Best budget security

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Fatmrsgeorge

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Having blown the life savings on the van, what do you recommend as the best budget security, apart from a great big dug.

We are not very screwdriver competent, unless it's in a glass.
 
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Wouldn't scrimp on the security, get a Metatraq or Van Bitz setup.

Just look on google for many of the stuff you put on wheel etc, against a theif for how useless most are (most cheap solutions are defeated in around 30 seconds or less).

Really with security the more you spend the better it'll be, you want something where the wiring isn't obvious to anyone with vehicle knowledge (as lets face it, things are stolen to order these days, so by having decent security it helps).

If your van is with some insurers they may insist on a rated tracking/alarm/immobiliser setup.

What I can say is the don't rely on the immobiliser on a Peogeot/Fiat van, having had a locksmith out to do us an additional key, it basically takes a small machine plugged into the OBD port to make a new key, and takes about 1 minute.
 
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Usually depending on Value of Van Ins Company's insist on a Tracker fitted👌
Edit : Probably a 'Disklock' for starters
 
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Burge said:
Usually depending on Value of Van Ins Company's insist on a Tracker fitted👌
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That’s not quite correct there are lots of companies that don’t want either we have a higher value van and LV= have not required any although I do have a strike back and non starter fitted.😊
 
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Speve said:
That’s not quite correct there are lots of companies that don’t want either we have a higher value van and LV= have not required any although I do have a strike back and non starter fitted.😊
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Stand to be corrected then.
CMHC ins insisted with ours.

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It's really worth considering a Vanbitz alarm - not cheap but you've invested and you want to keep that investment secure. Until you bite the bullet (dont forget your discount as a member) put as many visual deterrents as you can, clutch claw steering lock wheel lock etc
 
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VanBitz Taunton

Tracker
Immobiliser
Alarm
As a minimum.

Plus a steering lock/pedal lock, decent locks etc etc.
There is a good chance your insurance company will insist on tracker/immobiliser/alarm anyway.

Motorhomes of any age are desirable items, the older ones are stripped for spares as they typically have low milage,
the newer ones are given a new identity.

Bottom line is your security needs to be at least as good as anyone else's.
As for those in the know, the subtle VanBitz blue flashing LED means they will try any other van before yours.
 
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I suppose it depends on how much your life savings were. If they were £20,000 then maybe I’d think about scrimping but if you’ve bought a new or newish van then for me I think it would be false economy to try to save a few hundred pounds or a grand if you're talking a Strikeback plus growler.
 
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im with Starquake on this 1 why would you spend your life savings on something and then scrimp on its security

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Fatmrsgeorge said:
Having blown the life savings on the van, what do you recommend as the best budget security, apart from a great big dug.

We are not very screwdriver competent, unless it's in a glass.
Click to expand...
When I feel I am staying in a place which might need that little exert security as well as the alarm I feel it better to discourage naughty people. We no longer have a dog but I leave a large dog bowl of water, a heavy chain dog lead and sometime a large dog chew toy outside by the Habitation door. Makes me feel a little more comfortable.
 
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Budget security
Strap joining front two doors
An “elephant” on the hab door
A clamp when home.
 
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Fatmrsgeorge said:
Having blown the life savings on the van, what do you recommend as the best budget security, apart from a great big dug.

We are not very screwdriver competent, unless it's in a glass.
Click to expand...

In seriousness I would concur with what has been said so far:

  • The best available motorhome alarm, which you can also set when you're in the van (internal sensor switched off), which makes a racket and which also has bright external deterrent lights and some warning stickers. As others have said, Van Bitz Growler.
  • Then an immobiliser and tracker. MetaTrak is the one fitted by Van Bitz.

Then, if you also want a visual deterrent for someone who may be oblivious to the above cues, A yellow Stoplock Pro steering wheel lock. (Some prefer disklocks, but I like the Stoplock.)

