Ford based motorhome thefts over the last year. Please report

[Paul and Val]

Sometime ago I received a lecture from another forum member on the foolishness of buying a Ford Transit based Camping car 'because they all get nicked off drives'. In essence I was told by several people about the supposed weaknesses of Ford security.

I just wonder how big the problem is? After the negative comments I discussed it with several motorhome dealers here in France and also my insurance broker. All expressed surprise and no extra risk was known regarding Ford based vehicles over here.

I went for the Ford due to far greater torque and power over the FIAT based units.

How many forum members have had a Ford based vehicle stolen in the last year?

If you have had that happen to you then you have my sincere sympathy but it would be good to hear from actual owners who have suffered.

I wonder if there will be lots of reports or few. Of course only a fairly small percentage of motorhomes are Ford based but I am told by my local Chausson dealer that he sold three times as many Ford based Chaussons compared to the FIAT based Chaussons available from the same dealer in the 2019 season.

Please comment if you have been unfortunate.

 

[Speve]

I think the fords in UK are easy targets for the itinerant community to use as they are RHD for use in UK and in France would be LHD perhaps your itinerants have not cottoned on yet?
This is not based on any facts or figures just MHO?

 

[Dan and Jan]

I heard all the scare stories and still went ahead and bought a Chausson Flash 530 last weekend. Already came with a tracker and alarm.
170bhp and under 6m happy days.
Fitted a clutch claw and Stoplock. Driveway has 2 locking posts, don’t ask, 2 different length motorhomes.
Great van.

 

[Gellyneck]

Don't have a Ford based motorhome (FIAT) but when sourcing insurance quotes a number of them asked if Ford based as there may be an additional premium. Whether there is or not?

 

[AXO66]

Don't have a Ford based motorhome (FIAT) but when sourcing insurance quotes a number of them asked if Ford based as there may be an additional premium. Whether there is or not?

not knicked yet, but do have a number of safeguards in place.

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[Jev88]

When ringing round for my annual renewal I was specifically asked if it was Ford based twice.
I read somewhere the Ford diagnostic port might be the issue? Plug in and override the factory alarms and immobiliser?

 

[Dan and Jan]

Got a quote through Caravan Guard. Ford or Fiat no difference.

 

[Eggs]

Not Moho, but Ford work vans, 3 lads I know have had them go missing, apparently they are easy to get away. In my opinion, if the buggers want them they will take them.

 

[gus-lopez]

Sometime ago I received a lecture from another forum member on the foolishness of buying a Ford Transit based Camping car 'because they all get nicked off drives'. In essence I was told by several people about the supposed weaknesses of Ford security.

I just wonder how big the problem is? After the negative comments I discussed it with several motorhome dealers here in France and also my insurance broker. All expressed surprise and no extra risk was known regarding Ford based vehicles over here.

I went for the Ford due to far greater torque and power over the FIAT based units.

How many forum members have had a Ford based vehicle stolen in the last year?

If you have had that happen to you then you have my sincere sympathy but it would be good to hear from actual owners who have suffered.

I wonder if there will be lots of reports or few. Of course only a fairly small percentage of motorhomes are Ford based but I am told by my local Chausson dealer that he sold three times as many Ford based Chaussons compared to the FIAT based Chaussons available from the same dealer in the 2019 season.

Please comment if you have been unfortunate.

Your in France and I'm in Spain. The problem isn't here but the UK.

 

[Eggs]

Talk about panic, 35 deaths out of 1,300 infected in the UK, many less than die of flu type symptoms this time of year. A lot of countries that are much more heavily populated than the UK are seeing reduced numbers of infection/mortality. I blame B.....

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[Gellyneck]

Talk about panic, 35 deaths out of 1,300 infected in the UK, many less than die of flu type symptoms this time of year. A lot of countries that are much more heavily populated than the UK are seeing reduced numbers of infection/mortality. I blame B.....

Ehhhhhh. fink you might be in the wrong thread?

 

[Eggs]

Ehhhhhh. fink you might be in the wrong thread?

You are indeed correct, how I managed that one...

 

[Paul and Val]

So, so far not one Forum member has reported a Ford based theft in the last year. Still early days of course but I just wonder how many we will see reported over the next few days.

Not everybody will have read the thread but Sunday evening is a pretty popular time and I half expected (from all the rumours) that there would be dozens of reports...………..

It will be interesting to watch reporting progress on this.

 

[Brains]

Had two Ford Transit minibusses stolen
One in 2018 other in 2015
The word from the police is they are simply too easy to open.

