Trailer sercurity without Yard/Garage and heat questions

[BD-DV07]

So I'm upgrading to a trailer this year too make my second year of full-time DJ'n a better one. I currently live in a condo conplex thing and plan to get a storage unit or fenced in storage space.. however, innetally I will have my trailer outside in the parking area. We are far off the road in a no one bothers us kind of neighborhood.

I'm planning to have a hitch lock, axle lock, super-duper bolt cutter poof lock on the door (the kind that you have to spend 30 minutes or more with a high powered grinder to get it cut).

and a ground anchor lock (bolt in ground, add chain... same thing people lock their motorcyles with). I'm also debating on getting some sort of zone security system just to add deterrent cause I'm a spaz. Maybe a car cover just to keep it covered... (some of this stuff I already have because of when I did own a motorcycle).

Anyways.. The question is... Does anyone else leave their trailer outside in a non-secure space like a parking area. or in the side/front yard,etc???

Also, one more question... How does equipment hold up sitting in a trailer 24-7 with heat in the summer... I don't plan on leaving my computers, among a few other small items in it, but not sure how hott and how common heat damage is.. I live in Virginia, so it doesn't get crazy hot like it did when I lived in SC.

P.S. - Its good to be back on DJF!

[Sween]

All the concerns you listed above are the exact reasons why I do not currently own a trailer. (Because I do not have a garage)

Security... you seem to be doing just about all you can.
Heat... If you get a vented trailer you will probably be okay there... Just use common sense and don't plug in a 120 degree speaker.
Cold... Again, just let it come up to temperature before operating.

[DJ Donnie Lewis]

I actually own a 14 foot box truck and live in an apartment complex. Luckly my apartment door leads right to my spots. I do not leave any of my electronics in the truck at all. I dedicated an area in the arartment and have shelving to hold all the electronics. Inside the truck, year round, is my trussing and wires and all non-electric items although if I go a stretch where I have a few weekends booked back to back I do leave the photo booth in there. As with what Sween said just dont turn any of the electronics on until they reach an optimal temp. I usually unload everything then sort out the wireing, lay uplighting around the room or just let it sit for 10-15 minutes, setup then power everything up.

[BD-DV07]

Yeah.... Thanks for the input guys.. I'm really leaning towards budgeting in a drive in storage unit for the year.. It would be the only major overhead for now until we move to a place with a garage.. Might as well find a place with a garage also... who knows. either way, with currently two systems, a photobooth, and more lighting and sound upgrade on the horizon. I can't go another full season of stuffing stuff in and out of my SUV every weekend.. Did it over 30 times last year.. Never again! Did I mention I live on the second floor? My parking spot is right by the stairs and its straight out.. but dag on.. I'm over it. Luckily storage is cheap in these parts. Maybe "rent" space from a trusting friend who has a large detached garage. probably would be cheaper.

[windspeed36]

Remember the security is only as good as the weakest link - it may sound corny but it's true. You may have all the locks you can find attached to it in one way or another but whats to stop someone just getting a hack saw and cutting the hinges on the door? (assuming its the type im thinking of)

[Mike D]

Honestly, if someone wants your stuff, they're going to get it. You've got a great start in terms of keeping it safe, add a motion detector light, maybe even a camera if you're that worried, and make them obvious. My best suggestion though, is find a place to store it locked up. I keep mine in a pole barn, it's great. As for the temperature, I have mine in a insulated garage, but it still gets really cold and really hot in there regardless, it's not temperature controlled, so I make sure to be smart about things. Speakers come out first into where I play and are the last things to get turned on so I make sure they are acclimated to the temperature as much as possible.

Trailers are great for speed, I'll never go back to unloading and loading my gear for each gig, the job isn't worth it to me. Plus I'm lucky enough to know enough places around town where I could store it in a fenced in yard if need be. But ideally, I'll be getting a storage unit down the road, or finding a place where I can put up a barn myself. This may sound absurd to some, but you can probably find a piece of land just outside your city (or even inside) where you could put more then just your trailer in it for a decent price.

[Unknown DJ]

Get a Compustar paging alarm installed on your trailer.

[whiterob]

Get a Compustar paging alarm installed on your trailer.

Agreed, but really any will work. All you need is a car (or any 12volt) battery mounted in there, with a trickle charger to keep it charged. A paging alarm would be ideal, but really just to even have a shock sensor, and door monitors would be enough, and have the siren inside by the vent that you should have, so nobody can just cut it off, then hook it up to the lights, maybe wire in a car horn underneath it.... ha you can really go pretty crazy for pretty cheap. Some more advice for space and security is get a folding tongue, and lock that up good. I had a car alarm on an old boat, which people thought i was dumb for doing, until one day we come back from a boat trip to the casino, and there were a few other boats with broken windows and missing stuff, and mine (on the very end of the dock) was left untouched, but the alarm had gone off. (motion sensors)
ok I am done rambling.. good luck anyways

[Dix]

Since this thread is now a few days old & most serious posts have been made, I thought I would throw in a bit of humor to the subject.

Back a few years ago, I heard of a guy around home that kept having trouble with people stealing gas from his truck. He parked close to the house, took an old extension cord & trimmed back the insulation on one of the two leads on the cord & loosed a bolt on his bumper, wrapped the one naked lead around the bolt & tightened the bolt back down. It seems like he may have taken an old steel fence post & trimmed back the other lead & taped that lead to the steel post & shoved it in the ground??? He may have left the 2nd lead unattached.. I just dont remember. Anyway, back in the house & plugged in the extension cord..... I think you probably know the rest of the story. Anyway... no more stolen gas.