Security within your vans (1 Viewer)

[Neckender]

We have a safe fitted, I have a key to the safe hidden where no one would ever find it in a month of Sundays, I also have a hab key well hidden in case we get locked out. All documents photo copied, Dead locks fitted, and Cobra alarm also fitted.

John.

Ps Forgot about flame thrower.

 

[Robert Clark]

Found this online....
http://www.gocompare.com/motorhome-insurance/security/


Motorhome security and your insurance
What measures can you take to improve the security of your motorhome, and how may they impact on the price of your insurance?Broken Link Removed

If you own a motorhome it's probably amongst your most valuable assets and, if anything happens to it, you could lose out significantly.

So it's essential to use as many security measures as you can to keep your vehicle safe, as well as making sure you have the right motorhome insurance in place should the worst happen.

You can boost the security right away by remembering the basics, such as making sure all windows, doors and sunroofs are closed and locked when you leave it.

This will certainly limit the scope for opportunist theft but, unfortunately, these steps alone won't stop more determined thieves.

So read our guide to increase the chances of your van - and its contents - remaining where you park it.

Must-have devices
There are a number of devices which you really shouldn't be without. In fact, some specialist motorhome insurers won't allow you to take out a policy with them unless you have certain security gadgets, which might include:

Motorhome insurers sometimes give discounts for a good combination of security devices that could result in significant savings
Wheel clamp
Clamps can be bought for steel or alloy wheels and prevent the wheel from moving, meaning thieves can't drive off.

Steering wheel lock
These fit across the steering wheel and, as well as acting as an immobiliser, they are a visible deterrent for would-be thieves.

Removable steering wheel
An easily detachable steering wheel could have obvious anti-theft advantages.

Gear lock / Handbrake lock
These allow you to lock the gear stick to the handbrake.

Clutch claw
A clutch claw allows you to lock the brake and clutch pedals together.

Mule
A so-called 'mule' could be described as an angled leg that's dropped down from the body of the vehicle to the floor. This will dig into the ground if a would-be thief tries to drive or tow the vehicle away.

Alarm
Most modern motorhomes come with an alarm fitted as standard, but there are plenty on the market if yours is an older model and doesn't already have one.

As well as standard audible alarms, options include visible alarms and alarms with internal sensors. Interior sensors can be switched off or put into sleep mode when your motorhome is in use, preventing you or a pet from setting them off.

Immobiliser
Modern motorhomes tend to have an immobiliser, an electronic security device which prevents the engine from running.

Tracking device
If your motorhome does get stolen, you have a much better chance of getting it back if it's fitted with a tracking device. These send signals to a control centre, pinpointing your vehicle and, hopefully, enabling it to be retrieved.

Check your policy covers personal effects such as laptops, TVs, jewellery and cameras
Switched on to security
Security devices should be used whenever your motorhome is stationary, even if you only plan to be gone for 10 minutes.

Failing to activate any of the devices listed under your policy could invalidate your insurance, meaning the cover won't be paid out if your vehicle is stolen or damaged.

But the good news is that insurers tend to give discounts for a good combination of security devices, with some owners saving a substantial amount on their premium.

Qualifying for these discounts usually depends on you choosing security gadgets that are approved by specialist firms such as Thatcham or Sold Secure.

Do your research and compare different policy features as, in some cases, the insurance savings are likely to outweigh the cost of the security devices but, in other cases, they may not.

If you search for policies through Gocompare.com you'll be asked for details of where the vehicle is kept overnight and will be able to list the security devices you have on your motorhome.

The information you provide will play a part in calculating the prices and options you see in the comparison table.

On the move
It's easy to understand how your mobile home could be stolen when you're not around, but you might assume it's as safe as houses whilst you're on holiday in it. Sadly, it's all too easy for thieves to jump on board when your back is turned for just a moment.

Never leave your keys in the ignition, not even on the hard shoulder if you need to pull over to check something. An opportunist could steal the van in seconds, leaving you stranded at the roadside.

The same applies at a campsite when you leave the motorhome to use the shower block or pop to reception.

