Bike security advice

[Nikaboo]

Hi everyone! My family are in the process of renting motor homes to find a size and layout preference before we buy one. This year we want to take our bikes and have hired a motorhome with a bike rack. I would please like advice on the best way of securing the bikes to the rack and prevent theft when we are parked up. Can you help? Thank you!

 

[IRHP]

that's what mine said and they class the van as immovable but did stipulate specific type of ubolt and be able to produce reciept if anything happens
A family member has bikes worth more than their care and insure the same way as they feel bike insurance can be a rip off and come with some very challenging stipulations

Yes there is a lot if you read the small print. Most companies I enquired with said the bike had to be removed from any bike rack between 2100hrs and 0600hrs and stored in the vehicle. Direct line didn't have this clause.

 

[IRHP]

that's what mine said and they class the van as immovable but did stipulate specific type of ubolt and be able to produce reciept if anything happens
A family member has bikes worth more than their care and insure the same way as they feel bike insurance can be a rip off and come with some very challenging stipulations

Yes there is a lot if you read the small print. Most companies I enquired with said the bike had to be removed from any bike rack between 2100hrs and 0600hrs and stored in the vehicle. Direct line

 

[jennywren]

speak to your house insurance it can be put on as an extra and often has as good cover as the specialist cycle insurers and far lower cost it goes on as itemised

I would reiterate this advice. We had two bikes stolen last year off the van's bike rack in Leith, Edinburgh. Not unusual I've been told since for Leith (although, I'm sure it is no different in any city). They were locked on but only with a cheap lock and chain. We had been on the Hebrides for the six weeks previously, as safe an environment as you are likely to find, and we had got used to leaving the bikes unattended (and unlocked!) without too much concern. We forgot to switch modes once off the islands. We do now use a 'proper' heavy duty lock and chain. However, our house insurers paid out with no testing questions or apparent security requirements (they did ask whether or not the bikes were locked onto the rack, which they were), we did not even have receipts for the bikes as each one had been purchased second hand a few years back. They were decent mountain bikes, probably £1500 each when purchased new. The reason I tell this short story is that you may be better off with a non-specialist insurer as an 'add-on' as this may well be just as good and likely to be cheaper.

I think a bike cover is also a good deterrent as it will probably take longer to get this off than it will the bikes!

And, sometimes, you just have to accept some risk, or you will just miss out doing something you may not have done otherwise. Wherever our van goes, our bikes (replacement bikes!) come as well.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I use a kryptonite lock, heavy duty and was expensive, use it for push bike, scoot or motorcycle. I think even superman would struggle with this one