Episode 13 - RV Safety and Security

We invest a large amount of money in our RVs and items for traveling with a purpose.  For some, this is their home.  For many of us, the investment may be on par with the cost of our brick and morter home.  In any case, we should look for ways to secure our RV and possessions.

In this episode I give some tips on how to to this.  It is not an exaustive list but it is some things to think about.

If you have some ideas for security, please let me know.

To learn more about Sojourners or to request help from us, please visit our website at: https://sojourning.org. You can also find information on the web page about how to become a Sojourner.

Remember, we glorify God in all things as we travel with a purppose.

Transcript

Hello fellow Sojourners.  I’m your host Dave Laton and welcome to Travel With A Purpose, a podcast designed to keep sojourners and friends informed, entertained, and inspired.

 In this episode I will offer some ideas to help with securing your investment as well as yourself while traveling or camping.  This is not an exhaustive list so if you have some ideas, please share them with me and I’ll pass them along.  

 I receive a weekly newsletter that, among other things, has a listing of RVs that have been stolen.  And sometimes they have articles about break-ins or theft of property around an RV.  And don’t forget about your tow vehicles.  They can be a target as well.

Lynne and I have also been victims of a theft from our truck while parked at Camp Bee. 

 There was a gang of individuals going down Cook Road breaking into vehicles and we were targeted.  Fortunately, the individuals were caught but we were not able to recover our property.  So, with that said, it is a good idea to increase your security awareness.  

 To start with, it’s a good idea to prevent theft or deter theft by keeping things picked up and cleaned up around your camp site.  This not only helps prevent theft, but makes the camp area neat, clean, and safer.  Don’t leave items laying around or unsecure.  For example, if you have a generator outside your rig remember that these are portable for a reason and high theft items.  Secure the generator with a strong cable or chain. Also, if you have tools or a toolbox, keep them picked up and secured.  Some folks travel with grills that can be costly.  These also can be high theft items.  Propane tanks and surge protectors are also high theft items.

 Record your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) as soon as you purchase your rig.  Keep this information in a secure location.  It should already be on your insurance and registration documents, but you might consider writing the numbers on a card and keeping them in your billfold or purse.  

 Another good idea along this line of thought is to make some kind of unique identification mark in an inconspicuous place on your rig.  Perhaps a decal, paint marking, or similar identifying feature.  You might consider a Sojourner decal for this.  This way when you contact law enforcement if there’s been a theft, you can add this to the list of things for them to look for.

 Another idea is when you are at a campsite, know your exact location.  I recently read an article about this.  It recommended you write down your camp name and location and your exact camp site ID.  We know that in an emergency our memory can be challenged.  The article recommended you write this down and post it on a bulletin board or white board, or even a sticky note on your refrigerator so you can quickly let emergency folks know your location if needed.  Many campgrounds give you some sort of document or pamphlet with this information on it.  

 Give your loved ones or trusted friends or neighbors your travel plans.  It doesn’t have to be detailed but let them know where you are headed and your travel schedule.  And if something changes, let them know.  This really works.  While Lynne and I were recently working at Camp Bee our neighbors on both sides of our house knew we were traveling.  While we were gone, some wonderful friends of ours were traveling through our town and stopped by our house.  They had some items stored there and were going to stay at our house overnight and get the items.  Both neighbors saw them loading their trailer and challenged them.  Our friends were able to explain in enough detail that it was obvious everything was OK.  Although it was a humorous event for us, it was not for our friends.  We appreciated our neighbors looking out for us.  

 When traveling, be careful about what you post on social media.  Of course, we love to see where you are traveling, but so do thieves!  If you share information, be careful not to give out too much detail.  

 Let’s talk a little bit about securing your RV.

 It may seem obvious but remember to keep your doors and compartments locked when away from your rig.  Even if you are gone for only a short time, it may be long enough for thieves to attack.  It might be fine to have them unlocked if you are in the rig, but don’t forget to lock them up at night.

 Something you might not be aware of is that most compartments and doors use a generic type of key that fits other RVs of that model.  RV dealers do this, so they don’t have to carry around a large ring of keys.  It is recommended you change your door and compartment keys to a specialized type of lock, so you are more secure.  A lot of people recommend circular type keys.  These offer greater prevention of break-ins.  Also, electronic keypads work well.  Thieves can still bypass locks, but this offers more of a challenge than many are willing to take.

 Speaking of door locks, it is a good idea to take all your keys with you when you leave.  Don’t put them in an obvious or unsecured place.  Thieves know of these “hideouts” as well.  Do have extra keys but keep them secured somewhere like your tow vehicle or in a locked box of some kind.  

 Speaking of lockable boxes or safes, it is strongly suggested that you have a fireproof and waterproof safe in an inconspicuous location in your rig or tow vehicle.  Our 5th wheel has a lockable box, but it is not water or fireproof.  A device such as this is to store your valuable documents and other items. Good, simple lockboxes are available online or at discount tool stores (not going to give any specific names but we bought a good safe at a good price from a store that has the letters H and F in their name).  You might also consider bolting the box to the floor of your rig as an additional deterrence.  Our 5th wheel came with one that is lockable but not fire or waterproof.  But it does offer some protection.

 A simple but effective way to keep your trailer or 5th wheel from being stolen is to use a hitch lock.  These are a simple, inexpensive, and effective anti-theft device.

 Some folks have installed intruder or burglar alarms on their rig.  This might be a good idea.  A simple and relatively inexpensive system is something like a Ring Doorbell.  This allows access through your cell phone to alert you if there is activity around your rig. 

 By the way, a barking dog is a poor man’s burglar alarm.  One person suggested putting a leash for a large dog connected to the step along with a water bowl.  Even though they didn’t have a dog, it looked like there was one there.  This might be just enough deterrent to prevent someone from trying to break into the rig.

 I like to use motion sensor lights around our rig.  These offer safety for us while approaching the rig at night but also light up the area enough to keep someone from prowling around.  These are very inexpensive.  You can purchase some that are almost flat so they won’t stick out and catch on anything.  Again, I found some good and inexpensive ones at that discount store with the letters H and F in their name.  There are also some good ones available online. 

 Installing the Ring security system is amazingly simple and easy to use! Each component includes everything you need for mounting. Using the screws will ensure they don’t detach when transiting.

 Speaking of safety and security, don’t forget to change your batteries out in your smoke, LP gas senser, and carbon dioxide alarms.  We change ours in our house each October so it is easy to change the RV alarms as well.  While you are at it, check on the date of the detector.  They do have an expiration date on them. 

 Some folks carry firearms in their rig or tow vehicle.  That is a personal choice but be very careful.  Not all states have the same laws or reciprocity.  Reciprocity means that one state will accept another state’s laws on carrying firearms.  Before traveling, check with the state’s officials to learn their laws.  This information is usually available online.

And please, keep your firearm secure so there is no accidental use, especially by children.  Oh, and don’t forget to secure your ammunition as well.  Watch out for excessive heat in your rig or vehicle if it is stored.

 Well friends, as I said, this is not an exhaustive list.  If you have any other suggestions or tips about this topic or others, please share them with me and I’ll pass them on. 

 Also, if you are interested in being a guest on our podcast or know someone we should have as a guest, please email me at:  sojournersevangelize@gmail.com.  Please follow our podcast to keep updated when new episodes are published.

 I’m your host Dave Laton and remember to glorify God as together we, “Travel With A Purpose”