Our local Borough has a fleet of Ford Transit minibusses used for school runs etc.
They have changed the locks on all of them as standard after a number were stolen.
Ford Transit replacement locks link

Lets put it this way:
A Google search for 'Ford Transit replacement locks' get lots of results.
Try the same for Fiat, Mercedes or VW you don't get many/any hits

If I had a Ford Transit motorhome I'd change the locks.
(I'd also fit alarm and tracker, but that would apply to every make and model)

 

[Dan and Jan]

Had two Ford Transit minibusses stolen
One in 2018 other in 2015
The word from the police is they are simply too easy to open.

Our local Borough has a fleet of Ford Transit minibusses used for school runs etc.
They have changed the locks on all of them as standard after a number were stolen.
Ford Transit replacement locks link

Lets put it this way:
A Google search for 'Ford Transit replacement locks' get lots of results.
Try the same for Fiat, Mercedes or VW you don't get many/any hits

If I had a Ford Transit motorhome I'd change the locks.
(I'd also fit alarm and tracker, but that would apply to every make and model)

It will be interesting what the quote will be for drivers, passenger doors. No prices on their site. Submitted a form.

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[Ernesto]

A recent thread asking for owners of vans that had been stolen, to report their security setup, yielded very little.

I suspect (relatively) very few vans get stolen out of the total community, and of them an even smaller number read this forum, and will find this specific thread ...and an even smaller number are Ford owners and then feel motivated to share....

It provokes good conversation but if you're worried about Transit security, I dont think its a representative way to establish if theres a problem. And it all depends on the model year you're concerned about - given Ford update their vehicles all the time, it will change.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Reality is that a section of the community buy Transits not Fiats

Those Transits need spare gearboxes and engines and Cats etc that are hugely expensive and in some cases on long ‘back’ order

sometimes a 50k MoHo will get nicked for a £700 cat

 

[thebriars]

This is from 6 months ago, a warning after 30 motorhomes stolen in 6 months in North Wales:
"To date all the thefts have occurred overnight with the vehicles being taken without using genuine keys.

We want to warn owners of Fiat Ducato and Peugeot Boxer motorhomes, which seem to be particularly targeted across the region.

We believe that the thieves are using technology widely available online to override the manufacturer’s security measures, including the electronic immobiliser."
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/warning-after-30-motorhomes-stolen-17101539

And another similar article from Feb this year, again Fiats being targetted:

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18266809.appeal-information-motorhome-thefts/

Frankly, it seems any make is a target these days.

 

[thebriars]

I went for the Ford due to far greater torque and power over the FIAT based units.

And the 5 year warranty surely?

 

[suavecarve]

Ford motorhomer here who poo poos the incessant Ford will get stolen off your driveway threads regularly with the same point you are making in that I dont think anyone on here has had one stolen (from memory)

HOWEVER, it is basically true (that fords are easier to nick and generally by the non paid up members of the caravan club) but a few simple precautions such as alarm, immobiliser and GPS tracker stickers on top of turning the seats round in a locked position moves on them to the next Ford owner who probably isnt a member of this forum to gain somewhere near the truth.

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[Paul and Val]

Reality is that a section of the community buy Transits not Fiats

Those Transits need spare gearboxes and engines and Cats etc that are hugely expensive and in some cases on long ‘back’ order

sometimes a 50k MoHo will get nicked for a £700 cat

Sorry, I have read a great deal about weak FIAT gearboxes but have never seen negative comments about Ford gearboxes. Certainly I had a 240,000 mile 155bhp turbo diesel Mondeo with a changed clutch but the original gearbox (I know it may be a different gearbox). Cats are down to drivers driving far too slowly to clean out the cat. FIATS, Fords and any other brands are exactly the same.

Also with respect, your argument is about a very different topic. Poor quality Ford against FIAT. I was not asking what you preferred but just about stolen Ford vehicles. If you love FIATs and the 130 bhp engine against the 170bhp Ford, good luck. Each to his own. I love Citroens as well so nobody is perfect!

One person so far had reported having two (old model) Ford Transits being stolen. Nobody so far has a theft of the latest vesion and we have had a report of problems with FIAT.

I hate (not really) to mention the B word but just as people who voted to leave (poor souls) do not have a good word to say about Europe and especially the wonderful EU, (I can hear the complaints coming now!), where are all the reports of modern Ford Camping Car/Motorhomes actually being stolen as against 'my mate had............……')

I ask the polite question, not to annoy all the drivers of FIAT camping cars but merely to get some clarity to the (seemingly) wild exagerations of Ford thefts.

I stand to be corrected.

If you have actually had a Ford motorhome stolen, as against you read somewhere that somebody had one stolen, in the last year, please report here.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

non paid up members of the caravan club

 

[suavecarve]

You know what i used to do so......

where i worked we have a place called Ash near Aldershot.
It is full of those members.
It was/is known as the "Independant peoples republic of Ashghanistan"

 

[ShaKen]

First thing I did after ordering my Chausson on Ford was get the locks changed....

