Cables and bumpers and surge protectors, Oh My!!

[flick4411]

I just wanted to let y'all know that I now have the proper extension cable, a new surge protector thingee, and a step rug and corner bumpers. the surge protector is huge...I had no idea how big it was gonna be. I am gonna have to figure out how to secure it when I eventually go to CGs. I certainly don't want to lose it to some sticky fingered camper. But after the rain stops today, I'll plug it all in and see how it works. Thanks for the advice and suggestions ladies. I feel much better about protecting the Foo Foo now!

[sharon]

I just wanted to let y'all know that I now have the proper extension cable, a new surge protector thingee, and a step rug and corner bumpers. the surge protector is huge...I had no idea how big it was gonna be. I am gonna have to figure out how to secure it when I eventually go to CGs. I certainly don't want to lose it to some sticky fingered camper. But after the rain stops today, I'll plug it all in and see how it works. Thanks for the advice and suggestions ladies. I feel much better about protecting the Foo Foo now!

There's our what has become an annual "mid-America" GTG in Arkansas in Oct where we could all "ooh and ahhh" over Foo Foo and all of her new purties....just sayin'.

[mitch5252]

..

For your Surge Protector - won't stop 'em, but will slow 'em down...(I have one...)



..

[Forestgal]

..

For your Surge Protector - won't stop 'em, but will slow 'em down...(I have one...)



..

Okay Mitch, it's hard to conceptualize how that thing works. Any chance you can hook it up & take a picture? Or maybe you've got a website where there already is a picture that you can post. Most electrical boxes I've seen in campgrounds have a hinged lid and often even a place where you could put a padlock. Where does this fit?

And while we're at it, I just got this delightful addition. http://www.sewersolution.com/index.htm

Some friends I was traveling with last summer use it and it's really, really nice. I'll always keep a length of old sewer hose in my bumper, but this is what I'll be using from now on. Very easy, and very little chance of something going wrong (read: leak, disconnect at the wrong time).

Li, just another little thingy to think about!

[mitch5252]

..



I dug up the lock and braved the cold to get the protector. I remember now that all it does is make the thief take your entire electric set-up, or if your power cord is hard wired to your trailer, to cut the electrical cord. Some have suggested locking the power pedestal...is that possible - like, is there a cutout out the bottom for the cord and a place to put a lock? I never paid too much attention.

..

[Acadianmom]

I might have to get one of those sewer things to use at home. Sometimes I dump my tanks into the septic tank and I have to run the hose about 25'. It's not east to handle that much hose and get things to flow.

I am wondering if a piece of chain and a couple of padlocks would work with the surge protector. Chain it to the post. Will have to check it out the next trip.

Martha

[Bethers]

Let's see - I leave my kayak sitting out at campsites, my table and chairs, all kinds of things. So far nothing's been taken. Now, if you drive off and leave an item just sitting there all alone because you forgot it - then it will most likely be taken. Campers, for the most part, are good folks and your stuff stays yours.

[mitch5252]

..

Beth, I have to know your answer to this questions - seriously, would you leave a $1,000 portable Yamaha generator out at your campsite, unprotected, and go away for the day, or the morning, or the afternoon? HONEST answer.

..

[VickieP]

I bought the lock box thing when I bought my surge protector, but just haven't bothered to put it on. I do think about somebody stealing it at night, since we're always there during the day and don't leave the area. I need to use it. I don't worry about chairs and stuff like that because they're not worth the $350. I spent on the protector. I do worry about my little Weber grill, so I just put it under the edge of the trailer and hope for the best, but still not as high of value or as easily to hide when somebody is walking off with it.

[Forestgal]

Mitch, at many campgrounds there are places to actually lock the power box on the pedestals. I've never done that, but given the right campground I just might. State campgrounds out here are a different breed sometimes -- it just depends where you are. I do know, though, that I'd NEVER leave my Honda 2000 generator out without locking it to the bumper of my trailer -- even when I'm in the trailer. They're just too easy to snatch and get away with.

Beth, I know of someone whose whole pop-up trailer was taken right out of a campground while the guy was away from the campground for 2-3 hours. The thieves came in with a tow vehicle, told the campground hosts that there was a family emergency and that the pop-up owner had asked them to bring it home. They were never questioned and the bad guys were able to drive away with it. The were caught, though, within a couple of days & the trailer was none the worse for wear.

Anything can happen anywhere. Guess it all depends on the right circumstances. But if I get one of those big power protectors I'm going to look for ways to secure it. They're not that common out here, so I'd hate to have it disappear.

Laura

[Bethers]

I'd lock the generator - but with a tt - it wouldn't be out of my truck - so if the truck left the cg - so would my generator. And it would be locked into the back of the truck. So, yes, I would use locks on some items. And yes, sometimes things get stolen - but I didn't lock everything in my yard when I had a house, either. In my almost 6 years full-time, I've only known of one item stolen from an occupied campsite while I was there. And it was a stupid thing to steal. No, I don't trust everyone. Probably trust too many and too much - but that's me.

[mitch5252]

I'd lock the generator - but with a tt - it wouldn't be out of my truck - so if the truck left the cg - so would my generator. And it would be locked into the back of the truck. So, yes, I would use locks on some items. And yes, sometimes things get stolen - but I didn't lock everything in my yard when I had a house, either. In my almost 6 years full-time, I've only known of one item stolen from an occupied campsite while I was there. And it was a stupid thing to steal. No, I don't trust everyone. Probably trust too many and too much - but that's me.

So, you're not making a blanket statement (paraphrased) "Most campers are wonderful and therefore, I feel safe leaving all my possessions unprotected in any campground..." It's based on the amount of risk you're willing to accept - just like insurance - the higher your deductible, the lower your premium.

Me? Go ahead - take my cooler full of wine and beer. Lifting that would be more trouble than it's worth protecting. However, a $300 surge protector, or a $1,000 generator - yup, I'll take precautions - I'm not going to tempt any stranger in any campground to not walk off with a pricey piece of equipment.

My home? Different criteria, but I still set my alarm at night.

[Bethers]

I'd say pretty much everything in life is based on the amount of risk willing to be taken. And with things I take quite a bit. With life, love, etc - that's another story. I've lost way more to family and friends than I ever have to strangers - and that includes having a break in to a condo I lived in once (stupid me saw it had been broken into and ran right in - so mad my eyes were crossed. Luckily he/she/they were gone - as were some possessions). According to the police we had the best lock on the door at the time, and it was a very heavy fire door - these were professionals. Anyway - all they got were "things" and for awhile my pride. I can't believe how violated I felt. The things weren't so important - it was being violated. Anyway - that's another story - as is how family and friends take advantage - but yeah - it's a matter of how much risk I am willing to take. You got that 100% right. Oh, no! Saying you got something 100% right - I'll never live this down.

[retiredhappy]

I did this post once but here goes again. I have a locking thingy for my surge protector but its hard to get on cause you have to jam the cords into it. I use a long necked padlock and actually lock the door on the power post. Most posts have a way to lock them. I also use a long necked padlock to lock my towbar onto my rig.

[mitch5252]

You got that 100% right. Oh, no! Saying you got something 100% right - I'll never live this down.

I KNEW Li was a troublemaker - look what she made Beth say...

..