Newbie Security Systems - Montana Owners Club

klandry · 12-10-2007, 04:33 AM

Hi,

I'm fairly new to this forum. I've been browsing and have found a lot of helpful information here. Our 3400RL is built and on it's way to New Hampshire. In about 20 months, we plan to sell the house and go full time. I've heard a lot about how RV's and campers are the biggest burglary target. Can anyone tell me what you are doing for security systems while you are on the road.

Parrothead · 12-10-2007, 05:07 AM

All we really do is lock our door when we leave and at night. Perhaps we are being naive but for the most part we feel most CG's are safe. If it doesn't look safe, we don't stay there. We have been RVing for about 15 years and never had a problem. For many of those years I lived in the RV while working and Ed would go back and forth between our stick house in So. Calif. and the RV which was parked in No. Calif. This would leave me alone in the RV for a week or two. I was never afraid. Our neighbors usually knew the situation and looked out for me also. Before this I tent camped with my small daughter for years and was never worried. Of course we do hear of occasional happenings but I don't think they are the norm. We do not boondock or camp in WalMart or rest stops.
Happy trails...................

Glenn and Lorraine · 12-10-2007, 05:09 AM

A HUGE WELCOME to the MOC Family.

We have been Full Timing for over 4 years and I have yet been in a camp ground where an RV has been burglarized muchless our own. As a matter of fact I feel more comfortable about my belongings in an RV park than I did when we lived in a house. I have often forgotten to lock the compartments at night or if we went away for the day. When we awoke or returned NOTHING was amiss.
Now I am not saying it can't happen but I am saying I would not go to extremes about security nor would I lose any sleep worrying about it.
Only twice in 4 years we had bicycles stolen. In the 1st case the bike was recovered. A simple chain and a padlock solves those problems.
As most all compartment locks from one RV to another are keyed alike, many do change their compartment door locks to a different type key BUT that only keeps me out of your compartment. If a THEIF wants in all the fancy locks are NOT going to keep him out.
If you have the laundry chute concerns about that laundry chute can be resolved by installing a lock upstairs or merely leave the bathroom door stand open over the laundry chute door BUT that also eliminates any entry should you lock yourself out.
For your entry door issue, always lock up using the DEAD BOLT lock. The DEAD BOLT lock is the bottom key on the door lock set. You can check this out by turning the key while the door is standing open. Any dealer has a Master Key to the upper lock and sometimes these Master Keys do get into the wrong hands.
Whether you are a weekender, long timer or full timer, Do Not let the security issue override your enjoying the RV lifestyle you have chosen for yourself and your family.

VanMan · 12-10-2007, 05:18 AM

Most of the issues on this forum have either been while on a dealer's lot for repair or while in storage - those would probably be very easy targets. Our security is to lock up when gone and not leave a lot of goodies out unattended in plain view (BBQ, expensive chairs, etc.) We pull a TT rather than a 5er, so we have added security in our TV (heavy locked fiberglass bed cover). A little yapper dog (or a GREAT BIG one) helps, too! And I'm sure someone will be along to describe their arsenal they take along.

ols1932 · 12-10-2007, 05:21 AM

I agree with Glenn. Additionally, if you merely lock the door handle, it can be sprung just by grabbing hold and jerking on it or using a pry of some sort. It happened to us when our rig was in "secure" storage just before we started fulltiming in 2000.

Orv

boylanag · 12-10-2007, 05:34 AM

Welcome to the forum. We have been camping for over twenty years and have never had a burglary or heard of one at a campground we have been in. It seems like everyone in a campground is like us - traveling or temporarily there - so all watch out for each other. While in storage is sometimes a different story but, when traveling and/or living in your beautiful Montana, just enjoy the experience.

49merc · 12-10-2007, 05:39 AM

2 years ago when in Yuma my bike was stolen along with a couple others the same night in our park but it was due to we left them out. Like Vanman says just keep things out of sight when gone and lock up bikes if possible. Other than that I wouldn't be to concerned. I think most thefts happen when rigs are in storage.
Bob

bsmeaton · 12-10-2007, 06:36 AM

Trailer Trash 2 has installed a security system in his Monty after getting robbed.

You might PM him direct to get the details. You can look him up under "member" in the upper right screen.

richfaa · 12-10-2007, 09:42 AM

That falls into the category things folks say but have no first hand knowledge of. We have been rv,ing for over 20 years and have NO first hand knowledge of any thing being stolen from any one..But it can happen at any place , any time. There is not much you can do to keep thieves out of the camper as you need little more tha a screw driver or a finger nail file to break in. Use good common sense and you will be ok.

Steve and Brenda · 12-10-2007, 12:57 PM

Rich is right. All the basement door keys are the same on OEM Montanas. If you really want to break into a Monty all you need to do is open the basement and enter through the laundry door. a broom handle will push the door open easily.

