BLM Camping: camp security

[Bootleg]

The family and I are doing a big trip this summer. We’re leaving NC and heading to Yellowstone/Teton for 5 days, then heading down to Utah to hit the mighty 5 and then back home through Colorado. Our plan is to mostly camp on BLM land at dispersed camping areas. We have a small trailer with a roof top tent that we’re dragging around.

I’m a bit concerned about finding a spot to setup camp and leaving our setup in the middle of nowhere with no security. We don’t want to have to drag the trailer everywhere and pack everything up to go visit a park. Obviously security is always going to be hit or miss and dependent on a lot of things, mainly the human element. We would hate to head out for a few hours and come back to a ransacked camp and missing gear. What do you guys think?

 

[Anak]

Location is everything.

If you are remote enough then there won't be many folks to pose a threat.

I certainly would not want to set up camp next to a highway and then leave everything sitting there visible to all the world.

You may find that some areas have folks who are set up and just hanging out for several days. You will have to use your own judgment to determine if these folks are an asset or a liability. Their presence would deter would-be snoops and thieves, but then again, they themselves might be snoops and thieves. I think those types are the minority, but they certainly exist.

I would invest in a good locking system for your trailer, and no, you will not find a good locking system at the hardware store. Those things are only good for keeping the honest folks out. Do some online research for a good lock for whatever coupler system you are running. The one I use for my cargo trailer was several hundred dollars. That is the level you need to be thinking of if you really want to slow down a thief.

 

[Things]

Sometimes visibility is a deterrent, along with being aways off traveled roads. Chance to be seen is a chance to be caught.

I did the same with a tent trailer accross the west and in more remote places did not worry.

I parked my trailer around from Rhyolite, did Titus and Death Valley etc for days no problem, off the main dirt road aways could be somewhat seen. No one came up because they saw someone was already there.

 

[MidOH]

There is no security for an abandoned trailer.

You can do a few things to make yourself feel better, but that's all it'll be. Leave someone behind with the trailer, or just chance it. Keep a close eye on the other campers.

 

[genocache]

I'd do a few things; park the trailer remote, use a coupler lock, take a wheel, set up a trail cam. Or go to the local town and explain to the local law enforcement that you just want to drop your trailer for a couple of hours/days and ask if you can leave it in their parking lot.

 

[Bootleg]

We aren’t leaving it for a days or even a day. We’d be leaving it while we go out venturing for a few hours. We are not abandoning our trailer.

 

[bgenlvtex]

Ask Vlad, he never had these concerns

 

[grubworm]

Ask Vlad, he never had these concerns

true...if you stole from Vlad..he'd make you into a popcicle....

 

[Alanymarce]

How big a concern is this, really? One thing is to worry about insecurity, however is there evidence that this is really a significant issue in the USA?

 

[mep1811]

When I've visited some NPs we would stay at a RV park. No issues leaving the trailer. Outside of Buffalo Wyoming we camped on National Forest land.
A local told us about the site and said it was safe and locals park their RV's there and use them on the weekends.

I packed up everything put a lock on the pintel and a wheel lock. RV parks are the best for high use areas.

 

[Billiebob]

We aren’t leaving it for a days or even a day. We’d be leaving it while we go out venturing for a few hours. We are not abandoning our trailer.

The moment you leave, you abandoned it....... and thats all a thief sees. I thought midOH nailed it with his comment.
Throw a camo net over it.

 

[Billiebob]

How big a concern is this, really? One thing is to worry about insecurity, however is there evidence that this is really a significant issue in the USA?

It isusually a local problem, there is one community an hour from home where theft and vandalism are rampant, but no where else near where I live.
Pick up local papers as you travel. Most local crime gets a story in the small towns.

And be aware of wether or not you are welcome. This pandemic brings out the worst in some people.

 

[Nate1369]

Unfortunately people can be a$$holes, but for the most part all campsites we’ve visited have been pretty quiet.. check out the area first, talk to rangers.. but more importantly, trust your gut.. if something feels off, move on..

