Finding a Secure Spot for Spare Motorhome Keys

[iamarobot1999]

The thought of loosing your keys when a long way from a spare set has always stressed me out so I’ve always stashed a set somewhere.
Just picked up our new van and got underneath to fit a key safe.
Instantly found the spot and there was a bolt already perfectly placed to attach it!
Things a rarely that easy!

With the black rubber cover on it you’d never spot it.
Happy days.

 

[Oldrat]

Many do similar, but I don't think its a good idea to publicly broadcast that you do and more so put pics of where it is.

That style of safe is relatively easy to break into, just google videos of “opening key safes without a key”

Its your van, your choice though.

 

[Barti Ddu]

Hope you're insurance company aren't reading this!

 

[iamarobot1999]

My insurance company are far to busy counting all their cash to read this!

 

[David and Sally]

Seriously, if the van is stolen, even if not using those keys, the insurance company might want sight of two sets of keys. Best chat with them rather than risk it.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Barti Ddu]

Your policy T&Cs will almost certainly state that your cover is void if the motorhome is stolen with a set of keys on board.

What's the point of buying expensive insurance if you're going to void it, (and tell everyone about it too)?

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

If I was doing that it would have to be a third set that just opened the hab door.
If the van was stolen you wouldn't get paid if you couldn't produce 2 original sets of keys.
But best of luck with the safe.

 

[Geistguy]

Get a key that just opens the habitation door for the safe, if your van is stolen insurers will want both sets of vehicle keys, if you can't supply them your claim could be void. As a retired insurance broker I know first hand they will do this.

 

[RustyRuss]

I’m onboard with you on this, but refine it a bit, have a hab door key in the key safe and the ignition key hidden in the recesses of the van somewhere.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Seriously, if the van is stolen, even if not using those keys, the insurance company might want sight of two sets of keys. Best chat with them rather than risk it.

When my daughter's car was stolen the first things the insurance asked for were both keys. I got the impression that no key = no payout.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Mikey RV]

The last place I would advertise where my spare keys are is on an open forum. Hope you got good insurance.

 

[RustyRuss]

It isn’t rocket science to get another ignition key cut n programmed…..

 

[David and Sally]

I’m onboard with you on this, but refine it a bit, have a hab door key in the key safe and the ignition key hidden in the recesses of the van somewhere.

But that does not solve the two keys insurance thing. By all men’s hide a hab key but not an ignition key. Unless you have three!

 

[pappajohn]

Many do similar, but I don't think its a good idea to publicly broadcast that you do and more so put pics of where it is.

Do you know where the owner lives, when the van will be there and the registration ........ No, I thought not, and neither will a thief.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

I asked this exact question of our insurers, and it was an emphatic NO, even with an inboard safe. I don't know the O.Ps marital status et al, but splitting the key sets up between on board occupants seems the safest solution. Take any vehicle ID tags off the keys.
Mike.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jim]

MOTORHOME KEY SECURITY

All motorhome owners need to develop a policy to safeguard your motorhome keys. This is how we keep our motorhome keys safe.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Oldrat]

Do you know where the owner lives, when the van will be there and the registration ........ No, I thought not, and neither will a thief.

A bit presumptive of you old bean

 

[LesW]

We have two sets of keys, Mrs W always carries a (spare) set, hopefully we won't lose both sets.

 

[Nanniemate]

When my car was stolen I was asked did I have a second key , yes but no idea where it is
They said don't worry not an issue. I seemed that they were happy that it had not been stolen with a key

 

[busbuddy]

if your van is stolen insurers will want both sets of vehicle keys, if you can't supply them your claim could be void.

How would the insurer prove you had 2 keys to start with I know they are a rule unto themselves but as it's not a question on my policy or in the schedule and I only got one key with the van (I've since got a 2nd) I just wonder how they would legally void a claim because you cant provide a 2nd key as they have never asked if one even existed.
How would that work if you were burgled and they stole all your keys and your van

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Nanniemate]

How would the insurer prove you had 2 keys to start with I know they are a rule unto themselves but as it's not a question on my policy or in the schedule and I only got one key with the van (I've since got a 2nd) I just wonder how they would legally void a claim because you cant provide a 2nd key as they have never asked if one even existed.
How would that work if you were burgled and they stole all your keys and your van

My car policy did ask on first purchase itcwas a tick box. Not on the latest policy (that I've noticed)

 

[Roby2008]

I stash a spare key in herself´s wheelchair, I would only have a problem if she gets stolen.............

 

[TheBig1]

There are suppliers on ebay that will cut a plain metal key for your hab door from a photo of the original or the code. This gives a flat key that is far easier to hide.. On a "previous" an I had one taped to the inside wall of the van accessible from the fridge vent only if you knew where to feel for it Even then it was hard to feel just running your hands round. Much better than hiding it on the chassis as you dont have to lay on your back under the van and not easy to find

 

[nicholsong]

But that does not solve the two keys insurance thing. By all men’s hide a hab key but not an ignition key. Unless you have three!

Thanks. Good reminder to get third ignition key. We have several habitation door keys and OH carries one. Full set hidden in MH, but if it were stolen insurers would not know if I can produce 2 sets.

 

[maison]

Some years ago, on return to our motorhome, we found that the battery in the key fob had failed and we were unable to disable the alarm.

Knowing that we had a spare set hidden the m/h we opened the door anyway causing the alarm to operate. OK except that we couldn’t remember where we had hidden the key.

More than 15 minutes later, with the alarm constantly recycling, we found the keys and disarmed it. In the meantime many members of the public had passed by a motorhome with the alarm sounding and two people ransacking the cupboards without raising an eyebrow.

It shows how little notice people take of alarms. However, I agree with previous posts on this thread. Just store a habitation door key, not an ignition key in a “safe” place.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[VXman]

Get a key that just opens the habitation door for the safe, if your van is stolen insurers will want both sets of vehicle keys, if you can't supply them your claim could be void. As a retired insurance broker I know first hand they will do this.

I'm not sure about that. I have had plenty of cars in my lifetime (2nd hand) that only came with one key.

 

[ceejayt]

I asked this exact question of our insurers, and it was an emphatic NO, even with an inboard safe. I don't know the O.Ps marital status et al, but splitting the key sets up between on board occupants seems the safest solution. Take any vehicle ID tags off the keys.
Mike.

It’s interesting thought then. You go away to Europe and basically you are saying you can’t take a spare set of keys with you? Unless you take both sets out with you every time you leave which kind of negates having a second set.

How does anyone on here manage two sets of keys and not leave one in the van? Or is everyone leaving the spare set at home ?

 

[Richard n Ann]

I stuck a thin copy of the habitation key on the chassis with thick grease, it will be totally invisible now.
We only took one ignition key with us and kept it in the van safe, along with any other valuables. The camp site in Spain we stayed on had 24hr security too.

 

[nicholsong]

I stuck a thin copy of the habitation key on the chassis with thick grease, it will be totally invisible now.
We only took one ignition key with us and kept it in the van safe, along with any other valuables. The camp site in Spain we stayed on had 24hr security too.

So how do you know that it is still there?

 

[Richard n Ann]

So how do you know that it is still there?

A few years ago we got to Calais and I realised I had remembered absolutely everything, except the habitation door key. I had to lie under the van and dig the spare out, my fingers were bartled in grease but was so glad it was there

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}