Crime Scene: Violent RV Thefts
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- Опубліковано 2 лип 2024
- This week on the RV Podcast:
What’s going on with rash of recent violent RV thefts? There’s been two more dangerous incidents since last week’s deadly attack in Nebraska.
If you have a drone made by DJI, as many RVers do, the government wants to ban them because they think the Chinese could be using them to spy on us.
What to do when you empty your RV black tank but the sensor shows it is still full?
All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #504 of the RV Podcast
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By background, we're journalists Mike and Jennifer Wendland and this channel is all about freedom and fun through RV travel! We travel North America in our RV doing travel videos, how-tos, RV walk-through tours and video tips about how to get the most out of the RV Lifestyle.
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Jen is correct, you are not dumb, made an error. You will learn from this error and you are sharing with others to help the community. I say thanks for the honesty. Get that F450!
Our rv was broken into while in storage!! Twice!! Burglar stole clothing , broke into our safe, broke a window and came in thru the roof vent which he also wrecked!!! My husband and friend created a metal cage to go over the ladder, which is how he entered. It’s locked around ladder preventing ability to climb on roof. So far so good🙏🏻
So sorry that happened to you!
My heart breaks for the woman who lost her husband to the attack at the rest stop.
There is a slim chance it could be you that has a violent crime happen. But even with the slim chance, it's worth taking precautions.
Motion sensors inside the vehicle are easy - you can even get the small alarms made for bikes. They come with a remote and are battery operated. stick one high up on the outside of the RV door and set it when you leave.
Alarm stickers warning things like Theft deterrents, Cameras, etc. are helpful but even a simple sound maker will enhance that.
Our heart breaks for her, too. Thanks for the list of security suggestions -
We used a selfie station at Devil's Tower. It was great because you got a better picture that was the perfect distance from you while capturing the background of the tower beautifully. (NO one else was around or waiting.)
Kodak, in the film days, used to have Kodak scenic photo locations marked in some places. Something like a 1'x3' sign board, and I think the message "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints."
You have to look at this as someone is looking out for you! I would just go with the flow!
Many truck dealers are having fire sales on trucks that they can’t sell.
Oh no ! So sorry to hear about your truck. IMO, there will always be thieves looking for opportunity, all one can do is be aware and take precautions. And you are right, the value is in life not 'things'..don't risk your life to protect things. THANKS for sharing.
Thanks for your comment!
Speaking as a camp host in Florida State Parks, we had to tell folks they couldn’t fly a drone in the Park. I was told it was for camper privacy and security reasons.
Would hanging plastic clear food bags filled with some water and a few pennys work keeping flys away? It works around the RV while sitting under the awning.
The couple you mentioned that were murdered along the Texas coast. One of them had their phone in their pocket is how they were found. Their family had posted help find my family. On all social media I had encountered them near the Mall of Abilene, Texas. The license plate was identical. I asked my husband pull them over let’s find out where they were going. He wouldn’t because he thought they would think we were crazy. Maybe so but they may have listened to me. Don’t go to Mexico and or any where near it. But my point we had encountered them. I so wished we would have visited with them. That small window we would have created. May have saved their lives. The guy who killed them was brought back across the border as well as his woman & child. Texas Law got them back on RV & pickup theft. Is why Mexico turned them over. Not any other charges until they were in Texas soil.
Texas law had them then! Sad! On all sides!
Excellent podcast. Keep them coming.
Thanks! Will do!
Mike, you Ham license needs to be renewed. It expired on May 10. Cheers 😊
Thanks! Just renewed... it slid right past me. Glad you noticed
Rent a van for the trip!
Sorry to hear about the issues confronting you as you prepare for your upcoming trip. I believe if anyone can sort through the various options you have for moving forward, the two of you can. People make mistakes. If this is the worst thing that ever happens to you, consider yourself to be very fortunate. Safe (and calm) travels! By the way, don't forget to renew your amateur radio license. You could end up having to re-take the tests. (AMHIK)
Thank you!
Omg thats crazy price to fix truck. Start looking at used trucks available where you are.
Yeh for that K9 police dog. Love those fabulous dogs.
I'm originally from Minnesota and mosquitos and black flies I thought were our summer plaque lol. Never been to Michigan, looks beautiful.
