How did they unlock my cab?

[Barclaybasher]

I've always considered campsites as an easy target for theives.

More 'targets', a false sense of security being too relaxed about leaving doors and windows open...

 

[JJ]

Never mind the danger of thieves on motorway service areas...

... it's refrigerator lorries parked next door you need to worry about.


JJ

 

[Dolmen]

What a great thread. It has reminded me to appreciate how wonderful it is to be old and retired.
I'm never in a hurry and never use motorways. During 40 years motorhoming I've only toured abroad as I only have a 20 miles drive to France (Newhaven port) and abroad I'm spoilt for choice with numerous peaceful places to overnight and no pre-booking necessary.

I think you have it sorted, sounds ideal. I am also retired, 70, so not old but getting there, however, always in a rush, so much to do and see, and probably too many hobbies, need some tips!

 

[swemmy666]

That's desperate, was there a trouser shortage in Covid as well?

turns out he was a collector of 2nd hand trousers (unwashed)

 

[Barriesimpson]

Just thinking; our next trip later this month will be the first overseas with Jazz. She might look the part, but if burglars arrive with a ball or a frisbee, she'll be useless.

But they won't know that hopefully.

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[Barriesimpson]

If wild camping, we leave the front seats in the travelling position, but close off curtains to the hab area. If any problems in the night, I'm straight through the curtains in my best M&S Specials ............. and straight into the driver's seat for an immediate offski.

Cheers,

Jock.

I sleep naked, unfortunately it is illegal to drive naked these days so I'm not sure if that would play out for me.

 

[gus-lopez]

On my old Motorhome I used to just put a ratchet strap through both inside door handles so no one could open the cab doors from the outside.

Ok on aDucato but Transist have no open door handles.

Old ladies in convertible cars, asleep with a travel blanket over them, bikers asleep in sleeping bags next to their bike, f

You left out morrocans who park get out check east direction then lay out there sleeping bag in front behind, along the side of there car. I nearly ran over one bloke in a French aire de repos

 

[chaser]

Ok on aDucato but Transist have no open door handles.

Not on Renault master either

 

[eddie]

Ok on aDucato but Transist have no open door handles.

You left out morrocans who park get out check east direction then lay out there sleeping bag in front behind, along the side of there car. I nearly ran over one bloke in a French aire de repos

I've seen whole families pile out of old Mercedes cars, pray to Mecca, sit down on the grass cook meals and sleep where there sat

And on the same Aires seen motorhomes arrive shut down like Fort Knox everything bolted, slammed shut, peep hole cameras, fake dog bowls with "Fang" written on left outside the door, which is so locked now its actually a fire hazard to the occupants, whilst in the distance someone is playing a guitar, laughter wafts on the mild Summer breeze from a group of French travellers playing Boule while we sit and enjoy a glass of something local and watch the world go by, literally

 

[Driventemple]

So does this mean Ducatos newer than 2017 are not vulnerable to this type of attack, or just a bit less vulnerable, or still as bad? Any personal experiences of owners with newer vans would be very helpful.

There seems be less mention of Proplates since around 2020. Up until then they were frequently mentioned, so lets hear from late model X290 owners.

This is what they look like.

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[Richard n Ann]

There seems be less mention of Proplates since around 2020. Up until then they were frequently mentioned, so lets hear from late model X290 owners.
View attachment 943580
View attachment 943581
This is what they look like.

A little hss drill bit will go through quietly and quickly especially with a bit of oil

 

[Sue and Rick]

There seems be less mention of Proplates since around 2020. Up until then they were frequently mentioned, so lets hear from late model X290 owners.
View attachment 943580
View attachment 943581
This is what they look like.

Unfortunately the thieves will know about these and punch a hole further over.
The proplate is a lot thicker too

 

[Driventemple]

A little hss drill bit will go through quietly and quickly especially with a bit of oil

If you look closely at the plate it is curved away from the drill when going in at the neccessary point.

 

[Jerrywh]

I really can't believe that anyone would contemplate leaving their home unattended when in the UK a home is burgled every 160 seconds.

Yes but most of them are in Leeds..
Pleeze don't get carried away by what you read in the papers or see on the telly:

• most folk aren't burgled
• or mugged
• or have their MHs stolen.

The media home in on every bad thing but never balance it by telling you about the millions who have not had that bad thing.

 

[Ducatian]

Hang a cheap movement alarm in the middle, something like:

Amazon.co.uk

That would preclude any motion going on. Not for me!

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[Jo662]

What to stay in a designated sleeping area along side hundreds of other travellers?

Why wouldn't that be a good idea?

Mainly because you hear of more break~ins/ attempted break~ins on motorway aires than aire de campingcar in villages and towns.

 

[eddie]

Mainly because you hear of more break~ins/ attempted break~ins on motorway aires than aire de campingcar in villages and towns.

I wholeheartedly disagree and you have absolutely no evidence to support that

Thirty odd years specialising in motorhome security, talking to victims of crime, I know opportunistic spur of the moment crime comes when people have been caught up in the moment and taken their eye off the ball, often in Hypermarket car parks or remote locations. Low key, low life scumbags creeping round surreptitiously.