Lock up properly and make sure that there are no valuables visible through the windows.

Cover up
Make sure your policy covers not only theft of the motorhome itself but the personal effects you might take on holiday with you, such as laptops, TVs, jewellery and cameras.

Check the overall limit of the personal effects cover as well as the limit of each individual item, as you might find that some policies don't cover the full cost of a replacement item.

For example, your insurance might set a limit of £350 per stolen item, yet things such as laptops and wedding and engagement rings could be worth a lot more than this.

Consider instead whether high-value items are covered under other policies, such as a dedicated gadget insurance option, your travel insurance, a packaged bank account or home cover. The latter might include an 'away from home' clause covering the items whilst you are on holiday.

But again, check the small print carefully for a 'contribution' clause or a reference to 'other insurance', as in theory things could get complicated if a single item is covered under multiple policies.

Our guide to getting your motorhome ready for winter has lots more tips about security, especially during the colder months when mobile homes are more likely to be parked up or kept in a secure compound.

 

[martin2603]

Met a young couple in the South of France with a young child, Parked on the m/way Aire at Montpellier, and yes you know what's coming next, They were robbed, I think it was their first time out and were somewhat green. Of course they lost their money and cards. The van was a new Dethleffs , no evidence of gassing and the girls was a light sleeper! The Police attended and consoled them by saying it happens all the time down here.

Don't sleep on M/Way services.!!

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[Charlie]

those modern and cheap digital safes are as secure as a biscuit tin. can normally be opened without tools or damage

This is the item installed in our van... OK as I say above nowt is completely safe and anyone with the right gear could open anything.. Trust me this is one heavy duty wee safe.

What a bloody shame we have to fit these things in the first place !

http://www.ukofficedirect.co.uk/pro...00011936&gclid=CLvTu_Gcn8gCFQic2wodYJIKFA&s=1

 

[HymerB544]

I had a good quality safe fitted when we bought the van, secured from between the double floor, which means that even to get at it is not easy and it is a heavy duty item, opened by a long key; it is just big enough to hold iPad, original documents for us and the van, wallet, purse, Kindles and other odds and sods. Like others, I have several photocopies of all key documents. When out we take with us what we need. If it's the beach then a set of keys, some cash and no more. And Some years ago I bought a couple of decent quality portable safe boxes. They wouldn't stop a determined thief on the beach, but they can be fastened by a loop to a suitable anchor point. These are used to hold the keys and the cash, but we don't usually go in the sea or the pool together, so one of us is always near the beach tent.

 

[Don Quixote]

Guy's I'm not sure some of you get it. You post here you have this fitted and that fitted next to your photo of yourself or you MH/Van. You state things like "it is just big enough to hold iPad, original documents for us and the van, wallet, purse, Kindles and other odds and sods".
These days that is dangerous any person reading these posts and many do who are not members can link you to a photo to your MH/Van in the thief world thats easy picking.
Praemonitus, Praemunitus'

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[Don Quixote]

Found this online....
http://www.gocompare.com/motorhome-insurance/security/


Motorhome security and your insurance
What measures can you take to improve the security of your motorhome, and how may they impact on the price of your insurance?Broken Link Removed

Etc Etc Etc

A great post and lots of helpful information, however the average thief is an opportunist only and is not interested in stealing your MH he/she is ONLY after what they can steal and shift quickly for next to nothing.They will trash the place they are invading quickly so they can grab whatever, however they can quickly.
The only real point in your post that many MH owners are not aware of is many insurance company DO NOT cover personal effects you might take on holiday with you, such as laptops, TVs, jewellery and cameras......... because they know these are what the opportunist thief go for. Why because the average person leaves them in plain sight..............

 

[HymerB544]

We have a heavy duty Alko safe bolted through from beneath the van's double floor and fitted under a bed. It opens with a long key. We also copy all key documents and when out take only what we need. For the beach I take only what cash we need plus the van keys and lock them in a small potable safe box which I bought years ago. It is big enough to hold a wallet, keys and a mobile phone. The van itself is fitted with a Sigma alarm, which we can zone.

