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Topic: Gun safe for RV

Posted By: don1911 on 10/21/16 10:58am

I have a 2005 Keystone Raptor 5th wheel toy hauler. I plan to keep most (if not all) of my travels in Texas and Louisiana. I know and understand the laws governing firearms in these two states. I want to install a gun safe in garage. I plan to live in my RV so safe will contain all my (20+ long and handguns) firearms. Does anyone make a good gunsafe for RV's? Any issues with installing them in toy hauler? Thanks.


2008 Keystone Raptor. 5th wheel toy hauler.
New to RVing. Plan to live full-time in RV - soon - I hope.


Posted By: donn0128 on 10/21/16 11:09am

Lot of weight. Most larger gun safes are going to weigh at least 600 pounds. Bolting that to one side might throw your weight balance out of kilter.






Posted By: SCVJeff on 10/21/16 11:21am

For "20+", are you kidding? That's a REAL gun safe size, and a medium big one. You might find a cheap steel one but you will probably need at least two. A real gun safe that size will probably weigh 400-600lb.+ empty. My SIL just bought one that might handle that inventory and it weighs about 550lb., and the weight alone kept him from installing it upstairs in the house. I doubt your floor is rated anywhere near that weight for such a small footprint


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'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350



Posted By: don1911 on 10/21/16 11:45am

Oops. My bad. It does not necessarily have to be a safe. But at least a good metal cabinet that securely locks. However I do have a safe in the house, that holds them all and weighs in around 175 pounds. It is not a class one safe. I am not interested in that. Hoping to find easy to install and maybe lighter option than what I already have.

Also I am concerned about the difficulty and feasibility of bolting the safe to the floor. I have not yet looked to see what may be in the way under the floor. That may blow the whole idea. Although this is the only reason for me getting a toy hauler. My toys are the guns. I don't own toys with wheels. The garage is a space for bolting down the safe and carrying weight of the guns. I don't hoard ammo. I just keep a little for target shooting around. So ammo weight is not such a big issue, since I don't have thousands of rounds. Anyone else out there have experience installing/using gun safe in toy hauler?


Posted By: ramgunner on 10/21/16 11:49am

As has been mentioned, the floor loading is going to be prohibitive, Even if it wasn't, the weight distribution would really throw things off unless placed directly on the centerline.

Your best security needs to start with OPSEC. No NRA or other bumper stickers or logos on your tow vehicle or toy hauler. Get some generic cases that can be used to take them from the trailer to the truck - an instrument case might even be a good choice. If people don't know they are there, they don't know the payoff potential of your trailer. They prefer knowing their effort will be worth something.

Do you have an alarm system on the entry doors to your RV? Something loud enough to attract attention. I'd also recommend looking at the windows in the garage, as well as the ramp door.

Of course, make sure you always use the deadbolt on the doors when you leave. Bad guys don't like to have to take a lot of time to get in, especially if the payoff is questionable. Anything that makes them spend more time getting in makes your trailer less of a target.

Do you have any lights under the trailer? I mention that because they will cause anyone messing around your trailer to appear in silhouette - meaning that they will really stand out. Bad guys don't want to be seen. We have some downward-facing blue LED's under ours that don't intrude on other campsites, but add this element of security.

All of the above combine to make your trailer less attractive to someone, make it take longer to get into, and then really attract attention if they breach the physical security layer.

In an RV, given the floor loading and other concerns, having them concealed is your best bet. Does the toy hauler have a compartment under the floor in the garage? Does the bed flip up? Is there a closet? Is there a concealment method available for storing them?

If you really want to put in a "safe", I'd consider one of the green, lightweight Stack-On cabinets https://www.amazon.com/Stack-GCDG-9216-C........72430&sr=1-33&refinements=p_4%3AStack-On . They can be bolted down, and will take a bit of effort to open. Combined with all of the previous elements, they most likely won't want to stick around long enough to breach that secondary physical layer.

That's about the best you can do in a trailer.


Editor - http://www.RamGunner.com / http://www.MomentumGunner.com
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Posted By: Old-Biscuit on 10/21/16 12:07pm

Check out gun safes at Walmart.....on-line not store
16 gun (rifle/shotguns etc) safe under $400 and safe weighs 168#
OR buy 2 smaller capacity and mount on opposite walls
LOTS of options and many ON SALE right now.

I also had a large collection of weapons ----sold some (Bows, large bore hunting rifles, some single action revolvers/lever action rifle ---cowboy shooting, small bore rifles etc) prior to hitting the road FT.
But there were many handguns/rifles/shotgun that were 'special' and no way was I going to sell them off.


