Fit a safe or not ?

[mikebiggles]

We're off to France for a month next year and I'm thinking whether we should fit a safe somewhere in Bessie.
Bessie is a 2008 Bessacarr E560.
What are your thoughts, and if yes - where to fit.
Any response much appreciated.

 

[Odd job]

The problem with a safe is "they" know where everything is, also if you leave valuables in it when you are out, if the van is stolen you lose everything. I also think unless you pay a lot for a safe they aren't very safe.

 

[Oldrat]

Yes

Perhaps a lockable box like this which can secure to something (ideal for passports cash and watches) or a proper secure but well hidden safe

Or do both

Well hidden rather than hard to break into is the secret

 

[gus-lopez]

where to fit.

somewhere the rest of us don't know about

 

[Jon Stewart]

somewhere the rest of us don't know about

"Don't tell him where you put it, Pike!"

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[Odd job]

Well hidden rather than hard to break into is the secret

I would also say not keep everything in one place

 

[Puddleduck]

Well hidden rather than hard to break into is the secret

A look round the van will suggest hidey holes. Make sure you can actually use it though!!

 

[Puddleduck]

Another idea is a hidey place that looks like something else.

 

[Jofang]

Make sure you keep the enerfency safe key handy, as once the batteries go flat inside the lock mechanism you're stuffed.

 

[Parrot Face]

i get two of those key safes that people have outside their homes one goes in the garage and the other on the opposite side of the board that i attach them to. Same steel bolts in effect bolt both safes together. Ideal for credit cards cash etc. One can be slightly larger to fit passports and documents.

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[Burge]

i get two of those key safes that people have outside their homes one goes in the garage and the other on the opposite side of the board that i attach them to. Same steel bolts in effect bolt both safes together. Ideal for credit cards cash etc. One can be slightly larger to fit passports and documents.

Sorry don't get this "SAFE" safe thing...... if your Van goes it's GONE anyway

 

[Guigsy]

Sorry don't get this "SAFE" safe thing...... if your Van goes it's GONE anyway

But all your stuff is gone if they nick the van, regardless. It is safer if they are just breaking in for your Rolex.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I fitted a decent quality one in the bottom of the wardrobe, it's held in with 2 x 10mm bolts through the floor into zebs that can't be unscrewed.. Most thefts are smash and go and I can't see them spending half an hour destroying a safe that there may or may not be anything much of value inside, (that's if they even see it under her shoes )
I know if the van gets nicked everything goes with it but I'm certainly not carrying passports etc with me everywhere I go.

It's like this but the key is different...

Homesafe HV15K Safe Key-lock, 15x20x17cm (HxWxD), Carbon Satin Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QC72MW4?tag=mhf04-21

 

[Lenny HB]

Make sure you keep the enerfency safe key handy, as once the batteries go flat inside the lock mechanism you're stuffed.

With that type a reasobly strong magnet does the trick, they are not secure at all.

I know if the van gets nicked everything goes with it but I'm certainly not carrying passports etc with me everywhere I go.

Apart from UK & Eire I think every country in Europe requires you to cary your passport if you don't have an ID card. - - - But I don't but I do carry my driving licence.

Problem with a safe if someone does break in and find it they an do a lot of damage to the van ripping it out, I. Wouldn't bother with one.

 

[Tonks]

I have a safe, (really a strongbox, as I should think any thief could probably force it without too much trouble, but it may slow down the opportunist smash and grab thief of the kind who broke into my friend’s campervan when he was parked up and only away for twenty minutes walking the dog.
It’s big enough for dox and my iPad but if I’m carrying my laptop or camera kit there’s no way that would fit in.
My biggest thing is to be careful about security. It’s easy to walk away from your unlocked van and then be distracted, while someone is in and out of it behind you in a flash. I did it myself yesterday while watching arriving Typhoon aircraft. I’d walked right across the car park, from my unlocked van before I realised what I’d done.
My last van had a very cleverly designed void behind part of the side wall upholstery. I didn’t realise it was there for ages, because it looked exactly like a permanently fixed area. It was quite large and very useful and probably more secure in reality than my steel strongbox!

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[gus-lopez]

Sorry don't get this "SAFE" safe thing...... if your Van goes it's GONE anyway

But all your stuff is gone if they nick the van, regardless. It is safer if they are just breaking in for your Rolex.

That is why you have to make sure the van is unstealable ,undriveable, & the only way is to be craned or winched on to a truck

 

[eddie]

I have always used an Alko steel safe.

Mounted properly it is virtually impossible to rip out, and is a well made sturdy metal box.

The reason for adding internal sirens to the Strikeback motorhome alarm system long before Growler and Raptor were developed was to try to limit the amount of time, ergo loss/damage a scumbag (it won’t be a professional thief after your money, passport and jewellery) spends in the van, attacking the safe with the system sounding is yet another dissuading influence

Arrive somewhere where staying a few days, passports, main money, ignition keys, spare credit cards locked in safe, engine immobilised with the Non Starter app on my phone, just carrying the caravan door key and alarm fob around.

Much safer at the pool or beach

 

[Oldrat]

Stealth is your biggest ally.

The difficulty is having a safe place somewhere that is both secure and easily accessible.

I have my ideal solution but I won’t post on here, happy to discuss individually via PM for those genuinely curious.

 

[Brains]

Something like this is one solution.

 

[PaulW2]

My previous van was an old school coachbuilt, with a lockable sliding door between the cab and the habitation area. Built like a brick outhouse. I had one of those heavy duty car boot safes (Autosafe), attached with cables behind the front passenger seat.

And a Van Bitz alarm and immobiliser, and E&P hydraulic levellers.

So if you break in it would make an unholy racket while you spend 20 minutes trying to tear the safe out. And if you try to steal the vehicle, well good luck. I hope your chinook helicopter can clear any obstructions.

In the PVC I just rely on the unholy racket (aka Growler), and the immobiliser, and hiding things in less conspicuous places.

Like deadlocks, I wonder if it may be one of those "will the security not just result in more damage that needs to be repaired?" questions.

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[Guigsy]

Something like this is one solution.

View attachment 965410

These are nowhere near as smart as people think they are. Burglars know to pick up things like cans, bottles and books. In a second they'll know it's not soup.

 

[Oldrat]

Ah, but you could fill it with soup as well to make it even more covert

Ok it might be a bit messy cleaning up your wife’s sparkly things before going out on the town!

 

[Soycd]

We have one of these.

It's more for storing UK cards and a bit of cash when we are in Europe. It's pretty well hidden and a bit of swine to get into at times! Screws to the wall, out of site. Serves its purpose I suppose. We also have the VanBitz Raptor so any potential thief will have to locate the safe with bleeding ears. Like everything with motorhome security its a question of slowing the buggers down, they'll get in if they really want to.

Amazon.co.uk

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Something like this is one solution.

View attachment 965410

Is it available in low salt and sugar version? It'll stand out otherwise in our food cupboard..

 

[lorger]

Buy a cheap lockable box, when in bed or out of the van leave it hidden from the outside but visible for the opportunist thief. If they break in and find this easily there’s a good chance they’ll grab it and run. Obviously put some costume jewellery and a wee note for them, less chance of them taking time to find the valuable stuff.

Better still do what we do and don’t take anything of great value with you that you don’t really need, loads of cash isn’t required these days with cards and apps available.

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

https://www.best4safety.co.uk/produ...woxkCe_LwQR7g_DA6z0Ey_NKyLnJzuIxoCy-IQAvD_BwE,
Ssshhhheee, don't tell the "tea leaves" about these oh bug ger.
Mike.