<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by flashajt:
Yes we carry as well - I surely feel bad for anyone should they break in while we are in the coach - but of course, that isnt what I am worried about.
Very good suggestions here!!!
For those who inquired about my friends break-in, here is exactly what she told me. I asked her if I can share - she said no problem. We are here to educate others!
Great story...
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">We stayed at some state campgrounds, which by the way sometimes are really nice, so don't avoid them, and also some private campgrounds. We had no problems at the campgrounds.
We got broken into when we were parked in the Great Smoky Mtns. National Park at a trail head. Because ours was an oversized vehicle, we were parked away from where the majority of cars were. One side of the RV was alongside the busy road, but the other side was up against the woods. We suspect that the burgler got in through a window on the wood side, as it would be easy to not be seen. Plus, because we were at a trail head, it was pretty obvious that we were off hiking.
If you look at the RV windows, the locks are plastic and pretty flimsy. We think they jimmied one of them, although there was no sign of forced entry and no obvious fingerprints, as the police did a check. The
burglar(s) definitely exited through the side door because when we got back to the RV, it was unlocked, and we were sure we'd locked it.
They stole the brand new laptop, used a total of one time. Ugh! They overlooked my purse with wallet which was hidden behind clothes in one of the cabinets. That was a lucky break, as I had credit cards, cash, etc. in there. (I didn't want to carry my purse on the hike.)
We happened to have our still camera and video camera with us, so they didn't get those. The only other thing they took was our Florida license plate. That meant we had to go through the hassle of filing a police report, because we knew we couldn't drive home thru 3 states (NC, Tenn and GA) on the way home without plates and no proof of them having been stolen. What a major hassle because the theft happened in a national park, meaning we had to file federal paperwork, talk to federal agents, etc. etc.
I guess the best advice I could offer anyone is if you have an RV, try to park in a visible spot. And hide your valuables. Our laptop was in a cabinet, not visible to someone peeking into the RV, but they found it. They did not, as I said, find my purse.
We've camped many times for many years, and this is the first time we've had an incident. So don't let it scare you too badly. But do make sure to "hide your stuff" if at all possible, just in case </div></BLOCKQUOTE> </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Everyone should be aware of "lock bumping" with keys commonly available for modification to bump with. Would not take a rocket scientist crook to fabricate a bump key for the common RV door locks. Do a goggle search if you have not heard of lock bumping. It's all over YouTube website..with videos on exactly how to make bump keys.