 

[The Wino]

Guy's I'm not sure some of you get it. You post here you have this fitted and that fitted next to your photo of yourself or you MH/Van. You state things like "it is just big enough to hold iPad, original documents for us and the van, wallet, purse, Kindles and other odds and sods".
These days that is dangerous any person reading these posts and many do who are not members can link you to a photo to your MH/Van in the thief world thats easy picking.
Praemonitus, Praemunitus'

What are the odds of someone looking at all these posts on a motorhome forum website finding the same motorhome following it and nicking stuff must be just about nil most thieves are opportunist and a bit thick (good job or it would be more difficult to catch them)

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[DBK]

We have a safe, it came with the MH and they are all in the same place so not hard for a well briefed thief to know where to look but it doesn't worry me. It is only a deterrent.

We don't carry our passports with us, only copies as I think the chances of being robbed, bag snatched etc are probably about the same as the MH being broken into. I also don't carry all my credit cards with me, keeping a different one (different account) in the safe so we should not be penniless if robbed, either in the street or the MH.

We are not paranoid about it, just use common sense.

 

[Don Quixote]

What are the odds of someone looking at all these posts on a motorhome forum website finding the same motorhome following it and nicking stuff must be just about nil most thieves are opportunist and a bit thick (good job or it would be more difficult to catch them)

Agreed, but why give them the information in the first place, giving them the opportunity.........
Using common sense should tell you that giving this sort of information is just plain silly.

 

[32143]

I think like many say a safe is good for preventing opportunist snatch and grab as long as you put your stuff away in it.
Read many posts on various forums about people having bags, purses, wallet nicked when they are asleep, why because they left them out, make it part of your routine to put such items away especially at night. Don't leave your wallet etc in your trousers on the cab seats.
Put them somewhere they couldn't be located without waking you up.
Save copies of all documents to cloud etc and ensure your cloud access is under separate password protection in case your, phone, laptop, tablet is nicked.
We don't have anything worth nicking and I do wonder if perhaps some of the opportunist robberies might be after you have been under surveillance of a kind?
Best to avoid taking too much valuable stuff away, money can be wired worldwide, passports can be replaced cards if cancelled straight away you wont loose out, but tip keep a list of bank card telephone numbers somewhere other than on yr phone.
Happy travelling.

Lin

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[gus-lopez]

i recommend one of these bolted through the floor or welded to a metal seat frame
Amazon product ASIN B0012X41VIcheap but very strong and effective

click here

Or both !

! The Police attended and consoled them by saying it happens all the time down here.

Don't sleep on M/Way services.!!

& a fat lot of use that lot are. If a copper/Guardia/Gendarme said that to me I'd be carted off as I'd slap them that hard !
Someone please explain to me how most of these happen on toll roads ?? Theoretically they are trapped on them so should be easy to follow on the cctv & track down, yet it goes on & on & on.Year after year.
I've always used protection on my vehicles to prevent them breaking in firstly, but to delay them that extra moment that might allow me to return, catch them in the act & remove them from this earth forever.

 

[Shrimp]

We have a safe bolted into a very unusual and difficult place to get to, it's a pain to use but I don't think anyone would find it! I hope!

 

[pappajohn]

those modern and cheap digital safes are as secure as a biscuit tin. can normally be opened without tools or damage

Agreed.
After reading a recent post and watching the video link I tried the technique on my digital safe.

Opened 3 times on the trot....less than 20 seconds for all three times.

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[pappajohn]

one with the right gear could open anything.. Trust me this is one heavy duty wee safe.

I have the right tools....one left hand and one right hand..... and there's a very good chance I could open that in less than 15 seconds causing absolutely no damage to the safe and leaving it in full working order.

 

[Reevsie]

A friend of mine has 2 safes. The first safe is in the cupboard opposite the door as you walk in. He leaves a wallet with a few real euros in it and some fake money. Fake cards in it a set of keys the don't ope anything, a fake Rolex bought for £5 and a few other worthless its and bobs. The safe is locked but it is not bored down. So the thief will just take the whole safe.
Elsewhere on the motorhome he has his real safe well hidden with his real valuable stuff in it.
He keeps his money and his passports in a fire blanket hidden behind a wall board he has to unscrew to get at.
He is an ex Police officer and has years of experience of where thieves look for valuables. He has never been broken into but I think his reasoning makes sense.

