Shore power cords stolen

[Poprivet]

Caution!!! Within the last week, the power cords were stolen from several RV's in a storage facility near where I live. A couple months ago, some one stole my aluminum motor scooter carrier off the back of my MH while it was in storage. I have heard tales about break-ins of newer units for the electronics

[willyd]

Thanks for the information. They must want the copper / aluminum / metal.

[jimmini]

Originally Posted by willyd

Thanks for the information. They must want the copper / aluminum / metal.

THAT IT!

[Davydd]

It's a problem. This summer a group stole many of the electrical connections at the FMCA Convention at the State Fair Grounds in St. Paul, MN. They got caught. They were stealing for the copper content.

[overlander63]

I wonder how long it will be before they realize Airstreams are made from expensive aluminum?

[jimmini]

Originally Posted by overlander63

I wonder how long it will be before they realize Airstreams are made from expensive aluminum?

Thay alread have.I talked with a person that had his 2005 stole but was lucky and got his back minus the VIN data plate.I will not go into the trouble he had over that.
Also if your Honda gen is out they will steal that along with you shore cord.

[clancy_boy]

The house at the end of the cul-de-sac being built had the copper and any other metal stolen. Big bucks in damage - they said they would have rather paid the theives and give them the copper vice the repairs to the structure that had to be done with all the cutting the metal thieves did.

It will only get worse. I went to HD tonight to buy some black iron pipe for longer lengths for some pipe clamps - 2 pieces 3/4" by 36" cost me $16 pre-threaded. I could thread them myself but the long lengths were the same price per foot and not thread on each end. Go figure.....

[mustang]

Those Bastards! I guess this is what the CCW law will correct. It is a shame what this world is coming to.

[axleman]

Some people!

About a year ago a fellow over in South Bend Indiana - close to the old Studebaker plant - was stealing power line from underground runs that were shut off for a major renovation project. It turned into a great business netting tens of thousands of dollars in copper wire at the local scrap yards. Authorities couldn't seem to catch him.

They finally did, when he attempted to steal the mother of all cables! One tiny problem - it was live - his stealing ended that day - forvever.

[davidz71]

A retired FBI friend of mine sent me pictures of a guy who climbed to the top of a telephone pole and was in the middle of cutting copper cables when he cut the wrong one. It burned most of his clothes off and left gaping open wounds in addition to charing his body. Serves him right. The pictures were pretty gross.

[Cracker]

I bought a 6' length of thermostat wire today that cost me $3.72! For the record, thermostat wire is no bigger than telephone wiring.

I also priced out an "OEM" muffler and tailpipe for my '95 Chevy pickup yesterday. Parts only were $450!!! I hated to do it, but I bought an aftermarket muffler and tailpipe for $130 - probably made in China and shipped across the pond - then trucked or railroaded across the country to Maine!

Also yesterday, I bought a half pint of Half & Half coffee creamer at a "Quick Stop" type store and it cost me $3.99. I normally buy this with the weekly groceries and, in all honesty, I had not paid much attention to the price.

If this keeps up, we'll be "full-timin'" and spending our life in the National Parks and other similar habitats. Hmmmmm - that may not be so bad!!!

[razorback]

These posts remind me of an accidental drowning I worked when I was a detective. When the first stainless steel boat propellers came out they were being stolen like crazy and sold for big bucks at 100% profit. One brain surgeon who was in the propeller thieving business figured out that if he hit a marina, he could make a haul. The only problem was that he had tied a rope around his waist that he was stringing them on as he removed them from the high dollar fishing rigs one after the other. To make a long story short, when we dragged his lifeless carcass out of the water the rope with eight stainless propellers was still around his waist! The moral of that incident was: Never steal more weight than you can swim with!"

[davidz71]

I've considered changing out the 30 amp hardwire power cord for a Marinco twist on arrangement but am concerned about how easy it would be for someone to steal the power cord if I left the trailer with the AC unit running. I understand that if they want the current power cord then they could just unplug, cut the cord and run like crazy. It will just cost a little more money to replace the yellow Marinco cord.

[utee94]

Interesting-- does this imply that having a shore power cable that runs all the way inside your unit might be more secure against theft than the Marinco twist-lock plugs that have become so popular?

[utee94]

Heh-- looks like David just beat me to it!

My thoughts on this are that the Marinco is easier to steal, so crimes of opportunity become more likely. It's kind of like using The Club on your car. The device can be defeated, but it takes effort, while stealing a car without The Club is easier.

Maybe the same with Marinco versus old-school?

[azflycaster]

Copper pipe has become the hot item in Phoenix. Thieves are cutting any piece that sticks out of the ground off and selling it as scrap. The latest theft was at the Animal Shelter where the animals were left without water until repairs could be made.
Copper thieves steal pipes, cuts water to animal shelter - Cop Shop - EastValleyTribune.com

[davidz71]

Originally Posted by utee94

Heh-- looks like David just beat me to it!

My thoughts on this are that the Marinco is easier to steal, so crimes of opportunity become more likely. It's kind of like using The Club on your car. The device can be defeated, but it takes effort, while stealing a car without The Club is easier.

Maybe the same with Marinco versus old-school?

My thoughts exactly. If I do make the change, I wonder if there is a way to secure the cable thereby making it more of a challenge to steal?

[norsea]

Originally Posted by davidz71

I've considered changing out the 30 amp hardwire power cord for a Marinco twist on arrangement but am concerned about how easy it would be for someone to steal the power cord if I left the trailer with the AC unit running. I understand that if they want the current power cord then they could just unplug, cut the cord and run like crazy. It will just cost a little more money to replace the yellow Marinco cord.

Well, we have 50 Amp service in our 30' Classic with a detached cord. It's black; you do NOT have to buy it in yellow if you do not want to.

I ALWAYS loop the power cord through the rear stabilizer jack and put a large lock that I bought at a Harley dealer on the cord such that the lock is over both pieces of the cord loop that goes through the stabilizer jack. This way someone will have to cut the cable to get it away from the trailer.

Certainly not foolproof but it will be much easier for them to move next door and take my neighbors cord.

As a matter of course we always lock everything we own with the exception of hoses and filters. I guess I could loop the hoses but I don't see that being a hot item for theft. I could be wrong.

Regards,

Jim

[HiHoAgRV]

After my 3rd incident of copper theft at our weekend property I am installing an alarm system that works across the cell network. It seems ideal for RV's that are stored outside since a solar panel and a pair of 6v batteries would run the thing completely off the grid.

The last time the copper theives hit me they stole the powercords of off a microwave, a coffee pot and a fan...musta been worth at least $.25

The Deputy I called said they had just caught 2 guys that were tossing a rope over live rural powerlines and dragging them down with a car.

[henw]

They stole the refrigerated drinking fountain off a local bike trail the other day.
As this is happening everywhere, among other crimes, it makes one wonder how many of the people we come in contact with each day are in reality slimeballs??