To lock or not to lock outside storage bins

[Dutch Star Don]

For us it depends. Some places we keep the bay doors locked, while at others we don't worry too much about it, unless we're gone all day. One of the items on my must have list with power bay door locks. So locking and unlocking is not a big issue.

I remember on our last coach that when we parked somewhere for dinner while enroute to a campground I would walk around locking all the bay doors before we went inside. It wasn't that big of a deal.

[Cat320]

Originally Posted by TonyDi

...I always lock the doors...

Same here.

[TexasTom]

Friend of mine who has been an insurance adjuster for a long time said lock them.

[DrDaveMA]

Look at your basement key, I'll bet is says CH751.....

[mike brez]

Originally Posted by dieselclacker

Replacing thief damaged doors on my outside compartments would cost much more in time, money and effort, than replacing any of the goods carried inside the compartments. I only lock them while traveling, as I feel the locks might help prevent the doors from opening from bouncing along over rough sections of road.

X2 exactly what we do and why.

[mike brez]

Originally Posted by DrDaveMA

Look at your basement key, I'll bet is says CH751.....

Nope ours looks like this

[gbstewart]

We live in Ontario close to the Manitoba boarder, so we would drive there often to go shopping etc, in our car, we learned that it was better to have everthing out of the car and leave the doors unlocked then to have a window smashed in. (2)
Others had told us the same thing , rather then have a car full of glass,
Never had any issues after that.
gbstewart

[JFNM]

I usually lock mine when in transit and attempt to keep them locked when stopped somewhere. In reality, this probably translates to them being locked about half the time.

I once had some items stolen from my S&B, without evidence of forced entry the insurance company would do nothing. I believe my RV policy is the same way. If I want reimbursed for stolen items, there had better be some evidence that I didn't just forget them somewhere.

[Raining Star]

I keep them locked in storage and going down the road, but I tend to leave them open in campgrounds. Anyone who got into one of my bins to steal from them would be rewarded with an extra stinky slinky and its assorted accessories, some lawn chairs and Astro turf mat, a step stool, battery charger and tool box of hand tools. Not exactly the crime of the century.

They are locked in storage because it keeps casual thieves and kids out. Few serious thieves are breaking into RV basements thinking they're going to be rewarded for their risk.

They are locked traveling in the probably vain hope that it will help prevent them from accidentally opening when going down the road.

They are kept unlocked in the campgrounds for my own convenience.

[jpharley]

Ours compartments stay locked unless we are accessing them and then are immediately relocked. Our entry door stays locked at all times including when we are inside unless we are in the immediate vicinity of the RV. Why make it easy for people to steal your belongings. And no, we have never stayed anywhere we felt unsafe. We are full timers but would do exactly the same thing if we lived in a house.

[Cat320]

Originally Posted by DrDaveMA

Look at your basement key, I'll bet is says CH751.....

Note mine.

[RV Vagabond]

Excellent answers everyone. I estimate the vote 75% of you for locking. Maybe the criteria for each individual bay is which is more valuable, the contents inside or the door. Never replaced a door so I don't know how much that costs. I keep inside the coach anything that I am not willing to lose to a kid with a crowbar. I am really not worried at all in crowded RV parks, but in sparse campgrounds like in forests, or boondocking in a lonely area, I get really nervous when I leave it to go hiking or motorbiking.

[MSHappyCampers]

I always lock the storage bay doors! I realize that if someone really wants in there they will get in there, but if we're in an area with other folks around, then the potential thief will be reluctant to try forcing the doors!

Also, it will probably stop kids going around checking for open doors to see what they can steal, mostly just for the thrill of it!

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by RV Vagabond

Would you rather have your equipment stolen and the storage door busted open, or just have the equipment stolen? Is a locked door enough of a deterrent, or just make someone more determined to find out what valuables you are hiding in there?

Well, some insurance companies will deny a claim if the stolen items were not secured in a locked container or vehicle.
All it takes is a strong screwdriver to pry these flimsy latches open, of course it ruins the door too.
That, IMO, is both sides of this coin.