Securing Campsite

[Triple H]

Newbie...sorry! When staying at an RV park or camp ground do you breakdown everything nightly?. Meaning if you have a table, chairs, grill, etc. Do you leave them out, lock them in your bays, lock them together with a cable or do nothing? Thanks in advance.

[wingnut60]

Have never put stuff away from outside--if there was an obvious potential for loss, probably would not be staying at that campground. High value items--gens for example, should be out of sight or securely cabled to pole/front jack, etc.
Table/chairs/grille/firewood are all left outside overnight or when away from campsite.
Very seldom hear of a theft...

[docj]

My answer to your question is "it depends." It depends on the nature of the campground and what, specifically, is being left outside. At most privately owned parks that we would want to stay at, I've been pretty comfortable leaving some chairs and small tables outside overnight or when we're away during the day. State, federal and municipal parks vary in their degree of security or lack thereof and I would evaluate each one individually.

Also, what the item is makes a lot of difference (for me). I don't mind leaving some chairs out. I'm less likely to leave a propane grill.

At the "resort parks" at which we've stayed over the winter we did leave lots of things outside without any real concern.

Everyone's degree of comfort this this is different.

[Nuk]

Only one or two campgrounds I’ve stayed in inspired the level of discomfort that caused me to stow everything before bed. We left the next day. In general, anywhere you’d stay long enough to bring out all of your stuff - you should feel safe enough to leave it out. I hear of bikes and ladders vanishing in almost every state we’ve camped in - but chairs and bbq’s seem safe. We always keep the bay doors locked no matter what.

One thing I do though, when just stopping for the night - is unhook all of the cables from my tow vehicle. My safety cables alone cost $90ish and I would rather throw them in the Jeep and reinstall in the morning just to be safe.

[Dutch Star Don]

We've been camping for over 50 years, starting with trips with my parents. During that time, there was only one occasion, where I was up late and saw two kids stealing some sleeping bags from under our friend's awning. I was in better shape back then and was able to run them down and retrieve the items.

With that said, I've always been able to get a feel for a campground while there. If, I think there might be issues. I lock things up at night. When it comes to something like a Honda generator, they always get locked with a cable.

[A32Deuce]

I have left my collector cars anytime we take one camping. Sometimes we also have DWs SUV, so the collector sits at the camp site. Nothing happened so far. Like others said, if I didn't feel good about a place, time to leave.

[dexters]

Originally Posted by Triple H

Newbie...sorry! When staying at an RV park or camp ground do you breakdown everything nightly?. Meaning if you have a table, chairs, grill, etc. Do you leave them out, lock them in your bays, lock them together with a cable or do nothing? Thanks in advance.

I'd appreciate it if you do not store them away.

And please do not lock your trailer; I just have to break the lock and maybe damage your door.

If you want to replace your stolen goods; stop buy any flea market or ebay!

Also, my friend Yogi appreciates it when you leave some food out.

Happy Trails

[Mudfrog]

We stay mainly in COE and State parks. About the only thing I lock up at night are the kayaks. They aren't real expensive but they would be something I think an unscrupulous person might want to grab. We don't worry too much about anything else left out.

[gvette85]

Never had anything taken,knock on wood.If the campground is sketchy I don't stay there. I make it a point to introduce myself to my camping neighbors. Kinda like neighborhood watch.

[Gary RVRoamer]

If I thought I had to do that, I would not be camping there in the first place.

[Wizard]

The only thing I ever lock is a dog cable through the handle on my sat dish, sometimes I have to set it away from the motorhome

[UTTransplant]

We lock up bikes. We generally leave our chairs, small table, and sometimes the outside stove. Everything else we put up, just because we like a neat campsite. We never, ever leave food outside even if in a bear proof cooler. Even if we aren’t in bear country, raccoons can make a real mess.

[HJLowell]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

If I thought I had to do that, I would not be camping there in the first place.

+++ 1

[Unicorn Driver]

We lock up Kayaks, chairs go under the coach to keep them dry. Folding table and matt stays out.

Everything gets put away the night before we leave if dry. Otherwise in the morning.