I didn't use a standup safe in my 5th wheel when we went FT.
Some handguns went into a long flat metal lock box that required removing bottom chest drawer to access (keep sake guns)
Rifles/shotguns went in underbed storage area.

Course some handguns were readily accessible [emoticon]

Thing is..........RVs are NOT secure. Cheap door locks/easily broken into.
Large windows that can be used as entry.
Thief wants in they can easily get in.

So I had high personal property homeowners insurance coverage in case of loss.
Sure it would have been a real bummer ----- many of my weapons were passed on from my DAD, some are high valued Brands/Models hard to replace etc.
But they were fully insured.

A good gun safe (such as ones at Walmart) are difficult to break into and bolted down hard to remove so they can be a deterrent to common thieves.


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Posted By: Y-Guy on 10/21/16 12:26pm

Could you build something that fits under the bed? Lift the bed, then a locking steel top with steel sides? Google "rv under bed safe" I found some ideas there.

Check out Monster Vault check out their Mid-Size/SUV Vault Images, maybe something like that under the bed would work if it's bolted to the floor and from of the bed frame/box is cut to fit it.


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Posted By: BB_TX on 10/21/16 12:39pm

If you are not looking for a fire rated gun safe and no more than around 14-15 of your guns are long guns, then you can find a gun safe that is not overly heavy (under 150#) or overly large. You can put a lot of long guns standing up and hand guns and ammo on shelves around the perimeter of and behind the long guns. Check Walmart, Cabela's, Academy Sports, Dick's Sports, etc.


Posted By: don1911 on 10/21/16 12:48pm

Y-Guy wrote:

Could you build something that fits under the bed? Lift the bed, then a locking steel top with steel sides? Google "rv under bed safe" I found some ideas there.

Check out Monster Vault check out their Mid-Size/SUV Vault Images, maybe something like that under the bed would work if it's bolted to the floor and from of the bed frame/box is cut to fit it.


I thought about that. The slide-out parts take up the space under the bed in bedroom. Kinda killed that idea.


Posted By: don1911 on 10/21/16 12:59pm

ramgunner wrote:

As has been mentioned, the floor loading is going to be prohibitive, Even if it wasn't, the weight distribution would really throw things off unless placed directly on the centerline.

Your best security needs to start with OPSEC. No NRA or other bumper stickers or logos on your tow vehicle or toy hauler. Get some generic cases that can be used to take them from the trailer to the truck - an instrument case might even be a good choice. If people don't know they are there, they don't know the payoff potential of your trailer. They prefer knowing their effort will be worth something.

Do you have an alarm system on the entry doors to your RV? Something loud enough to attract attention. I'd also recommend looking at the windows in the garage, as well as the ramp door.

Of course, make sure you always use the deadbolt on the doors when you leave. Bad guys don't like to have to take a lot of time to get in, especially if the payoff is questionable. Anything that makes them spend more time getting in makes your trailer less of a target.

Do you have any lights under the trailer? I mention that because they will cause anyone messing around your trailer to appear in silhouette - meaning that they will really stand out. Bad guys don't want to be seen. We have some downward-facing blue LED's under ours that don't intrude on other campsites, but add this element of security.

All of the above combine to make your trailer less attractive to someone, make it take longer to get into, and then really attract attention if they breach the physical security layer.

In an RV, given the floor loading and other concerns, having them concealed is your best bet. Does the toy hauler have a compartment under the floor in the garage? Does the bed flip up? Is there a closet? Is there a concealment method available for storing them?

If you really want to put in a "safe", I'd consider one of the green, lightweight Stack-On cabinets https://www.amazon.com/Stack-GCDG-9216-C........72430&sr=1-33&refinements=p_4%3AStack-On . They can be bolted down, and will take a bit of effort to open. Combined with all of the previous elements, they most likely won't want to stick around long enough to breach that secondary physical layer.

That's about the best you can do in a trailer.


OPSEC is good. Already thought about all that. Incorporating it in as well. Hiding is bad idea. Laws require firearms to be locked away from children. I don't have any, but children occasionally tag along when friends with kids visit.Trigger locks are acceptable by law, but If I'm going to that much trouble, then I'd rather they be securely locked up, not just inoperable.Lights under the RV, I have not considered. Good idea. Storing firearms in storage under RV would turn them into rusty scrap metal, unless I spent lots of time re-lubing.

I do have a Stack on cabinet like the one in your link also. I thought about using it.


