security worries ?

Paul J

Paul J

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so, we'll probably do a bit of wild camping during our motorhoming year, and more than likely, when not at home, our van will 80% of the time be parked on a side street somewhere, wether we're visiting a town, or overnighting. (a carefully chosen side street of course)
The van will be delivered next week, it's a new Rollerteam/Fiat, and initially without alarm. The extent of the security will be a Diskloc fully enclosed steering wheel lock, and window stickers to suggest alarm and tracker.
The issue that I have, is probably unrealistic, but for every solution I think of, there's a straightforward way that the thief can overcome that measure. Internal cab locks sound easy and fairly non-destructive to the new vehicle to fit, and an extra external habitation door lock might be useful (I'm not sure why drilling holes in a new van still sounds horrendous to me though)
I'm not a fan of an alarm after watching all the video's of gangs raiding vans for tools, and doing this while the alarm is sounding, nobody will tackle a couple of big lads in hoodies !
I think maybe I've convinced myself that internal cab locks (which open with a key) would force the thief to enter and exit through the smashed cab window.... which won't be a lot of fun with all the broken glass, and an external locking device on the cab door.... should put most thieves off..... maybe they'll believe the alarm sticker and give up for an easier target

what's a decent, nice and neat external hab lock ?
 
I'll check it out, thank you :)
 
Fiamma Safe Door Frame lock looks reasonable, since it fastens to the frame and avoids holes in the outside panels of the van
 
Have you insured your new van yet? If it's a NEW van and therefore a high value most insurers will insist that you have an alarm and possibly a tracker.

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had a quote from Comfort, no Tracker or alarm required
 
Paul J said:
Fiamma Safe Door Frame lock looks reasonable, since it fastens to the frame and avoids holes in the outside panels of the van
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Don’t forget to advise your insurance company that your adding locks etc

This often confuses people when premiums rise, due o the additional damage cause by ripping them off and the inevitable higher repair costs

But as with all things insurance if you fit them and you tell them, they will pay out if you make a claim
 
ok, thanks for the advice :)
 
an alarm may well be fitted at some point, probably at first service, was offered Cobra 4515 (something like that) at £500 by the dealer, but since the same alarm is £105 on Amazon, I find it hard to believe it'll be much good ?

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Paul J said:
an alarm may well be fitted at some point, probably at first service, was offered Cobra 4515 (something like that) at £500 by the dealer, but since the same alarm is £105 on Amazon, I find it hard to believe it'll be much good ?
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I had a cobra alarm unhappy as it was not certified Thatcham 1.
Went to vanbitz, old alarm removed, new one fitted,very neat and tidy job, can't see any part of it. Visible deterant ie flashing LED.
Overnight internal protection plus bike alarm.

Reasonably priced and aftercare, plus fee overnight in campsite.
I would not go Wilcamping without an alarm.

But it's your van, your risk, your decision..

No doubt there are other alarms on the market, but Vanbitz has a very good reputation, funster discount and on a good day, Eddie can be sociable (only joking about Eddie )

But it's your call.
 
The Alarm is under consideration, and I've heard about Vanbitz reputation already. My main reason for not jumping in on the alarm, is firstly time, secondly worries about having a new van pulled to bits by the dealer, and thirdly, the price of the actual electronics of this particular Cobra alarm. Maybe I'll speak to Vanbitz, I can get their alarm fitted at any point after delivery

thanks for the info
 
Another vote for vanbitz’s, can’t tell you how secure I feel about leaving the van anywhere within reason and don’t worry about pulling the van to bits had mine fitted not a wire to be seen or anything out of place , proper professions are the team at vanbitz.
 
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that's very interesting, just looking where they are, bit of a trick for me, but I'm sure it's worth it. I'll give them a call today perhaps, get some idea on price
 
Good idea Paul , tell them you are a funster and they will give you a discount (y)

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Paul J said:
secondly worries about having a new van pulled to bits
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This is not a consideration if you go to EddieVanBitz. He fitted a Growler alarm, tracker and a Blaupunkt all singing and dancing unit with a reversing camera on our brand new (bloomin' expensive!) van. Couldn't see a single wire anywhere. Perfect job.
 
We can wholeheartedly recommend Vanbitz. We recently had a Strikeback Growler and Non Starter fitted - job done!
Very neat job, no visible wires, just 3 tiny blue LED warning lights situated front, back and side, plus 1 on the dash. If you want belt and braces add the Non Starter.
Eddie, Lynne and the team even managed to squeeze an Alden Satellite on the MH while we were there. Don’t forget the Motorhome Fun 10% discount at time of booking.
 
To get extra discount, wear a Scottih Rugby Shirt, he is fond of Brains Bitter...
 
it was all going well, Comfort gave a great quote £369, couldn't believe how easy they are to deal with, until the day before collection (this morning) when they ask "am I on the electoral roll at my current address", in fact I'm between houses at the moment, at my parents, and waiting to sign contact on my new place, with effectively no fixed abode, Comfort won't touch me, not this side of a Full Time rate of £1,100 yr. So, stuck with the insurer of my current small family fleet, who I know well, we had a mad shop around today, and found an alternative specialist insurer who will handle this vehicle for about £65 more than Comforts quote. Seemingly, trying to insure a vehicle while you are between houses is a problem for a lot of insurance companies, something I had simply not considered.
 
