It was recently brought to our attention, that so many in our neighborhood know when we are gone. They see our TT out of it's carport. Also a red flag to thieves. Very seriously thinking about getting an alarm system. Like to know from those that have them and would it be worth the money. Crime rate is escalating everywhere and it's something I have thought about since home invasions do happen at night while folks are sleeping. Thanks
Always liked having a warm body checking/looking vs an alarm.
That's why we were well acquainted/friendly with our neighbors.....we looked out for each other and kept an eye on the properties when gone.
It was our neighborhood.......
Your neighbors are paying attention........are you friends with them.
Get them all together for cook out, get them on board, come together as a neighborhood.......better than any alarm.....in so many ways!
Use the same approach now that we travel.
Pull into campground......set up rig, then go and meet/greet the neighbors. Offer any help and let them know we'll be watching when we're around.
2007 RAM 3500 QC LB SRW 5.9L CTD 48re 4:10 4K in bed 'quiet genny'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
Hit the Road Free & Clear April '07
Our closest neighbor is my DH's brother, who keeps a watch gets mail, papers out of driveway. Our biggest problem is we inherited farm property that we rent to a local farmer and he has corn planted this year, only 1 neighbor directly in front of use can see our house, but they have a yacht and motorhome, gone most of the time. Next year will be fine they rotate soy beans with corn. I really don't need to complain, our taxes are paid and some left over with our share of the harvest.
I have a Bull Dog car alarm that works with a remote. Well worth the $50+/- and 30 minute install time. I installed the sensor and horn under the TT next to the steps, wired directly to the battery, and can be set for sensitivity. It's good for camping in a remote location and away from the trailer. It could drain a battery is the only caution. Some will even call your cell phone.
I have ADT at home and I'm glad for it every day. Good peace of mind to have monitored protection for Fire and Police. I like being able to set the alarm when I am gone for work overnight and the DW is home safe. If the alarm goes off, ADT calls me first. If I don't answer, they contact the 911 center who dispatches Fire/EMS/Police, etc. ADT also calls any other person/number that I give them. If something happens and I can't get there, they will call my chosen friends/neighbors close by who can check on the situation for me.
Check with your cable TV company. In a lot of areas they will monitor your alarm and give you video surveillance also. You will be able to access the cameras from the Internet from anywhere with decent internet service.
ADT comes in very inexpensive and charges a lot for monitoring to recover their initial expense. The problem is they lease you the equipment and after a couple years they are way ahead financially compared to paying up front for the system from a local alarm company.
Make sure the company you use is licensed in your state, insured and pulls all the required permits.
We have had a monitored alarm since moving here 7 years ago and wouldn't be without it. We are more of the keep to ourselves type with the exception of a few neighbors. What if the few we are acquainted with happen to be asleep or at the store. With the economy the way it is, home burglary is an easy way for one to get extra cash. Besides the monitored alarm I have a video security system that I can look at from wherever I am.
Of course this is just my personal preference.
Goody Two Shoes and the Filthy Beast
2008 Silverado 2500HD
2012 Wildcat 282RKX
1 Damnatian!
You cannot make things idiot proof, you can only make them idiot resistant.
The only problem with a monitored alarm company is by the time they go through the list of alternate numbers, the fire could have totally spread or the thieves be long gone.
My mom has an alarm and my sister and I are her alternate numbers - neither of us are where we can quickly check on the situation.
Maggie
Sportsmen Classic 16BH
2002 F150 Supercrew 4.6 L V8
In addition to an alarm, I recommend also investing in old standbys -- good quality locks on the doors. I get amazed how many people spend thousands on an alarm system, while the locks are easily bump-able.
When I mean good quality locks, the Kwikset SmartKey is a nice concept, and very pick-resistant. However, I personally had cases of where it "forgot" my key, forcing me to use another door to get in. I highly recommend Abloy as the first choice because even the top speedpickers would require 10-12 hours to open the latest of those. Second choice, the new Mul-T-Lock MT5+ (which has a sidebar that foils bumping). With the Mul-T-Lock, you also get some pretty good keying options like the three-in-one option (which allows you to stick in another set of keys, locking the first set out), or the temporary lock-out option, where you can lock out the keys that normally operate the lock. You can also get the CLIQ cylinder, but for $600+ per plug, it is way pricy.
High security locks are important because if someone bumps their way in, insurance likely won't pay. Someone kicks a door in, there is obvious evidence.
After adding better locks, comes inventorying all valuables. That way, if something is missing, one can turn a more exact list to the insurance company.
Of course, not just doors, but windows need security, but everyone has their own needs here, as well as balancing fire safety versus burglary resistance.
One thing I do recommend for bedrooms -- replace the hollow core door and jamb with a solid wood or steel core door/jamb, and install a deadbolt lock on it. It sounds corny, but to a burglar/home invader, time is against them. If they are having to deal with rooms in a house that require kicking of doors to get in while the alarm system is wailing, they won't stick around long.
I don't know but what I have read, but this might be something to consider, especially if someone were to steal your MH. This has recently happened to two MH Dealers in the Grand Rapids area, Holland Motor Home Sales and another dealer in that area.
Arnie
2003 Travel Supreme MH
38KSO1 Cummins ISC 350HP
2004 Honda Pilot w/SMI Air Force One Brake Sys.
1963 Pontiac Grand Prix 20' Enclosed Car Trailer
Offline
