PU Anti Theft Devices

[camp2udrop]

Greetings fellow PU campers. We're brand new to this.  Just bought a new Fleetwood Utah. My question is about anti-theft security of ones PU while out of camp. We do alot of hiking, etc. and are out of camp for hours. Is this really a big issue amongst campers? If so, what are the best products out there to deter this. I read that the wheel locks might be the way to go. What do all of you more experienced campers think. Thankyou :eyecrazy:   :usflag:

[Tim5055]

mossbacks.........  Hmmmmmmmm


Well we have never had a problem.  I guess it would depend on where you are camping.  If yo want to make sure the PU dosn't go away, wheel locks are the way to go.

Securing the pop up contents from theft is another matter.  When you think about it it's a tent on wheels, so all someone needs is a knife to get in.  We always take the "prized" valuables with us when we leave camp, locking themin the truck.  To be honest we have never had any problems, including lots of camping time back in the national Forest areas of VA & WV.

[tlhdoc]

We had a bungy cord taken once, which we found on the campground road.  I am assuming a child took it and then dropped it.  Most of the time I don't even lock the PU door.  If someone wanted in, I would rather they used the door then cut the canvas.  We don't keep anything of value in the PU.  We don't take a lot of valuables on our camping trips, just a camera and that goes with us.  

[Fishin BC]

Here is our anti theft devise.  Just kidding, we rarely leave them in camp alone.  In fact we hardly ever lock up anything.  Just found that people that camp are generally good people.  We do put a lock on the hitch when it is parked at home.

[beacher]

Greetings fellow PU campers. We're brand new to this.  Just bought a new Fleetwood Utah. My question is about anti-theft security of ones PU while out of camp. We do alot of hiking, etc. and are out of camp for hours. Is this really a big issue amongst campers? If so, what are the best products out there to deter this. I read that the wheel locks might be the way to go. What do all of you more experienced campers think. Thankyou :eyecrazy:   :usflag:

If you think you need sucurity devices for your RV there are two important considerations:

1.  You should probably not be camping there if you don't feel safe.
2.  Leave all valuables at home.  Only bring what you intend to carry.

Any RV can be walked right into with a screwdriver!  Show me a $780,000 ClassA "entertainers" RV and I'll show you where to get in!  A PU is just a tent on wheels!  There is NO security for your stuff if you are not watching it.  If someone wants it they will have it.  Plain and simple.  Even if you have wheel locks, someone with a winch and a flatbed trailer can take the entire PU in less than 2 minutes.

[David Roder]

First of all, I was new to this last year and I joined this site and it is the best.  I had the same security question as you and what I have found is that it is not as big a deal as you'd think.  Just lock the wheel, lock the door and don't camp in any questionable areas, oh and get insurance .  Just have fun

[oldmoose]

First of all, I was new to this last year and I joined this site and it is the best. I had the same security question as you and what I have found is that it is not as big a deal as you'd think. Just lock the wheel, lock the door and don't camp in any questionable areas, oh and get insurance . Just have fun

David, you forgot one. After all that, you go get a tall cool one. It's funny this came up. We were camping at Doheney SB for our SoCal DOG and my wife needed to go get something from the trailer. I had the key. She pop out one of the sides on the door and got in. Then I reminded her I had the extra trailer keys in the center consol. DUH.
 
I have a lock I put on the front of the trailer so they can't hook up a ball and even tho it's easy to get in, we lock the doors when out of camp.
Moose

[ScoobyDoo]

45 years camping and I have never had anything stolen in a campground.  I camp in the wood,not the hood.

[barbjeff]

I have been camping for over 30 years both in tents as a kid and adult and for about 5 years now in a PU and have never had an issue with theft!
I mean we take all the sensible precautions and put all the expensive equipment camera, gps,etc. out of sight but lets face it a PU is not exactly hard to get into if someone really wants something.
I suppose not worrying about theft speaks more to the type of people who enjoy camping than anything else

[camp2udrop]

Thanks everybody who replied to my question of PU security. This is a great site with apparently sincere, helpful people.

OK. Theft is not a big issue. I really wasn't too terribly concerned about it........just cautious. We have tent camped for years and never had a problem.

Thanks alot

[Jim in Michigan]

Most thieves in campgrounds are four legged and furry.  Some can open doors but most don't bother.  Leave the food inside and don't worry about it.  Two legged thieves would not survive very long living off the "valuables" of campers.

[jimgolden]

well, if not in camp, than at home, do you guys secure you PU?

I don't have a garage or even a driveway, so my PU is getting parked on the street in front of the house. My neighborhood is ok, but I know there are a lot of people that wouldn't travel thru it.

that said, what can I do? ball lock? wheel lock? park cars on either side @ night?

I doubt anyone will mess w/ it, but would rather not have it be a temptation.
also, I have noticed new people moving to the hood who lock up everything
and it makes it really obvious that it's valuable, and draws more attention than neccesary.

any ideas would be appreciated.

jim

[steadman23]

Hmmm in the 10 years we have been in our p/u  only one thing has been taken and that was just this past summer in Nc was a towel hanging up to dry, and it wasn't even a "good" one... I guess whoever took it needed it more than we did.
So All in all we really don't think theft's much as an issue. Although we like others here would rather some one use the door instead of the canvas.

[guitarman6391]

in 1970, in a nat'l forest campground in arizona, we had some food taken.  we were a young family, we had a small apache falcon tent camper.  due to space we would leave some stuff out at night under the beds.

one morning as dw went to get a baby bottle she discovered the cooler was empty.  the cooler had fasteners or locks that almost preclude and animal ....plus the locks were still CLOSED.

i always thought it was either starving 'flower power' children prevelent at the time.....or possibly an illegal needing a meal.

nothing was taken except food....nothing was damaged.  if they had just tapped on the door they could have had a meal...perhaps more...for the asking... then they would not have had to be thieves

that's the one and only thing we have ever had touched.

camping folks are the best there are.....even the ones that sometimes get noisy don't usually pilfer.

BUT....be reasonable about what u take and where u leave it and u will most likely be fine.  'sides...how do u lock a tent?

[guitarman6391]

in 1970, in a nat'l forest campground in arizona, we had some food taken.  we were a young family, we had a small apache falcon tent camper.  due to space we would leave some stuff out at night under the beds.

one morning as dw went to get a baby bottle she discovered the cooler was empty.  the cooler had fasteners or locks that almost preclude and animal ....plus the locks were still CLOSED.

i always thought it was either starving 'flower power' children prevelent at the time.....or possibly an illegal needing a meal.

nothing was taken except food....nothing was damaged.  if they had just tapped on the door they could have had a meal...perhaps more...for the asking... then they would not have had to be thieves

that's the one and only thing we have ever had touched.

camping folks are the best there are.....even the ones that sometimes get noisy don't usually pilfer.

enjoy yourself

BUT....be reasonable about what u take and where u leave it and u will most likely be fine.  'sides...how do u lock a tent?