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Ag&Au · 12-15-2014, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

In 50 some years of extensive camping and travel throughout the country I've never had anything stolen at a campground. A guy did chase us down to return my wife's cell phone she walked away from at a park bench at Grand Canyon last year.

Now, don't one of you fellows find us and lift our power/surge protector just to ruin our record. It's out on the pedestal right now, unlocked as usual.

I have never had a car stolen either. However, I still don't leave them parked with the keys in them.

Don't tempt fate or thieves!!

It's kind of like fishing. Keep at it long enough and sooner or later you'll catch one.
Ken

dkottum · 12-15-2014, 09:23 AM

But Ken, haven't caught one yet and running out of time.

Ag&Au · 12-15-2014, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

But Ken, haven't caught one yet and running out of time.

Be patient, my son. All shall come to those who wait. Do not lose faith.

Perhaps you'll encounter your thief in the afterlife.

Ken

dkottum · 12-15-2014, 09:34 AM

Thanks PaPa, there's still hope.

m.hony · 12-15-2014, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

In 50 some years of extensive camping and travel throughout the country I've never had anything stolen at a campground. A guy did chase us down to return my wife's cell phone she walked away from at a park bench at Grand Canyon last year.

Now, don't one of you fellows find us and lift our power/surge protector just to ruin our record. It's out on the pedestal right now, unlocked as usual.

I am not so lucky. In 1989 I came back to my campsite to find it wiped out. They took my clothes, boat, toiletries, hygiene products- everything- I was living at the campground, so had all my earthly goods with me. The thieves stole photo albums containing pictures since I got my first camera at age 11. That was the most upsetting part. The thing is, it is not necessary to steal from me. If you ask me for it, I will give it to you. After all, our purpose in being here is to help those in need. That being said, I think sometimes it is an illness or either they won't ask due to embarrassment. Thankfully, that is the only time in 36 years of camping that I've had anything stolen.

m.hony · 12-15-2014, 10:49 AM

In general, RV people don't steal from RV people, or they don't steal from me because what they have is better/newer/nicer than mine, anyway.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 12-15-2014, 01:24 PM

Hi, I had two sewer connections stolen from me; Actually some dummy left them in the drain when putting the sewer hoses back in my bumper storage compartment. Surprise, surprise, when I got to the next camp ground hundreds of miles away.

dkottum · 12-15-2014, 01:37 PM

Yes, the point is campers don't usually steal from campers. Professional thieves can find easier venues to operate in.

And we use common sense, don't leave my wallet on the picnic table when going for a hike or leave the keys in the ignition when shopping Walmart.

But if you guys keep raising this fear level, we may have to start locking our door at night (old habit, my parents never had a key for the door on the house).

Ag&Au · 12-15-2014, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, I had two sewer connections stolen from me; Actually some dummy left them in the drain when putting the sewer hoses back in my bumper storage compartment. Surprise, surprise, when I got to the next camp ground hundreds of miles away.

I had a similar experience on our last trip. I always use a brass 4 way hose splitter on the campground faucet connection. Each outlet has a valve and it makes hose use very adaptable. When I got to a new campground I realized I didn't have it. So I called the previous campground to see if I had left it on their spigot. They said it wasn't there. So obviously it had been stolen. When I got home, I found not only had it been stolen, but the stupid thief hid it in the compartment where I keep my sewer fittings. What a dumb crook.

Ken

mojo · 12-15-2014, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m.hony

The thing is, it is not necessary to steal from me. If you ask me for it, I will give it to you. After all, our purpose in being here is to help those in need.

I need a new Airstream....can I have yours?

ROBERT CROSS · 12-15-2014, 04:57 PM

"......... After all, our purpose in being here is to help those in need."

"We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don't know."
W. H. Auden

Bob

m.hony · 12-15-2014, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojo

I need a new Airstream....can I have yours?

We may have to define "need". Are you sick? Are you hungry? Are you thirsty? Are you in prison? Are you a widow? Are you an orphan?
My trailer isn't new, but you can have it- for $80,000-

m.hony · 12-15-2014, 05:14 PM

Those in need that I refer to are there due to bad luck or circumstances beyond their control- not because they are sorry or lazy or make poor choices-

interstateflyer · 12-15-2014, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FollySteve

I have this one

Portable Surge Guards With LCD Display - 30 Amp - TRC 34730-001-LCD - Surge Protectors - Camping World

As far as I know it is a good one. It is reassuring to see amps and volts when you check. You quickly learn what looks right for the current load. Especially volts. It is nice to know that voltage drop isn't there.

Me too.

I fried (literally smoked it) a lesser surge protector($70) at a seaside RV park in San Francisco. The $300+- for this one is well worth it IMHO.

Oh....and I always lock the electrical box.

AWCHIEF · 12-15-2014, 06:39 PM

Not sure cost is a guarantee of anything. I have seen several $300 plus surge protectors fried.

Ag&Au · 12-15-2014, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

Not sure cost is a guarantee of anything. I have seen several $300 plus surge protectors fried.

I am under the impression that a surge protector is a sacrificial item and is likely to get fried while protecting the other equipment down stream from it. Am I wrong?

We had a nearby lightning strike on a power line here at home. Everything that was plugged into a surge protector survived. Several things that were not did not. No surge protectors survived.

Ken

AWCHIEF · 12-15-2014, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ag&Au

I am under the impression that a surge protector is a sacrificial item and is likely to get fried while protecting the other equipment down stream from it. Am I wrong?

We had a nearby lightning strike on a power line here at home. Everything that was plugged into a surge protector survived. Several things that were not did not. No surge protectors survived.

Ken

That is how I understand their function also.

NCMEDIC · 12-15-2014, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zigidachs

At one time we owned a fiver. We stayed at a reputable CG and plugged into their site pole. BLAM! $5000.00 in damages with fried wiring and destroyed appliances.

The owner had an electrician check the wiring of the pole immediately, and he found no "problem" ! (?)

We had a $500.00 deductible.

Now we not only use a portable surge protector at all times, but I check the polarity and voltage/ amperage of every pole where we plug in.

We also use a digital monitor ( shown above) inside the unit because many CG's cannot supply consistently correct voltage.

Remember too that a thunderstorm can be five miles + away from you, but still represent a real threat via lightening.

This closely mirrors our experience. We just happened to be sitting inside the fifth wheel when the surge happened (at a brand new state park with brand new wiring). There was a puff of smoke at the rear of the coach near the shore power connection and the smell of burning insulation. I immediately secured the power and we got it all sorted out. We now have an installed surge protector and in addition to that, we also use the portable one on the post. I have absolutely no doubt that if we hadn't been in the camper at the time, we would have lost our RV along with our beloved dog. Your money, your choice, but to me it is quite simple.

interstateflyer · 12-15-2014, 08:14 PM

Does anyone happen to know if current Airstreams have built in surge protection?

wahoonc · 12-15-2014, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ag&Au

I am under the impression that a surge protector is a sacrificial item and is likely to get fried while protecting the other equipment down stream from it. Am I wrong?

We had a nearby lightning strike on a power line here at home. Everything that was plugged into a surge protector survived. Several things that were not did not. No surge protectors survived.

Ken

That is correct, in a few cases the surge protector may "survive" but it is a very unlikely occurrence. But a toasted $250 surge protector beats the fool out of a burned up Airstream.

Aaron