Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

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Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

November 11, 2015, 04:04:48 pm

I popped in to do some work on my coach today. We have indoor, heated storage with power. When I arrived I noticed that the step had retracted, the salon window was wide open, the passenger window was open and the screen was pushed out of the frame, and the door was dead bolted from inside. We had to go in through the open salon window to unlock the door.

I don't know how any of this happened and neither does the manager of the facility. He said to his knowledge no one had been in the coach. Nothing seems amiss inside.

I do want to remove that deadbolt as it serves no purpose other than to lock unintentionally or, deploy while the door is open and scratch the paint. We have a keyed deadbolt above the door handle...the only lock we use.

I'm heading back there tomorrow to speak to the manager. To start I'm going to require him to leave the coach locked with the keys in his office. I like this guy and trust him. His guys, not so sure.

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #1 – November 11, 2015, 04:29:08 pm

Jeff, you have every reason to be upset, I would go nuts if all that was amiss on my coach...it was bad enough that someone walked off with my (locked in a bay but trap door open) 50 amp cord, cost me another $300 to replace...you absolutely need to get to the bottom of this, the sooner the better. And keep a close eye on it....after I left the storage facility I went back later & the girl said there was also fuel being siphoned off from coaches....no security cameras at all, do they have them where you are? Grrrr, I am plenty upset for you too.

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #2 – November 11, 2015, 04:35:19 pm

Quote from: Jeff & Sandy – November 11, 2015, 04:04:48 pm

I popped in to do some work on my coach today. We have indoor, heated storage with power. When I arrived I noticed that the step had retracted, the salon window was wide open, the passenger window was open and the screen was pushed out of the frame, and the door was dead bolted from inside. We had to go in through the open salon window to unlock the door.

I don't know how any of this happened and neither does the manager of the facility. He said to his knowledge no one had been in the coach. Nothing seems amiss inside.

I do want to remove that deadbolt as it serves no purpose other than to lock unintentionally or, deploy while the door is open and scratch the paint. We have a keyed deadbolt above the door handle...the only lock we use.

I'm heading back there tomorrow to speak to the manager. To start I'm going to require him to leave the coach locked with the keys in his office. I like this guy and trust him. His guys, not so sure.

Jeff...

Something very very wrong here Jeff...why did you have to enter through the window.?? was the deadbolt damaged ??

Need help call me ...!!

Hans

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #3 – November 11, 2015, 04:38:55 pm

I agree with Ms Dani, get an answer, it could be some homeless person? Nothing was amiss. Maybe time to find another place?

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #4 – November 11, 2015, 04:44:01 pm

Quote from: Hans&Marjet – November 11, 2015, 04:35:19 pm

Jeff...

Something very very wrong here Jeff...why did you have to enter through the window.?? was the deadbolt damaged ??

Need help call me ...!!

Hans

Thanks Hans! Yes, we had to pop the screen out and go in through the window as the manual (no key) deadbolt had deployed somehow....no other way to open it. When we come visit next month I'd be grateful if you'd help me remove that deadbolt.

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #5 – November 11, 2015, 04:48:27 pm

Quote from: sfbmwwife – November 11, 2015, 04:38:55 pm

I agree with Ms Dani, get an answer, it could be some homeless person? Nothing was amiss. Maybe time to find another place?

It's a secure, indoor heated facility.....a moving and storage warehouse. If someone messed with the coach it had to be an employee. Unfortunately it's the only option like this nearby si I hope to work things out. It's not the manager. I like and trust him. He is a friend of mine, and he was more upset than I was. I'm meeting with him again tomorrow to get to a resolution.

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #6 – November 11, 2015, 04:51:08 pm

I'm thinking I should install a motion activated camera in the coach. If they have a wifi network perhaps I can log on to have access. I can place a camera on the dash facing the back of the coach. If internet isn't available perhaps I can just get a game camera.

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #7 – November 11, 2015, 04:52:46 pm

Maybe the previous owner was visiting and didn't want to be disturbed!!!Baaaahaaaghostsound

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #8 – November 11, 2015, 05:00:18 pm

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm a little old to be climbing thru the windows. Had to do it years ago when our crappy lock jammed.

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #9 – November 11, 2015, 05:03:40 pm

Quote from: Jeff & Sandy – November 11, 2015, 04:51:08 pm

I'm thinking I should install a motion activated camera in the coach. If they have a wifi network perhaps I can log on to have access. I can place a camera on the dash facing the back of the coach. If internet isn't available perhaps I can just get a game camera.

If the Internet is available, look into DropCam. Bro uses it to watch over his house and dogs while he's at work - motion sends you an alert to your cellphone.

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #10 – November 11, 2015, 05:31:54 pm

Thanks Michelle.

Mike, keeping an eye on your stuff....seems more like prudence than paranoia.

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #11 – November 11, 2015, 05:49:36 pm

Quote from: mike leary – November 11, 2015, 05:19:52 pm

We pass on paranoia.

Methinks it's hardly 'paranoia' if the coach has been left in such disarray....window left open, door locked with no reason, general sense of well being disturbed...one feels as though one has been violated, in a weird sort of way. Most unsettling.

Jeff, I vote for the dash cam (nanny cam?) or Michelle's suggestion. And for keeping the keys locked up, nobody with access but the manager.

