Security Paranoia?

[bornagain]

As I have discussed on these forums we have fitted hook type deadlocks, a drivers door Proplate and bought a Disklok for our new van.
We are on a site at the moment and it looks like we are the only people to have any physical security measures.
It makes me wonder about the real risk of theft, perhaps I am concerned without good reason, maybe even a little paranoid?

 

[The Wino]

As I have discussed on these forums we have fitted hook type deadlocks, a drivers door Proplate and bought a Disklok for our new van.
We are on a site at the moment and it looks like we are the only people to have any physical security measures.
It makes me wonder about the real risk of theft, perhaps I am concerned without good reason, maybe even a little paranoid?

I think you do whatever you feel makes you comfortable. Given the value of motorhomes and insurance premiums total loss by theft must be pretty rare. It's like people who feel society is very dangerous in general these days is it or is it just that they hear about stuff on the internet more.

 

[MichaelT]

On sites IMHO not so much chance someone will nick your van, more for park8ng on the street or at home.

 

[bornagain]

On sites IMHO not so much chance someone will nick your van, more for park8ng on the street or at home.

You are correct, but all of the vans on our current site will spend the overwhelming proportion of their time parked outside somebody's house where they are vulnerable.

 

[MichaelT]

You are correct, but all of the vans on our current site will spend the overwhelming proportion of their time parked outside somebody's house where they are vulnerable.

But you said you on a site?

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[bornagain]

But you said you on a site?

The weather is glorious so we are away at the coast making the most of the sun.
My point is that wandering around this site it's clear that most vans have no obvious physical security, they aren't going to get stolen here, but when they get home they are vulnerable.

 

[AndyPK]

Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean that they’re not out to nick your ‘van……..

 

[The Wino]

The weather is glorious so we are away at the coast making the most of the sun.
My point is that wandering around this site it's clear that most vans have no obvious physical security, they aren't going to get stolen here, but when they get home they are vulnerable.

But they might have more physical security at home you can't see their driveway locking bollard when you're on a site they also might use a wheel clamp and steering wheel lock at home but not cart it around when touring ( like us)

 

[Pausim]

Motor insurance claims amounted to £11.5 billion last year, theft claims for 2023 cost insurers £1.54 billion. Looks like most of our insurance costs are for accidents not theft. On that basis my motorhome which is insured for £90,000 is probably costing less than £100 per annum for the theft element. It seems that my insurance company does not think my van is very likely to get nicked. In some post codes the cost goes up dramatically so perhaps we should have post code paranoia rather than theft paranoia.

 

[bornagain]

But they might have more physical security at home you can't see their driveway locking bollard when you're on a site they also might use a wheel clamp and steering wheel lock at home but not cart it around when touring ( like us)

I suppose you might well be correct, I still think that I probably tend to paranoia....

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[Jim]

I have a grands worth of alarm and immobiliser along with a tracker. Each door has it's own chained deadlock for use where we feel we might need them. The only way into our van is with a sledgehammer or chainsaw. But if you walked past us in the day on a site it would look like we had no security at all.

 

[AndyPK]

I find that a dog or two sitting outside the ‘van helps……..

 

[MichaelT]

The weather is glorious so we are away at the coast making the most of the sun.
My point is that wandering around this site it's clear that most vans have no obvious physical security, they aren't going to get stolen here, but when they get home they are vulnerable.

That's what I said, maybe not needed on site but at home it is so like me they may only fit it at home?

 

[Whippet93]

The only security item I don't always use on a site is the wheel claw. Steering wheel locks (2), alarms, tracker, door roped to seat base all used, but not really obvious when walking past.

 

[Carpmart]

I find that a dog or two sitting outside the ‘van helps……..

Cane Corso and a German Shepherd would be perfect… struggle with a PVC though!

The Corso looks the part of big guard dog and GS just delivers…

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[Wazzer1622]

They say about 4000 motorhomes in the UK get stolen each year

 

[Jev88]

On the flip side ignoring PCV for a moment - the windows and skylights are easy pickings for breaking into if doors are secure .

 

[DJT]

Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean that they’re not out to nick your ‘van……..

There’s one thing about being paranoid … It keeps you on your toes!!

 

[DJT]

They say about 4000 motorhomes in the UK get stolen each year

Who’s they?

 

[Wazzer1622]

Who’s they?

The insurance companies

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[Wazzer1622]

Also check out https://m.facebook.com/groups/StolenMotorhomeDatabase/?locale=en_GB

 

[Tony50]

I'm looking to fit surface to air missiles!!

 

[AndyPK]

Nah - ground-to-ground would be more of a deterrent…..!

 

[Steve-N]

I usually reverse the polarity on the EHU, then the outside of the van is electrified. I dare anyone to touch it

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

Not all security features are obvious

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[Rimswell Wanderer]

As I have discussed on these forums we have fitted hook type deadlocks, a drivers door Proplate and bought a Disklok for our new van.
We are on a site at the moment and it looks like we are the only people to have any physical security measures.
It makes me wonder about the real risk of theft, perhaps I am concerned without good reason, maybe even a little paranoid?

I remember a Motorhome been stolen from the show area at one of the Motorhome Shows a few years ago, they somehow got hold of the keys so not lot of noise.

 

[Barchetta47]

The insurance companies

Can you evidence this?

Just checked on here: https://www.e-c-f.com/

There would appear to be approx 300k motorhomes registered in the UK.

Could it right that a third of those owning a MH in the UK use MHF?

 

[Rimswell Wanderer]

I only post what is fact!! why do you ask

 

[Barchetta47]

I only post what is fact!! why do you ask

I didn’t. I asked about the 4k thefts……..

 

[eddie]

If I wanted to steal a motorhome (which I could) I’d steal it from your drive.

Older much less valuable motorhomes are much easier to steal and much easier to sell “no questions asked”

Physical deterrents are more inconvenient to the owner, than to a thief, you arrive home late at night and need to take the vehicle to the garage in the morning, its dark, it’s raining and you can’t be arsed to kneel down in the wet, especially as you’re wearing your new top!

Which is why immobilisation should be automatic and electronic

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