Trailer Security

PXLated, Lowe's has some 15' "bike" cables in their towing section.  That's what I used to lock my spare and propane tank to my tongue, my bike to the bike carrier and the 80 watt Zamp solar panel to the tongue.  The cable is heavy duty.  Walmart and Menard's might have the same thing, too. 

I to cable my stuff together at night. For good measure I turn on my red neck alarm system by adding a couple of large cow bells to the mix. Very loud in the middle of the night. 

I attach a cable to my 80 watt Zamp and lock it to the trailer.  The only other thing you can do is do as best you can to place it out of sight of others and try to reduce their temptation to steal it from you.  But as noted earlier, if someone wants something that you possess there is nothing that is going to deter them, even if it means damaging the solar panel.  I did speak to John Yo Zamp over a year ago and he does report that many of his panels have gotten legs and walked off while people were out sight-seeing while on vacation and traveling.  This is a very common occurrence.  I really don't trust anyone, regardless of where I am camped.  

Back in the day when I was a young, free spirited lad and owned a custom Harley Sportster I went through the same anxieties noted regarding someone stealing my scooter.  There's nothing worse than having someone rip you off and the empty, sick feeling you experience when a personal item is stolen and that sudden urge of anger and revenge suddenly pulsates through your body.  I remember reading in Chopper Magazine about a Chicago cop who owned a beautiful, custom built Harley with a raked frame and extended girder front end.  This man stored the bike inside his garage and even installed a steel pipe, sunk down in concrete that had a welded spot for him to chain the bike to and pulled his truck up tight to the bike every night.  Needless to say, thieves broke into his garage late one night, cut off the lock and chain securing the bike and had to lift it straight up to nearly rafter height, bench press it if you will and carry it over the top of his pickup truck that had been parked snugged up to the custom bike!  That gives you an idea of just how determined people are and what extremes they will go to to make off with another person's personal belongings!  

PXLated said:

I've thought about putting a label on the frame by the handle - "Cell Tracking Enabled"
Unless you know better you could look at the Zamp controller and think it's true. Nothing there to indicate it's not true. Would probably make them think twice.

So, you think they can read?

While I read that generators and solar panels are stolen, I've never met anyone who was a victim. That sure doesn't lull me into thinking it won't happen to me. I tend to be a little on the OCD side for locking everything, even when I'm nearby. 

Rad - Maybe it should be pictograms.

leenscottfl said:

Big Bend NP in Texas is on the Rio Grande. There are signs all over the place that tell you that if you leave your vehicle it WILL be broken into.

One of the reasons Big Bend isn't on my list, sadly.

leenscottfl said:

But JKJENN it is one of our go to places. Stay at Chips Basin campground and you are ok in the mountains. Nice trails and we like going to the tiny town of Terlingua.

I would like to go some day. How well does the NPS patrol campgrounds there?

anyone has this? 

Create a pen to surround your campsite. Fill with hungry lions borrowed from the nearest zoo!

Mandy Lea also uses a third option...GPS tracker on Rocky. Anyone try that?

@Luigi, I heard about the Trace Spot Tracker, a GPS tracker. I picked one up, and have tried it in the car so far and it seems to work well. There is an annual fee, but it's not enough to be a problem, and the peace of mind is invaluable! 

@gulfarea, Art, very smart.  A nice deterrent without lots of locks.  

I just hope it doesn't go off when I'm trying to sleep!