French Aire night fright

[DBK]

Thanks so much-this really looks interesting. At the moment we are a bit limited as to where we go as the Riptide is rather wide (almost 10 foot from mirror to mirror) so we are keeping to A or the D roads so far. We are going to plan our route from Burgundy to Spain and check out the Aires in the app that you suggested.
We did not have any windows open or roof vents, and we had the door double locked. By looking it seems someone was able to get a lever between the door frame and the lock and click those back so the door could be opened. We are making several modifications so nothing like this could have again, hopefully! Many thanks

The CamperContact app does in theory show the maximum length for each aire but you nee

 

[Wendles]

I am really saddened not just by your experience but by the comments on this forum. I am new to this forum but really enjoy it as I love reading other posts but is the world such a bad place or or people so impacted by previous experiences that lead us to be so cynical? These poor people have experienced the worst nightmare it seems you can experience but Still someone questions their posts. Am I’m too trusting? I find life more acceptable if I have hope. Thanks to those with positive, helpful, advice- that’s why I have subscribed.

 

[romany]

I use the wire stranded bike cable locks that wrap around both front seats and around door rest driver seat left in driving position side and back doors padlocked when we sleep probably over kill but wife reads these forums and gets nervous when we are wild camping?

 

[keithchesterfield2]

The CamperContact app does in theory show the maximum length for each aire but you need to take this with a pinch of salt. See the bottom line in the screenshot below.

View attachment 335667

For example, where we are now is apparently limited to 9m but you could park a big articulated truck here. It also says there are only 5 places but there is room for dozens.

But isn't that the fault of those who use the Aires but can't be bothered to update the information ?

CamperContact needs everyone to add updated information not just rely on out of date information.

Have you added the information you've mentioned on here ?

 

[DBK]

But isn't that the fault of those who use the Aires but can't be bothered to update the information ?

CamperContact needs everyone to add updated information not just rely on out of date information.

Have you added the information you've mentioned on here ?

I do give feedback sometimes but not every time. The photos of the aire in this case make it clear there is plenty of room. But it may be the marked bays are limited to say 9m but the markings are very indistinct. I've submitted a review which updates things.

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[Jenmelmar]

The CamperContact app does in theory show the maximum length for each aire but you need to take this with a pinch of salt. See the bottom line in the screenshot below.

View attachment 335667

For example, where we are now is apparently limited to 9m but you could park a big articulated truck here. It also says there are only 5 places but there is room for dozens.

That is really interesting- we will check out that information. We will be planning our route into Spain this week so should have an idea of where we are going ?

 

[Jenmelmar]

I use the wire stranded bike cable locks that wrap around both front seats and around door rest driver seat left in driving position side and back doors padlocked when we sleep probably over kill but wife reads these forums and gets nervous when we are wild camping?

Great idea- better to be over cautious- we will be from now in ?

 

[Rapido925M]

As people have said, whatever security system you choose to use it needs to be quickly and easily dismantled in event of an emergency (possibly in a dark, smoke-filled environment).

I have an extending wheel-wrench which fits through the handle of the door and extends beyond the door frame. Removing it from outside would be difficult; removing it from inside merely requires one end to swivel up and the other to swivel down ie rotate in either direction.

Having said that, it has only been deployed twice when we camped alone in an isolated, but hidden, spot.

Gordon

[It has been used to remove wheel nuts on numerous occasions.]

 

[MR. FUSION]

If it is a Fiat Ducato based motorhome they do not show much damage when they are broken into.

We met a couple from Sweden who had been broken into in Barcelona.

The police showed the couple how the doors were opened.

Just a little mark in the trim below the drivers door handle. Pop's all the central locking and disarms the alarm apparently.

View attachment 334091

Same on a mini metro, so manufacturers seem not to learn anything.

 

[MR. FUSION]

Hello to all the people who kindly answered my question. We have been traveling all day and I have read all the answers but did not see how to reply.
There was no damage and nothing stolen, although stuff piled by the front seat. We are checking the alarm system but it did not go off. We are amazed we did not hear the door opening and the steps going out- but we were tired from a troubled sleep in the garage Aire and driving in the rain all day. We are going to buy some motion sensors and fit a chain to the door and have a couple of other ideas. We will use some of the excellent advice on using the sites suggested here. By the way, all windows and roof vents were shut and the man jumped over the bike and ran off into the trees. We will make sure we are more careful and thanks for all the help ?

You really need a perimeter alarm system that can be fitted to all the opening doors, so at night you can set it to monitor those doors and if anyone opens them it goes off.

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[shawn&emma]

But isn't that the fault of those who use the Aires but can't be bothered to update the information ?

