Full Time RVers - What to do with important docs - Titles, birth certs, SSN card, etc

[OpenRoadsAhead]

For those who have gone full time RV, what are you doing or what have you done with your "Important Documents" like vehicle/RV title, birth certificate, SSN card, etc?

 

[Our Coddiwomple Journey]

Fireproof document holder

 

[OpenRoadsAhead]

Fireproof document holder View attachment 16322

Thanks. So you prefer to keep them with you at all times? Fire is definitely one concern for protection. What about theft though? Have you even round a need to have them on you full time? I was thinking about just dropping them at my parents for storage/protection instead of traveling with them. That's what made me ask the question.

 

[LMHS]

Small fireproof, waterproof safe. An RV burns up in minutes. So you don't need one that will last a long time like in a house. Official duplicates that are left in a separate location is a plus.

 

[OpenRoadsAhead]

Small fireproof, waterproof safe. An RV burns up in minutes. So you don't need one that will last a long time like in a house. Official duplicates that are left in a separate location is a plus.

Thanks! Have you actually needed them at any point in your RV travels?

 

[Gizmo]

Thanks! Have you actually needed them at any point in your RV travels?

We keep our passports, one credit card, Medicare cards, and SS cards. We found out about the credit card trick when friends in were RV caught fire they were standing outside in their sleeping attire and they lost their wallets/purses in the fire. We are not full time.

 

[Our Coddiwomple Journey]

Thanks. So you prefer to keep them with you at all times? Fire is definitely one concern for protection. What about theft though? Have you even round a need to have them on you full time? I was thinking about just dropping them at my parents for storage/protection instead of traveling with them. That's what made me ask the question.

Yes, we prefer to keep them since we full time. We needed documents a couple of times in our travels and it was good to have them available. As for the RVs burning quickly, it's part of our evac drill to grab the box and medications on our way out.

 

[LMHS]

Thanks! Have you actually needed them at any point in your RV travels?

Yes.

I live 24/7 in my bus. What I went thru trying to get a NM driver's license after I inadvertently let my TN license expire was not fun. At that time I didn't have all my documents because I left them with my mother in NC. I had to have them overnighted over a holiday weekend. And I still don't have a REAL ID driver's license. I guess I'm going to have to get a passport to solve that particular problem. I showed the local DMV/MVD all the appropriate documents and they give me their fakey driver's license (not REAL ID approved). When you order your certified documents, make sure you get at least 3 copies at the same time. Try to leave one set of everything someplace that you can access them fairly easily. Keep in mind that the fire safes tend to be somewhat portable (although I'm not lugging mine around) and it should contain most of the papers that would make it possible for your identity to be stolen.

If you look on pinterest or do an internet search, you will find what you need to keep in a "bug-out binder" (meaning you grab it in case of fire) or "in case of death" binder. My fireproof safe is not large enough to hold a standard binder or 8X11 sheet protectors. I bought 5.5 x 8.5 Inch Page Size Sheet protectors and fold papers in half. I hold the sheet protectors together with binder posts (used in bookkeeping and scrapbooking) and a pair of washers for each post. I also keep some cash in the sheet protectors as well. I figured if I ever needed to grab it and go, I would need a bit of cash as well.

 

[Magua]

We keep ours in a fireproof safe also. We full time and have on occasion needed some of the documents. We also keep a sum of money in it in case we need a little cash. You need a bug out bag in addition. Always near the front door.

 

[Gizmo]

This says it's good to 2000 degrees with 7 pockets document holder.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0895F26DL/?tag=rvf01-20

 

[TheLooks]

I will be identified by law enforcement anyways because I will have a bag of cash and my AR slung over my shoulder......my wife will be carrying the ammo cans. You have to provide 20 kinds of id's to be an American but run across the border and America is your oyster.

 

[Rich W.]

Fireproof document holder View attachment 16322

These are good but they are only fire proof to a point. In an RV fire, unless it was quickly extinguished, you would find it full of ashes. I opened a much bigger and more expensive fireproof safe for a home owner after a house fire that burned without suppression, and they were very disappointed with the results ($200k of uninsured bonds among other things, all ash). But its probably your best bet and for the highest degree of “fire proofness” put it as low in the coach as possible so it has the best chance of surviving a fire. I think it’s nice to have the optional Newmar safe in my coach, but its 4’ above the floor and right over the engine. Someone wasn’t thinking when they made that decision.

 

[LMHS]

The last RV that I saw burn, took less than 5 minutes. Luckily, it didn't spread to the rest of us. The RV was a 40 ft fifth wheel. I don't remember the make.

I had a house burn. It was framed in rough sawn wormy chestnut. It took two days before it was completely out. Wormy chestnut burns hot. TIP: put your fireproof safe at the lowest point and make sure it's waterproof too.

 

[Rich W.]

The last RV that I saw burn, took less than 5 minutes. Luckily, it didn't spread to the rest of us.

I had a house burn. It was framed in rough sawn wormy chestnut. It took two days before it was completely out. Wormy chestnut burns hot. TIP: put your fireproof safe at the lowest point and make sure it's waterproof too.

Yes water proof would be a very good feature. A smaller or light weight trailer would probably burn pretty fast and a “fireproof” safe would probably survive. A bigger trailer or Class A might be a very different story. Still a good safe is your best bet.

 

[JRS]

We keep ours with the rig. In a file cabinet drawer that will burn if it gets hot enough. Guess we're taking chances....