I appreciate your warnings to RVers. One thing that can be used and is very effective: a 130 db siren that you activate by pulling on a knob. Our knob is near the bed, and we prefer a pull switch to a push switch ( cannot be pushed accidentally).
The siren, in our RV, is installed in the space behind the rear fg cap of our Class C LTV. It can be installed anywhere. At 130 db, it will scare away anyone by drawing a lot of attention from anyone near, and not so near...
Criminals will not stay around.
Very very loud.
I'm sorry to hear about your truck. I thought y'all had a second RV?
Really enjoy your videos!
Sold the second one - too expensive to keep if we aren't using it enough. Thank you for the comment on the videos -
So sorry to hear about your truck.
When you do your Class C reviews, I would like to suggest you include the Coachmen Freelander 29KB/Leprechaun 298KB. Please pardon the lengthy post but I have a lot of ground to cover about them. These particular models are a little odd at first glance but having been RVing since the 70s we have found these have such a plethora of not so obvious features that they are one of the best camper floorplans out there. Regarding outside storage, at first the small rear passenger side storage door looks uselessly small but it is not under a slide and the compartment runs the full width of the coach making it the perfect location to store all your folding chairs, tables and rugs with all of them easily accessible without anything else piled on top of them. The awning runs the full length of the coach so you are out of the weather if its sprinkling and you want to deploy your outdoor accessories. There are also 5 other outside compartments to use. Inside, the first thing is a convenient shoe cubby just to the right of the door. The oversize TV is directly across from the main seating (both jackknife couch or recliners are offered), no twisting your head to watch a front bunk mounted TV. We do not go camping to watch TV but I do enjoy watching the news while I have my morning coffee. There is also a dedicated spot for mounting both a satellite box and a DVD player if desired. The floorplan has a side hallway design getting you away from the inline shotgun style of most Class Cs. We have always liked that feature because if one person decides to retire earlier than the other, you get more of a feeling of separation from the living area. There are two slides on the drivers side so you do not lose any patio space when they are out. Both are deep slides providing extra room. The rear slide holds a king bed, not very common on Cs! The rear wall provides a five foot wide wardrobe, also huge by C standards. The kitchen has both a microwave and a gas oven and there is room in the under sink cabinet for your waste basket. The side hallway holds the very large pantry cabinet and there are many good size cabinets in the kitchen itself. The bath is quite small but has a 30x36 shower, usually only found in Class As. There is room under the sink for a small waste basket and extra TP storage. The bath also has a linen closet that can hold 6 or more large bath towels and toiletries and there is also the obligatory medicine cabinet! When people first see the strange bathroom door, most do not like the looks of it but once you start using the RV you find that it was a very good idea allowing the slide to come in without danger of it hitting the door if left open. While the bath is tight, in the morning you can close the bedroom door and use the two rooms together to get ready for the day. We have always liked the idea of a bath that opens into the bedroom for that reason. One that opens into a central hallway makes the morning get-ready less convenient. The bedroom also has provisions for a combo washer/dryer. The RV comes standard with one AC but has provisions for two, something we feel makes for a much better experience. You can run the AC opposite where you are in the RV to stay cool with a lower noise level, the side hall feature providing another benefit of noise reduction. The RV also comes standard with two furnaces. Anyone who has been RVing long has had one quit on a cold night and it is nice to have that backup to see you through to the morning! There are large windows on both sides for good cross ventilation on mild days and four roof vents. We always travel with our cat and I was able to put a cat door on the base of the bed which allows the beast to access her litter box in one of the storage bays! I will stop here but I think you will find chasing one of those coaches down will be useful for your review series,
Ran into my vet out off his office last week and we had a conversation about the new rules on Aug. 1st. He was absolutely in the dark but said he was going to do some research. So, sounds like it’s a big secret. Re: the stolen rv’s, sounds like a local ring of thugs running around.
A lot of the vets definitely do not know about this
Aww so sorry. Mistakes happen so sorry.
I've started putting my seatbelt thru the door handle and clicking it shut and I think I will get one of those club things for the steering wheel and a good invention I would like to have is a sun reflective for the windshield that has a big pic of a hand gun
With signs saying smile 😁
Forget the club on the steering while. 30 years ago, every thief knew how to slap the lock cylinder. To defeat that, you have to insert the key from the dashboard side, awkward. Then they just cut the steering wheel to slide the lock off.
Useless.