Actually encountering people? Illegal immigrants in or around Ports

Actual vehicle theft? Outside your house or where you store it

As I keep saying tens of thousands of people a night use motorway Aires in the height of the Summer, they are rammed, and often a lovely enjoyable atmosphere

 

[gwyntaxi]

Easiest way to unlock a van door? Force a screwdriver in, worse as this method will normally disarm alarms connected to the OBDP (alarm “arms when the door locks)

Motorways Aires? Thousands of people use them every night in the Summer, it’s what they’re for

Old ladies in convertible cars, asleep with a travel blanket over them, bikers asleep in sleeping bags next to their bike, families asleep in their cars, roof and windows open, all en route, all getting on with their lives, all using a facility designed to allow travellers to take a break and sleep, not forgetting the rufty tufty motorhomer’s, white knuckled, peering out through the cab curtains running commentary to “Doris” inside armed with an upside down can of pepper spray, wondering if they should remove their socks and crocs and Rohan trousers, or leave them on and sleep in shifts, ready for the inevitable break in!

We have always used motorway Aires when travelling, doors locked, alarm on and armed, bikes locked and protected via the alarm and I sleep like a baby.

I have no issues with people not using them! I just react to people try to put their own fear and neuroses on others “Ooooooo you mustn’t do that” “Oooooooo it’s not safe” when the facts are completely opposite

It’s really fine, it’s what they are there for

Each to their own I guess, I just base my views on personal experience, I was broken into and robbed of our credit card, cash ,video camera, steady winder, in the early hours on the A9 at Montpellier, that was the First and last time I ever stayed on a motorway rest area, not a nice experience, oh, and we were surrounded by others sleeping in cars campers......... Just sayin..

 

[eddie]

Each to their own I guess, I just base my views on personal experience, I was broken into and robbed of our credit card, cash ,video camera, steady winder, in the early hours on the A9 at Montpellier, that was the First and last time I ever stayed on a motorway rest area, not a nice experience, oh, and we were surrounded by others sleeping in cars campers......... Just sayin..

Did your alarm sounding not wake you?

Were you the only one broken into?

 

[Joethejoiner]

Each to their own I guess, I just base my views on personal experience, I was broken into and robbed of our credit card, cash ,video camera, steady winder, in the early hours on the A9 at Montpellier, that was the First and last time I ever stayed on a motorway rest area, not a nice experience, oh, and we were surrounded by others sleeping in cars campers......... Just sayin..

Slept in loads of motorway rest areas . Never a problem.
Previous van stolen in my home town .
Should I avoid my home town ?

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[Jo662]

I wholeheartedly disagree and you have absolutely no evidence to support that

Thirty odd years specialising in motorhome security, talking to victims of crime, I know opportunistic spur of the moment crime comes when people have been caught up in the moment and taken their eye off the ball, often in Hypermarket car parks or remote locations. Low key, low life scumbags creeping round surreptitiously.

Actually encountering people? Illegal immigrants in or around Ports

Actual vehicle theft? Outside your house or where you store it

As I keep saying tens of thousands of people a night use motorway Aires in the height of the Summer, they are rammed, and often a lovely enjoyable atmosphere

I had a growler alarm fitted last month at AshVanBitz ,so will feel a bit more relaxed when I’m passing through France next month

 

[jess12]

Unless he can access the computer to see if the doors were actually locked he wont know. ( unless he has the puncture wound under the drivers handle)

I reckon most of us have done daft things that we regret just have not told anyone live and learn and move on

 

[HKF]

Another one here who thinks the Motorway Aires are a fabulous free resource, especially if you have a Motorhome, and people really shouldn’t be put off making them part of their travel plans. I am normally in a hurry so a days driving, overnight on the motorway and I’m in Portugal the next (as an example). My bag with wallet and passport normally comes to bed with me, however, must confess, I have woken up many times when everything is still on the table. What eddie said is spot on.
Almost a party atmosphere at many motorway Aires during July and August.

Well, there's an alternative reason to avoid them

 

[Joethejoiner]

Must admit you are guaranteed to be robbed on British motorway services.

 

[kingy58]

Can I ask all you knowledgeable people, if you block the lock button from rising will that stop the door from being unlocked by a lowlife armed with a screwdriver like the OP suffered?

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[Gina M]

Can I ask all you knowledgeable people, if you block the lock button from rising will that stop the door from being unlocked by a lowlife armed with a screwdriver like the OP suffered?

How would you do that?

 

[kingy58]

How would you do that?

Our cab doors (Renault Master) have internal blinds fitted and a small block of wood (for example) between the knob and the frame of the blinds would hold the knob in the down position.

 

[swemmy666]

That would preclude any motion going on. Not for me!

You could disable it for 5 minuntes

 

[pandas]

I've seen whole families pile out of old Mercedes cars, pray to Mecca, sit down on the grass cook meals and sleep where there sat

And on the same Aires seen motorhomes arrive shut down like Fort Knox everything bolted, slammed shut, peep hole cameras, fake dog bowls with "Fang" written on left outside the door, which is so locked now its actually a fire hazard to the occupants, whilst in the distance someone is playing a guitar, laughter wafts on the mild Summer breeze from a group of French travellers playing Boule while we sit and enjoy a glass of something local and watch the world go by, literally

makes you wonder why anyone would consider having additional security added to their motorhomes!

 

[pandas]

Very polarised views here. Not sure I would like to tell people it's perfectly fine to stay on a motorway aire or not. Personal experience we have clocked the occasional sign posted by the French Gendarmes advising not to stay over night for possibly that particular aire, we also had somebody force a front window open whilst we were distracted by one of their team when we were resting up in an aire for a few hours. But it's our choice either way and this is just our own experience. - we choose not to that's all. If you stay overnight in a UK motorway service station isn't there an overnight charge - maybe wrong as haven't tried but I recall in a car if your stay was over 2 hours ish you had to pay a parking charge on some sites?

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