 

[mep1811]

View attachment 195912

How misleading . The graphic say "The US locks more people per capita than any other nation. Actually it is more people commit crimes . Can't go to jail without breaking the law.

 

[grubworm]

How misleading . The graphic say "The US locks more people per capita than any other nation. Actually it is more people commit crimes . Can't go to jail without breaking the law.

a member asked if there is evidence of theft in the US...figured the pie chart would answer that

and technically, saying people can't go to jail without committing a crime is equally misleading as it has been proven on many occasions that innocent people have been wrongly incarcerated.

i guess the point is: people do steal, so lock your shit up!

 

[bgenlvtex]

View attachment 195912

LOL that is anti-prison industry propaganda.

But yes, there is abundant evidence that there are thieving parasitic shit heads all over the United States and more being enabled daily. The highest concentrations are predictably in the hives, but they are everywhere.

 

[Road]

View attachment 195912

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Interesting graphic.

As it applies to the question of how significant is it in the US in regards to leaving a trailer unguarded on BLM land, it appears that Theft/Car Theft/Other Property is a rather small percentage of overall crime in the US, according to "how many people are locked up."
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[bgenlvtex]

View attachment 195912

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Interesting graphic.

As it applies to the question of how significant is it in the US in regards to leaving a trailer unguarded on BLM land, it appears that Theft/Car Theft/Other Property is a rather small percentage of overall crime in the US, according to "how many people are locked up."
.

That only indicates the people locked up for it, not the rate of occurrence.

Good luck even getting the police to respond to property crimes in most places.

 

[Road]

The family and I are doing a big trip this summer. We’re leaving NC and heading to Yellowstone/Teton for 5 days, then heading down to Utah to hit the mighty 5 and then back home through Colorado. Our plan is to mostly camp on BLM land at dispersed camping areas. We have a small trailer with a roof top tent that we’re dragging around.

I’m a bit concerned about finding a spot to setup camp and leaving our setup in the middle of nowhere with no security. We don’t want to have to drag the trailer everywhere and pack everything up to go visit a park. Obviously security is always going to be hit or miss and dependent on a lot of things, mainly the human element. We would hate to head out for a few hours and come back to a ransacked camp and missing gear. What do you guys think?

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I can only speak from personal experience. I've left my trailer and gear, both set up and packed-up & ready-to-roll in all types of places over the last several years, from extremely remote federal and state land with no one around for miles, to hotel parking lots and big city streets. It's never been bothered, though I can see from tracks people have come into camp and tried my faucet, for example, nothing has gone missing yet. Those people are more curious about a strange-looking rig than anything.

What I've found I'm most comfortable with when leaving the trailer, is leaving camp more set up than not. Though with all valuables like generator, bike, traction boards, etc all out of view, locked in the cargo bay of the trailer, or with me in the van. I think it is more discouraging to a would-be thief than a packed-up & ready to roll trailer.



Having a unique hitch helps, and though more folks are getting Max Couplers for off-road, it is still unique enough to discourage most thieves from simply backing with their ball hitch and driving away quick. I am also now removing my tow chains to make it less appealing. I know of work trailers that have been dragged off by chains only to get around hitch locks. I keep Bolt Locks in all my hitches and cable locks, all keyed the same to my ignition key. One key for all locks. They spin freely around the hitch pin, so are a little more difficult for the long-pipe guys to bust off. Still doable, certainly, but more time involved.

I've also employed simple things like this to warn others off, whether when out walking away from camp or when away with van, bike, or canoe:


.

I also have a couple Tile locators and am thinking about getting a four pack of the new inexpensive Apple AirTags, that work with the Find My app, and tagging my trailer, bike, and canoe with small stickers that say "GPS Tagged and Locatable" or similar.

I think one of the most important security measures is just plain good old situational awareness. Get a good sense for where you are, what the local population is like, and if there's been a recent rash of thefts in recreational areas.

I've never had any problems, but that does not mean it won't happen. I know my gear is far more at risk in higher density populations than when I am way remote.
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[Road]

That only indicates the people locked up for it, not the rate of occurrence.

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Yes, that's what I said.
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