 

[kip]

We have a dog

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[gus-lopez]

A friend of mine has 2 safes. The first safe is in the cupboard opposite the door as you walk in. He leaves a wallet with a few real euros in it and some fake money. Fake cards in it a set of keys the don't ope anything, a fake Rolex bought for £5 and a few other worthless its and bobs. The safe is locked but it is not bored down. So the thief will just take the whole safe.
Elsewhere on the motorhome he has his real safe well hidden with his real valuable stuff in it.
He keeps his money and his passports in a fire blanket hidden behind a wall board he has to unscrew to get at.
He is an ex Police officer and has years of experience of where thieves look for valuables. He has never been broken into but I think his reasoning makes sense.

& that is how you have to approach it.

We have a dog

Is he armed ?
I can see it coming " yes, he's a gun dog "

 

[Big Nick]

Our van has a secret stash hole which you can't really see from a cursory look around. To get to it is quite difficult so needless to say the iPad and phones live in there when not being used

I'm getting a Strikeback fitted when funds allow which whilst it won't stop the quick smash and grab type thief from getting in hopefully they'll spend less time searching around with it blaring away

I'm sure some deadlocks will probably get fitted as well at some point

My main concern is the tv which we always remove from being on show but there's nowhere in the van it won't easily be found unfortunately

 

[Bartyfixedit]

Agreed.
After reading a recent post and watching the video link I tried the technique on my digital safe.

Opened 3 times on the trot....less than 20 seconds for all three times.

As did mine until I "modified" it a little with some high viscosity grease on the plunger and baffling the code reset button. Now I can't get it to open other than as it should do.

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[Larrynwin]

yes have a waterproof swim safe its small, for cash and cards only. always have fitted a safe, as most theft smash and grab, a safe secured through floor top the chassis will not interest many..... window/door alarms (cheap as chips)

no cat 1 alarm anymore as I consider them pointless, as mainly annoying, who takes any notice anyway..the smash and grabs theives could not care less

No cat 1 alarm ? My insurance would'nt help me a great deal without it

 

[Don Quixote]

No cat 1 alarm ? My insurance would'nt help me a great deal without it

I bet they only want Cat1 alarm for if it is stolen.

I also bet they they do not cover personal effects you might take on holiday with you, such as laptops, TVs, jewellery and cameras......... ONLY to replace stolen vehicle.
Ring them and check.

 

[maxine and jo]

three gsd and one rottie no probs leave window open for air!!!

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[eleanor rigby]

Close all Windows when you go out, fill with anaesthesia gas . When matey breaks in he gets gasses, then call police, easy.

 

[appydaze]

I leave my key under a brick by the hab. door. Nobody will suspect this security method.

 

[buttons]

I have all documents secure online so I can access them from my phone. Just leaves passport

I leave my key under a brick by the hab. door. Nobody will suspect this security method.

Ever have one of those moments, you pick the brick up break the window with it then spot the key......

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[Judge Mental]

Our van has a secret stash hole which you can't really see from a cursory look around. To get to it is quite difficult so needless to say the iPad and phones live in there when not being used

I'm getting a Strikeback fitted when funds allow which whilst it won't stop the quick smash and grab type thief from getting in hopefully they'll spend less time searching around with it blaring away

I'm sure some deadlocks will probably get fitted as well at some point

My main concern is the tv which we always remove from being on show but there's nowhere in the van it won't easily be found unfortunately

Why I carry a cheap TV......

 

[Don Quixote]

Another one of these threads that a OP'er opened, but has not replied to yet (the last one was about MH being impounded) I wonder why??? @The Camper has not replied.

 

[Paddywack]

Another one of these threads that a OP'er opened, but has not replied to yet (the last one was about MH being impounded) I wonder why??? @The Camper has not replied.

Do you approach everything in life with such negativity?

You leave me asking myself is the "blue rinse" significant?

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