Dodgy bloke knocking and asking to buy MH! (1 Viewer)

[Jammi]

Our MH is stored on my Dads drive.
Today a bloke in a truck with a thick Irish accent knocked at his door and asked if he’d like to sell the MH.
Dad said he was definitely a traveller type and was quite insistent.
Obviously said no, it wasn’t his MH anyway and we didn’t want to sell either.

Am now feeling a bit paranoid!
It’s not new, 2015 reg. We have an alarm and immobiliser so I was told by dealer.
Steering wheel lock, hab door lock and I went over this afternoon turned the cab seats and chained the cab doors together.
Parents park their car in front of it overnight too.

Am I right to be feeling worried?

 

[Otter Spotter]

Happens regularly and some say they are casing the vehicle and others say they are just asking the question to see if there’s a bargain to be had. No real evidence that they will steal your van but no reason not to upgrade your security.

 

[Dorwyn]

Yes. Did your dad get a picture of the guy?

 

[MattR]

We've had similar folk knocking on our door asking if we were interested in selling our 'van. We took extra precautions with security but there were no attempts to take it. Fortunately.

 

[Swifter]

Alright to be worried . I felt the same until it happened a few times . Always an Irish guy .
The same thing has happened to many funsters and to the best of my knowledge nobody has ever returned to steal a Motorhome after knocking and asking if it’s for sale .

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[Phill D]

i think its right to take positive steps to deter possible theft and retain your motorhome. You would kick yourself it you did nothing and it was taken.

however, he is unlikely to show his face at the door if he was going to nick it, although some people can be quite in your face about these things.

 

[Gina M]

I have read a few people on here who have had the same thing happen to them. You are right to worry I think you have done everything you can to secure the van, but I am sure there will be some good advice on here as to how to further secure it

 

[Jammi]

Yes. Did your dad get a picture of the guy?

He didn’t. Wouldn’t want him to be confrontational he’s 78!

 

[Dorwyn]

He didn’t. Wouldn’t want him to be confrontational he’s 78!

I'm 80. Wouldn't stop me having a video cam!

 

[Otter Spotter]

Even the Irish travellers are not daft enough to give you the opportunity to photograph them and be able to ID them by knocking on the door and speaking to whoever answers. If a MH is going to be nicked, it will be driven past and then taken and followed by the other motor to check that they are not being followed, usually at night and will be taken to order.

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[Jammi]

Fortunately we are due to be away in it this weekend, then it’s at the workshop for a few days getting some bits done.

We’re planning on getting a wheel lock and looking at tracker options at the NEC show in Feb.

 

[Jammi]

I'm 80. Wouldn't stop me having a video cam!

I didn’t mean to offend.
I meant I wouldn’t want him ruffling the blokes feathers by shoving a phone in his face.

 

[Gina M]

Fortunately we are due to be away in it this weekend, then it’s at the workshop for a few days getting some bits done.

We’re planning on getting a wheel lock and looking at tracker options at the NEC show in Feb.

I have read stories of people taking the driving seat out of their vans in order to secure them. A bit extreme they must live in the same area I grew up in.

 

[Gaston aires]

Can you not take off or disconnect the cranking Battery ?
Phil

 

[TheAleMan]

Our MH is stored on my Dads drive.
Today a bloke in a truck with a thick Irish accent knocked at his door and asked if he’d like to sell the MH.
Dad said he was definitely a traveller type and was quite insistent.
Obviously said no, it wasn’t his MH anyway and we didn’t want to sell either.

Am now feeling a bit paranoid!
It’s not new, 2015 reg. We have an alarm and immobiliser so I was told by dealer.
Steering wheel lock, hab door lock and I went over this afternoon turned the cab seats and chained the cab doors together.
Parents park their car in front of it overnight too.

Am I right to be feeling worried?

Be very careful. My late in-laws had two caravans nicked in this manner.

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[Gina M]

I didn’t mean to offend.
I meant I wouldn’t want him ruffling the blokes feathers by shoving a phone in his face.

I am sure they are aware too that most homes nowadays have video doorbells.

 

[Nanniemate]

I've got a big sign on me .' Take it it's knackered'
Seems to work its still on the drive ,

 

[Dorwyn]

I didn’t mean to offend.
I meant I wouldn’t want him ruffling the blokes feathers by shoving a phone in his face.

No offence!

 

[Jammi]

I have read stories of people taking the driving seat out of their vans in order to secure them. A bit extreme they must live in the same area I grew up in.

Does sound extreme. Along with all the wheels and half the engine parts?!

 

[Gina M]

Does sound extreme. Along with all the wheels and half the engine parts?!

sounds extreme but true, people do it!!

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[gus-lopez]

Does sound extreme. Along with all the wheels and half the engine parts?!

Too much is not enough.

 

[Jammi]

Can you not take off or disconnect the cranking Battery ?
Phil

I wouldn’t know where to start with this.
Also would worry it could affect the alarm etc.

Might have to look into a wheel lock before February.

 

[poppycamper]

If they going to steal..... they won't advertise by knocking on your door..
You will wake one morning and your moho won't be there..

 

[TOAD on Tour]

Does sound extreme. Along with all the wheels and half the engine parts?!

I agree, a little over the top!! Sensible precautions absolutely. End of the day my van insurance is still a fair bit less than my car insurance but the van is worth around 3-4 times more than my car…..so that says something regarding the risk etc…..I certainly have no plans to dismantle the car on my drive that’s parked next to the MH

 

[Parrot Face]

Had a number of irish people asking me about my motorhome. I don't understand the link between 'Irish' and the need to be cautious. My experience is that these guys are extremely polite and never pushy. Always very sociable and good humoured. We live in a cul de sac and spot everybody driving into the grove. I am more concerned with the number of vehicles with 'english' plates that drive into the grove with two guys in them that stop and have a good luck at the motorhome and drive off. If you lived on a normal street you probably wouldn't notice these people.

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[Tombola]

Happened to me with my old van about 10 years ago. I've no problem with it..they can ask and I can refuse or sell.
Funny thing tho...2 of my jackies came scampering out and they asked if they were for sale too ...
They were decent enough lads.

 

[Jev88]

Happened to me too. Stuck to my guns on price (High!!!) and they got bored. But I made a point of taking picture of their van and told them that's for my security and they got bored and left.
They aren't necessarily looking to steal. They know if they get it cheap they can flip it for little effort and a quick profit.

 

[bobnick]

Our MH is stored in a secure compound 8 miles from home so we are unlikely to get these knocks on house door..............thankfully as HRH would freak out.

 

[TOAD on Tour]

Happened to me too. Stuck to my guns on price (High!!!) and they got bored. But I made a point of taking picture of their van and told them that's for my security and they got bored and left.
They aren't necessarily looking to steal. They know if they get it cheap they can flip it for little effort and a quick profit.

Agreed, I’ve said this before when a similar thread was written, I know of a small dealer in the South West that has travelers do exactly what is being described here and buys them off them as he feels he’s getting a better quality van than most of what he sees in the auctions.

 

[Odd job]

I had a man offer to buy my caravan, I let him have a look inside, I am thinking of selling so I was interested in the offer, it was low and they left me a number in case I changed my mind. Not worried about them nicking it, it has good security although if "they" want it they will get it.

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