Extra Kit

[OldCodger]

We are just equipping our first motor home and have got most things but we are now turning to "Security"

We have a Bessacar 496 on a Fiat chassis. It has 225/75/16 wheels (pressed steel not alloys) - is there a wheel clamp that will fit it - we were looking at the bulldog DC400 - but the tyre is 4mm to big (Overall Diameter) - what do the folks here recommend?

And how do you secure the spare wheel? Is there a padlock that will fit and remain functioning despite being under a vehicle year round through rain, snow, salt, sand etc etc etc....

Does anyone recommend Walkie Talkies for parking - having one of us out side and the other steering?

Thanks in advance .....

---

Ian

 

[CWH]

Hello and welcome to the Fun

I have no idea about the wheels but for parking yes, one outside & the other in, but an agreed set of hand-signals probably works better than walkie-talkies. If in doubt, do a motorhome manoeuvering course - they'll help with how to drive and reverse, and also with getting your signals worked out.
(I know some will say don't bother, but it depends on previous experience & levels of confidence for both of you [both driving?] and recognising that men and women have very different forms of spatial awareness so what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another.)

Good questions to start your new motorhoming life - I'll be interested to read the replies to the wheels security

 

[irnbru]

We have walkie talkies but find our voices are loud enough

 

[tonyidle]

Look for a brass, aluminium, or stainless body that has a stainless shackle. I've had three different types in use outside for the last 20 years, one on a trailer, with no ill effect. Most of the better manufacturers have one as part of their range.

 

[CWH]

We have walkie talkies but find our voices are loud enough

We found that anything vocal ended up as an argument...

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[tonyidle]

................. and recognising that men and women have very different forms of spatial awareness ..................

And use totally different hand signals I find

 

[OldCodger]

I fully understand the comments on hand signals and shouting - hence the need for walkie talkies. BTDT GTTS..

 

[Bepto]

Dont have a MH yet but as a HGV driver I would say the best bit of advice would be - If unsure Get out and have a look - saved me on numerous occasions.

Also advise people watching you back that you can't see them if they can't see your mirrors (unless you have a reversing cam)

 

[Clarky]

Dont have a MH yet but as a HGV driver I would say the best bit of advice would be - If unsure Get out and have a look - saved me on numerous occasions.

Also advise people watching you back that you can't see them if they can't see your mirrors (unless you have a reversing cam)

Also extravagant hand/arm signals rather than the wriggling fingers that I often see, particularly from French women. Can't be seen from mirrors.
Think aircraft marshalling type gestures.
Like this:-


I expect to see this on all sites in the future.

Richard.

 

[CWH]

Also extravagant hand/arm signals rather than the wriggling fingers that I often see, particularly from French women. Can't be seen from mirrors.
Think aircraft marshalling type gestures.
Like this:-


I expect to see this on all sites in the future.

Richard.

Brilliant - life should be Fun

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[Kingham]

......
And how do you secure the spare wheel? Is there a padlock that will fit and remain functioning despite being under a vehicle year round through rain, snow, salt, sand etc etc etc....
---
Ian

Hi Ian,

Just a few days ago a forum friend alerted me to the potential of spare wheel theft, when I posted that I had my spare in use. Weather permitting, I will be putting the spare back under the van tomorrow and will be looking for a method of locking it, using one of my old motorbike security chains and a padlock.

I have a kayak carrier which winches down the side of my van and I recently bought a pair of Abus Submariner long shank weatherproof padlocks, that I use to secure the release pins of the rack. They're not the cheapest lock, but are coated and have a weatherproof flap over the key entry, so should stand up to the task under the van.

If I can suss out a securing method tomorrow, I'll order another Submariner.

 

[OldCodger]

I expect to see this on all sites in the future. .

Where do I get the t-shirts

 

[OldCodger]

If unsure Get out and have a look - saved me on numerous occasions.

I learned this just in time - it saved my gutters on my garage - and more importantly the sides of the van....

I need to learn look up as well as around.....

Also advise people watching you back that you can't see them if they can't see your mirrors (unless you have a reversing cam)

If only I could get Mrs Codger to understand this....

 

[Nirvanauk]

You will look daft with Walkie talkies. However my wife's signalling is an embarrassment so I keep popping out and having a look.

 

[CWH]

If only I could get Mrs Codger to understand this....

You have to make contact through the mirrors...
...practice smouldering eyes...
...puckered lips...


The result will be either or

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[OldCodger]

You have to make contact through the mirrors...
...practice smouldering eyes...
...puckered lips...


The result will be either or

We've been married 36 years, nothing works

 

[OldCodger]

Meanwhile, back on topic - how may people use wheel clamps and in particular if you have a Fiat chassis what do you use?

 

[nicholsong]

Meanwhile, back on topic - how may people use wheel clamps and in particular if you have a Fiat chassis what do you use?

MH garage - very useful for many items.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Dont have a MH yet but as a HGV driver I would say the best bit of advice would be - If unsure Get out and have a look - saved me on numerous occasions.

Also advise people watching you back that you can't see them if they can't see your mirrors (unless you have a reversing cam)

Something SWMBO forgets often if she happens to jump out for a look for me

 

[Kingham]

........ Good questions to start your new motorhoming life - I'll be interested to read the replies to the wheels security

I've just put my spare back under the van and unfortunately there was no where to lock the wheel to, other than the winching cradle itself.

Bearing in mind, it's just to act as a deterrent to the opportunist, I used an old Oxford motorcycle lock, which I shortened. It passes through the holes in the wheel rim and locks on to the winch cradle, which I appreciate won't beat the determined thief who is prepared to remove the entire assembly.

