Bike security advice

[Nikaboo]

Hi everyone! My family are in the process of renting motor homes to find a size and layout preference before we buy one. This year we want to take our bikes and have hired a motorhome with a bike rack. I would please like advice on the best way of securing the bikes to the rack and prevent theft when we are parked up. Can you help? Thank you!

 

[Sapper520]

Welcome.

Whilst on the carrier, a heavy duty chain and decent padlock. We’ve got an alarm loop, from the van, as well.

 

[GMLS]

I just use the biggest motorcycle chain and padlock I can get my hands on plus I have an accessory loop linked into the alarm (vanbitz).Both work best if you can loop them through the carrier but they can be easy to cut through or pulled apart with tools.Removing the front wheel would also stop them cycling away at least.If expensive, cover them up with a cover from bagsforeverything or similar but nothing is going to be fool proof.

 

[Soycd]

I use a couple of cable locks to lock the bikes together and to the bike rack, although we should use U locks.
If you want to make sure your insurance covers the bikes then you will need to ensure they are probably at least 'sliver' or 'gold' secured U shaped locks. A lot of bike specific insurance policies will not cover if you just use the cable part of a lock, you have to use the U part, if that makes sense? Having said that I'd check the policy regarding what you fasten the bikes to.

Kryptonite Keeper 12 Standard U-Lock with 4 foot Kryptoflex cable Sold

Complete solution - use the 4' cable to secure front wheel or accessories Security rating: Sold Secure Silver 12mm hardened steel shackle resist hand tools Reinforced collar over keyway for increased protection High security disc-style cylinder Includes click style transportation bracket New...

www.bikeparts.co.uk

 

[InvictaMoto]

Check whether the locks are Thatcham rated.

Some cheap locks can be little better than cheese....

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[Jimbohorlicks]

We use about 4 diffferent types of locks, Solulid D shackle, plastic sleeved chain and padlock., plastic sleeved wire lock and heavy duty steel link tupe chain. Plus the van alarm. All visible.

 

[suavecarve]

We use these ones as they fold and come with a container to leave them on the bike when not in use, no need for an extra key, can make them all the same code and are as good any D or U lock. They will need an angle grinder to get them off
Amazon product ASIN B09XDPVFS4

 

[Jake Royd]

Would echo all of the advice above.
We use a motorcycle chain and lock from Oxford, with I think12mm square links.
Nothing unusual about that.
I also have fitted a 12mm ubolt through the back panel of the van. The chain is looped through this.
Could it be cut through? Yes of course but it's a bit more secure than just going around the bike carrier which we also loop around.
The other piece of advice I would offer is put cheap low value bikes on the carrier , whether push or electric. The back of your motorhome is no place for a £3k or more bike.
If in the motorhomes garage then Ok perhaps.

 

[Ernesto]

If the bikes are worth anything to thieves, and they want them, nothing will stop them. A lithium battery powered, handheld angle grinder will cut through just about any chain or lock.

All you can do is try to alarm it, and choose a Sold Secure Gold or Diamond rated lock (Sold Secure is the best standard for bike locks) and the ones bike insurers usually specify - however they won’t insure anything that isn’t locked to something immovable using a gold standard lock usually, and a bike rack is not designed to resist the angle grinder at all and isn’t immovable .

It’s sad but the harsh truth is I wouldn’t leave anything I’d be sad to lose on a bike rack. That’s why we went for a 6,36m PVC so that I can get road bikes in the garage under the bed - just whip the wheel out and store it in a wheel bag. It also means no need for hanging bikes off the back door and drilling holes etc

 

[Nanniemate]

my bike goes on the back insurance says must have UBolt and the receipt for said bolt , apparently the van is classed as an immovable object , I did check with them, couple of extra cables and another cheapie Ubolt
So far so good used to worry now just enjoy and get on with it

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[Lenny HB]

Don't t overdchains and locks on a rack, an aluminium rack can be cut through in seconds.
A cover helps a lot they can't easily see if they are worth nicking so they move onto the next van

 

[jumar]

Don't t overdchains and locks on a rack, an aluminium rack can be cut through in seconds.
A cover helps a lot they can't easily see if they are worth nicking so they move onto the next van

Totally agree with Lenny...a MH bike rear carrier is not a secure fixing...
We wouldn't leave our bikes unattended on one...even when they are in our MH garage they are secured together...
Recently I've heard of attempts and successful theft's from vehicles whilst waiting for Ferries at Portsmouth Dock..