Posted By: don1911 on 10/21/16 01:04pm

SCVJeff wrote:

For "20+", are you kidding? That's a REAL gun safe size, and a medium big one. You might find a cheap steel one but you will probably need at least two. A real gun safe that size will probably weigh 400-600lb.+ empty. My SIL just bought one that might handle that inventory and it weighs about 550lb., and the weight alone kept him from installing it upstairs in the house. I doubt your floor is rated anywhere near that weight for such a small footprint


I got it down to around 20. Couldn't part with them. I sold the others. Actually, once I move into RV, I may use one safe or cabinet.The other two safe/cabinet will probably be sold. I'll probably keep the lightest one that will hold all remaining guns, unless I find something I like better. Then I'll be selling 3.


Posted By: ramgunner on 10/21/16 01:27pm

One other thing I forgot to mention - re-key the locks on your RV. RVLocksAndMore is a good place to use. All of ours were re-keyed, are not on a common key, and we eliminated the master-keyed cylinders (marked with an M) on the handle locks as an extra precaution. Again, it makes someone take more time because a master key won't work.


Posted By: arhayes on 10/21/16 01:41pm

I pored over this when we began full-timing 2 years ago We sometimes deploy the porch and I did not want anything in the garage that looked like a safe, and I came to realize that a real safe is just not an option, so I opted to give my 2 sons all but 4 of my guns. I get to shoot the ones gifted once or twice a year when we visit them. I have found several places in our rig to conceal weapons/ammo and do so. I carry daily, so there's only 3 left in the rig any time we're gone. Of course when we're in states that my LTC/CHL doesn't apply, I have them all secured. The OPSEC is the main thing in my mind. There are no stickers on the rig, truck or motorcycle, and I don't own or wear any shirts to make one think I might own weapons.


Alan and Kathleen
2015 Grand Design Momentum 380TH (RVD2)
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Posted By: Bedlam on 10/21/16 01:44pm

I had a safe in my toyhauler and was able to bolt it to the floor because there was a storage compartment underneath. Use a steel plate on the underside and sandwich a second one between floor and safe if you need to distribute base weight. I used carriage bolts with lock nuts on the inside of the safe.

I would not worry too much about left to right weight balance in your TH unless it is a small one with low payload capacity. You could put one smaller safe in each forward corner if balance will be an issue.

BTW: I have seen a rolling mechanic's tool box bolted down after the wheels were removed. Locking cross bars secure the drawers in place and foam cutouts are in each drawer for the weapons.

* This post was edited 10/21/16 01:50pm by Bedlam *


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Posted By: don1911 on 10/21/16 01:59pm

ramgunner wrote:

One other thing I forgot to mention - re-key the locks on your RV. RVLocksAndMore is a good place to use. All of ours were re-keyed, are not on a common key, and we eliminated the master-keyed cylinders (marked with an M) on the handle locks as an extra precaution. Again, it makes someone take more time because a master key won't work.


Did not know that. Thanks for info. Will do..


Posted By: don1911 on 10/21/16 02:02pm

arhayes wrote:

I pored over this when we began full-timing 2 years ago We sometimes deploy the porch and I did not want anything in the garage that looked like a safe, and I came to realize that a real safe is just not an option, so I opted to give my 2 sons all but 4 of my guns. I get to shoot the ones gifted once or twice a year when we visit them. I have found several places in our rig to conceal weapons/ammo and do so. I carry daily, so there's only 3 left in the rig any time we're gone. Of course when we're in states that my LTC/CHL doesn't apply, I have them all secured. The OPSEC is the main thing in my mind. There are no stickers on the rig, truck or motorcycle, and I don't own or wear any shirts to make one think I might own weapons.


I thought about building a wood paneling veneer to go around the safe so people would think its just another cabinet.No stickers, t shirts, or anything on me or my property that says anything about me or my beliefs. OPSEC. Try to be the gray man.


Posted By: don1911 on 10/21/16 02:08pm

Bedlam wrote:

I had a safe in my toyhauler and was able to bolt it to the floor because there was a storage compartment underneath. Use a steel plate on the underside and sandwich a second one between floor and safe if you need to distribute base weight. I used carriage bolts with lock nuts on the inside of the safe.

I would not worry too much about left to right weight balance in your TH unless it is a small one with low payload capacity. You could put one smaller safe in each forward corner if balance will be an issue.

BTW: I have seen a rolling mechanic's tool box bolted down after the wheels were removed. Locking cross bars secure the drawers in place and foam cutouts are in each drawer for the weapons.


Interesting. I had planned on using steel plates and carriage bolts for same reasons. The tool box is cool idea for handguns. My collection is half long-guns though. But it is still a very good idea. That's got me thinking about new ideas. hmmmm.


