Stolen Batteries

[Western Traveler]

Stored my TT in a Senior Mobil Park while I left So Cal for a months work in Hawaii. While there I received a broadcast email from the park informing everyone to secure their batteries as they were experiencing thefts in the storage area. Mine were of course gone along with batteries from about 8 other TT's. These were very considerate @#***#!. They undid the straps and the nuts without cutting the cables. I looked at a few other rigs and some had a chain wrapped around the plastic battery boxes and locked. Few LP tanks were locked.
Is a chain the common solution or are some of you using a more substantial box? I realize a determined thief will get what he wants but I would like to make it a lot more difficult.

I don't want to have to hoist these things on and off all the time as I like to extend my slide or visit the trailer for cleanup etc when it is parked.

Went to a battery shop close by to purchase new 6 volt batteries and the owner asked if mine had been stolen, yep! Said thieves steal them for the core charge all the time.

Heard thieves are cutting through the handles of Honda generators as well. Now I wrap a chain around the body of the unit and lock it to the chain tabs for my goose-neck in the bed of the truck.

I so miss the old days when we left our entire camp set-up and unattended for an entire day or night and rarely if ever lost a thing.

[gsmith31]

I had my battery's stolen last year, so this year I am mounting a tool box on the front of the tt. They might still get them but it wont be as easy.

[Bob Landry]

Both my battery and propane tanks are chained and padlocked. It's not perfect, but maybe a thief will move on to an easier target.

[Pmedic4]

During the winter, I take my battery out and put in on a battery maintainer at home, so that's safe.

When Propane was scarce this winter, I was starting to worry about those 2-30 pound cylinders in the RV. I have locks on the little hasps/latches, but not really much of a deterrent, as we know, you could probably cut those with a pair of wire cutters - or less.
Then again, I was wondering before about the wonderful 'universal' locks we have on our RVs. So, really not secure anyway.

[unyalli]

Here's a possibility. It's what I did.

http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_115364_0_76e080bbd4a6a9b7e9519ffd69bd9fde.jpg

http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_115364_1_c7f4f423d4af993e2ebe8f5fa8b84f29.jpg

http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_115364_2_32af2edbc393ce734b973b537294d02e.jpg

Jeff

[dandjh1958]

Jeff- that is VERY nice. I think I will do that too. We've never had a problem with things leaving our trailer but I love these types of locks. We have them on our tailgater satellite dish and our Hobie kayaks. I'll add them to the battery and propane tanks!!
Like the others have said, it isn't perfect but it makes it a little harder for them to get the stuff!

Go Pack and Happy camping

[unyalli]

http://www.allbatterysalesandservice.com/browse.cfm/4,576.html

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[Andymon]

I bought two of these and two good locks. We do have a watchman that lives at the storage yard and there's never been any problems.http://www.b-drvbatterylock.com/balocl.html

[Western Traveler]

Thanks for all the ideas...

@UNYALLI

Jeff, I like the way the cable lays across the batteries rather than the top of the boxes on yours. I think that is the way I am going to go. Short of cutting the cable I don't see them sliding that off which was my concern with the chains wrapped around the boxes I saw on the other RV's at the storage yard (which didn't get stolen I must add).

I like the wrap around brackets but one cable seems to do the job of two brackets.

[Bombfixer]

My batteries and propane are behind storage doors. But because that offer no real deterrent to theft I installed a hidden camera in both spaces along with a siren. Both are wired to a small micro switch. If the compartment is opened incorrectly the alarm sounds and I have video of the offender. Since both the cameras and the siren are off unless the micro switch opens, electrical power drain is minimal.

Sent from my NX008HD8G using Tapatalk

[rosede]

Here's a possibility. It's what I did.

http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_116581_0_76e080bbd4a6a9b7e9519ffd69bd9fde.jpg

Jeff

Jeff,

Where did you get the cable and lock? I looked on Master Locks web site but couldn't find that cable/lock.

I found it. I just kept poking around on Master Locks site and finally found it. I like the idea of that lock. I need a solution for my propane tanks as well, and I think this cable/lock will work perfect.

Thanks.

Daryl

[unyalli]

I got mine at Lowes.

-Jeff

[Western Traveler]

Couldn't find that adjustable cable at Lowe's or the other one.

Here is what I ended up doing...