Just south of Van Horn... lock or no lock cabin..

[RioGrandeShooter]

I'm putting up a cabin 12 x 24 off of US90 and wanted to know if theres any KNOWN issues out that way with people crossing the Rio. Going out for 1 week mid-April for the build.. then back to PA for 4 months or so.. before coming back out again..

Second issue the cabin is a basic shell and will only have 1 door and no windows (2 skylights 13 feet up on the roof).. do you folks think I should lock the single door or just leave it open and empty when I leave it after its built (next month)..

I've read online.. some say leave it open and empty.. or locked and empty.. (I was thinking locked and empty)..

Should I put a sign in Spanish/English saying EMPTY & also No Trespass, Etc..??

HD/Lowes sell those solar powered motion lights.. should I mount 1 up on the eve to maybe prevent issues??

I put this on another forum.. but don't think there as big..

Any in-site would be nice as how to proceed..

[C-dub]

I don't have any personal experience in this type of thing, but I would think any transients would figure out the situation pretty quick and your "love shack" will end up occupied fairly quickly, thus making your re-occupation of it four months later difficult. So, locked or unlocked might only make a difference in the amount of destruction to gain entry. I doubt any sign will persuade anyone to not make use of it because they will be able to tell that you are not currently using it.

[puma guy]

Bilingual sign: Live rattlesnakes loose in side.

[pbwalker]

I'm putting up a cabin 12 x 24 off of US90 and wanted to know if theres any KNOWN issues out that way with people crossing the Rio. Going out for 1 week mid-April for the build.. then back to PA for 4 months or so.. before coming back out again..

Second issue the cabin is a basic shell and will only have 1 door and no windows (2 skylights 13 feet up on the roof).. do you folks think I should lock the single door or just leave it open and empty when I leave it after its built (next month)..

I've read online.. some say leave it open and empty.. or locked and empty.. (I was thinking locked and empty)..

Should I put a sign in Spanish/English saying EMPTY & also No Trespass, Etc..??

HD/Lowes sell those solar powered motion lights.. should I mount 1 up on the eve to maybe prevent issues??

I put this on another forum.. but don't think there as big..

Any in-site would be nice as how to proceed..

To make a long story short, it likely will become occupied with a lock or no lock. This is a known smuggling route, and the possibility of water / shelter will draw the migrants. So, you can lock it and end up with a busted door. Or you can unlock and hope that there will be no damage. Motion lights will help...guide a path for the migrants.

How far outside of Van Horn? The ultimate goal of the border crossers is to make it to IH-10. If your place is on the way, it may become a stash house. (this is from my BP friend).

I'd recommend becoming good friends with the local sheriff. Tell him your plans, and concerns, and he may offer to check on it periodically.

Just remember that we call it roof down here, not "ruff". And bring down some Yuengling with ya!

[speedsix]

...uh, command, I'm watchin' the trail like you told me, and there's this cabin comin' down the trail with 30 pair of feet...honest...no, I'm not drinking'...and it's playin' Jose Feliciano music...loud...

[jmra]

Have friends in the same boat. Unlocked, cans of beans, and a can opener. Cabin will not suffer any damage and they might even pick up the empty cans.

[RioGrandeShooter]

So getting a steel door with no window panels won't matter?? even with a drop bolt and dead bolt if I reinforce the edges with metal??

I am 10 miles up a county road from the RioGrande.. but again it appears to have no traffic..

I'm about 17 miles South of Van Horn... not near I-10 at all...

[jmra]

So getting a steel door with no window panels won't matter?? even with a drop bolt and dead bolt if I reinforce the edges with metal??

I am 10 miles up a county road from the RioGrande.. but again it appears to have no traffic..

I'm about 17 miles South of Van Horn... not near I-10 at all...

Your cabin is a sugar cube and they are ants...

[jmra]

You could put up a game camera and use the pictures to add a few more dependents to your income tax return. Or you could call the cabin a homeless shelter and write off all the expenses.

[speedsix]

Have friends in the same boat. Unlocked, cans of beans, and a can opener. Cabin will not suffer any damage and they might even pick up the empty cans.

...or they could leave you a note requesting beer, chips, dip, and dish TV...that's the problem..we've "catered" too them too much already...let us invade their country and see who leaves us snacks...

[jmra]

Have friends in the same boat. Unlocked, cans of beans, and a can opener. Cabin will not suffer any damage and they might even pick up the empty cans.

...or they could leave you a note requesting beer, chips, dip, and dish TV...that's the problem..we've "catered" too them too much already...let us invade their country and see who leaves us snacks...

I don't disagree with you. Just saying that this is what works for my friends in minimizing repair expense. I think I would be tempted to leave exlax bars.

[speedsix]

...sure would help in tracking them...if anyone was bothering to track them...another no-solution problem caused by the government...

[puma guy]

Have friends in the same boat. Unlocked, cans of beans, and a can opener. Cabin will not suffer any damage and they might even pick up the empty cans.

No recent relativity but I had friends with deer leases near Carrizo Springs 40 years ago and they did the same thing. Doors unlocked non perishable food left in the middle of the table. No guaranty the people passing though these days are the same ilk, but a locked door only has one method of opening; that is breaking something.

[speedsix]

...I remember those days...we never locked our doors...folks were more likely to leave something than to take something...who says they weren't the good old days!!!

[jocat54]

I would leave it unlocked, that way no damage to the door if your lucky. Not sure I would leave anything for them to eat (then expect it). Don't think a light is going to do any good other than light the way for them.