We did see some local kids one weekend evening breaking into all the coolers left outside the trailer doors. They were after the beer, shame all the meat spoiled that they threw out to get the beer.

Driftwoodgal · 12-10-2007, 01:34 PM

Ok, you guys where were all of you when I was locked out of my Montana last weekend???? LOL

I tugged and tugged and beat on my door handle, with the master lock locked last week and I couldn't get it open. I didn't use a crow bar or a nail file, but lots of other campers keys were tried to open the top lock.... no luck. I did manage to get in through the laundry chute, so if I am worried about theft I will leave the bathroom door open in the future. Of course the cat can always move the door, so I will just make sure that anything expensive (jewelry) will go with me.

We were in a campground that had thieves come in and steal tons of stuff from boats parked about 25 yards from our RV. Thousands of dollars of ski equipment, fishing, stereos, etc. were stolen.

We have had our stick house broken into with stronger doors and locks than our RV. If someone wants into your property they can find a way.

Waynem · 12-10-2007, 01:58 PM

Locks are to keep honest people out. Novice thieves will just pry the door open. Professionals will not leave a trace on the entry door that they were there. You'll find out when you walk in that items are missing.

Security alarm systems are to warn your neighbors that novice thieves have broken in and taken what they could carry in a few minutes. Professional thieves will cut the power supply feeding the alarm system. It's best to have a separate batter inside the RV to feed the alarm, or in a place that is not typically known to the professional thieves. Most alarm systems come with an outside siren. Most professional thievfes, and some novices know this and look for the siren and cut the wires.

If an alarm gives you piece of mind, then by all means install one.

Personally, I'm more concerned with someone trying to come in while I am in the Hanna. That's were S&W 40 comes in handy. Since the RV is considered a "home," the second amendment should apply regarding carring a firearm. But, if you do carry one, get lessons on use, and be prepared to be able to use it.

Good luck - Welcome to the MOC

edited because I can't sepell!! :-)

Dustytuu · 12-10-2007, 02:36 PM

Don't accept a site that can't be seen by other RVers. If it is too secluded it can be tempting to a thief. We had our spare tire stolen one time. It was there one day and next day it was gone. While parked at a park. We were boxed in by a building on right, building behind us and a stored MH on other side so we were not visible to the rest of the park.

Also you can put a small GPS system somewhere hidden in your RV. So if it gets stolen they can find it. There are some on the Internet that are around $300 with reasonable cost to monitor it. They are small as a pack of smokes.

Illini Trekker · 12-10-2007, 03:38 PM

I have changed the basement door locks , bought new ones at Camping World with matching keys, still a screw driver will let you in. If they get in the basement I have a 2x6 board across the hamper opening, it is more there to support the cheap hamper door. We have added a simple slide dead bolt on the door. We also have a audible alarm for the inside of the trailer. Is this over kill I hope so! But if it slows someone down thats more time I'll have to alert myself and the authorities.

bsmeaton · 12-10-2007, 03:49 PM

I just have insurance.

klandry · 12-11-2007, 01:25 AM

Thank you all for your comments.

They have been very helpful. I'm glad most of you have had no problems with thieves. I have been camping (tent, pop-up & travel trailer, soon 5th wheel) for over 50 years and have had no problems either. I'm not worried about camp grounds as we have met many wonderful and helpful people there as there are on this web site. I was more concerned about while on the road - stopping and resting at truck stops and possibly Wal Marts which I forsee happening with some frequency as we will be full timing, traveling with initially no home base. I do plan on picking destinations and making reservations way ahead of time but getting from one location to another may encompass many days on the road and who knows where our stops along the way will be. I do feel better knowing that most of you have had no problems .......... but ...........

osofine · 12-12-2007, 06:01 AM

We plan on anchoring a lightweight gun safe in the W/D closet because we plan to do some trap shooting and target shooting while enjoying our retirement. With the great information on this website we have learned that to stay safe:
1. rekey the basement locks,
2. put a lock on the laundry chute.
3. make lots of extra keys for my tanna - put one in the truck (keypad entry), hide one outside somewhere.
4. If I add an alarm system, hide the siren out of sight.
5. keep a 45 under my pillow.
6. chain up any bikes and of course my satellite dish & spare tire.
It sounds a bit like over-kill, but I'd rather keep my things safe than have my insurance company replace them.

Waynem · 12-12-2007, 07:16 AM

you forgot Item #7
7. Stay in the tanna with the .45 on your lap and have surveillance cameras around the periphery to warn you of approaching thieves.

Of course, you can't sleep.

Why do I carry a .45? Becasue they don't make a .46!!! :-)

You may also like: