Advice please on security and driver convenience

[Rogerlathbury]

Hi all,
Total newbie here, looking for advice and help please. For a 7metre, max 4500kg motorhome
For security:
1. Do I need electronic and mechanical, and if so which and approx fitted cost:
a. Alarm system
b. Tracker
c. Steering lock / clutch pedal lock
d. Deadlocks on doors
e. Road wheel clamp
f. Other
For driver convenience (which and approx cost fitted):
1. Navigation, built in or out of the box plug in
2. Rear view camera and / or rear parking sensors
3. Other

All help and advice would be most appreciated.

 

[jollyrodger]

eddievanbitz I would say would be best to advise you .

 

[Pausim]

Some insurance companies stipulate a Thatcham standard of tracker over certain values.

 

[clanjones]

So we have an alarm, tracker and a disklok and are comfortable with that.

I toyed with fitting dead locks but if you have the misfortune to be broken in to a lot more damage can be done. (If it is Ford based vehicle dead locks are a must, loads of threads on that problem)

We leave the alarm, switching of the movement sensor, on at night and have an alarm extension for the bike, which is always covered as well.

There are a lot of simple things you can do as well such as leaving a visible wallet with a few euros and old credit/ debit cards, we always put our wallets close to us when sleeping, but hidden etc. incase you are broken into.

At the end of the day it comes down to your view on risk but don't get too hung up on it!

 

[Stealaway]

If its a Ford all of them????
I would think a tracker and an obvious mechanical device should be enough. Stopping them getting in the van is never going to be easy. The more security the more damage there are going to do. Don't leave any valuables in the van.

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[Bonkers the Dog]

Hi,

I'm fairly new to all this and I went the following route based on the philosophy of 'defence-in-depth'.

1/The vehicle has central locking, alarm and steering lock fitted as standard.
2/The habitation area has a PIR activated alarm system fitted.
3/Externally all doors that would allow any kind of access have THULE slide locks fitted and the driver and hab door are deadlocked.
4/I use a milenco wheel clamp as a visual deterrent.
5/I have had a tracker installed, Thatcham approved for insurance purposes.
6/The vehicle is always parked securely on my drive.

I had toyed with the idea of fitting a physical steering lock as well but frankly if they get that far they are more than determined and it won't make a difference!

What I am thinking of the next time its in for a service is to have a concealed ignition cut out fitted as a final barrier to removal. But bear in mind if they really, really want it they will get it if they are professional enough; they could just tow it away to a secure spot and work on it there.

I am also lucky to live in a fairly low crime area...always a bonus.

 

[Bonkers the Dog]

Oh, and as far as sat nav is concerned? Use your phone and get your navigator to do the grunt work. I have a fancy built in version but its a PITA to use, takes ages to programme, is a bit finicky and I was quoted about £150 to up date the maps; AYE RIGHT! Google maps will do me fine thanks Pal, and its free.

 

[ctc]

Alarm and tracker only fit if the insurance insist. All security locks do is delay entry (and the alarm sounds for a few seconds longer) if the robber is only after contents he will do more damage to a very secure van, if they want the van they will take it. If you want 99% security a large, antisocial pooch left in the van.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

. If you want 99% security a large, antisocial pooch left in the van.

That can put fires out

 

[Clarky]

Welcome to Fun and the world of motorhomes.

For security both when the van is parked and when you are sleeping at night you will be hard pressed to beat a VanBitz Growler alarm plus a non starter.
It’s not the cheapest option but it is good. As a paid up member on Fun you can get a 10% discount to slightly ease the pain when you get the bill. (Must ask for the discount when you book)

For navigation either a separate Garmin or similar or the much cheaper option of using phone (small screen) or tablet (nice big screen that’s easier to see) and run CoPilot or similar. Built in sat-nags can be expensive and a pain to update.
Rear view camera an essential in my opinion.

Have fun with your new van.

Richard.

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[Riverbankannie]

An alarm that you can set with interior movement sensors and that you can set with interior sensors off when sleeping in it at night.
A rear view camera helps with insurance quotes as well as making reversing easier although don’t rely on it especially when reversing onto pitches that may have overhanging tree branches.

 

[gus-lopez]

For security:
1. Do I need electronic and mechanical, and if so which and approx fitted cost:
a. Alarm system
b. Tracker
c. Steering lock / clutch pedal lock
d. Deadlocks on doors
e. Road wheel clamp
f. Other

Yes all of them . Remember gus-lopez's mantra " too much is not enough"®
** also applies to money sex & speed**

 

[Rogerlathbury]

So we have an alarm, tracker and a disklok and are comfortable with that.

I toyed with fitting dead locks but if you have the misfortune to be broken in to a lot more damage can be done. (If it is Ford based vehicle dead locks are a must, loads of threads on that problem)

We leave the alarm, switching of the movement sensor, on at night and have an alarm extension for the bike, which is always covered as well.

There are a lot of simple things you can do as well such as leaving a visible wallet with a few euros and old credit/ debit cards, we always put our wallets close to us when sleeping, but hidden etc. incase you are broken into.