It does cost some money, but it works - and it works in different circumstances. A break in when you're in or away, an attempted theft, an attempted theft by loading the vehicle onto a flatbed. And it has call centre support and you can track where it is.

Alternatively you could just be like those animals that evolve to look like more dangerous ones and just have some lights, stickers and warnings. This works a lot of the time - those animals also survive!
 
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Ah. Due to work it will be July before we could countenance a wee jaunt to Somerset. In the meantime, Fatmrg will enjoy clawing and clamping everything to within an inch of its life...
 
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Small personal alarms you get for a few pounds, connect one to each door and window with the loop attached to another part. If anyone tries to open any window or door they’ll certainly make a noise.

I wouldn’t recommend these as main alarm but handy until you get one and want to feel safe sleeping in van.
 
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lorger said:
Small personal alarms you get for a few pounds, connect one to each door and window with the loop attached to another part. If anyone tries to open any window or door they’ll certainly make a noise.

I wouldn’t recommend these as main alarm but handy until you get one and want to feel safe sleeping in van.
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Great idea ! Thanks
 
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If it’s a pvc ( panel van conversion) then camper protect for driver and passenger doors and barn doors at the back and a disc lock! Also if it’s a fiat ducato pro plates for doors with a key lock to prevent prick attacks!!!!!
If it’s a coachbuilt, elefant plate for the hab door for when you’re in it and a disc lock.
Also a Fiamma handle to aid getting in and out that locks when closed over the door!

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Alarm, decent tracker, disclock, security post (if on yr drive), security chains for front doors, prickstops on the locks, OBD lock and maybe a clutch claw…. As a minimum

Active CCTV

Then look at window locks, dead locks on hab door etc
 
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iandsm said:
When I feel I am staying in a place which might need that little exert security as well as the alarm I feel it better to discourage naughty people. We no longer have a dog but I leave a large dog bowl of water, a heavy chain dog lead and sometime a large dog chew toy outside by the Habitation door. Makes me feel a little more comfortable.
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Don’t tell everybody! Similar here……..
 
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Alarms also deter break ins, imagine being abroad and some scroat has helped themselves to your passports, credit cards etc if you had them in MH.....
 
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Deadlocks are always my first security related install. I don't scrimp on these. A 2 door kit will be around £130 up to a 4 door at £240 ish.

Then it is personal choice after that. The deadlocks put them off even trying. But have to admit they are most effective on panel vans. Coachbuilt doors are easier to get around. But even fitting them on the cab doors is well worth doing. Lock them before going in through the hab door. On my sliding door I had chain like you would find on a house door to stop people opening it when I was inside with the deadlock on that door not locked. This may work on coach built hab doors but as they are flimsy not sure.

My next move was a good quality safe to store electronics and valuables in.

A disable switch is also worth looking at. A secret switch that disables something like the fuel pump.

The VanBitz alarm is excellent and the one I would consider 1st if budget was no object.

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Fatmrsgeorge said:
Having blown the life savings on the van, what do you recommend as the best budget security, apart from a great big dug.

We are not very screwdriver competent, unless it's in a glass.
Click to expand...
Apart from a Scorpion S5 Tracker and alarm Imobiliser with instant text and phone notification and also a set Geofence around my property, i have the following:
Its on my drive with a Steel Post almost touching the rear Back Bar. I have 4x Motorcycle Chains threaded through all 4 wheels with Motorcycle Locks that means the wheels will not go past the Brake Calipers.
One of those Milenco Pedal Box Steel Covers and Finally a very cheap bit of Security..., A Motorcycle Disk Lock that goes through a small hole i drilled into the Steel Seat Base of the Drivers Rotating Seat. So the seat is locked facing the back doors. Very difficult to drive standing up!
At the end of the day you are looking to "buy time" as most Thieves want to be in out and away with the Vehicle. I met many Thieves in my time as a Prison Officer for over 20 years!
Apart from the Tracking System, all of the Mechanical Locks and Chains cost no more than a couple of hundred pounds!
 
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