Personal Safe Mounting

Triton · 03-08-2021, 08:04 AM

2007 Journey 39K.
Looking to securely mount a small 8x8x7 inch personal safe and I'm curious if other Journey 39K owners have done the same? If so, where and how did you mount it? I'm looking at a couple possibilities but the wall backing in my closets and cabinets seem so thin like paneling. Without another secure mounting method, the safe would be pretty easy to just yank out.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

**creativepart** · 03-08-2021, 08:59 AM

The floor of any motorhome is the sturdiest mounting surface. Look at the floor of your closet or the floor under the bed. Mount it on it's back with the door facing up.

I should add that I don't have a safe and have never installed one. But when I see them in RVs they always seem to be mounted to the floor.

Morich · 03-08-2021, 09:48 AM

My thinking runs to the fact that a determined crook can get a safe off any mounting---if they want to bad enough!
So I look at what I have to protect versus what they will want to spend the time to get. If I make it hard enough to find anything that appears worth the time to get it, I feel I'm better protected than if I leave something like a safe which says high value in a spot where they will see it.
One step is that we do not carry much of high value as a step to keep folks from doing the massive damage to get into the RV. I don't leave a $200 GPS on the dash where they may break a $1200 windshield to get to it!

I do nothing to say that there is a high value item onboard. Things like advertising that I keep a gun? Guns are one of the most often stolen items, so I don't advert that there is one there to break in to steal!

Then when I want to protect what I DO have, I do not make it appear to be high value like something I would put in a safe! Most RV have many small spaces where we might know how and where to access that space but the normal guy off the street would never take the time to search out those spaces.

Most break-ins will happen in less than twenty minutes, so they can easily pry a safe off the wall but they will rarely go through the spaces under the floor where the plumbing is run or look through the morning's left over breakfast to get to the bottom of the trash can.

I would rather they simple take the items, than to rip a huge chunk out of the RV floor to get the safe!

Triton · 03-08-2021, 10:09 AM

Both good points. Thanks. I hadn't thought of mounting it to the floor, but was thinking in a closet or overhead cupboard at eye level, but the floor would make more sense as it's sturdier than the wall.
I agree with Richard as well and as with my personal vehicles, I never leave anything of value visible when I'm not around, but was thinking more of keeping things out of reach of younger hands, if you know what I mean but still have quick/easy access.
Now I'll need to re-think my plans.......

powercat_ras · 03-08-2021, 11:14 AM

One thing - many Winnebagos have a rectangular wood panel above the microwave that is held there by two cabinet door latch style fasteners and it can be removed and replaced by just pulling it off and pushing it back on. Visually it does not look like it would be removable.

I use that dead space behind that panel to hold small plastic box or boxes with items I don't want to leave in plain sight.

Triton · 03-08-2021, 11:19 AM

Oooo! Good thought powercat! I'll take a look tonight and see if mine has that panel as well. Thanks!

Morich · 03-08-2021, 12:47 PM

I should not tell secrets but there is also a small access panel under the Vista vanity that leaves access to plumbing but has lots of space for things that might fit in shoeboxes.
I dare anybody to stay long enough to unload all that junk, but I can get to it pretty quick if motivated!

I know one fellow (NOT ME) that doesn't want to add paper to the holding tanks, so uses a plastic bag to hold the dirty stuff. He figures nobody in their right mind will look under that to find the expensive stuff!!!

Gags me to think of a bag of that hanging around so we don't use that system but I think it might work!

Triton · 03-09-2021, 06:55 AM

No I don't have the access panel above the oven. Darn. I thought that might work. Also I think the holding tank is used for other purpose (rightfully so) but I will look closer for access areas under cabinets, etc.
I'm leaning toward mounting it in one of a couple boxes with small access pull handles under the floor in the bedroom and in the closet. Odd that they're carpeted so they must be functional. Only drawback is that the slide would need to be extended for access. No worry really and when underway the important stuff is in the cab area for quick access if needed.
Thanks for all the advice and info friends. When I get it figured out and installed I'll share.

bigb · 03-09-2021, 05:07 PM

In my Via there is a good hiding spot behind the kitchen sink cabinet, there is about a 3" dead space with access from the top where some of the plumbing comes out. I plan to make a hanging container that I can hook over the cabinet back and it will hang in that space out of sight.
Also when hiding your GPS etc it is recommended to clean the suction cup mark off the glass if you use one. I carry a leather bag that I can sling over my shoulder and carry my valuables with me if necessary, it holds my pistol, tablet & ipod.

imnprsd · 03-09-2021, 09:27 PM

My RV came with a safe nicely hidden between the bed and closet. You would never know it is there.

However, I never use is because I want my cash and documents ready to go out the front door in case of fire.

So I hide these things in a $20 fire proof, zipper, and velcro bag; and I hide in behind my bolt box in the front compartment, which is the last place anyone would look. I call it my "Go Bag."

Also, the passenger cargo box behind the front tire is away from the engine and refrigerator and stove area and ATS where fires start! So this makes more sense to me, because in the event of an emergency you will not have time to retrieve your valuables.