Posted By: tomkaren13 on 10/21/16 02:31pm

Saw some suggestions about Ammo storage with the guns. Jusy a bit of FYI. I am sure you are aware but some are not. Certain states require that Ammo is stored separtly from the guns.


Posted By: BigDogF250 on 10/21/16 03:40pm

Does price matter? You can look at things like in bed / bunk / sofa safes like this one: http://bedgunsafe.com/concealed-safes/

You could have a custom one built from aluminum into a bed / under bed or coffee table if you are full timing. I'm sure you can find a local fab guy looking for the work. Wrap in wood and you are in business. It's just for storage so orientation isn't that big of a deal, and the difference between aluminum and steel won't matter, both will stop a grab and go thief. A real thief will just steal the trailer...


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Posted By: deltabravo on 10/21/16 10:22pm

Lots of companyies make steel gun cabinets with locking door.

I wouldn't want my guns to be the subject of bouncing an shaking around against each other in the cabinet, anywhere in an RV though.


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Posted By: don1911 on 10/22/16 08:05am

deltabravo wrote:

Lots of companyies make steel gun cabinets with locking door.

I wouldn't want my guns to be the subject of bouncing an shaking around against each other in the cabinet, anywhere in an RV though.


I agree. Good point. I considered this and bought padded cases for each gun. Each gun will be in its own padded case while inside the RV, regardless of whether it is in safe or not.


Posted By: allcool on 10/22/16 08:23am

These mount in beaver-tail of TH. They are big and would work if you can set up a rack system inside them to hold each gun safely to avoid damage to them. And maybe make a ammo compartment in side of one box also...

They aren't gunsafe thick metal, but pretty heavy duty and they do have a locking mechanism. The real theft deterrent would be to have them under the carpet out of site with your SxS on top of them..?
[image]
Click Here

Mod Edit: Trying to fix photo, turned into link.

* This post was last edited 10/22/16 10:04pm by allcool *


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Posted By: dedmiston on 10/22/16 05:32pm

What's your floor plan look like? Do you have room for a used deep freezer? Put a hasp lock on it.


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Posted By: RideSlow on 10/24/16 09:23am

False wall, if you have a actual garage? Lots of good ideas here, I am working on different locks for all the common compartments. Haven't yet decided how to gun safe yet.


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Posted By: fly-boy on 10/24/16 01:42pm

I don't think I would ever be comfortable leaving 20 of my guns behind in the TH. I think I would take a few at a time and just leave the rest with my son and have him send and receive as I needed different things.

If you are anything like me most of those guns are just gonna sit and get shot once or twice a year... I have two long guns that I get 90 plus percent of my big game rifle hunting (I prefer the bow) done with and two shotguns I use regularly. The rest are for fun...

One storage option would be a heavy duty job box which you could leave in the back of the truck or in the garage... Just keep the guns in bags or buildout some shelves in the box...
Another thought is to build a safe or stack on box into/under the couch.


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A few toys...


Posted By: don1911 on 10/25/16 08:00am

allcool wrote:

These mount in beaver-tail of TH. They are big and would work if you can set up a rack system inside them to hold each gun safely to avoid damage to them. And maybe make a ammo compartment in side of one box also...

They aren't gunsafe thick metal, but pretty heavy duty and they do have a locking mechanism. The real theft deterrent would be to have them under the carpet out of site with your SxS on top of them..?
[image]
Click Here



Mod Edit: Trying to fix photo, turned into link.


Where can I buy some of these?


Posted By: fly-boy on 10/25/16 09:23am

don1911 wrote:

allcool wrote:

These mount in beaver-tail of TH. They are big and would work if you can set up a rack system inside them to hold each gun safely to avoid damage to them. And maybe make a ammo compartment in side of one box also...

They aren't gunsafe thick metal, but pretty heavy duty and they do have a locking mechanism. The real theft deterrent would be to have them under the carpet out of site with your SxS on top of them..?
[image]
Click Here

My trailer came with one big one that runs across the width of the garage- However, the bottom is just a plastic tub. For sure you would want to install a metal shroud to protect some road hazard from ripping the bottom of the tub out and leaving your guns on the road behind you.


Mod Edit: Trying to fix photo, turned into link.


Where can I buy some of these?



Posted By: allcool on 10/26/16 09:27am

don1911 wrote:


Where can I buy some of these?


Seems they have changed a little over the years since I got mine. And harder to find. Looks like the new ones are all steel construction and 7.25" deep.

Try here...

http://www.parts-unlimited.com/products/?productId=409009#group260741
http://asset.lemansnet.com/static/sites/........tsunlimited/flipper/2017_snow/#?page=704
[image]

[image]

* This post was edited 10/26/16 09:38am by allcool *


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