A few years ago at Bryn Mawr RV Resort in St. Augustine, Fla., to see Widespread Panic at the St. Aug Amphitheater, a gust of wind blew the RV door closed – locking the RV and F150 keys inside.
While we waited for AAA to come unlock the truck so we could fetch the spare RV key inside, we wondered how we could make such a freshman mistake. Hey, stuff happens. At least the roadside assistance magician got into the truck like a pro. But it could have been worse. At a remote music festival or in a rush to boogie home, roadside assistance could have taken hours – or not come at all. Then what would we have done…?
When we returned home, I immediately bought a hide-a-key box for the trailer, and I got the remote entry key code programmed in the truck (another “user error” that I shoulda done upon delivery).
But it got me thinking about how to prevent locking ourselves outta the rig or unattended stuff “walking off.” I’m not alone. Someone posted to a Facebook page a worry about preventing theft of their surge protector.
From the campsite to the music festival, hooligans and ne’er do wells lurk in the shadows – and clear sight. Safety and security should be top-of-mind before leaving home, so the experience isn’t marred by some malcontent nicking what’s not theirs. Even in the festival campgrounds, handmade tapestries and one-of-a-kind flags are coveted by more than their owners.
So, below are a few tips.
- Lock Your Car. Simple advice, yet so easily overlooked. Especially if you’re car-camping, put your valuables in your trunk or outta sight in the car, and lock it. Simple as that. Next…
- Stash your flags. If you have a beautiful or personally meaningful tapestry or flag, hang it high. Then lock it away when you leave the campsite, or if you’ve befriended – and trust – your campsite neighbor, ask them to keep an eye on it. Most people don’t steal. Some do. Prepare for it.
- Lock that surge suppressor. There’s a reason they make lock boxes (and balls) and cable locks especially for surge suppressors. Priced from $50 to $100 on up to $300 or more, they’re important – and expensive – protection for your rig’s electrical system. And they’re often right there – out in the open for all to see, and thieves to ponder. Whether a bona fide lock, or – as we’ve seen – a five-gallon bucket turned upside down and secured atop the power box (protects from the elements, too), Lock ‘em up.
Hide-a-Key. Heck, this doesn’t really need splaining, does it? We’ve all been there. One day, you’ll lose or lock your rig or tow vehicle keys in the rig or vehicle. And you’ll wish you had one hidden away outside. So Do It. For added protection, keep an extra key for your tow vehicle or trailer locked in the other. You never know when you’ll lose one or the other. Another option is an electric, keyless combo lock.
Miscellaneous locks. A few ponderables… What if someone walked off with your hitch? Or drove off with your trailer? How badly would that suck? That’s why they make a variety of locks for each. Curt Manufacturing makes hitch and coupler locks to secure your hitch itself. A tongue/coupler lock will keep some malcontent from backing in and driving off with your trailer. Or step it up with a Proven Lock, or “boot” your trailer with a wheel lock.
From the campsite to the music festival, who knows what lurks in the hearts of man. A few safety and security devices could thwart thieves, protect the camper (and tow vehicle), and help ensure a better camping and music festival experience.