RV season is here, and the parks are at full capacity. Today we’re exploring the issue of RV park security. Do you trust your RV neighbors, and what strategies do you use to stay secure?
We know locking the camper door is good practice. But, what if any other precautions are necessary to make sure your belongings don’t wander off.
Let’s dive in!
No Two RV Parks or Campgrounds are Alike
RV parks and campgrounds come in all shapes and sizes. Onsite security differs from every location.
Many RV resorts and public campgrounds have gates that lock overnight, while standard RV parks can remain accessible to non-guests 24 hours a day.
Additionally, RV park demographics can be wildly different. Many RV parks in Arizona and Florida have a 55+ age policy. KOAs, on the other hand, cater to family travel.
All of these factors can affect how much you trust your RV neighbors.
Locking Your Trailer Hitch is the First Step
No matter if you trust your neighbors or not, you should get into the habit of locking your RV hitch. This security measure applies to any towable RV.
A trailer hitch lock won’t offer 100% security, but it sure will make it hard for a potential thief to drive off with your RV discreetly.
Prevention is the best first step when it comes to the security of your RV.
Do You Stow Away Belongings Every Night at the RV Park?
An RV campsite, whether at an RV Park are public campground, is like your home away from home. Getting comfy is key!
Most campers travel with patio chairs, outside coolers, and bikes. These recreational items can be prime targets for theft.
But, who wants to lock them up every night?
We rarely lock up our outside stuff. Instead, we read in-depth reviews about RV parks and choose a camper-trusted location.
If you feel better locking up your expensive exterior belongings, we understand entirely. Long rope-style bike locks like this can loop through bikes, chairs, and coolers with a single rope.
The Perception of Long Term Campers & RV Park Theft
Many RV parks have long term campers. There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with long term campers, but they are perceived negatively by the majority of RV vacationers.
Here are a few perceived security issues they pose:
- They create more local traffic. This means more eyes on your belongings.
- Long term sites are stereotypically more cluttered, creating a perception of less security.
- Many long term campers are on the job. They may have less ties to the local community, creating a perception of distrust.
Let me reiterate. These are perceptions and not truths. While they may not affect your security, a lack of perceived trust may arise when too many long term campers are in a single park.
Having Rude Neighbors Can Breed Mistrust
Rude RV park neighbors can be found at every campground. To be fair, these neighbors may merely be having a good time…just a little too loud. It’s their vacation, and they’re soaking it up.
Sometimes we mistake the overly zealous neighbors as a security problem. However, that’s rarely the case.
Remember that a thief comes in all shapes & sizes. Take the appropriate security measures, but avoid casting negative perceptions on your RV neighbor if possible.
Rude neighbors are just one of the many “dirty secrets of RV camping” that the dealers don’t mention when they sell RVs. You can discover the other dirty secrets in the video below:
Do Most RV Campers Trust Their RV Park Neighbors?
We surveyed our online community and discovered that RVers are very trusting. The majority of RV park campers trust their neighbors.
However, it’s not an overwhelming majority.
Many people we surveyed also shared stories of campground theft and lessons-learned.
The most crucial factor to consider is what makes you feel safe. Buy the tools to keep your mind at ease, and have fun camping!
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Interesting article. It certainly is an issue to explore. I’ve camped with family, as a child and adult. I have also “long-term” camped as a worker. I feel those who are long- term working people are just that, there to work. They get home from a long day and they don’t care about the overnight camper whooping it up to rows over. They keep to themselves because they are typically back up and out of the camper by 6 am. The locals who have a long-term camper are typically there on the weekend to relax. The less predictable are the overnighters but they are there for fun as well. All in all it is the change in society over the years that have increased the distrust between neighbors in campgrounds.
Well, to start with I spent 11 years with a county sheriff’s department which left me rather cynical and distrustful of people in general. So when social distancing came in I found out that was my norm anyway. Lol!
I spend 6 months per year on the road and haven’t used an RV park or private campground. Dispersed camping I’ve had quite a few neighbors I haven’t trusted. The ones firing their AR platform semi autos into the Rio Grande for example! The ones with vicious pit bulls for another.
Having a class b I put a steering wheel lock on it to help stop theft of the entire vehicle. Have an alarm on the door, but frankly that would be of more use if in a RV park with people close by. Having been camping my whole life, literally since my parents took me on my first one at 4 weeks old, and I’m 71 now, I’ve known many people who don’t like being off alone. They perceive themselves to be safer among people. I perceive people as being the problem.
As far as your outside things being stolen having a class b means I have to leave things to mark my spot as in use if driving off to a TH to hike or to a store for supplies. The only things I’ve had stolen were my leveling blocks over on BLM land on the E side of the Organ Mountains in New Mexico. They left my chair, carpet and bright red bucket I use as my site marker. My fault for being lazy and leaving the blocks out. Don’t do that anymore. They were still taking a chance of my not showing up as I’m licensed to carry in 36 states. That’s my main protection.
As an occasional camp host, I’d like to see campers worry a little more about theft. Hosted multiple times at a state park known for its fishing. Every time there’d be campers who got up in the morning and discovered their waders and fly rods had walked away in the night. It wasn’t other campers, though. It was locals who figured out the best times to walk through and not get noticed. I always tell people to lock up or stow in the camper anything they don’t want to lose. Don’t make it easy for thieves to do a grab and go.
I truly do appreciate all the videos that you all have they are so helpful my husband and I have done this now for about 2 years full-time camping we are now in a park in Clarksville Indiana it’s very reasonable very safe no security on site per se but cameras are everywhere and wonderful people in this park it’s Add= More Rv Park and it is been wonderful it’s got a wooded area it’s got a pond that you can walk your pets washer and dryers on site bath house and it’s very reasonable we love it here we also love checking in with driving and vibing to see what’s going on and to learn new things and I have done that it’s been so helpful still trying to get a map of the free campsites that we pay for or pay towards haven’t been able to get that yet but hopefully I will figure that one out but really grateful for everything that you all have on here it’s been very interesting and informative and for that I am thankful thanks driving and vibing