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Don't want my camper stolen
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13 Posts
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April 8, 2011 - 12:29 am
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One of my concerns is that if I leave my camper, it would be pretty easy for someone to back in, hook on, and take off.

I have a 1961 Apache Eagle popup with a canvas tent.  It's basically a tent on wheels.  It would take someone minutes to fold it up, hook on, and go.

Is there some way I could lock up the wheels with a chain and lock, or otherwise make it impossible to roll down the road.  I know this probably wouldn't happen, but I read where someone here had their camper stolen.  Mine is so light and pretty easy to steal.

Mountaincamper

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1238 Posts
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April 8, 2011 - 6:32 am
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Mountain.  Nothing can stop a determined thief.  I had my 78 Apache Ranger stolen in broad daylight on a Saturday from my neighbor's yard four days after I brought it home.  I was devastated.

The best you can do is make it MORE DIFFICULT.  I now lock the bullnose and the latch, keep the tongue as far down as I can.  The lower it is, the more time it takes someone to raise it and rip you off.  I also keep it at a secure storage facility.  That's overkill, though, but I don't have the area to park it here just yet.

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2545 Posts
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April 8, 2011 - 7:32 am
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Personally I just roll the dice most of the time.  If someone really wants it, they are going to take it.  The only thing I do is have a padlock on the tongue. 

When I have parked my utility trailer in a bad area I took a bicicyle cable and lock and ran it through one of the "spokes" of the tire and around a part of the frame.

Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer.  Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.

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April 8, 2011 - 8:59 am
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I use a pad lock on the tongue while it is in storage, also keep the front down as low as possible.  But other then that..  nothing much..  But I do have separate insurance on the trailer that provides replacement value for it, so I am not overly concerned..  If someone wants it they will take it.. 

Steve ..  I still say it was a joint operation of the Army and Marines that stole your trailer,  Marines did the recon and the Army brought in their heavy lift choppers and lifted it away...  Everyone knows the Navy could never pull that off ...  😉  <yes more points with the marine ...  woohoo>    :rofl:

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333 Posts
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April 8, 2011 - 9:01 am
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Along with the previously mentioned tactics, you could also run a cable through the spoke holes in your wheel (assuming it has them), around the axle and spring and lock it with a padlock.  It would be one more thing a potential thief would have to overcome. 

If there's that many obstacles in their way, your camper becomes a much less appealing option, and they may consider one of your neighbors instead.

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April 9, 2011 - 7:46 pm
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I agree that nothing will stop a determined thief but most of them are looking for a quick grab and go.  What I do is lock the hitch on the trailer, also I keep the levelling pads cranked down enough to take some weight off the wheels.  Even if they cut the lock, and they had a crank for the levellers, it would still take time to crank up those creaky levellers and hitch it up.  I'm hoping that is discouraging enough.

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70 Posts
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April 10, 2011 - 9:26 am
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Mostly the same as above.  We have a gorilla lock on the tongue.
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSU8fKy4KyC50kYmt7CblRj-P1noMNf0v559lWhBF_xklLAfKeK

But if you want to spend the money and are very concerned then a wheel boot would be the way to go.  Something like one of these.
[Image Can Not Be Found]

Do a quick search and you'll find all kinds of designs.

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