Good luck with the truck. That might be a problem faced by many as the fuel filler and DEF filler are so close together. Seems like a design error on the part of the manufacturer. I see from all the Emmy's in the background that Mike has achieved alot in his life so far, much more than most. Congrats on that, and hold your head high and keep up the fine work!
Thank you!
Some trucks are more prone for theft because it’s easy to bypass their security.
Happens to lots of people, especially when we’re fatigued from traveling, i’ve heard of several stories of people putting gas in their diesel tank when tired.
Especially at BP. The time it happened to us, they had two handles on the pump, one of them green, and the regular unleaded was using the green handle. Found out when we went to pay for deisel and they said it was regular gas. Got a mobile diesel mechanic to come out and he helped us siphon out about half of the tank, added two quarts of regular engine oil to the tank and filled it the rest of the way back up with diesel. He told us we might see a little power loss but the oil would keep it from damaging the engine.
@@shawndyer8387 I avoid BP like the plague. My personal car is a diesel as well as my Class C. I almost put regular in my car. All of their handles are green and I'm just not ready to have a disaster!
Did you try Picardin (an ingredient) or Sawyers (a synthetic pyrethrin to spray treat your clothes) ? About the two best repellant/killers you can find. Along with DEET of course.
Oh no!!! 😮
I pray you have one of those silly warranties people tell you not to buy.
It's Mike's truck that is acting up though.... thank you for the idea! - Team RV Lifestyle
Wouldnt hurt to get tracker tags with alarms for your rv and truck.just dont get an apple one,it will sognal the theft to the robbers as well
the Ohio State Parks selfie stations is one way to get non-nature lovers out into nature. We have a program in Will County Forest Preserves called "Take It Outside", the program sends you different suggestions weekly with some submitting selfies of area preserves or even with Forest Preserve Rangers. Its been very successful bringing people Outside
Good perspective -thanks for sharing!
Consider renting a truck for your trip to canada
Found two F350 via United Rental.
Check out a post from UA-cam, 9:15 Enjoy the journey. Life. They took thier truck to A Rod, over by you in SW MI. All he works on is Super Dutys. The CP4 pump is a huge issue in those trucks
My husband, a mechanical engineer -- but not a mechanic-- says that the fuel filter is meant to catch liquids such as def (& urine?) which are heavier than diesel. He says just keep emptying the fuel filter until all clear (we have diesel class A that filter can be emptied). The alarm is doing its job. He says he would just drain the filter or replace repeatedly until no more alarm. Like I said, he's not a mechanic but is familiar with your situation.
Because of videos like this we bought an RV hitch lock. But like you said evil figures out a way.
I don't think it was the DEF being that was 5 months ago and such a small amount. It's more likely the last fuel you got was bad. The dealer should have pulled a sample for analysis. The answer will be found there in my opinion.
Check into renting a tow vehicle. I have a friend who had to do that and it worked out great.
We started down the rental road when our new travel trailer was ready and no word as to when our new truck would be ready. I was surprised it was possible to rent a truck set up for towing. Now leaving the country with it might be an extra complication.
Here in AZ we have a chain of gas stations that have 3 different colored pump handles. Red, green, yellow, and I needed fuel. Never saw this before & this is our 3rd diesel truck so I know to look for green. WRONG! This station is yellow, so I filled with gas. Within 2 miles the truck was coughing & I pulled into a business & my husband came from Mesa to Litchfield with a trailer & pulled the truck home. No damage since I stopped so quick, but had to drain the tank & he drained fuel line. We have always pulled with 350 dully for stability, but it’s a rougher ride. We were just in NE staying at Cabelas campground. Family in Brady was to close to Police chase for comfort.
Glad you stopped right away and that didn't cause damage-
What angers me to no end is that others make it their business to distress hardworking folks of the fruits of their labor by stealing, injuring, and killing.
Consider renting a class a or b for the trip
Sorry about the truck problems. Manufacturer should not place diesel and def so close together. Father's Day I had vehicle accident due to falling asleep. Had just left home 1/2 hour previously. Happened on a major interstate. Did several donuts before landing in the median just inside the yellow fog line. Avoided hitting or being hit by other vehicles. I wasn't hurt. But totaled my vehicle. Got a ticket for failure to keep vehicle uncontrol. Expensive tow bill. Had to buy a vehicle. 2024 Subaru Outback. First new car in 48 years. Last 3 vehicles have been used. Been an expensive last few weeks. My stomach has been upset since accident. I had a pinched nerve in left leg previously to accident. I've had a lot of pain with problems sleeping but had slept fairly well night before accident. My heart goes out to you for your truck problems. Thank you for video. Blessings and hugs.