At the end of the day it comes down to your view on risk but don't get too hung up on it!

 

[Rogerlathbury]

many thanks clanjones for your advise

 

[Rogerlathbury]

eddievanbitz I would say would be best to advise you .

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[Rogerlathbury]

Many thanks jollyrodger, i'll check them out

 

[Rogerlathbury]

If its a Ford all of them????
I would think a tracker and an obvious mechanical device should be enough. Stopping them getting in the van is never going to be easy. The more security the more damage there are going to do. Don't leave any valuables in the van.

 

[Rogerlathbury]

thanks Stealaway, sound advice

 

[Rogerlathbury]

Hi,

I'm fairly new to all this and I went the following route based on the philosophy of 'defence-in-depth'.

1/The vehicle has central locking, alarm and steering lock fitted as standard.
2/The habitation area has a PIR activated alarm system fitted.
3/Externally all doors that would allow any kind of access have THULE slide locks fitted and the driver and hab door are deadlocked.
4/I use a milenco wheel clamp as a visual deterrent.
5/I have had a tracker installed, Thatcham approved for insurance purposes.
6/The vehicle is always parked securely on my drive.

I had toyed with the idea of fitting a physical steering lock as well but frankly if they get that far they are more than determined and it won't make a difference!

What I am thinking of the next time its in for a service is to have a concealed ignition cut out fitted as a final barrier to removal. But bear in mind if they really, really want it they will get it if they are professional enough; they could just tow it away to a secure spot and work on it there.

I am also lucky to live in a fairly low crime area...always a bonus.

 

[Rogerlathbury]

thanks Bonkers the Dog, all good advice

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[Rogerlathbury]

Alarm and tracker only fit if the insurance insist. All security locks do is delay entry (and the alarm sounds for a few seconds longer) if the robber is only after contents he will do more damage to a very secure van, if they want the van they will take it. If you want 99% security a large, antisocial pooch left in the van.

 

[Rogerlathbury]

ctc the more I read advice the more I get paranoid about it. As you probably satisfy the insurance and allow them to take it if they really want it !

 

[Rogerlathbury]

Welcome to Fun and the world of motorhomes.

For security both when the van is parked and when you are sleeping at night you will be hard pressed to beat a VanBitz Growler alarm plus a non starter.
It’s not the cheapest option but it is good. As a paid up member on Fun you can get a 10% discount to slightly ease the pain when you get the bill. (Must ask for the discount when you book)

For navigation either a separate Garmin or similar or the much cheaper option of using phone (small screen) or tablet (nice big screen that’s easier to see) and run CoPilot or similar. Built in sat-nags can be expensive and a pain to update.
Rear view camera an essential in my opinion.

Have fun with your new van.

Richard.

 

[Rogerlathbury]

thanks Richard, again sound advise. Looks like i'll be discussing with Vanbitz !

 

[Grianan]

Hi, for driving the twin rear view mirror is the best ... we have 2 views, one normal, one close up. Could not be without it.
Security... alarm, including perimiter alarm and immobiliser. Ours constantly flashes when on. Highly visible. After that go for a visible deterrent that you will use.

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[Rogerlathbury]

Hi all,
Total newbie here, looking for advice and help please. For a 7metre, max 4500kg motorhome
For security:
1. Do I need electronic and mechanical, and if so which and approx fitted cost:
a. Alarm system
b. Tracker
c. Steering lock / clutch pedal lock
d. Deadlocks on doors
e. Road wheel clamp
f. Other
For driver convenience (which and approx cost fitted):
1. Navigation, built in or out of the box plug in
2. Rear view camera and / or rear parking sensors
3. Other

All help and advice would be most appreciated.

 

[Rogerlathbury]

Following up many of your recommendations for trackers and alarms, I've checked through a number of sites including Vanbitz. Yes I understand that insurance may not want to insure you and making the van a higher target, still they are scarily expensive. There are stats that say 1500 vans are stolen every year, but so are many more luxury cars. Luxury car manufacturers have been fitting as standard reversing sensors, sat nav, trackers, alarms etc for years, but for many motorhomes these are often cost options. Even some air con in cabs is at an extra cost.
Sorry rant over!!!

 

[Vipar]

A self igniting blowtorch is a good deterrent if they are trying to get in. You can make them toast. You can take that how you like personally I don’t use bread?

 

[The Wino]

Just like any form of security on your house you could have an alarm system constantly remotely monitored 12' fencing a moat security dogs steel shutters bars downstairs etc etc and still get burgled !!! You just decide what you are comfortable with.

 

[eddie]

Following up many of your recommendations for trackers and alarms, I've checked through a number of sites including Vanbitz. Yes I understand that insurance may not want to insure you and making the van a higher target, still they are scarily expensive. There are stats that say 1500 vans are stolen every year, but so are many more luxury cars. Luxury car manufacturers have been fitting as standard reversing sensors, sat nav, trackers, alarms etc for years, but for many motorhomes these are often cost options. Even some air con in cabs is at an extra cost.
Sorry rant over!!!

Hi, who has said that there are 1500 van stolen every year?