Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I showed my brother this picture and commented,
Door trimmed up with locking handle.



He said
Why lock it when anyone can just take off the hinges to get in the door?

I said
I could replace the screws with carriage bolts. I could also put pins in the door frame like a bank vault door. The problem is, then the window needs bars.... The bottom line is anyone with a battery powered grinder with a chop blade or a skill saw could cut their way inside through the wall or ceiling in less than 3 minutes. Heck, a little crowbar could pop the door lock faster than that. The teardrop structure is just not beefy enough for security. If you need it secure for valuables or a gun, install a strong box inside and keep that locked.

Your thoughts on teardrop security?

Locks are to keep honest people honest IMHO

We do have locks on the doors but they aren't locked unless we're inside. Our galley latches don't have locks.

We don't take any valuables with us other than wallet/purse, cell phones, and wedding rings. These are usually kept on-person, but for the few times they are not, they are locked up in our truck.

hafley wrote:Locks are to keep honest people honest IMHO

+1

Too true... No matter if it's Teardrops, Cars, or Homes... They'll stop an honest person, but only slow a crook down a bit...

.

You could always install a cleat on the back side of the door behind each hinge. Even with the hinge removed the door will not open as long as the handle is locked.

a plywood box with windows, about as secure as a wet paper bag, one good hit with a large rock and...
Lock the good stuff in the car, out of sight. at least the car alarm should scare them, and insurance should cover it if the car is locked.
I have the same faith in my tent as I do in the security of my tear, out of sight out of mind, but no real security unless I'm in there with an equalizer.

My donor caravan took 20 minutes to turn into a flat bed with a circular saw.

Anything that anyone wants badly enough they will get. It is more a matter of slowing them down and making it really really obvious.

grantstew8 wrote:My donor caravan took 20 minutes to turn into a flat bed with a circular saw.

You don't see many people here in Texas running amok with circular saws; however, we gotta look out for...

IMO, you're looking at this all wrong. The time to be concerned about trailer security is not when you're on the road or at the campground, it's when you're NOT camping, and the camper is sitting in your side yard, and you're not home.

I've left tents (hardly the most secure thing in the world!) full of gear at campgrounds for hours on end while off exploring. Nothing ever gets taken. Campers tend to be nice people!

If you garage your trailer, nothing to worry about. If you don't, simply empty the trailer of the expensive goodies after each trip. Sure it's a hassle. It'd be nice to keep your camper in "ready to camp" mode at all times, but if you're worried about security, that just isn't sensible.

I really do not worry too much about it myself except when I am in it. I have a lock on the door and a cable I wrap around the tires and frame a lock through the hitch. If anybody takes the time to take it they want it more than I do long as I am not in it. At home it sits in a garage.

eggsalad wrote:IMO, you're looking at this all wrong. The time to be concerned about trailer security is not when you're on the road or at the campground, it's when you're NOT camping, and the camper is sitting in your side yard, and you're not home.

I've left tents (hardly the most secure thing in the world!) full of gear at campgrounds for hours on end while off exploring. Nothing ever gets taken. Campers tend to be nice people!

If you garage your trailer, nothing to worry about. If you don't, simply empty the trailer of the expensive goodies after each trip. Sure it's a hassle. It'd be nice to keep your camper in "ready to camp" mode at all times, but if you're worried about security, that just isn't sensible.

Yup. Agreed. I think the whole TD is at risk rather than the kit in it. I'm going to get wheel/tow hitch locks.

John...there is a variety of different security screws that you could use on your hinges, but as mentioned, if they want in chances are they will find a way. A pry bar could pop a door pretty easily. Doug

We lock stuff in our cars all the time, and anyone with a hammer can be in within seconds. Don' t put too much worry into it. Tom