Summer’s on its way and, for many, this means gearing up for the upcoming camping season. This might involve getting out your tent and sleeping bags and making sure they’re well aired out and in good repair. Or, if you have a travel trailer or motorhome, it’s time to start thinking about getting your RV ready for the road.
As important as it is to make pre-trip preparations for your camping excursion, it’s no less important to have a sound strategy for protecting your belongings once you’ve arrived at your camping destination. Whether you’re staying in a travel trailer, motorhome or tent, you can never be 100% safe from criminals looking to take advantage of unsuspecting campers. There are, however, some steps you can take to minimize the potential of a loss from theft during your trip. Consider the following camping tips geared toward protecting your belongings while camping.
Camping Tips to Help Your Security
- Choose the best campground and the best campsite within that campground. Do research on the Internet, looking for reviews from campers who have stayed there before. If possible, look for grounds with some level of security such as a security gate for check in, roving security patrols and security cameras.
- Meet and greet your camping neighbors. Volunteer to keep an eye out for any strangers around their site while they’re gone. Ask them to do the same for you.
- When leaving your campsite for off-site activities, make sure your valuable belongings are locked up in your vehicle. Don’t leave valuables unattended in a tent, even if it’s fitted with a lock for the zipper. Valuable items like laptops or tablets are safer if just left at home but, if you have them, lock them up in your car trunk.
- Items you just can’t afford to lose such as your cell phone or wallet full of credit cards should be kept on your person at all times.
- Make sure your RV is protected from being stolen while you’re away for the day with devices such as wheel locks, a steering wheel bar lock or other immobilizers.
- Make sure the insurance on your RV is more than just basic third-party liability coverage so any stolen items can be claimed on your policy.
- If you’re going out of sight from your RV, even if it’s just for a few minutes to get food, make sure you lock up.