Security systems

[sharonm3394]

I recently had a very scary situation where someone tried to break into my Escape (while I was in it at 4am). I was parked in a Walmart parking lot within a few feet of 3 other rv's. Before I go on my next trip I want to have a security system installed. Any suggestions? (Please don't say a dog...mine slept through the entire incident!)

[padlin]

What purpose do you want it to provide?

[flatpick]

.44 magnum? ;-)

steve

[Jim Bennett]

An alarm would not do much in that situation, as you would likely know of the intruder as soon as an alarm would alert you. Plus, the problems associated with an alarm system with it having the potential to go off accidentally would likely be quite high (wind rocking trailer, bear rubbing against it, etc.)

Maybe have a canned air horn to set off would scare the culprit away.

I know that there have been incidents before of people getting broken into while in their RVs, but I think the occurrence is extremely low, given the number of nights spent in RVs.

I sure hope this was your one and only occurrence of this happening. How was he/she trying to break in? Through the door, or a window, or some other way? What kind of damage did they do to your trailer while trying to break in?

[rbryan4]

One of the reasons I would shy away from overnighting at a Wal-Mart. I'd bet that the burglar didn't think the trailers were occupied. In an RV park or campground, the assumption is that they are. Too many eyes and ears in close proximity for a burglar to feel comfortable.

As for a security system, I wholeheartedly agree with Jim. A hand held horn might chase them away, but an alarm system would be too susceptible to going of in the middle of the night - and upset other campers.

I would suggest to just be careful and cautious when overnighting in such an area. The prevalence of break-ins or other crimes against RVers is very low when compared to society in general. Glad you're OK.

[Donna D.]

Passive alarm

[gbaglo]

Your vehicle probably has an alarm and a fob for remote entry. That fob has an alarm button.

[Ron in BC]

An easy-to-do improvement might be to install a 12 volt motion sensor light. Most potential bad guys don't like suddenly being lit up for all to see.

An air horn isn't a bad idea either.

Ron

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

I wholeheartedly agree with Jim.

Are you available for wife training?

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Your vehicle probably has an alarm and a fob for remote entry. That fob has an alarm button.

Good thought.

[C&G in FL]

Three really good ideas here that if it were me, I would incorporate.
1. Be very selective which Walmart you select to overnight in,
2. Install the motion sensing porch light,
3. Use the key fob to set off the TV's alarm. Criminals do not like either light or a loud alarm.

And Donna's sticker wouldn't be a bad 4th idea. It, however, might not be too visible in the night darkness. I would think that a Pilot would be preferable to Walmart given all the truck drivers around to intervene if necessary. That's my 2-cents worth.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Are you available for wife training?

Yes. Assuming you can train mine.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Your vehicle probably has an alarm and a fob for remote entry. That fob has an alarm button.

Hey, an actual use for that horribly annoying panic button!

[dave macrae]

A can of bear spray works well , just make sure you get outside before using it

[sharonm3394]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. The air horn sounds like a good idea. I do carry a can of wasp spray but was too freaked out to think about it. The person tried to pry the front window rock guard cover open, tried the door, then stuck their hand up between the screen and glass of the window I had open (thoughts of a scene from The Walking Dead!). Fortunately, no damage was done. I did learn that keeping my cell phone charged and having service is most important. I now have a back up phone with another carrier.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

One of the reasons I would shy away from overnighting at a Wal-Mart. I'd bet that the burglar didn't think the trailers were occupied. In an RV park or campground, the assumption is that they are.

My guess would be the opposite. People typically stop in a WalMart lot to get a night's sleep before continuing on their way (although they might be in the store getting supplies at the moment), while campgrounds are full of RVs belonging to people who could be out for the day hiking or whatever.

Maybe it only matters what a potential burglar thinks... and criminals are typically too stupid or lazy to earn a living, so who knows what (or if) they think.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

My guess would be the opposite. People typically stop in a WalMart lot to get a night's sleep before continuing on their way )

I thought that also and I regard a Walmart overnight stop has about the same risk factor as any other wayside stop.

That being said, when researching Walmarts that allow overnighting for our most recent trip I did notice, from reviews of the store etc., that some are located in areas that you might not want to be in at night. So I wouldn't stop using Walmarts, I'd just ask myself, is this in an area that I'd feel comfortable walking around at night.

So, yes, light on and noise are probably your best instant response, then the phone. Hopefully if you're parked near other RV's the commotion will also result in them looking out etc.

Glad no real harm was done and now you've had a chance to think through what your response will be if it ever happens again.

Ron

[escape artist]

Hi: sharonm3394... The panic button on your tow vehicle keys would be my first choice. They don't make a big lump under your pillow either!!! It's already installed in most modern vehicles. I almost used it in Florida to quell the noisy party in the next door neighbours gazebo.
The only noise that annoys a noise, is a noise!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

My guess would be the opposite. People typically stop in a WalMart lot to get a night's sleep before continuing on their way (although they might be in the store getting supplies at the moment), while campgrounds are full of RVs belonging to people who could be out for the day hiking or whatever.

Maybe it only matters what a potential burglar thinks... and criminals are typically too stupid or lazy to earn a living, so who knows what (or if) they think.

It's true that it's hard to know what a criminal thinks -- if you can call it thinking. But, many years as a cop did give me some general insight. They don't like crowds, that's for sure. Even if some campers in an RV park are out during the day, there are plenty who stay behind. They would also have to contend with the park manager/staff. At night there's very little chance he'd take the risk, since the campers are all occupied. My guess is that this guy doesn't know that Wal-Marts allow overnight camping, and saw this as an easy opportunity.

I would not shy away from overnighting at a Wal-Mart, but then again, my method to deal with an incident like this is probably alot different than the OP.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

They don't like crowds, that's for sure. Even if some campers in an RV park are out during the day, there are plenty who stay behind. They would also have to contend with the park manager/staff. At night there's very little chance he'd take the risk, since the campers are all occupied. My guess is that this guy doesn't know that Wal-Marts allow overnight camping, and saw this as an easy opportunity.

Now that makes sense to me!

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Yes. Assuming you can train mine.

Methinks we may just have to live in a state of tolerance.

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Hey, an actual use for that horribly annoying panic button!

I have never find another good use for them, other than to aggravate folks when they get accidentally activated.