By Chuck Woodbury
If you use a surge protector when you plug in your RV (you absolutely should!), it’s a good idea to secure it so a thief can’t steal it. Most times, you can simply use a padlock that will fit through a hole in the electrical pedestal cover.
We hear reports at RVtravel.com quite often from readers whose surge protectors disappeared during the night or when they were away from their RV.
For those times I can’t simply lock the pedestal cover, I carry a combination bicycle lock like the one here and a strong security cable, which most often does the job: I can usually find something to attach the cable to — a tree, picnic table or anything else nearby that can be used to secure it.
We found this photo on Pinterest that shows another way to secure a surge protector when a system like what I describe above won’t work.
Do you have another method? Please leave a comment.
I use a Master CABLE Lock. Purchased at Lowes, comes in a Set of 3 locks and Cables for $20. Good Thick Cable and is 6ft. Long, so depending on the Pedestal, you can wrap the Cable around twice.
Everyone needs a Surge Protector and should always secure it with a Chain or Cable lock. Good Heavy Duty Lock that is very difficult for a Bolt cutter to cut through.
Just my 2 cents.
How come people don’t install the same brands internal version in RV so it nots right out there for the taking like the portable version ?
The main advantage of a portable Surge Protector compared to an internal version, is that you can carry the portable one over to the pedestal and test it for power BEFORE you take the time and mental energy to move your RV into a campsite. I get emails all the time from readers who park their RV at a campsite, level it, hook up water and sewer, then FINALLY plug into shore power. And if your internal Surge Protector indicates there’s no ground, reversed polarity, or something worse with the pedestal power, you either have to run a long extension cord over to the next (hopefully working) pedestal, or you have to unhook everything and move your RV to another campsite. Hate to say it, but lots of time dangerous electrical power might be accepted just because it’s too hard to move your RV to another campsite, if there’s even one available.
I installed the internal version before a month long trip last August. The first thing I did at each stop was to test the pedestal first then plug into it. Next I waited for my wife to tell me all is well from inside the 5th wheel unit. After a thumbs up I continued the set-up process. Next step is to go inside, pour a bourbon on the rocks and set up for TV viewing. Cheers.
Mike—if our trailer, a small fiberglass one, has no television or AC and we only use power –thru our inverter–to power our 12v fridge and charge up our phones, do we need a surge protector? Hadn’t considered it before now.
Without a full protection surge protector, your converter is subject to damage from over-voltage conditions. I’m assuming you don’t have an inverter that makes 120 volts, so it’s probably a converter that makes 12 volts DC, correct?
Some people don’t have the handiman skills, others trade RV’s like some people trade cars. I would think that finding the right place every time you get a different RV would get tiresome in a few years.
Progressive will replace a burned out surge protector for free if u mail it back to them. Try that with an internal unit, nope. Plus if it does blow, just replace it vs an internal rewire.
I added a Siemens QSA20/20 ‘“Whole-House” surge protector breaker right into the RV electrical loadcenter. Good specs as far as protection goes
Progressive will repair or replace an internal hard wired unit just the same as a portable one. No difference in the lifetime warranty.
except it has to be installed by certified rv installer and returned with that paper trail,individual installs no warranty
Yes, they will replace it – one time. I have one. Much better than the others, but the lifetime warranty does not extend past the first replacement.
I use a sliding cable lock and tighten it around the base of the power pole. Just unlock and slide the cable to make it a larger loop to remove.
https://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-Python-Adjustable-8413DPF/dp/B00006407M/ref=sr_1_21/147-4156355-8249627?ie=UTF8&qid=1543361983&sr=8-21&keywords=cable+lock
I’ve installed the hard-wired version inside my truck camper. It even comes with a digital readout that’s mounted on my wall so I can monitor what’s going on without going outside. Nice when it’s raining or 113 degrees outside! This should be everyone’s standard equipment.
Me too. Works great.
If I will be staying for a few days at a camp site, I first check the pedestal with my tester/surge protector. If all is ok I use my 50 Amp extension cord from the pedestal to the entry into my basement electrical service and plug the surge protector into the extension cord and the 50 amp service cord into the surge protector. So all anyone sees is an electric cord going under my RV.
Pretty clever way to hide the surge protector.
You must watch for voltage drop.
Check the voltage at your breaker box.
We use an extension cord, surge protector stays inside the bin.
same here
Can’t steal mine, don’t use one. Lightning, bring it!
you wont feel that way if a surge comes through the wire. had it happen to the campground we were staying at. ruined our tv and several oher campers had even more problems. got a surge protector right away.
That’s been my solution for over 20 years too, Billy. Haven’t had any issues either.
Ours was about $1,000 mistake. Blew microwave, coffee pot, heated blanket, digital wall clock, fireplace.
Not the coffee pot!!!
I’m surprised no one else pointed out that the chained box pictured wouldn’t do anything to stop theft. Unplug, lift the loop of chain, and walk away with it. What works better is locking the surge cable to your non-removable RV cable so even unplugged its still stuck to your rig.