The only slight issue is that I had to leave the chain long enough to allow the wheel to drop sufficiently, to give access to the lock, with the excess lying inside the wheel. This could work its way out during a journey, but isn't long enough to snag anywhere.

I also tried passing the chain through the cradle, then through the wheel and padlocking it from below the wheel, but that left the padlock dangling and more exposed to the elements.

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[Deneb]

I just have a motorbike chain padlocked through and around the wheel on mine, but not secured to anything else, as like Ken I have nothing suitable underside to secure it to. From behind or below, however, it looks like the wheel is secured. My reasoning is that A) It looks as if its secured and if anyone stole it, they'd still have to remove the chain before they could use it; a certain amount of prevention in itself, and B) I didn't want to secure it to something fragile enough to be damaged in any attempt to steal it (like the winch cradle) as I'd then be looking at the cost of a new wheel and tyre plus the lowering and securing assembly and any other collateral damage to the underside of the van. Just replacing the wheel and tyre would be cheaper.

Trade Vehicle Locks sell a spare lock for the Ducato, which bolts through the floor and needs to be released from inside the vehicle by a spanner before the wheel can be lowered. OK for a commercial van, but you might not want a hole in the floor of your motorhome! Actually, I am thinking of fitting one, since the bracket will be within the garage area on my van so not really a problem.

 

[Reallyretired]

It is impossible to steal the spare wheel on my motorhome, it doesn't have one.

 

[OldCodger]

On my Swift Bessacar the spare wheel cradle is held in place by two pins - which can be conveniently replaced by two long hasp padlocks. Great! just need to make sure i don't lose the
key!

 

[peterc10]

I assume that the wheelclamp is for stopping the motorhome being stolen, not the wheel. If so I am not sure how good it will be. Instead I suggest you get a decent alarm and immobiliser / tracker from Vanbitz who are members on here. Not cheap but worth it for the peace of mind.

 

[Stretto Boy]

I've just put my spare back under the van and unfortunately there was no where to lock the wheel to, other than the winching cradle itself.

Bearing in mind, it's just to act as a deterrent to the opportunist, I used an old Oxford motorcycle lock, which I shortened. It passes through the holes in the wheel rim and locks on to the winch cradle, which I appreciate won't beat the determined thief who is prepared to remove the entire assembly.

The only slight issue is that I had to leave the chain long enough to allow the wheel to drop sufficiently, to give access to the lock, with the excess lying inside the wheel. This could work its way out during a journey, but isn't long enough to snag anywhere.

I also tried passing the chain through the cradle, then through the wheel and padlocking it from below the wheel, but that left the padlock dangling and more exposed to the elements.

Ken, I have just had a thought which may or may not work. I think that like me you have the excellent VanBitz alarm. I do not use the bike/ trailer loop, so I wonder if that could be looped through the spare wheel. It wouldn't be long enough on my van but I assume that Eddie could supply an extension cable with a matching plug at one end and socket at the other. I appreciate that triggering an alarm is a different security measure to securing the spare wheel but I could nevertheless be a reasonably effective one. No doubt @eddievanbitz could comment on this. Of course, it's no good if your loop is already in use. I might also try using my Abus motorcycle lock and chain, although looking at what that cost it might be cheaper to replace my spare wheel and tyre!

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[Euphony]

We have the Bessacarr E560 and use a Milenco wheel clamp, it's easy to fit/remove and very secure apparently.

MILENCO 16" Wheel Clamp Motorhome M16 Amazon product ASIN B003ZD879A
We also use walkie talkies even though we have a reversing camera, the problem is the boss never lets go of the button regardless of how often I remind her and so I end up getting out to check anyway.

 

[John Stanton]

Dont have a MH yet but as a HGV driver I would say the best bit of advice would be - If unsure Get out and have a look - saved me on numerous occasions.

Seconded ... in spite of having both a reversing camera and a female reversing assistant, I always get out and survey the scene to avoid any arguments or broken plastic.

 

[Kingham]

Ken, I have just had a thought which may or may not work. I think that like me you have the excellent VanBitz alarm. I do not use the bike/ trailer loop, so I wonder if that could be looped through the spare wheel. It wouldn't be long enough on my van but I assume that Eddie could supply an extension cable with a matching plug at one end and socket at the other. I appreciate that triggering an alarm is a different security measure to securing the spare wheel but I could nevertheless be a reasonably effective one. No doubt @eddievanbitz could comment on this. Of course, it's no good if your loop is already in use. I might also try using my Abus motorcycle lock and chain, although looking at what that cost it might be cheaper to replace my spare wheel and tyre!

That's not a bad idea, but once I start getting away with the kayak, I do intend using the alarm loop for that, as its value far exceeds the spare wheel.
That might be something that Eddie could look at marketing ?

 

[Deneb]

I suspect it would have to be a cable or switch that went through the van floor above the spare wheel cradle, and activated if the wheel was lowered or dropped. If its looped round under the van from the garage or rear door, it's not going to go off until the thief breaks the connection or cuts the cable, by which time he may already have the unbolted wheel in his mitts and just keep running with it.

Much like the motorbike thieves who pull up in a van and calmly lift a bike into the back, alarm ringing and all!

 

[magicsurfbus]

Having acquired a Bessacarr 484 with built-in rear view/reversing camera I'd say it's definitely the way to go, plus jumping out and double checking as and when. Walkie talkies would simply provide amusement for others - they certainly make me snigger.