I have wrestled with this issue also. It is a pain in the neck bringing gear back and forth. Like you, I am mostly concerned about theft. What you plan to do sounds good and going forward I may try it. I swear my integrated tube amp gains 5 pounds every year.
Will audio gear be ok in unheated house
I have a cottage. I drain the pipes and the house is left unheated over the winter. I have been taking my audio gear home (except for the speakers) when I leave in the fall for theft worries, but mostly because I am not sure the equipment will be OK in an unheated house in an often damp environment until the late spring when I return.
It is a pain taking it back and forth and I would prefer to leave it there. Maybe in garbage bags with some bags of dessicant in the garbage bags.
Anybody have any experience with this. I have been unable to find a good answer searching the web.
Thanks