And if you are worried about getting robbed, then you want a "dummy hiding place" with a few hundred dollars so you can give the thief your stash and let him (or her) proceed on their way without the hint of you hiding something more valuable in your cargo compartment.

https://www.amazon.com/Fireproof-Doc...s%2C357&sr=8-9

doorguy · 03-14-2021, 05:55 PM

Triton, I also have a 39K. I don't know if you've unscrewed the platform that the mattress sits on, but there is a lot of room under that bed. They have it screwed down cuz there is a ton of electrical in there and I guess they don't want us messing with it and piling crap on top of it.

The platform is hinged about 3/4 of the way up toward the headboard. I installed some gas struts to hold it in the up position while Im rummaging around in there. I aslo installed two led lights on the underside of that platform. There is plenty of room to install a safe bolted to the carpeted floor under there.

Also, you need access under that bed as there is a small "hatch" with 4 bolts that give access to the turbo area for lubrication and such. It is at the left rear corner as you face the foot of the bed. AND, the first step is removable as there is another sheet metal covering over the "rear" of the engine by the turbo access cover. It must be removed so a tech can get in there and adjust the valves when due. I've had to replace the #6 injector and that sheetmetal cover has to be off to give the tech access to it.

I have written up a set of instructions as to what to remove in what order for that access including the floor panel in front of the closet. If you are interested, PM me with an email address and I'll forward a copy to you. Then again, you may be way ahead of me and already figured all this out.

rollingstone · 03-14-2021, 08:49 PM

[QUOTE=Triton;3889619]2007 Journey 39K.
Looking to securely mount a small 8x8x7 inch personal safe and I'm curious if other Journey 39K owners have done the same? If so, where and how did you mount it? I'm looking at a couple possibilities but the wall backing in my closets and cabinets seem so thin like paneling. Without another secure mounting method, the safe would be pretty easy to just yank out.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.
Attach to frame, but not good idea to carry anything of great value. Unless someone breaks out a window and has ladder! Motorhomes are pretty secure. The exception would be if you're living in it. Having said that there are hundreds of places to hide things in motorhome. Hope this helps

Radioflyer · 03-15-2021, 05:04 AM

While we don’t carry high value items, we do carry a modest amount of ‘emergency’ cash. I subscribe to the ‘hide in plain sight’ strategy. Took a cleaned mayonnaise jar spray painted the inside a matching color and store some of the rainy day cash. I sewed industrial Velcro up under the hardest approachable window valance and the mating Velcro on a small zipper pouch. For the biggest rainy day, I simply found the closest match to the bedroom carpet and removed the bottom dresser drawer and laid the bills flat, cut/ laid the carpet on top, Velcro perimeter trim to give factory appearance. Silverware drawer which has wasted volume now has a 1/2” false bottom.

Triton · 03-15-2021, 05:11 AM

Thanks all for the good ideas. I'm still mulling it over where to mount it and will get to it as I get time. I really like this forum and you who share.

doorguy, PM is in the air.

gabbyh · 03-15-2021, 05:57 AM

on our '06 36 journey when we swapped out the rear TV ,had a large void behind where the old TV sat . as we had mounted new TV on a hidden hinge swing out panel . mounted safe behind that panel. hidden but accessible . just remember locks only keep honest people honest , a true thief will still pry the safe off the plywood shelf , doing minor damage to coach

just curious · 03-24-2021, 10:28 PM

Be careful drilling holes in the floor. In my 2019 Winnebago 29 VE the holding tanks are just below the floor and so are some of the water pipes. Drill shallow and watch the screw length.
These suggestions are good ideas. I was thinking about mounting a small safe somewhere also but had not found a good spot.

Wyatt · 03-24-2021, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radioflyer

While we don’t carry high value items, we do carry a modest amount of ‘emergency’ cash. I subscribe to the ‘hide in plain sight’ strategy. Took a cleaned mayonnaise jar spray painted the inside a matching color and store some of the rainy day cash. I sewed industrial Velcro up under the hardest approachable window valance and the mating Velcro on a small zipper pouch. For the biggest rainy day, I simply found the closest match to the bedroom carpet and removed the bottom dresser drawer and laid the bills flat, cut/ laid the carpet on top, Velcro perimeter trim to give factory appearance. Silverware drawer which has wasted volume now has a 1/2” false bottom.

You forgot to mention, “Shh, don’t tell anybody”...

Triton · 03-26-2021, 06:37 AM

Lol, thanks for all the good advice and insight. I still need to get in there and get it mounted. I'm thinking in the floor cubby between the bed and closet. It's above the engine so I don't think there will be any issues with holding tanks. Regardless, I intend to drill slowly and carefully.

doorguy · 03-27-2021, 08:40 AM

The "cubby hole" in our 39K is visible from the underside so you can see what if anything is near it for drilling. Last time I looked, I recall it being free and clear of anything critical; holding tanks are way forward under the bath area.

Triton · 04-14-2021, 10:31 AM

Ok, I've decided to mount it in the hidden 'cubby' between the bed and closet. After we arrived at the campground this past weekend (approximately 90 miles) I opened the cubby to see if it was hot in there and was pleased to find it was the same temperature as the rest of the coach or cooler. Perfect. That's where I'll mount it. It will be concealed under the rear slide when on the road, and when camping I'll place a book or magazine over the small handle so that it can't be seen with a casual glance. Now I just need to find (make) time to mount it. Thanks all for the excellent advice and replies.