 

[Sapper520]

We loop the chain between both bikes, as well as the frame, in a figure of eight, connecting both bike frames. Both sets of wheels are locked together and the Growler alarm loop……along with a cover used.

The carrier is locked to the tow ball………won’t be the quickest of jobs to steal them, but still possible I know.

 

[scallywag15]

Totally agree with Lenny...a MH bike rear carrier is not a secure fixing...
We wouldn't leave our bikes unattended on one...even when they are in our MH garage they are secured together...
Recently I've heard of attempts and successful theft's from vehicles whilst waiting for Ferries at Portsmouth Dock..

we had three bikes stolen from right outside the police station in peterboro a couple of years ago . They were chained to the loops in the pavement in full view of the police office. "it happens all the time .they will be on the train to London by now!" Great. One of the bikes was hired from the bike man on the campsite. Long walk back to campsite. If they want it they will take it. The better secured the more damage they will cause.

 

[IRHP]

Check whether the locks are Thatcham rated.

Some cheap locks can be little better than cheese....

I've recently bought a new bike and have been sorting out insurance, all the ones I've looked at want a Soldsecure rating. Most of them want a gold rating if the bike is over £1000.

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[IRHP]

If the bikes are worth anything to thieves, and they want them, nothing will stop them. A lithium battery powered, handheld angle grinder will cut through just about any chain or lock.

All you can do is try to alarm it, and choose a Sold Secure Gold or Diamond rated lock (Sold Secure is the best standard for bike locks) and the ones bike insurers usually specify - however they won’t insure anything that isn’t locked to something immovable using a gold standard lock usually, and a bike rack is not designed to resist the angle grinder at all and isn’t immovable .

It’s sad but the harsh truth is I wouldn’t leave anything I’d be sad to lose on a bike rack. That’s why we went for a 6,36m PVC so that I can get road bikes in the garage under the bed - just whip the wheel out and store it in a wheel bag. It also means no need for hanging bikes off the back door and drilling holes etc

For a rack they don't even need an angle grinder. A standard pipe cutter will go through an aluminium tube silently in about 10 seconds.

 

[Sapper520]

we had three bikes stolen from right outside the police station in peterboro a couple of years ago . They were chained to the loops in the pavement in full view of the police office. "it happens all the time .they will be on the train to London by now!" Great. One of the bikes was hired from the bike man on the campsite. Long walk back to campsite. If they want it they will take it. The better secured the more damage they will cause.

Choice is make it easy or make it hard for them.

 

[KUSKUS]

I took my bike rack off a couple of months ago and couldn't believe how quickly it came off, so even if your bikes are locked to the rack it would be possible for two blokes to remove the rack with the bikes still attached and away in the back of there van !

 

[Nanniemate]

I've recently bought a new bike and have been sorting out insurance, all the ones I've looked at want a Soldsecure rating. Most of them want a gold rating if the bike is over £1000.

speak to your house insurance it can be put on as an extra and often has as good cover as the specialist cycle insurers and far lower cost it goes on as itemised

 

[Nanniemate]

I took my bike rack off a couple of months ago and couldn't believe how quickly it came off, so even if your bikes are locked to the rack it would be possible for two blokes to remove the rack with the bikes still attached and away in the back of there van !

For a rack they don't even need an angle grinder. A standard pipe cutter will go through an aluminium tube silently in about 10 seconds.

keep giving the crooks more ideas of how to steal stuff off MH's I'm sure they appreciate it

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[IRHP]

speak to your house insurance it can be put on as an extra and often has as good cover as the specialist cycle insurers and far lower cost it goes on as itemised

I tried that, my home insurance is with Direct line and they cover bikes up to £500 on that policy. I actually ended up using Direct Line but it has to be a seperate policy underwritten by Red Sands insurance.

 

[Guigsy]

We use these ones as they fold and come with a container to leave them on the bike when not in use, no need for an extra key, can make them all the same code and are as good any D or U lock. They will need an angle grinder to get them off
Amazon product ASIN B09XDPVFS4

These can be broken with a bolt splitter with relative ease. They generally don't get as high security ratings for that reason. They are a lot better than cables and they are generally pretty good for weight and convenience though.

 

[Ernesto]

keep giving the crooks more ideas of how to steal stuff off MH's I'm sure they appreciate it

I don't think thieves need to hang about on campervan forums, for ideas on how to steal bikes .... .