Omg yes, traveling with pets is horrendous
Safety and Security Section needed in Community
HOMELESS STEALING RVS - LOOKING FOR A HOME OR PROFIT
Good luck on the truck!
Thanks 👍
Many years ago as boaters we found the solution, it's Konk 409. This is food grade non toxic does have a certain smell to it but we would not leave in our motorhome without our spray bottle konk. Just stan at one end and shoot a small spray towards the back. If you have say 100 flying bugs inside, many of which you don't see get the broom out because in about 7 to 10 minutes your floor will covers with dead bugs. Remember Harrison Ford in the movie of the lost ark "I Hate Snakes" well I Hate Bugs, all of them. This works 100% available on Amazon but made in Austrakia by Air Guard.
My partner did the same thing in our Dodge. Thankfully we were at home and had it towed immediately.
Glad it didn't cause damage!
It was iffy because the first tow truck driver turned in the acc to try to put it in neutral.
Yes we all make mistakes, we are human. What I don’t understand is your decision to keep your appointment in Florida. You said you had to be there no if ands or butts. That ridiculous! You’re saying if you break your leg, keep the appointment instead of going to the hospital 😮. Your little UA-cam channel is not more important than your health, truck or ??? Come guys you’re better than that!!
O My Gosh, in 2023 I shelled out $ 20,000.00 for a new turbo and complete new exhaust system on my 2010 Dodge 1 ton dually (before DEF) with only 120,000 miles on it. My solution was to sell it Carmax and buy Ford F250 with the 7.3L Godzilla GAS motor. To heck with diesel, 20 grand would replace the GAS motor twice. My heart goes out to you. Good luck and God’s speed.
Thank you!
It could take a few days working on your truck. You can start you trip late. Meet up a day or 2 later.
Yes, thanks. Hoping we can be there for all of it
Sorry about your truck. We just had an employee put diesel in one of our trucks gas tanks! Then drove it! Costly mistake.
Sorry to hear that!
Can you rent a rig?
Comment: maybe you can rent a tow vehicle in the mean time, or a u haul truck. Just a suggestion…
Whether yea or nay on DJI or TikTok, it behooves American tech firms to rise to the occasion and develop superior alternatives that incentivize consumers to switch.
Years ago before DEF was even a thing, I filled up not one tank but two tanks in my diesel truck with kerosene that had the same green handle. And someone at the gas station told me just to add a can of oil. I thought they were crazy and I didn’t want to chance my pricey truck at the time. I had to have it towed and two tanks drained. I didn’t drive it. In the end, turns out the guy that saidwho said add oil was correct. As far as your upcoming trip, can you just rent a drivable RV instead? It’s too bad one of your viewers doesn’t have have a truck you could borrow with a fifth wheel hitch already installed. But I can’t remember if you have to show registration papers either. It’s been too long since I’ve been to Canada. I wish you the best.
Rent an rv?
KYD posted the other day, he had the fuel pump replaced in his ford diesel , it’s a known problem he said and they put in an aftermarket pump , so Mike watch his video before you spend a ton of money
Rent a truck for the trip to Canada.
Perhaps you could rent a truck just for this upcoming trip while truck is being fixed.
Thank you - researching all the options!
Oh no!!! 😮
JUST RENT A RV 🤷♀️ OR USE A FRIENDS 🤷♀️ You have SO MANY Friends here im sure someone here has one in storage and is willing to let you use rent theres🤷♀️🙏
If you travel across state lines, having firearms can lead to YOU being arrested for a felony. You need to check the laws of every state before you get there, or you risk 5+ years in prison.
Time to get a new truck
I personally wouldn’t force a trip, it may not be a trip for you or the time isn’t right. Canada in the summer has wicked forests fires and you’ll end up evacuating and going home anyway. Fire damage you RV with just the smoke alone. 👍🏻🫵🏻🇺🇸☕️
can you rent a truck?
Add a kill switch that is installed under your dash somewhere unseen. 🫵🏻🇺🇸