm.

I'm still in the research phase for my "ideal" setup but one thing I am incorporating is a multilayered security setup (locks, cameras/recorders, safe, security system and other active measures). I guess working around he "bad" elements of society have made me more aware of the criminal element, no matter where it is, plus the responsibility to take the safety of your family and your possessions in your own hands. This is especially true on the road, no matter if you are a weekend camper or full timer. IMO taking the "ostrich in the sand" approach is plain ignorance, but to each his own. It has been legally ruled that the police do not have a duty to protect you from crime (unless they are present and aware), and most "secure" parks are far from secure.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I for one will take normal precautions,but to make my RV a fortress seems a little over kill.I've never felt that threatened even in some of the less than desireable camp grounds I've picked.If you don't feel safe where you are at move on.I'm not sticking my head in the sand but choose to live my life just like I do in my stix and brix.Caution is prudent but fear is paralyzing.

dgorila1 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree Racer, I'm not talking about making a fortress, just some common sense security measures since this is most people's full time home on the site. There's a difference between common sense and fear/paranoia. The second type live in the desert away from everyone, waiting for the "big one" to happen

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

We find the lifestyle perfectly safe and don't take any precautions aside from locking the front door when we go to sleep. We don't even bother locking the outside bays and have never had a problem in 3 years.

We find most people are honest in the general population and RV'ers are particularly so.

Ann and Steve · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've seen devices for TTs that literally lock the hitch, preventing someone from hooking up your unit and driving off with it. I presume that there's something like that for 5er's.

And I work on the premise that "if it can go wrong, it will." I also will have a multi-leveled, active security configuration for my unit. The DW and I had a small TT back in the '80s, met lots of very nice campers, and enough ner-do-wells to teach us a lesson. While we never had any problems, I'm now 30+ years older and not particularly interested in hand-to-hand with an intruder, or in filing police reports for stolen property. Situational awareness - you bet. But don't get complacent.

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

My outside compartments have NEVER been locked in a campground in 9 years fulltime. They are only locked when we move - never in a campground. I've never had an issue, but your mileage may vary.

DebWA · RV-Dreams Community Member

Back in the early 70's when my in-laws were fulltiming, they owned a lot at ORA in the Florida Keys. They had a golf cart and were afraid of it being stolen. At night they parked it behind their Airstream and my mother-in-law would hook fishing wire up to it, thread it through a window and tie empty tin cans together. She figured if anyone tried to take the golf cart it would rattle the cans and they could wake up and head off the thief!

RodnReal · RV-Dreams Family Member

I thought I would bump this up in case anyone else was concerned about this issue like I am.

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Fear of crime is more a personal issue than a reality.

A review of this thread will show that many of us who have fulltimed for a long time and travel extensively, believe this is the safest, friendliest lifestyle imaginable.

But if you have fear in your heart, there will be nothing we can say that will allay your fears.

Good luck to you and be safe.

KarenInTheWoods · RV-Dreams Family Member

quote: << Split up your credit cards and the like in different places and different pockets. If you do lose your wallet or it gets stolen, better to have lost only some cards.>>

This is VERY good advice!

We had friends who had 2 credit cards, (MC and VISA) and both the husband and wife carried two cards, one of EACH card in their wallet.

One lost wallet and BOTH accounts had to be cancelled, and the new cards could only be mailed to their home address!

They had to have family members pool up and go to Western Union to wire them $900 cash, enough for fuel to get back home from their now *derailed* vacation.

So it's wise to have more than one card, but even wiser to make sure that both of you are not carrying the same card. We keep one card hidden away in the motorhome for emergency purposes only.

Some good hiding places in many RV's for cameras, laptops, wallets etc. when out hiking or at the beach=== pull out a bottom drawer and set items underneath on the floor or behind the drawer and slide drawer back into place.

And my favorite: I wrap my laptop and camera etc in a dark blue towel and set it inside my washer/dryer unit. You can't even see if there is anything in there thorugh the small round window, and if opened up, it only looks like laundry in there!

(now that I told you these, none of you will come looking for me, right?)

norsado2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

lucky to have gitta to think about all that stuff she keeps all that seperated nothing is the same cards checks all i get is the bills

probably for the best john

Jim · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm hoping that some of those who boondock will chime in here. I plan on doing a lot of boondocking and am curious if anyone has had problems leaving the rig to go hiking, fishing, etc.

If you do leave your RV when boondocking, does anyone have any tips on how best to secure it.