Paul,

For info: If you do happen to end up with a Comfort policy then you'll need to be aware that Comfort require you (as part of their T&Cs) to inform them of any occasion 'in advance' when the van is left on its own, for a period exceeding 48hrs, at a location which is not deemed to be its normal storage location.

I've only posted this up in case you leave your van in a location and go off adventuring for a few days.

Cheers,

Andrew

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thats a really useful point Andrew, but isn't insurance becoming a pain in the backside, no longer can you own something and use it like it's 'yours' any more. I'm waiting for the 'not allowed to park in a town centre', 'not allowed to park in 'X' town, 'Y' town.

I feel that devices like the Discloc fully enclosed steering wheel lock, cab dead-locks, and certain habitation door exterior locks are of some fair deterrent against theft from a point of driving away your vehicle, or burglary, insurance companies however don't seem to be that keen on discounts when these devices are used.
 
I had the Vanbitz growler and non starter fitted not because of insurance requirements but for peace of mind when I'm wild camping or the van is unattended and I believe the flashing blue lights act as a deterrent when a thief is selecting a van to rob. For example recently we was fast asleep on a secure /aire lorry park in Spain when the front alarm activated to alert us to an attempted jamming may be the lorry drivers were using jammers for other means and our van was not the intended target however it alerted us and gave us peace of mind.
I hope this helps in your decision making.
 
Paul J said:
thats a really useful point Andrew, but isn't insurance becoming a pain in the backside, no longer can you own something and use it like it's 'yours' any more. I'm waiting for the 'not allowed to park in a town centre', 'not allowed to park in 'X' town, 'Y' town.

I feel that devices like the Discloc fully enclosed steering wheel lock, cab dead-locks, and certain habitation door exterior locks are of some fair deterrent against theft from a point of driving away your vehicle, or burglary, insurance companies however don't seem to be that keen on discounts when these devices are used.
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It's not a pleasure anymore Paul. The only way around it is to have an insurance company that provides the best cover for your needs.

Any physical security deterrent is always a good start but some (hab door external locks) are not much good when a small piece of metal can force the windows open in 5-seconds.
 
Security of a motorhome is a two folded problem
a) Security to prevent it's theft and failure to recover.
b ) Break-in and entry into stealing goods and valuables only.

a) The more the better.

b) No such beast, door locks, alarms etc will not deter a thief with a crowbar, screwdriver and a sharp long knife to get in via the many windows. Don't forget the battery drill, that can do locks in seconds, writing off the door as well.

Consider motion PIR lights at night, cameras all 4 sides, thieves hate being photoed. Very very loud audible alarm if wild camping, as in ear splitting pain volume.
A pretty good alert snappy toothy dog is pretty fair game. Don't forget, never put all your goodies in 1 place Tape banknotes under and at rear of kitchen drawers. There are quite a few gaps around water tanks, hide with more insulation. Don't forget they are nervous and want to be in, out and gone.
Ian; Retired Ancient William
 
Just had an email from Comfort saying that my Ford autosleeper duetto at renewal requires not only a cat 1 alarm which i have but also a cat 5/6 tracker ! Oh well.
 
Several magazines are showing an advert that says basically 'Motorhome Crime is on the increase' When ever I see such line grabbing adverts, am always wary.
Can anyone other than this company confirm that such crime has increased. I know Chief Constable annual reports are usually issued in the Autumn of the year after. Plus don't know if vehicle crime is broken down into leisure etc.
Crime is reasonably predictable and localised, as in boat crime on the Broads or around Marinas on the south coast.
So does Moho theft centre from the home or whilst travelling.
I wrote to Warners once asking if they could run some seminars on Crime Prevention inviting local plod along or security firms specialising in auto theft. Never so much as had a reply. Hey ho, no money in it for them so couldn't be arsed, I am assuming of course.
 
RanC said:
Security of a motorhome is a two folded problem
a) Security to prevent it's theft and failure to recover.
b ) Break-in and entry into stealing goods and valuables only.

a) The more the better.

b) No such beast, door locks, alarms etc will not deter a thief with a crowbar, screwdriver and a sharp long knife to get in via the many windows. Don't forget the battery drill, that can do locks in seconds, writing off the door as well.

Consider motion PIR lights at night, cameras all 4 sides, thieves hate being photoed. Very very loud audible alarm if wild camping, as in ear splitting pain volume.
A pretty good alert snappy toothy dog is pretty fair game. Don't forget, never put all your goodies in 1 place Tape banknotes under and at rear of kitchen drawers. There are quite a few gaps around water tanks, hide with more insulation. Don't forget they are nervous and want to be in, out and gone.
Ian; Retired Ancient William
Click to expand...
you must have camera shy thieves round your way ours wave at the cameras

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