CamperContact needs everyone to add updated information not just rely on out of date information.

Have you added the information you've mentioned on here ?

On more than one occasion I've submitted information to be updated and it's never been actioned so gave up.

 

[Steve Taylor]

You were unlucky and also parked in the one place NOT to park. We have been doing this for ten years now, often wild camping or on aires de camping car. The only problem we have EVER had is a single chair stolen on a campsite in the South of France. Don't overthink security on the basis of this one bad experience. We have no alarms, no chains, and sleep well...

 

[DL42846]

Sorry to hear of your scary misfortune. We wild camp most of the time or stay on aires and on motorway service areas. Pleased to say we haven't had a problem yet but I'm sure by the law of averages it will happen sooner or later.
Two fairly inexpensive measures we take might help deter break ins. On the hab door we have a dead bolt. and see the pic's below.

 

[Hymie]

But isn't that the fault of those who use the Aires but can't be bothered to update the information ?

CamperContact needs everyone to add updated information not just rely on out of date information.

Have you added the information you've mentioned on here ?

Not necessarily, we stayed on an Aire in Portugal last week that said 5 spaces, but there were 10 legitimate spaces, so I updated CC.

Got an email saying correction accepted and app updated the next day and yet it still said 5 spaces 4 days later when I went back to check for something else.

We are at the Murcia Aire by IKEA tonight, I believe CC says 50 spaces and PFN says 20. There are no marked bays but 50 would be nearer the truth.

4 weeks ago while travelling down both CC and PFN directed us to non-existent aires in Le Man's,

As said previously, always leave time for plan B.

 

[Lynne Roy]

We always put a wire through cab door handles and I never realised that method could disable the alarm but more worryingly unlock the habitation door, hubby going to disconnect it from central locking tomorrow

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[keithchesterfield2]

Not necessarily,
Got an email saying correction accepted and app updated the next day and yet it still said 5 spaces 4 days later when I went back to check for something else.

I must admit that any changes of new information I've spent to CC has taken some time to be updated but eventually it was done.

They have literally thousands of new sites, reviews and updates every day and I don't know how many staff they have but it must take a lot of work to keep pace.

And probably there is a lot of the information they get being misspelt, addresses wrong and even deliberate misinformation sent to them - and everything needs checking.

Bear with them a bit longer.

 

[sonny]

We always put a wire through cab door handles and I never realised that method could disable the alarm but more worryingly unlock the habitation door, hubby going to disconnect it from central locking tomorrow

Why how does it disable the central locking

 

[sonny]

Why how does it disable the central locking

And unlock the doors

 

[Deneb]

Why how does it disable the central locking

I think Lynne Roy is referring to the commonly used method of opening the cab door lock by inserting a thin tool between the door handle and the door panel and manipulating the lock, as pictured on a previous post.

Strapping the door handles together internally prevents an unlocked cab door being opened, but the method used to manipulate the lock has the same effect as if the key was used. If you have central locking, a thief unlocking the cab door lock will cause all connected doors to unlock, and if you have the type of alarm which sets or unsets through the door locking instead of on its own separate fob or switch, unlocking the door will also disable the alarm.

 

[romany]

In response to those who feel they need a fast escape system I thought these locks with emergency inner release cables might be of interest although I will stick to my previous posts measures as both my cable locks have a quick release system their main purpose is to make anyone trying to break in by bypassing and switching of alarms by the method shown by another poster would make enough noise to wake us up and allow me to test out an illegal taser I acquired in Spain did ask the wife if i could see if it worked on her, she was less than impressed

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[sonny]

I think Lynne Roy is referring to the commonly used method of opening the cab door lock by inserting a thin tool between the door handle and the door panel and manipulating the lock, as pictured on a previous post.

Strapping the door handles together internally prevents an unlocked cab door being opened, but the method used to manipulate the lock has the same effect as if the key was used. If you have central locking, a thief unlocking the cab door lock will cause all connected doors to unlock, and if you have the type of alarm which sets or unsets through the door locking instead of on its own separate fob or switch, unlocking the door will also disable the alarm.

Oh I see thank you perhaps a small alarm between the door's attached to the strap might help but a proper job (strikeback)would be best cheers.

 

[Jay Butts]

Must have been very scary, so pleased nobody was hurt!

Would having a dog help? Not for attack but for listening? We love dogs and have one, she barks with anything suspicious.... and she has spectacular hearing...

 

[joka250]

Like shawn&emma I've submitted feedback that's not been acted upon. When camper contact is good it's very good but sometimes it leaves quite a bit to be desired.

