Is it better to take everything with you or install iron-clad security?

[Littlewheels]

If the manufacturers fitted windows like these we might stand a much better chance of keeping the thieves out.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

It's a war though, up your game, scrotes do likewise moving on to the next softest target, the roof vents, after that comes the battery multi saw to make their own door in the side of the van, I've seen the self same thing done on industrial buildings.
Mike.

 

[Phill D]

I think deterrent fittings are as much as you can do. There is no way of making a motorhome secure.
If you don’t want a risk of losing an item the either don’t take it or carry it.
But even that is not fool proof, pick pockets , or simply misplacing the item.

 

[tinkertaylor]

I think " they " will have developed well rehearsed strategies for dealing with any situation they encounter whilst at work [ thieving], such as sham occupancy measures put in place by owners.
It may comfort us a little, but is much less a deterrent to seasoned scrotes.
Even if caught "red handed" the slap on the wrist they receive by way of punishment is not exactly draconian and just shrugged off as acceptable for risk versus reward.
Mike.

That's as maybe but I can only attempt to change the underfunding of the police force every 5 years and as my last attempt was thwarted by an electorate that decided to vote for a minor criminal I'm pretty sure I have to take responsibility for my belongings myself.

Living in an area thats quite high in the table for vehicle crime, B36, at least we're high achieving in one area! I tend to use every means possible to discourage the casual criminal, although Raffles may see through my elaborate attempt to confuse, every little bit counts and the name of the game is to insert a little doubt into their grey matter.

It's either that or leave it open and have no valuables on board....... doing that with a campervan is pretty impractical unless you have an army of Himalayan Sherpas to carry your stuff around.

Any more ideas?

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

That's as maybe but I can only attempt to change the underfunding of the police force every 5 years and as my last attempt was thwarted by an electorate that decided to vote for a minor criminal I'm pretty sure I have to take responsibility for my belongings myself.

Living in an area thats quite high in the table for vehicle crime, B36, at least we're high achieving in one area! I tend to use every means possible to discourage the casual criminal, although Raffles may see through my elaborate attempt to confuse, every little bit counts and the name of the game is to insert a little doubt into their grey matter.

It's either that or leave it open and have no valuables on board....... doing that with a campervan is pretty impractical unless you have an army of Himalayan Sherpas to carry your stuff around.

Any more ideas?

I wasn't offering a cast iron, copper bottomed solution, there isn't one. You have something they want, and the more desirable it is, the more they want it. Making it more difficult is the just about the only plan, by whatever means, whether that be super duper alarms, trackers, whatever. Additionally their exist one group of scrotes who if foiled in their plan to make off with your asset is foiled will make damn sure you are severely inconvenienced by wrecking the asset instead
Mike.

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[PaulOH]

So, now that I've just gone full time, I parked up street side in my (ex) home area to get shade in the morning to do some finishing interior work. I thought everything was ok until someone woke me up with a start by trying a locked cab door. They didn't do anything else, but I couldn't sleep after that and every noise made me jump.

Today, I used whatever I had to hammer loop latches into the cab doors, attached to screwed in arm-type catches, which are quick release when you know where they are& cannot be reached from the window. I would take a picture but it's too dark. You must feel safe in your bed and while it's v.low tech, I feel a bit safer while in the van at least. They'd have to break a window now to get in to me who has nothing anyway!!

 

[dawsey]

We got robbed in Rome 10yr ago and lost about £5000 worth of stuff inc all the wife’s jewellery. Unbeknown to me sh thought that the alarm, deadlocks and external fiamma locks I’d installed, plus parking on a very busy street would deter the scum. It didn’t.

There is no way to secure a van, camper van and especially a motorhome. If someone wants to get in they will.

After our loss, the feeling of paranoia when leaving our van anywhere ruined many a day out. We use internet connected cameras now to let us see what’s inside or outside the van when we are away from it.

The only acceptable solution for us from a security perspective is to make sure the van is left on a secure aire (among others) or a campsite (among others) if we want to leave it for more than the time taken to get the shopping. We just think of the cost as being the cost of security.

 

[Reallyretired]

So, now that I've just gone full time, I parked up street side in my (ex) home area to get shade in the morning to do some finishing interior work. I thought everything was ok until someone woke me up with a start by trying a locked cab door. They didn't do anything else, but I couldn't sleep after that and every noise made me jump.

Today, I used whatever I had to hammer loop latches into the cab doors, attached to screwed in arm-type catches, which are quick release when you know where they are& cannot be reached from the window. I would take a picture but it's too dark. You must feel safe in your bed and while it's v.low tech, I feel a bit safer while in the van at least. They'd have to break a window now to get in to me who has nothing anyway!!

A picture would be good. Most c type or pvc seem to be on the fiat chassis which allows the armrests to be chained or belted together. The Ford armrests don't lend themselves to this simple measure so I am interested in what you did.

 

[SmithsInFrance]

Few years ago, parked up at busy car park at Budleigh Salterton for a day at the beach. Borrowed keys to son’s MH to go for a pee, got there, couldn’t remember how to switch off alarm, desperate for a pee so just went in and carried on with the alarm (Growler) still blaring. Everyone ignored it….

 

[TheMachMan]

Few years ago, parked up at busy car park at Budleigh Salterton for a day at the beach. Borrowed keys to son’s MH to go for a pee, got there, couldn’t remember how to switch off alarm, desperate for a pee so just went in and carried on with the alarm (Growler) still blaring. Everyone ignored it….

To be fair that’s probably just Budleigh Salterton! Suspect most residents are deaf!

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[PaulOH]

I looked online and saw many things on offer, all of which would've needed professional fitting, but I needed something for that night. I suppose with enough pulling, they'll give but it'll need a lot of pulling!!! Next I've to install a solution for the hab door! I've bought a 25mm locker key installation, but need a hole cut in the door and have no drill....

 

[PaulOH]

Yes that is a large stone holding my entrance mat in place....

 

[StephandJohn]

We lived in ours full time and got deadlocks and tied the front doors together with a bicycle chain etc. Had the minimum expensive stuff (no jewellery), hid the docs we had to have . Luckily we never had a burglary but it was always in our minds when we had to leave the van in a non secure place.