Thanks

AnnDon · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our coach has a built in security system from the factory. It sets off an alarm when any of the outside compartment doors, etc. are opened.
My hubby (who was raised in an urban area, worked in the law enforcement field and lived a military lifestyle) locks everything up tight at night, sometimes I feel as if he thinks we live in Fort Knox. disbelief

I, on the other hand, am more lax (even though half my family are/were in law enforcement), I believe that they will do more damage (and cost more) by breaking in, then just taking a few items.

In my 45 years of existence, we (I) have only been broken into once and the thieves knew exactly what they wanted and took those items only.

My father (a very wise man) once told said "Who would you trust more - a biker or a politician?" The answer is a biker, at least he is honest (if he says he is going to do something, he'll do it) - versus the politician, who will smile, look clean cut and lie to you through his perfectly white teeth. I have found this to be very true in life. The average Joe is more honest then not. Poor people are more honest that is why they are poor.
The general populace must look out for one another, because you can't trust the "important and big" people to care about the little guy.
And I still believe in the old adages: Do unto others, as you wish them to do unto you. And - What goes around comes around. Don't sweat the small stuff and it is all small stuff. Objects can be replaced, souls can not. smile

When it is said and done what can you take with you?! Ann "Don't worry, be Happy"! biggrin

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

I know this is an old post but I had to put this up for those new folks wanting to fulltime but are just a little scared of living in a RV vs a Stix and Brix home. I think this idea will help you feel a little safer in your new environment

1. Go to a second-hand store and buy a pair of men's used size 14-16 work boots.

2. Place them on your front porch, along with a copy of Guns
and Ammo Magazine.

3. Put a few giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazines.

4. Leave a note on your door that reads:

Hey Bubba, Me, Big Jim, Duke and Slim went for more ammunition.
Back in an hour. Don't mess with the pit bulls - they attacked
the camp host this morning and messed him up real bad. I don't
think Killer took part in it but it was hard to tell from all
the blood. Anyway, I locked all four of 'em in the RV.
Better wait outside.

"Cooter"

This could be the answer you are all looking for...would you break in???

RodnReal · RV-Dreams Family Member

HAHAHAHAHA Speedy, I love it! biggrin

Connie

-- Edited by RodnReal on Wednesday 19th of August 2009 01:24:04 PM

DZ · RV-Dreams Family Member

We've been camp hosts at Palisades State park in Utah since June 15th. As I make my rounds, I'm amazed at the people that leave all their stuff outside all the time. But I'm more amazed that we haven't had one report all summer of anything being stolen. We have people that will go to great lengths to get in the park without paying the entrance fee, but they apparently respect other people's property.

norsado2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

speedy your the man I new you were realy from alabama john

RodnReal · RV-Dreams Family Member

You know, since hurricane Ike, there have been so many out of state contractors here, not all good people either, thefts are up and we've been vicitimized ourselves.

I guess I would hate to become complacant about theives and the mindset of unsavory folks.

More so than ever, I have wanted to buy a gun and get my permit to carry. I don't know how this works across state lines. Does anyone have any knowledge about this?

-Connie

-- Edited by RodnReal on Friday 21st of August 2009 02:25:39 PM

AnnDon · RV-Dreams Family Member

Speedhitch's comment brought back memories of when my younger brother was in college in Pittsburgh, PA. His apartment he shared with a couple of other guys was being broke into a lot so he took a picture of the biker club members (we use to belong to) and hung it on the door with a sign that said "Residents". He never had a problem after that. LOL, Oh memories! True story! Ann

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

RodnReal wrote:

More so than ever, I have wanted to buy a gun and get my permit to carry. I don't know how this works across state lines. Does anyone have any knowledge about this?

-Connie

-- Edited by RodnReal on Friday 21st of August 2009 02:25:39 PM

Rod and Connie,

I have sent a private message regarding this.

Terry

AnnDon · RV-Dreams Family Member

try this website for more info: handgunlaw.us

hasanchez · RV-Dreams Family Member

Joe,

I realize the you made this reply some time ago.............but I'm laughing my ass off right now!!! And.......it's January 2015 now!! Hahhahahaha!!

Henry Sanchez

Sacrmento, CA

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Try to NOT revive old threads. This one is almost 9 years old from it's inception and 7 years old since the last comment and some of the information in the thread could be out-dated, but someone coming along after a thread is revived might think that ALL the information is still valid.

Terry