Improving security on the garage doors

[haganap]

I think your answer is in your question?

You state all the things that most of us old school motorhomers wouldn't do. Some of us have been motorhoming long enough to of enjoyed staying at the old Calais aire whereby you could sleep sound watching the ferries go in and out.

If you don't do the things you refer to as "horror stories" when abroad, you might enjoy it more.

Regarding motorhome locks, I locked my self out of my van once. I borrowed a screwdriver, I was in in just 22 seconds via the garage door and up through the bed. My wife couldn't believe it and no damaged caused either. Whatever you put on, a miss spent youth wouldn't make it any different.

Get yourself a decent alarm and don't make your van look ugly and worth breaking in to would be my view.

My view has always been the same, If I park somewhere and it makes me feel even the tinyest bit uneasy, I move on. I wouldn't park in Toxteth overnight, regardless of how good the "aire" was. In much the same way, I wouldn't stop the night in various cities overseas.

 

[The Wino]

It would be really interesting to know the likelihood of being broken into in France Vs broken into in the UK I would be very surprised if there's much in it yet people in general do worry more about it visiting another country

 

[Lenny HB]

It would be really interesting to know the likelihood of being broken into in France Vs broken into in the UK I would be very surprised if there's much in it yet people in general do worry more about it visiting another country

Always feel safer in France.

 

[Stealaway]

We’re heading to Europe in September and we’re complete newbies to motorhoming abroad. The horror stories we keep reading of motorhomes being broken in to whilst nearby Calais, just even filling with fuel, or in a queue for a ferry or tunnel, makes me very cautious and I’m looking to improve the security. Of course we’ll be sensible by not stopping nearby unless we have to and stopping at our first site a good hour or so away.

We had a garage door pop open whilst travelling last year, and after emptying the garage and having a good look the locks are poor, have minimal adjustment and only just catch when giving the doors a good slam. I’ve done what I can with adjustment. It strikes me that someone could easily break in with a little force, so I’m looking at alternative options to beef up security.
I can see Milenco and Fiamma do extra locks, has anyone fitted these? Is it straightforward? Any other suggestions or comments?

Milenco Door Lock Singles

Milenco Caravan and Motorhome Security Door Lock Single Milenco Door Locks enhance the security of your recreational vehicle with their robust and high-quality design. It offers good mechanical protection combined with a lock that has countermeasures to p

www.milenco-outlet.co.uk

Fiamma Safe Door Security Lock

Fiamma Safe Door Lock The Fiamma Safe door lock is the perfect solution for greater security on your motorhome and caravan This Safe Door lock has a revised lock barrel & key: The design complements perfectly with the lines of modern vehicles, the str

www.leisuredepot.co.uk

Thanks



View attachment 886102

I'm not a fan of extra security because they will just cause more damage getting in.
What is in there that is so valuable? Can't you secure them the items better or immobilise them?

 

[daventess]

I'm not a fan of extra security because they will just cause more damage getting in.
What is in there that is so valuable? Can't you secure them the items better or immobilise them?

It's funny because I leave my car unlocked for precisely that reason. Nothing of value in there, it's a 2008 workhorse with a radio from, well, 2008 that they wouldn't get a fiver for. If they are going to rifle through the glovebox anyway I don't want a broken window as well.

Yet I feel differently about the MH. Probably because it's got my bed in it. I dunno ..

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[JRT]

Always feel safer in France.

Ditto.

 

[Guigsy]

Our nearest brush with crime was a pair going around the carpark a Carrefour near Calais, just casually checking all the door handles to see if someone had left the van/car open.

With regards to this... if you're going to lever open a garage door, wouldn't the windows be just as vulnerable?

My general approach is to just look like a harder target than those around you. Keep stuff out of sight, turn on the alarm, lock the doors, etc.

 

[DaveS]

I'm not a fan of extra security because they will just cause more damage getting in.
What is in there that is so valuable? Can't you secure them the items better or immobilise them?

It’s nothing to do with value of goods it’s everything to do with migrants wanting to get to the UK however they can! Even if they break in to the garage and stow themselves there, or hold on underneath the van, even whilst your going the wrong way!