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #12 – November 11, 2015, 06:07:45 pm

Quote from: Jeff & Sandy – November 11, 2015, 04:44:01 pm

Thanks Hans! Yes, we had to pop the screen out and go in through the window as the manual (no key) deadbolt had deployed somehow....no other way to open it. When we come visit next month I'd be grateful if you'd help me remove that deadbolt.

Be glad to oblige Jeff

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #13 – November 11, 2015, 06:53:40 pm

Quote from: Miz Dani – November 11, 2015, 04:29:08 pm

...girl said there was also fuel being siphoned off from coaches...

Everyone should have a locking fuel cap on their diesel tank. Since the fuel compartment bay door on our coaches does not lock, they can present a tempting target to a passing scoundrel. The locking cap will not stop a determined thief, but may complicate matters enough that most amateur delinquents will move on.

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #14 – November 11, 2015, 08:17:27 pm

I think I figured it out and it's not good. The window in the dining room was open so far that the molding underneath the glass was torn out of the channel. It was open more than we've ever opened it....all they way open. The screen was closed and latched. When I brought the coach in after my last trip it was pouring. Obviously he windows were closed. I actually went back the next day to open the awnings to dry them out.

Today the step was retracted, which only happens when the coach is powered up and the door closes. I think someone was in the coach and somehow locked that deadbolt by accident from inside the coach. I think they couldn't figure out how to get out, panicked and opened the window to get out.

I'll be there tomorrow when they open. I need to go through everything to see if anything was missing.

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #15 – November 11, 2015, 08:38:33 pm

Many years ago, when we went to Gordon, NE we were going to buy a locking gas cap for our car. The ranch owner asked if we would rather thieves punch a hole in the tank to get the gas out or just siphon it out. We elected to go for the siphon route..

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #16 – November 11, 2015, 08:45:26 pm

I understand what you are saying and that is a great point. Theoretically this is a secure, bonded building storing millions of dollars of cars, boats, motorhomes and personal belongings. It's a moving and storage warehouse.

I'm guessing that someone was curious or wanted a good place to take a nap. It had to be in 'inside' job. If the door was locked I don't think they would go through the trouble. It was easy. Breaking in isn't.

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #17 – November 12, 2015, 04:00:08 am

Are you sure the intruder was NOT STILL IN THE COACH?
Did you check the closets?
Careful friend, It could be somebody has taken residence in the storage facility, maybe an employee, and picked your RV as home base.
You don't want to corner a bad guy unless your prepared!

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #18 – November 12, 2015, 06:52:43 am

Quote from: Lon and Cheryl – November 12, 2015, 04:00:08 am

Are you sure the intruder was NOT STILL IN THE COACH?
Did you check the closets?
Careful friend, It could be somebody has taken residence in the storage facility, maybe an employee, and picked your RV as home base.
You don't want to corner a bad guy unless your prepared!

Always prepared, my friend.

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #19 – November 12, 2015, 07:48:47 am

I guess if you locked the door yesterday when you left and it's unlocked now, The questionb if someone was in there will be answered.
Jeff is the side of the bus scuffed from someone climbing out of the window, where their foot would have maybe hit? And if the step is up is the ignition key on?

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #20 – November 12, 2015, 08:09:45 am

Stump I'm going over there to spend time figuring things out. I was there yesterday as they were closing so I didn't have much time. The keys are always on the dash, the door unlocked. That's changing today. Their standard practice is to leave motorhomes and cars unlocked with keys inside in case there is an emergency and they need to get everything outside quickly.

If they can't keep my coach locked at all times I'll have to find alternative storage.

This is a high end faculty in a small town. Word getting out about an incident like this would be bad for them. My coach is probably the lowest value vehicle in storage. In addition to other motorhomes there are a bunch of collector cars. I think they will be highly motivated to fix the damage and secure the coach and protect their reputation

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #21 – November 12, 2015, 12:46:52 pm

As previously suggested. If the storage has WiFi get a net cam so you can visit it anytime. Mine will send me an email image if there is any movement in the coach. If no WiFi then a game camera concealed somewhere will catch the intruder. Another option is a cellular based alarm system. I have both an alarm system and a net cam. Pic from my net cam below. The round thing is a thermometer so I can see if frost protection is working. I am near Chicago and the coach is in southern Alabama.

Keith

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #22 – November 12, 2015, 02:23:13 pm

Sounds to me like someone has had access to the coach. Our doors are enough "different" that the average person has some issues getting out (no one thinks about pulling UP, for instance) and the deadbolt is another problem. I'm thinking that someone got in, managed to get the deadbolt into place, couldn't get back out, and went for the window.

Probably an employee. Or another renter... but employee sounds more likely. They do strange things... I installed a fiber backbone in a manufacturing plant and the "attic" had many hidey-holes; some with mattresses! The manager should be made aware of multiple accesses to your coach. It will be interesting to see his reaction.

Good luck. Scary stuff.

Craig

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #23 – November 12, 2015, 02:31:38 pm

I certainly would consider some sort of camera. Definitely consider one that does not have a flash. This would render it also stolen.

Re: Very upsetting...issues with my coach in storage

Reply #24 – November 12, 2015, 03:39:19 pm

We keep our ignition & compartment keys separate from the coach door key. The door key does not have anything on it to indicate who or what it is for. When the coach goes in for anything the shop manager gets the door key and is told where he, and only he can find the other keys.
The compartment keys are usually hung right next to the midentry door unless in for service.

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