Stolen Batteries

[donandbea]

A heads-up - There are low-lifes out there. A number of trailers in our west Abbotsford neighbourhood have had their batteries literally ripped out, cables cut, and stolen.

 

[PGDriver]

Hope you guys didn't get hit.

Cheers
Doug

 

[Ron in BC]

Ouch, that would be really annoying. Especially cutting the cables as well and probably under the insurance deductible to boot.

Really disgusting if all they're doing is taking them to a metal salvage yard and getting about 3 bucks for them.

Ron

 

[donandbea]

Hope you guys didn't get hit.

Cheers
Doug

Thankfully, ours are locked in the storage box. But 4 trailers within a block have lost theirs.

 

[Greg A]

Had that happen on our 17b and brand new battery. Just cut the cables and threw it in the PU truck. You could see the truck tracks where they backed up like they were hooking up. Unsecured storage lot with open gates. I've since switched to a lot with an electronic card gate that is near a prison and the bad guys seem to avoid the area. I also added cable locks around the battery box after that so we weren't the easiest one in the lot.

I wouldn't count on the storage box being much of a deterrent if they target your trailer unless it is a heavier metal box type. I'd still add cable locks of some sort to the battery(s), but if they have cable cutters even those may not prevent it. Best is to select the storage lot carefully.

This is a really frustrating and expensive one since you have to replace cables as well as the battery. Delayed leaving on our trip a couple of hours when it happened.

 

[luckyone-ESC]

The benefit of the dual 6V batteries on the inside of the 21' trailer.

 

[Sandra L]

My son banded my battery case with a modified water heater earthquake strap and I put a padlock on it. It would take a bit longer to swipe. (Ihope.)

 

[padlin]

You'll need more locks. I've heard of batteries, gas bottles, and spare tires disappearing, mostly from storage lots.

 

[Greg A]

My son banded my battery case with a modified water heater earthquake strap and I put a padlock on it. It would take a bit longer to swipe. (Ihope.)

Sandra,
This sounds like a very good lock solution. Do you have any pics of this for closer examination??

 

[Loren & Cathy]

The benefit of the dual 6V batteries on the inside of the 21' trailer.

Yes, and to remove them you have to be very ambitious. Loren

 

[Dave Walter]

The benefit of the dual 6V batteries on the inside of the 21' trailer.

My 19' also has dual 6's under the front dinette bench.

Major issue I see here is storing your trailer for extended time periods at storage lots with minimal security. I am fortunate to have the space to park my covered 19' beside my house well off the street, and someone is nearly always around to keep an eye on it. Makes it much more secure than many off site locations.

For longer term storage in poorly secured lots, those with propane and batteries on the exteriors of their trailers may consider removing them and keeping them locked up elsewhere.

 

[Sandra L]

Sandra,
This sounds like a very good lock solution. Do you have any pics of this for closer examination??

I was afraid that someone would ask. Right now my "Suite Escape" is in storage, but when I get her, I'll take some pictures. Meanwhile I'll look to see if I have any, but don't hold your breath.;D

It was a metal band and my son just wrapped it around the battery case and the back bumper, with the band over the strap that keeps the case lid on. The ends turned at a 90 degree angle and had holes in them, so I just simply put a padlock through the holes. My battery is on the back bumper to the right of the spare tire.

 

[hughharden]

battery lockup

Here's what I did. Aircraft cables and padlocks with same key. Might at least make them move on.

 

[Greg A]

Doing some battery lock research came across these with pretty good recommendations.
B & D RV Battery Lock For RV travel trailers and popup campers.
Seems like it might be similar to what Sandra's son fashioned.

 

[Sandra L]

Hughharden's picture shows the original strap around the case. My "earthquake" strap is on top of that on mine.

 

[Patandlinda]

Doing some battery lock research came across these with pretty good recommendations.
B & D RV Battery Lock For RV travel trailers and popup campers.
Seems like it might be similar to what Sandra's son fashioned.

We used those over our battery box at the front of tent trailer . Had tent trailer for 4 years , never lost our battery . Didn't like fact battery was so vulnerable. Pat

 

[santacruzer]

Something like a battery disconnect alarm, similar to what restaurants use on refrigerators and freezers to signal power outages, might be helpful. It might cost more than the batteries you're trying to keep safe, however. It's pretty common on some vehicles with alarm systems, but requires a back up battery for the alarm itself.

 

[Greg A]

Got the RV Battery locks today. Added a keyed alike set of Master Locks and they went right on the 6V boxes, very simple. Feel a lot better now.

 

[Dave Walter]

Looks good. Should stop most opportunistic thieves from getting your batteries.

 

[Sandra L]

Got the RV Battery locks today. Added a keyed alike set of Master Locks and they went right on the 6V boxes, very simple. Feel a lot better now.

That is the way mine is, but the water-heater earthquake strap is on top of the battery box strap. (On the back bumper.) Maybe not theft proof, but certainly a deterrent.