 

[daventess]

It’s nothing to do with value of goods it’s everything to do with migrants wanting to get to the UK however they can! Even if they break in to the garage and stow themselves there, or hold on underneath the van, even whilst your going the wrong way!

I've got the ultimate deterant for that - my dirty laundry. 10 minutes with an army of my worn socks and they'll be begging to go back!

 

[DaveS]

I've got the ultimate deterant for that - my dirty laundry. 10 minutes with an army of my worn socks and they'll be begging to go back!

Excellent plan! I like that.

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[The Wino]

It’s nothing to do with value of goods it’s everything to do with migrants wanting to get to the UK however they can! Even if they break in to the garage and stow themselves there, or hold on underneath the van, even whilst your going the wrong way!

If that's the worry just check after stopping when close to the channel ports. I've not heard any reports of migrants being found turning aggressive in general most seem to just shrug their shoulders and move on.

 

[Stealaway]

It’s nothing to do with value of goods it’s everything to do with migrants wanting to get to the UK however they can! Even if they break in to the garage and stow themselves there, or hold on underneath the van, even whilst your going the wrong way!

Although I've never heard of it being an issue it's no effort to check the inside the garage just before catching the ferry / tunnel.
There has been reports of them hiding in your bathroom while you was shopping for last minute wine at the supermarket.

 

[DaveS]

Although I've never heard of it being an issue it's no effort to check the inside the garage just before catching the ferry / tunnel.
There has been reports of them hiding in your bathroom while you was shopping for last minute wine at the supermarket.

But the point is if they’re in there they’ve broken in! My original post was trying to stop or reduce the risk of that. Maybe if they could see an extra lock on there they’d move on to another motorhome in the queue! Anyway I’ve decided to leave it for the moment.

 

[Dandm]

But the point is if they’re in there they’ve broken in! My original post was trying to stop or reduce the risk of that. Maybe if they could see an extra lock on there they’d move on to another motorhome in the queue! Anyway I’ve decided to leave it for the moment.

3 keyed alike still for sale in classifieds in case you decide to fit some !

 

[DaveS]

3 keyed alike still for sale in classifieds in case you decide to fit some !

lol!

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[Mister Charmed]

Hi DaveS
Did you get any further on your thinking about this - Any joy talking to dealer?
Wife and I are in exactly same situation as yourself (ours is a Ti 650 MEG 2023!!). Like you we have an alarm/tracker (VanBitz). And we're off to Southern Spain in Jan for a winter break.
She's of a mind to put locks everywhere and I'm more on the "don't let the b@$%&)(*%s know you've got something worth nicking".
If you did eventually decide to put a (or more) lock(s) on - what did you choose? For the hab door I reckon that because of the lack of wall space by the door frame, it has to be either one of the frame ones (self tappers) or the Milenco Door Frame Inside & Out version as it only nees 33mm space by the door frame - Any thoughts from you or any any other readers with the Ti MEG vans?

 

[PeterCarole29]

It’s nothing to do with value of goods it’s everything to do with migrants wanting to get to the UK however they can! Even if they break in to the garage and stow themselves there, or hold on underneath the van, even whilst your going the wrong way!

We had a van for 10yrs a tag axle with full air
I used to dred anyone being underneath as i would lower it whilst waiting for the tunnel as went down to less than 6 inches and would squash them (just put it down to collateral damage if any migrant was there.

 

[Reallyretired]

I use swmbos paranoia to my advantage. I stay in the mh while she goes shopping. I hate shopping

 

[DaveS]

Hi DaveS
Did you get any further on your thinking about this - Any joy talking to dealer?
Wife and I are in exactly same situation as yourself (ours is a Ti 650 MEG 2023!!). Like you we have an alarm/tracker (VanBitz). And we're off to Southern Spain in Jan for a winter break.
She's of a mind to put locks everywhere and I'm more on the "don't let the b@$%&)(*%s know you've got something worth nicking".
If you did eventually decide to put a (or more) lock(s) on - what did you choose? For the hab door I reckon that because of the lack of wall space by the door frame, it has to be either one of the frame ones (self tappers) or the Milenco Door Frame Inside & Out version as it only nees 33mm space by the door frame - Any thoughts from you or any any other readers with the Ti MEG vans?

