Stolen RV battery

Bear25314 · 10-09-2011, 02:27 AM

This is more of a question than a mod but I was wondering if anyone out there has any ideas for me.

We have a 298re stored a few miles away from the house in a covered RV storage lot. Last night we received a call from the lot informing us that our RV battery has been stolen along with other batteries from other RV's stored there. They left a message so I am hoping that that is all they took. I will be headed over there later today to check it out for myself.

My question is, does anyone have a mod or know of a more secure way of keeping the batteries protected from theft? Anyone else ever have this problem and come up with a solution on how to secure the batteries better, rather than have them sitting in the plastic box that is supplied with the rv?

Thanks for you ideas in advance....

Jay Pat · 10-09-2011, 04:01 AM

http://b-drvbatterylock.com/

cumminsdad08 · 10-09-2011, 04:16 AM

i too have pondered this situation. it has not YET happend, but i am sure that it will in time. i was thinking on just simply getting a small hand tool box big enough for the batt. and bolting it on the frame. most of the box's will have a small hasp that you can put a lock on. it wont stop everyone but i am sure it will keep honest people honest. good luck, i hope everything else is ok for ya.

jq1031 · 10-09-2011, 05:47 AM

I remove my battery from the TT when is storage. To my knowledge there is no reason to leave it in & draining. I bring it home, place it on a wood block in my garage & it's safe until the next trip.

ftwildernessguy · 10-09-2011, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jq1031

I remove my battery from the TT when is storage. To my knowledge there is no reason to leave it in & draining. I bring it home, place it on a wood block in my garage & it's safe until the next trip.

Mine is stored in my driveway, but nothing kills a battery faster than a cold winter, so bring mine in too. I always charge it up before storing, and keep it in the basement where it stays nice and warm all winter.

wgb1 · 10-09-2011, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jq1031

I remove my battery from the TT when is storage. To my knowledge there is no reason to leave it in & draining. I bring it home, place it on a wood block in my garage & it's safe until the next trip.

X 2, but the metal locking clamp looks like a good idea for you too. I found if I left mine on the TT, I couldn't crank up the fridge to get it cold a day or two prior to our trips because of a dead battery and the inability to fire up the propane. I do not have access to electrical at the storage lot.

Bear25314 · 10-09-2011, 07:28 AM

Thanks for the replys y'all!

Well, just got back from checking it out. Looks like the whole rv storage site got hit. There were open battery storage boxes and cut straps under the nose of just about every rv stored there. Cut lead wires hanging down from all of them. Bastards. I hope the dam things blow up in there faces...

Always, at least there was no damage or break in to the units. I'm glad for that.

I'm thinking of when I replace the battery and put it back in the storage box on the front of the trailer, getting a chain and padlocking it in. I don't think taking the battery out and putting it in every time we use it is for us. I'd hate to damage the post and it's not very easy to get too. We do however have a "cut off" switch for when it's stored so I'm not worried about draining it in storage. Pissed though.......

jq1031 · 10-09-2011, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear25314

Thanks for the replys y'all!

Well, just got back from checking it out. Looks like the whole rv storage site got hit. There were open battery storage boxes and cut straps under the nose of just about every rv stored there. Cut lead wires hanging down from all of them. Bastards. I hope the dam things blow up in there faces...

Always, at least there was no damage or break in to the units. I'm glad for that.

I'm thinking of when I replace the battery and put it back in the storage box on the front of the trailer, getting a chain and padlocking it in. I don't think taking the battery out and putting it in every time we use it is for us. I'd hate to damage the post and it's not very easy to get too. We do however have a "cut off" switch for when it's stored so I'm not worried about draining it in storage. Pissed though.......

A few years back my then motor home along with others had the 50 AMP power cord cut off by thiefs looking for the copper in the wires. I know how you feel!

mikell · 10-10-2011, 03:23 AM

tell your storage lot to get a good quality DVR and a few cameras. I have one set that takes the licence plate of every vehicle comming in and anything moving. Less than $1000 and can record for 2 weeks before writing ovet itself. People at oour campground love the fact there's 16 cameras on them anf they can only find 2-3

christopherglenn · 10-11-2011, 11:28 AM

Be careful about making you batteries too secure. The same bolt cutters that cut the cables to steal it can smash windows if they don't get what they are after. $100 battery is far cheaper then slashed tires, shattered windows, or spray paint.

KenBob · 10-14-2011, 08:08 PM

We have always removed the batteries from our RVs when in storage. Along with propane tanks. Keep the batts on float chargers until the next outing. Our storage area is fairly secure. However, it is easy for anyone to drive in and look like they are "ok". Never give anyone an opportunity. Including other RVers. Not all RVers are honest. JMHO

How many regularly "visit" their stored RV to check for problems? Or is it "out of sight, out of mind" ?

tibbar · 11-02-2011, 01:27 PM

Stealing the battery is bad. At least they didn't take the whole RV like they did to my brother.

W5WI · 11-02-2011, 03:32 PM

I just winterized our 5er. Since I park it away from the house and near our storage units I remove the batteries and propane tanks and place them in the garage. I put the batteries on a trickle charger to keep them ready for our next trip be it later this winter or next spring!

One thing I am planning on doing is to change the locks on the basement and add locks to the propane storage doors. It appears that most every travel trailer made uses the same darn storage lock key...

Tikitim · 11-06-2011, 06:05 AM

Hi Dale

First for safety's sake don't put locks on propane storage doors, put a lock on the steel straps around the tanks, and check this out for locks on basement doors www.ch751.com

Tim

hankaye · 11-06-2011, 07:51 AM

Tikitim, Howdy;

Have always been a hugh fan of tubular keyed locks.
However if someone wants in ... they'll get in.
The thing is to make it a pain in the butt to get in with the least
amount of damage....The more obsticles that are in the way the better.
Such as;
Large headed droolin' dog,
signage that states;
This House Guarded by SHOTGUN 3 nights a week...
You Guess which 3.....!
Yes the Dog will bite ...That's why he has teeth!!!

hankaye

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