Safety when leaving trailer

[blickcd]

This is what I use when I store my trailer, next to my house, which is in a nice area. The boot is built by Rhino. I've thought of bringing it on trips but never actually have. As others have said, most trailers are stolen when they are in storage, where someone has time to scope it out and plan the theft.

Christopher

[Ray Eklund]

DreamStreamr had a lawn chair "pinched". I had not heard that for some time having anything pinched.

One thing I have noticed about back woods country camping is that a potential thief has the belief that the trailer or tent is the property of one or more "hunters". Obviously armed with bow and arrow, or what ever kind of hunting season is open for that area. Most criminals are not up on what is being hunted at any time. A silent alarm in a way. But, to the point.

Anything that is loose, or that could become loose... I take a thick black magic marker and put my name in large print onto it. It need not be obvious, unless it is being pinched the markings can be only seen when moved. The magic marker is difficult to remove and it would take too much explaining to pawn the stuff off. Oh sure, they will know my last name... so will the local Forest Service employees who do come by and look the site over.

I put our extra drinking water in the red five gallon gasoline containers as they have a lower center of gravity and much heavier duty than the water jugs available. Some thief may see it as a gasoline container and "top off his tank". Good. You will find them not far away. Our propane tanks have our name all over them. It might seem like I am mutilating our camping equipment, but nothing has ever been pinched.

Even our dog porters have our name on them. Call me Dingo and the wife, Blue.

[slowmover]

Water in the gas cans is flat funny. Whether it worked out that way or not, I'd have the satisfaction of thinking it did.

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

DreamStreamr had a lawn chair "pinched". I had not heard that for some time having anything pinched.

I am sorry Mojo. I gave credit to the wrong person for coming up with the term "pinched". Sorry to all involved.

I try to mitigate our potential losses through theft by also considering the amount of damage a thief will do to take what is not worth the damage created to "pinch" an item.

The wife will draw the curtains to make it impossible to look inside the trailer. We do not have a television, but if YOU DO, I would crank the exterior antenna DOWN. Just common sense precautions.

Stick a note on the door that says "Back in fifteen minutes".

For some reason, having the awning out gives the appearance of an extended living space and someone is "at home". But a wild wind moves through and you could have some bent rods. Securing the corners with a rope and steel rods or five gallon bucket of rock, helps.

Hanging a hat outside the trailer will keep a thief on guard when casing the site. Hang some towels out to dry... while gone.

QUIT watching television at home of programs that give everyone the impression that murder, rapes and killers are roaming every street, dirt road and campground looking for more victims. The programs might be entertaining, but I find many people are taking these scripts as common expectations to be encountered. Ask someone overseas how they "learned" about Americans... Then you will understand why they think the USA is a place to be in constant fear.

If you are indeed afraid of potential roaming killers, thieves, kidnappers, dangerous animals, biting reptiles and eagles carrying off small children to be eaten... travel with someone you feel more at ease. I would fear getting a flat tire on a gravel road and having to swat swarms of mosquitos in the process. A more likely situation.

[Ray Eklund]

I removed my hitch lock and can give you the brand name, rather than a guess of what I "did not have" in an earlier reply to this thread...

It uses an ACE key and lock. It is a round key and it has been a higher security lock used to lock Casino slot machines and cash boxes on Craps and Black Jack tables.

HUSKY

It was purchased in 2006 at a trailer sales and parts business called Kettlesons, in the Denver, Colorado area. They let me take it into the parking lot to see if it would work. It might seem to fit a bit loose, but without some cutting torch it is not coming off without much effort and equipment.

I am sure there are others that will work as good, if not better... but I did not see it on display. If I and wife lose each of our provided two keys... it will not be a pleasant experience! If someone has another hitch lock that is suitable, please add it to this thread. I had only one other option at the time.

[MikeAir]

Stick a note on door that looks hastily written that says, "Bill, couldn't get both snakes back in box. Jim is on his way."

[Goal15]

Originally Posted by MikeAir

Stick a note on door that looks hastily written that says, "Bill, couldn't get both snakes back in box. Jim is on his way."

Now that's a great deterrent if I've ever seen one.

[Astw]

I read this post and thought it was a great idea to keep water in new red gas jugs. I asked a plastics/injection molding engineer at work and here is his response. Everyone may want to think twice about using them for drinking water.

"The answer is it truly depends. The obvious goal of the gas can is to be self-extinguishing and flame retardant.* So I don’t know what type of flame retardants are used for this but there could be some potential for some Phthalates and halogenated agents to leach out over time.* Again, this would depend on time but if you thoroughly rinse out the can and only use it for a day or two I’m sure it would be fine.* But to be safe I would personally feel more comfortable with a food grade container for water.*"

[benjisgal]

Originally Posted by kevin242

Get a sticker made up that says "This vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft GPS tracking device installed and monitored by Advanced Equipment Inc." and put it in a conspicuous location. It doesn't matter that you don't have a GPS unit, the thought that there is one is a deterrent in itself.

BINGO. I am retired FBI. I have a few of law enforcement stickers posted in locations throughout my A/S and tow vehicle, however, I think your little anti-theft GPS statement is the best.

[geo]

One detail that hasn’t been mentioned is securing the batteries. If you have upgraded lithium batteries, as I do, you’ll want to secure these too. I was able to find a locking cylinder latch to replace the standard latch on the battery box.

When in storage, I use a MegaHitch Coupler Vault Pro, which is one of the most effective locks on the market. I also lock the safety chains with a reinforced padlock that’s positioned immediately under the coupler, making it difficult to attack with a bolt cutter. I’ve considered using a boot on the wheels, but they’re pretty heavy and take up a lot of storage space. The storage lot I use is well fenced and monitored, which is the best first defense against theft.

I don’t bother with using a hitch lock when traveling, as I’m rarely away from my trailer for more than a few hours.

[majorairhead]

Holy resurrected thread Batman!

[waninae39]

we use MegaHitch Coupler Vault Pro
and a switch to turn off all 12v to the front
thus no 7 pin power nor to the front lift