If a low life is taking your surge protector, he would take a long chunk of cable too. “Snip” With the price of copper, it would be worth it.
Stay cool
The receptacle lid is larger than the post so if you keep the chain short it cannot slide off the top of the pedestal
I have two electric management systems, 50 amp, and I have had them both for many years. No one has ever tried to take it when pluged in all these years. Someone once told me many years ago that they don’t lock their storage because he would prefer that if they are going to steal from there them he hope they didn’t break the doors or door locks.
I hard wired my surge suppressor inside my electrical cabinet bay. I also lock the cabinet up all the time I am away from home. It has been 17 years and I still have it safe and secure.
I’ve used the largest diameter bike cable available for years, fastened so it can’t be lifted up and over the pedestal, (like someone else suggested) and have never even suspected someone has attempted to steal it. Most set-ups I’ve observed would be much easier to steal than mine, and that’s the object, Thieves are lazy low-life’s, who don’t want to work very hard at anything – thus they’re hard wired to follow the path of least resistance, which I do not offer them.
I use a cable lock used to secure guns by going through the action. Often they come free with the gun and the one I use says ‘Smith & Wesson’ so it has extra security.
I just wrap this around the pedestal a few times and attach to Surge Protector. Seems to work pretty good!
By the way, my Wife drives the Truck towing the Chain Trailer! A Dual Axle Trailer with Mini Crane to off load the chain once we get to our campsite!
Is this available at Walmart or Home Depot, LOL.
Actually LOWES has it in stock! LMAO!
I lock the door of the pedestal with a long shackle lock. If they can’t open the pedestal door they can’t steal the EMS.
I secured my Hughes transformer to the pedestal by locking the pedestal box at the rv park in Seminole, ok, Bar H Bar rv park. They cut the lock and said it’s a fire hazard and kicked us out. It’s now called the Stuckeys rv park. It’s also a good Sam park . I complain to good Sam about their rating and their treatment towards rv campers . Nothing was done to their rating I would not recommend using their park since you are not allowed to secure your property even though they have transients wandering thru.
They didn’t just knock on the door and ask to remove the lock?
No.. the idiot that works there knew me since I would pick up the trash as it blows around and they don’t. He walked up and cut the lock. I asked him why did he not ask me to take it off since I was in the rv. He said the boss told him to cut it. These people that work there don’t think. I asked the boss why don’t they fix the water faucets and electric pedestals. She said its the owners problem and not hers. Stupid is as stupid does. Still wish Good Sam would drop there ratings since they are rv unfriendly.
Noted – Stuckeys RV park will be on the no-go list.
I also use a similar lock and chain system and when possible also lock the lid. A fiend of mine used a cable and had his stolen so for Just a small cost compared to a $200+ loss I like the double protection!
I use the bicycle cable & padlock, but also cover the pedestal with a large black plastic bag. If the thief comes in the night, he/she will not see it.
We solved the problem in our 5’er by hard wiring our 50 amp surge unit inside the trailer right behind the power panel. We also have a digital readout in the cupboard right above it so we can monitor what it is doing any time.
Exactly what we did on our Artic Fox 28F TT.
I, too use a security cable and a good safety lock. While most people are honest, and, at one time $400 wasn’t a lot of money to me, it sure is now. I recall the shock (no pun intended) when we lost power only to find that rain had shorted out and destroyed our Canco suppressor. So I bought a Progressive Industries model with the weather-proof cover. Getting back to security, I am also amazed to see so many people leaving their Blue Ox hitches hanging off the rear of their motor home or the pins left in the grille of their toad. Imagine their surprise when they go to hook up and a part’s been pilfered. It would certainly delay the next leg of their journey. Lock it up!
This article has appeared several times in RVTravel. Each time I see it I wonder what would keep a thief from unhooking the plug and sliding the chain up over the power pedastal. Surely you have gotten this comment before.
Since most thieves are stupid they probably won’t think of that.
Oh SNAP! so much for THAT idea!
We also used to “lock” our surge protector. But were informed in many states and counties, that it was considered a potential fire hazard and illegal. So we discontinued the practice. After 5 years of fulltime RVing it hasn’t been an issue in any park that we have stayed in. Yes it would be an issue if stolen, but we had to weigh safety vs peace of mind. For others you have to do what makes you comfortable.
My SurgeGuard comes with a metal loop on the cord I just use some chain and regular padlock. I think any theft of an EMS is a Theft of opportunity and if the theft requires some effort the thief will go to an easier target.
I use a surgeguard but the problem is my power cord screws on outside of the motorhome with no inside connections. I have one of those lock box covers that keeps the cord and protector plugged together. The only way to stop someone from taking it or the whole cord is to lock it to the pedestal which is not always easy.
chain and lock, like the photo, is the way I go. cannot slide over the lid to the box.