Across the USA 2013 #10 (Shipping Security)
Not that we were worried or that we didn’t trust the hard-working longshoremen in Baltimore or in Belgium, but we had read about the horror stories of campers being broken into and equipment being stolen. When you’re shipping a vehicle overseas, replacing equipment is much more difficult. The Turtle Expedition’s Tortuga Camper will not fit in a container, so it must go “Ro-Ro”, (roll-on-roll-off), which means the vehicle is driven on and off the ship by dock employees. We took the normal precautions.
All easily removable external accessories like the PIAA lights and Total Vision cameras were removed. Smaller side and back-up lights were locked with PIAA Light Locks by McGard. All easily removable accessories from the cab were removed like radio, GPS, seat belts, Platypus hydration bags and fire extinguishers. False bars were velcro-ed across the inside of windows to eliminate temptation. Most windows are designed to be too small for anyone to crawl through. The camper itself is not accessible from the cab.
Outside storage compartments were either emptied or double locked with quarter-inch thick plates and padlocks. Of course, if someone wants to break in, there’s always a way, but we made it as difficult as possible. It’s called “physical intimidation”. Finally, since the cost of shipping is determined by volume, we reduced the tire pressure and emptied the Hellwig air suspension bags, which lowers the actual height of the truck by 2 inches. This could result in significant savings.
Easily removable external accessories like lights and cameras were packed in the camper.
Radios and GPS are easy targets for the ”snatch-and-run” thieves.
Center console and other storage compartments were emptied.
Items like the GPS brackets had no real value and could be left intact.
Smaller external storage compartments were emptied and the items were put in labeled boxes in the camper for quick reloading. Larger compartments were double locked.
Thick plates and double pad locks are impossible to remove without doing obvious damage to the camper.
Top storage boxes were padlocked and in any case, they are difficult to reach without a ladder.
Fuel and water cans were stored in the camper to eliminate any temptation. The spare tire and sand ladders are always locked.
Fiamm marine air horns were secured with a lock and a heavy cable.
Finally, we reduced the tire pressure and emptied the Hellwig air suspension bags, which lowers the actual height of the truck by 2 inches.
Leave a Comment