What are your thoughts on security systems? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Meggie · RV-Dreams Community Member

What are your thoughts on security systems?

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Meggie,

I used the "Search" function up in the blue bar at the top and came up with a few threads related to security, but sadly, not all really applied to your question. However, this one has 48 responses, so it might give you a start on thinking out the process.

RV Security

Another idea, which may not be in that thread is the use of what is called a "trail camera" or "game camera" that can be hung up outside one's RV and facing towards the RV. While the camera does nothing to deter a crime, they work off of motion sensing and would take pictures of anyone that was around your RV. So, if a crime was committed, the trail camera might have an image of the perpetrator. Just be sure and place the camera high enough that it can't easily be reached. Otherwise, the thief is likely to want your trail camera as well.

Terry

Howard · Host

Personal opinion only - don't have one, don't feel the need for one. Might be different if we frequented larger cities, parked overnight in rest areas, or stored our RV. But as full-timers parking in the places we do, we haven't seen the need for the extra expense. If we get somewhere that doesn't "feel" right, we move on. Sometimes, if it feels just a little dicey, we may lock our compartments and lock up our bikes when we leave the campsite, but usually we just lock our deadbolt on the front door when we leave.

scrappy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Agree on the game camera. I wish we would have had ours installed when someone decided they needed the rubber mat we had hanging in front of the RV to get washed off in the rain.

With two German Shepherds, I am not concerned about security inside of the RV. But, now that someone stole something as piddly as a rubber mat, it is irritating enough to get the game camera installed.

Meggie · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks all! This really does help. It seems to be the "sense" I am getting that most people don't find they need it. It's actually marvelous to hear how safe everyone is, has been, and how safe they feel.

I still sort of like the idea of a camera and then maybe the little door and window alarms. Most times the smallest things act as a good deterrent but it's great to hear it from those who have been out there.

Thanks again!

Meg

abrown · RV-Dreams Community Member

I have had the same questions - mainly because recently I read that many, many RV's have the same KEY that unlocks all of the exterior storage compartments and same for the main door. This makes me nervous. We hope to leave our Fifth Wheel parked and sightsee as often as possible. I don't want to have to worry about theft. We do not have a dog. What security measures are taken by you?

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Like Howard, I've never felt the need for security. If it doesn't feel right I can always move on.

I MIGHT look at changing out locks on the RV door and compartments when it arrives -- hopefully August. It seems to me it would be nice if they were all on the same key and changing them would eliminate the "all RV locks the same" potential issue.

If you are concerned, a simple contact alarm available at tons of places could easily be installed. I found this at Amazon and for less than $12 it could give you the piece of mind you want. One on the door and one on each compartment...

Contact Alarm

I've always been of the opinion that if it makes noise it will scare off the thief.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just a thought for anyone considering changing the locks on their storage compartments. There are a number of us that believe that if a thief wants into the compartments, they will get in with the use of a crowbar or other prying device. In doing that, I would suspect that any damage that one had to repair on the compartment and the doors would be much more expensive than what the contents of the storage area would cost to replace.

While most of our compartments use the infamous 751 key, we have two large doors that use a different, two sided key that is also a universal key. One can even go to a good locksmith and outright buy the key without it even needing to be cut.

One can get new locks for their compartments, but I'm not sure it will insure that you won't lose anything.

Terry

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good point about a thief damaging the compartment doors trying to get past a lock. My thought on changing the locks would be more to eliminate an extra key. In my current role I have this huge ring of keys... model homes, spec homes, construction locks, clubhouse, etc... Most RV's I've seen have one key for the door and a different one for the storage compartments. One key might not seem like a big deal, but sometimes it's the little things that bother me

I'm really not at all concerned about locking the RV. I suppose I shouldn't broadcast this, but where I stay currently in an RV park, I never lock the door to my casita except when I'm asleep at night and sometimes I forget to do that. It's just never been an issue. I MIGHT think about adding contact alarms, but at least for the time being, I don't have any worries about where I'm staying and during the busy season there are always tons of folks around.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ditto.....

My last coach had infra red sensors that would set off a warning within 4 ft of the coach....it was not needed, like everyone else says....if you dont feel comfortable with your surroundings move on , your best alarm is you...

as far as keys.....Hina posted she bought combination locks to replace all here compartment locks and put them all in sequence combination which sounds like a good solution...

locks and alarms are for honest people!!!!.......a crook will take what he came for and take your lock why he is at it!!!!

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

Recently I installed a camera system to monitor the outside of our RV while parked. It was a good deal at Costco and came with 3 wireless cameras and a monitor screen.

We've never felt the need for security but my DW is having trouble with her knees so this system allows her to see who might be knocking on the door or if she hears a "noise" to see what's going on without the need to get up. It's a great way to watch the wildlife as it sniffs around the RV.

Meggie · RV-Dreams Community Member

Yes, I think I agree. It doesn't appear there is a huge need for major security but I would also like the cameras for several reasons.

But then...I am a gadget person so I find that now in planning to go on the road full-time, I want the same things - a tech heavy RV. I want great connectivity, etc. So, the security is on my gadget list I think.

:)

DeeJee · RV-Dreams Family Member

My DH found a door / window alarm less than $10 at Wal Mart that I use on the door of my store when someone opens the door the whole shopping center know it! (I'm looking for a nicer sounding one) it has an alarm sound as well. If you're wanting to be notified or maybe scare someone off that might be an option.

It's to made in two parts when the door or window are separated the device pulls apart and screams loud enough to wake the dead:)

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have a very sophication security system, 75lb of lab that only barks when someone comes in the site.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

We wondered about the same things before we went full-timing or, at least, I did. We mostly leave our doors unlocked but we're in a pretty secure campground Lund as hosts so we know others are looking out for us. That said, I wouldn't want to park anywhere we didn't feel secure. We do lock up in unknown campgrounds. Need to say it was the same way with our house, we mostly didnt lock it. That said, we changed out the locks on all rigs we owned that had that same key system.

Sherry