Community Forums

MutinyGuy · 10-07-2016, 12:57 PM

So yesterday I go to our MH which is parked in a HOA storage lot....no cameras just a security fence. I was replacing the ceiling fan in the bedroom and noticed there was a "grease" smear on the bed sheet...hmmm figured I threw something on the bed that was greasy. Told my wife and she removed it and put it in the wash...ok so later in the day I am in the living area and I notice this "scuzzy" ball cap with the word "FOX" on it laying under one of the chairs...was pretty stained up. We had our neighbors over that afternoon and I thought maybe my neighbor left his hat there. Nope...hmmm...this morning I go back to the MH and I see this black grease line down the back of our Ultra leather couch...how did that get there...tell my wife and she says someone has been in our MH!! Duh...nothing is missing that I can tell and no windows were left open and they are all latched. So the only way someone cold get in is through the front door. I have only been locking the bottom lock and not the "deadbolt" so I am thinking they have a pass key? I thought I read those bottom locks were pretty common?
Anyway I have a call into the police for a report but wondering what I can do to secure the MH? Thinking about getting a camera but not sure what to get...what a PITA
Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Jim

sd75mac · 10-07-2016, 01:10 PM

It's my impression the top lock (on our unit) has a common key and the bottom lock is a deadbolt. When we purchased our RV, I had the dealer replace the deadbolt and compartment locks. We always lock the deadbolt!

okcnewbie · 10-07-2016, 01:34 PM

Unfortunately it could happen anywhere. Some even leave there MH's unlocked so that the stuff can be stolen without "breaking" in.

So, in some since you're lucky that you just have to clean up some stuff. If the MH is close enough to get a wifi signal than it would be cheap enough to put in a camera. If there's a pole or something you could consider a hunting style camera.

Mike and Cha · 10-07-2016, 04:04 PM

On ours the top lock is a dead bolt. I always lock both locks. If it were me I would either set up some cameras that would alert to your cell phone, or I would just sit in it and see who shows up.

SuperGewl · 10-07-2016, 10:24 PM

I always lock both locks. If you have a solar panel then invest in a low power camera and set it up to record the inside of the coach. Make sure you hide it and then check it every few days to see who it is.

triplewide · 10-08-2016, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MutinyGuy

So yesterday I go to our MH which is parked in a HOA storage lot....no cameras just a security fence. I was replacing the ceiling fan in the bedroom and noticed there was a "grease" smear on the bed sheet...hmmm figured I threw something on the bed that was greasy. Told my wife and she removed it and put it in the wash...ok so later in the day I am in the living area and I notice this "scuzzy" ball cap with the word "FOX" on it laying under one of the chairs...was pretty stained up. We had our neighbors over that afternoon and I thought maybe my neighbor left his hat there. Nope...hmmm...this morning I go back to the MH and I see this black grease line down the back of our Ultra leather couch...how did that get there...tell my wife and she says someone has been in our MH!! Duh...nothing is missing that I can tell and no windows were left open and they are all latched. So the only way someone cold get in is through the front door. I have only been locking the bottom lock and not the "deadbolt" so I am thinking they have a pass key? I thought I read those bottom locks were pretty common?
Anyway I have a call into the police for a report but wondering what I can do to secure the MH? Thinking about getting a camera but not sure what to get...what a PITA
Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Jim

Locking both locks will make it more difficult for casual "visitors", won't stop a determined vandal/thief. We installed a 12 volt local alarm. Looks like a house alarm keypad with motion and entry sensors. This type alarm works where ever the RV is located and sets of an alarm at the RV only. About $125, you install.

You could purchase A Simplisafe alarm. If cell phone service is available where you store the RV then it can send you and/or police alarm information, It requires 120 volts, but could run off coach battery with a small point of use inverter. Not sure, but I think this type alarm could only be used at one location at a time and cost $15 or $25 per month for monitoring, depending on the level of service you want. We have two Simplisafe alarms at our home and workshop. Work well, easy to arm, disarm, monitor, from cell phone. Makes no difference where we are as long as we have cell service. About $250, you install.

Polyian · 10-08-2016, 08:29 AM

Why not leave the ball cap on the ground by the door with a note "Smile you are on camera"...and lock both locks.

MSHappyCampers · 10-08-2016, 11:17 AM

Jim, I would NEVER leave our MH with just the bottom lock secured! The deadbolt is the main one!

stepside454 · 10-08-2016, 11:32 AM

We've been very fortunate. We've had our campers stored at the same place for 7 years . I usually don't have basement doors locked . There's never been an issue with anybody's campers being touched .

Patti Brown · 10-08-2016, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyian

Why not leave the ball cap on the ground by the door with a note "Smile you are on camera"...and lock both locks.

I like that tactic!

noflyboy · 10-08-2016, 01:39 PM

The standard two locks, no fancy fab stuff are very easy to pick. They don't use double wafer like in automobiles which are much more difficult to pick. I'm only an amateur and I was able to pick my way into my own coach after I had locked myself out with the keys left a few hours away. It was disturbingly easy and the deadbolt wasn't really any more difficult than the bottom lock.

FleetMan · 10-08-2016, 04:24 PM

Our Class C was broken into by someone who pried open one of non-fan roof vents and entered that way. Door locks bypassed completely. There are more ways than one to make illegal entry.

ladagobago · 10-08-2016, 05:04 PM

Any alarm will require power. Batteries is not an answer. Possibly solar panel to charge batteries and run an inverter for the alarm. Just sold my 35 year alarm business so I only consult now. I suggest - if you have power at the sight have the HOA provide security. a pass card system for opening the gate and a camera systems with enough cameras to cover the parking area adequately. There are lots of camera systems out there and they can set it up with almost any local independent dealer.

I did all this kind of stuff for my boat club. All the boats have a wireless heat detectors and a motion sensor plus the storage yard had motion detectors. We had our boats broken into during winter storage and the SOB took all the cooper heat exchanges off the engines plus any electronics left there. We use wireless transmitters which send the signal to the central station. Lots of good stuff out there.