Its just sharing advice that is clear to some and not to others ...which is what this site is all about really.

 

[Nanniemate]

I tried that, my home insurance is with Direct line and they cover bikes up to £500 on that policy. I actually ended up using Direct Line but it has to be a seperate policy underwritten by Red Sands insurance.

I used to be with direct line but have moved away 20 years ago I had a car stolen they were very good. Had additional cover with them in case of leaks and stuff and all they do is come out and disconnect the boiler/water to reduce the claim on contents. At least I could turn the water off which was more than the person they sent out after 6 hrs. Good thing it was not a major flood and me totally helpless.
Bike insurance can be like peddling up hill to get the right one. Hope you find what you need .put it on cover it up and try not to worry. I'm always pleased when I get back to the van and it's still there. Tend to reverse unto bushes , against walls and stuff so they don't have easy access but at the end of the day if the want it they will have it.

 

[suavecarve]

These can be broken with a bolt splitter with relative ease. They generally don't get as high security ratings for that reason. They are a lot better than cables and they are generally pretty good for weight and convenience though.

Just taken a look on Utube for a video of it and they do get through it quicker than an angle grinder on a D lock and I suspect bike thieves will be more likely to carry the grinder than bolt splitter (or both) or they do where I work (probably about 2-3,000 pushbikes) and we are yet to have one of these broken in order to steal.

We did have an angle grinder job about 2 months ago, but we caught them so they wont be coming back for a while !

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[KUSKUS]

I insured my £2,500 electric Haibike with Saga on my household policy as a personal belongings , cost about £40 extra , I asked if I had to use a specific lock and they said no , as long its attached to an immovable object .

 

[Nanniemate]

I insured my £2,500 electric Haibike with Saga on my household policy as a personal belongings , cost about £40 extra , I asked if I had to use a specific lock and they said no , as long its attached to an immovable object .

that's what mine said and they class the van as immovable but did stipulate specific type of ubolt and be able to produce reciept if anything happens
A family member has bikes worth more than their care and insure the same way as they feel bike insurance can be a rip off and come with some very challenging stipulations

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Ideally have space in the MH to hide the bike away, and chain it down in that garage. Not possible with many MH's especially a PVC. Bottom line, even if your bike is valuable and worth having, make yours look harder to get at in the hope they will go for an easier target elsewhere. All you can do is make it challenging for the scumbag.

Firstly, keep the bike covered when on the rack. They've got to start poking around to decide if it's worth having.

If an ebike take the battery off and keep it out of sight in the van. As the battery alone might be worth £500 to replace the bike itself becomes a lot less attractive.

Have a good alarm system. The Strikeback / Growler of Vanbitz has an accessory loop (other alarm systems may also offer this). I wind the cable around both the bike and the carrier, and leave just a bit dangling below the cover so that scroat should see it has made their theft harder. If you don't have the accessory loop, you may still be able to get a standalone alarm.

As others have said the carrier itself, whether the tow bar mounted or van mounted type, isn't that strong. Decent tube cutters or an angle grinder will be through that far faster than any decent lock itself, and then they are away and can off the locks at a later date. All you can do is make it more challenging. Try and have at least two separate locking points onto the rack, and ideally find some way to have an added lock that can secure between bike and the MH chassis, or at least a towbar mounting point.

Think about where you are leaving your van. Are you leaving it there for a long while. Is it somewhere a lot of people will frequent and have easy access so opportunism is likely, or do they make a special effort to have to go there.

Bike insurance, whether a specialist policy or attached to your house contents is great. But remember if they've damaged your bike rack or van that has added to your issues.

 

[Nikaboo]

I cannot thank you all enough, my bikes are not super valuable and I've got some good pointers re insuring them, covering them, securing then and parking in hedges which seems like a top tip!

You've all helped so much, I'm very grateful.

 

[InvictaMoto]

I've recently bought a new bike and have been sorting out insurance, all the ones I've looked at want a Soldsecure rating. Most of them want a gold rating if the bike is over £1000.

I've got two of these for the bikes.

Oxford Monster Thatcham Sold Secure Gold Lock & 2.0m Chain OF803

Whether you need to secure your motorcycle, your quad bike or cruiser then an Oxford lock would make a fantastic choice. The Oxford Monster Chain and Lock is Sold Secure Gold and Thatcham approved, which gives you added confidence and security and may mean lower insurance premiums. With an...

www.msgbikegear.co.uk

Thatcham and Sold Secure.