No we haven’t and proceeded with our trip across. I do feel the existing locks are flimsy though so I do want to improve them if I can. I don’t want to fit something cheap and nasty that’s going to rust though. So still thinking of ideas.

 

[Mister Charmed]

No we haven’t and proceeded with our trip across. I do feel the existing locks are flimsy though so I do want to improve them if I can. I don’t want to fit something cheap and nasty that’s going to rust though. So still thinking of ideas.

Thanks Dave - I hope you enjoyed your trip and assume you didn't experience any problems with thieves, vagabonds etc.
I've jumped in and ordered a Thule 'Inside and Out' lock (for the hab door) - looks pretty much the same as the Milenco one - but I've always rated Thule products so hoping it'll prove more resistant to rusting!

I'll report back on the forum when I've had it fitted for a while.

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[DaveS]

Thanks Dave - I hope you enjoyed your trip and assume you didn't experience any problems with thieves, vagabonds etc.
I've jumped in and ordered a Thule 'Inside and Out' lock (for the hab door) - looks pretty much the same as the Milenco one - but I've always rated Thule products so hoping it'll prove more resistant to rusting!

I'll report back on the forum when I've had it fitted for a while.

Yep no problems with miscreants, but on checking other garages, mine looked more vulnerable. A visible extra lock would help to dissuade anyone thinking if having a go I’d hope. Will be interested in the Thule ones, I too rate their products.

 

[Mister Charmed]

Yep no problems with miscreants, but on checking other garages, mine looked more vulnerable. A visible extra lock would help to dissuade anyone thinking if having a go I’d hope. Will be interested in the Thule ones, I too rate their products.

Hi Dave, well after much debate, I've got the the Fiamma Door Safe locks for garage doors (got the set of 3, so I can put one on gas locker too if I like). I'd been trying to find something that was clearly an added lock - but not shouting out "extra security". But had no luck with that. So have gone for the 'tried and tested' option. Oh - it seems the Thule lock I got is in fact just a re-badged Milenco - the rubber seals are all marked Milenco. It does feel and look solid and the finish on it appears to be good quality. I'll try to remember to post again after it's been on a while.

 

[DaveS]

Hi Dave, well after much debate, I've got the the Fiamma Door Safe locks for garage doors (got the set of 3, so I can put one on gas locker too if I like). I'd been trying to find something that was clearly an added lock - but not shouting out "extra security". But had no luck with that. So have gone for the 'tried and tested' option. Oh - it seems the Thule lock I got is in fact just a re-badged Milenco - the rubber seals are all marked Milenco. It does feel and look solid and the finish on it appears to be good quality. I'll try to remember to post again after it's been on a while.

Thanks for the reply. Which ones did you go for? I think there were two different types?

 

[Al n Val]

This is a friends garage door and the mess they made when someone tried to jemmy them off

 

[enark]

Travel via another port but Calais?

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[Al n Val]

TBH
we find Calais absolutely fine

 

[PeterCarole29]

This is a friends garage door and the mess they made when someone tried to jemmy them off

View attachment 993602

I,m not knocking the veiw point that if you have external locks you leave yourself open for bad damage
But i cant help wondering for example if this van in the picture had not had those locks the thief still would have damaged the door surely with his Jemmy bar its just bad luck sometimes

 

[Dutch 68]

Put a old dirty dog bowl on the side of your van and maybe a nice sticker from the right breeding associating for some visual impact

 

[Mister Charmed]

Thanks for the reply. Which ones did you go for? I think there were two different types?

Fiamma safe Door - not the dorr frame ones (I can't see how the door frame ones can possibly be as soundly mounted as the others that have 4 bolts through the wall with a steel plate on the inside). OK, so there are dire warnings about voiding the moisture ingress warranty - but just make darned sure you seal them properly when mounting them!
Oh and having fitted them I've found the locking mechanism on them to be nowhere near as easy to use as on the Thule/Milenco one on the hab door - the keys are somewhat tricky to get in and out of the barrels and just don't work smoothly.

 

[Oldrat]

Cheap, discrete and an easy fit for a DIYer with a pop rivet gun and a drill.

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