 

[Jay Butts]

I am really saddened not just by your experience but by the comments on this forum. I am new to this forum but really enjoy it as I love reading other posts but is the world such a bad place or or people so impacted by previous experiences that lead us to be so cynical? These poor people have experienced the worst nightmare it seems you can experience but Still someone questions their posts. Am I’m too trusting? I find life more acceptable if I have hope. Thanks to those with positive, helpful, advice- that’s why I have subscribed.

Wendles, it’s a forum thing!

I’m also a member of two other forums with over 40,000 members each. It’s always the same, one negative review gets absolutely hammered and makes something look like it’s an every day event with some questioning the validity of the original post! I currently don’t know how many members this forum has (because like you I’m a newbie!) but if you polled how many this has happened to, I can only guess that there is very few (No doubt the handful it may have happened to will now avalanche replies!).

When I was self employed, I travelled extensively living in many different countries around the World including places like Uzbekistan and China and I truly believe that 99.99% of people are perfectly decent and are happy to chat and help others out. This has been my own experience time and time again! However, I feel for the OP as that sounds like a terrible experience but I would treat this as a rare occurrence at worst and isolated at best. Of course, it’s always better to take preventive measures with security just in case but honestly, I am going to take no extra precautions at all. At night we have a dog, and by day and night we’re insured!

I hope I’ve understood your post correctly!

Best wishes.

Jay.

 

[busby]

I think Lynne Roy is referring to the commonly used method of opening the cab door lock by inserting a thin tool between the door handle and the door panel and manipulating the lock, as pictured on a previous post.

Strapping the door handles together internally prevents an unlocked cab door being opened, but the method used to manipulate the lock has the same effect as if the key was used. If you have central locking, a thief unlocking the cab door lock will cause all connected doors to unlock, and if you have the type of alarm which sets or unsets through the door locking instead of on its own separate fob or switch, unlocking the door will also disable the alarm.

If you fit internal dead locks,,Heosafe or similar there is no way intruders can quietly gain access.BUSBY.

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[Jenmelmar]

You really need a perimeter alarm system that can be fitted to all the opening doors, so at night you can set it to monitor those doors and if anyone opens them it goes off.

Thanks for that, we have fitted an alarm and some sensors and a new door lock-that hopefully will be enough!

 

[Jenmelmar]

As people have said, whatever security system you choose to use it needs to be quickly and easily dismantled in event of an emergency (possibly in a dark, smoke-filled environment).

I have an extending wheel-wrench which fits through the handle of the door and extends beyond the door frame. Removing it from outside would be difficult; removing it from inside merely requires one end to swivel up and the other to swivel down ie rotate in either direction.

Having said that, it has only been deployed twice when we camped alone in an isolated, but hidden, spot.

Gordon

[It has been used to remove wheel nuts on numerous occasions.]

Thanks, we have now fitted an alarm, and some motion sensors and in the process of fitting a new door lock-hopefully that will be ok

 

[Jenmelmar]

You were unlucky and also parked in the one place NOT to park. We have been doing this for ten years now, often wild camping or on aires de camping car. The only problem we have EVER had is a single chair stolen on a campsite in the South of France. Don't overthink security on the basis of this one bad experience. We have no alarms, no chains, and sleep well...

Wow! amazing! That sounds lovely-hopefully we will be safe from now on although we have fitted an alarm and some motion sensors. will check out places to stay more carefully next time :0

 

[Jenmelmar]

You are going to get numerous replies that tell you that there is a MAJOR difference between the aires you find on motorways and the aires you find in stunningly beautiful villages and towns. The main part is safety which you have, unfortunately found out.
You need to go on to www.searchforsites.co.uk or download campercontact or park4night as a first instance and choose your aires from there based upon previous peoples ratings.
In the meantime, let us know whereabouts you intend to stay and we can advise you of nice ones near there.

Bon voyage and at least nobody hurt and presume nothing taken

Thanks for your reply and information. We are at a house sit in Burgundy right now but plan to go down through France to Spain in a few weeks. We are looking to stay for a 3 month block if we can, and if the price is right. We have heard that Pinoso has a site called Tranquilo (or similar), that have long term places and are not expensive. Have you heard of this one or do you have any other suggestions? We would like to be somewhere warm for the winter! Many thanks-Jennifer

 

[Deneb]

On more than one occasion I've submitted information to be updated and it's never been actioned so gave up.

I find I can never see my own updates until I click on the little "+" icon in the top right hand corner of the app, but they are there.

I submitted one last week and it was online within minutes, but I could only see it after clicking on that icon. Checked again this morning, still doesn't come up in the app by default, but its there when I click "+".

Maybe they don't show you your own reviews by default because they assume you already know the contents!

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