That and a full alarm system upgrade, plenty of gizmos and an insurance policy that gives new for old for 2 years.

Unfortunately it’s not been stolen yet ?

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Sorry, I have read a great deal about weak FIAT gearboxes but have never seen negative comments about Ford gearboxes. Certainly I had a 240,000 mile 155bhp turbo diesel Mondeo with a changed clutch but the original gearbox (I know it may be a different gearbox). Cats are down to drivers driving far too slowly to clean out the cat. FIATS, Fords and any other brands are exactly the same.

Also with respect, your argument is about a very different topic. Poor quality Ford against FIAT. I was not asking what you preferred but just about stolen Ford vehicles. If you love FIATs and the 130 bhp engine against the 170bhp Ford, good luck. Each to his own. I love Citroens as well so nobody is perfect!

One person so far had reported having two (old model) Ford Transits being stolen. Nobody so far has a theft of the latest vesion and we have had a report of problems with FIAT.

I hate (not really) to mention the B word but just as people who voted to leave (poor souls) do not have a good word to say about Europe and especially the wonderful EU, (I can hear the complaints coming now!), where are all the reports of modern Ford Camping Car/Motorhomes actually being stolen as against 'my mate had............……')

I ask the polite question, not to annoy all the drivers of FIAT camping cars but merely to get some clarity to the (seemingly) wild exagerations of Ford thefts.



I stand to be corrected.

If you have actually had a Ford motorhome stolen, as against you read somewhere that somebody had one stolen, in the last year, please report here.

Comfort Insurance have clearly had issues, they want extra security to cover a Ford

and to be clear, I never said Fords were less reliable than Fiats did I

I said that a section of the community need more PARTS for Fords than they do for FIATS ( as they dont have many if any Fiats)
Brexit is something I didnt mention at all in spite of you Quoting me

read my post properly and step down off that enormous horse please

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[rob0114]

Got a quote from comfort last week on our Ford chausson- £20 dearer than our current insurer so premiums don't seem high tbh. The online quote form stops at the end & asks you to call because of the base vehicle however found their quote reasonable £325.

On our ford have an alarm (with non start tag system) OBD port lock & tracker - didn't go for extra locks as think they will just damage hab doors/windows instead & then hit the extra security which hopefully puts them off

No attempts to steal ours in 2 years (and yes touching wood atm!).

Would I go back to Fiat? personally no - and in any case Fiats seem just as vulnerable now as the same methods for taking Fords are being used against them also.

 

[68c]

Talk about panic, 35 deaths out of 1,300 infected in the UK, many less than die of flu type symptoms this time of year. A lot of countries that are much more heavily populated than the UK are seeing reduced numbers of infection/mortality. I blame B.....

Post was in the wrong thread but...........Over 40,000 died in the UK in the winter of 2014/2015. Listed as winter deaths.

 

[Brains]

One person so far had reported having two (old model) Ford Transits being stolen. Nobody so far has a theft of the latest version and we have had a report of problems with FIAT.

The 2015 theft was of a 2003 Transit
The 2018 theft was of a 2007 Transit

Both vehicles were:
Over 10 years old
Had low mileage for the age
In pretty good nick for their age
Had been serviced, with no expense spared their entire lives
Had standard Ford locks
One had a steering wheel to pedal lock
Other had a secret cut out switch

Police suspected "Non paying members of the Caravan Club" (good term, I'm going to have to use that one again!) stole them for spares. As it was a charity they were stolen from (and fully badged up)

Basically buy an old wreck the same age, swap over every part that moves or can be unbolted, end result is a van that is good for another 10 years, free of charge.

 

[Paul and Val]

Comfort Insurance have clearly had issues, they want extra security to cover a Ford

and to be clear, I never said Fords were less reliable than Fiats did I

I said that a section of the community need more PARTS for Fords than they do for FIATS ( as they dont have many if any Fiats)
Brexit is something I didnt mention at all in spite of you Quoting me

read my post properly and step down off that enormous horse please

Fantastic! Thank you so much for cheering me up on a night when our restaurant has had to close due to the virus. I said to Val, my wife, that somebody would misread/over-react to my quite calm (I thought) post.

I did NOT quote you but referred to the awful B just as an example of the way people totally overreact (and you made my point perfectly, thank you very much.).

The post has been up for about 7 hours I think and so far one person has reported two thefts of old model Fords.

So I ask again. Not if you prefer Fords or the feeble engined FIATS but rather, have you as a forum member ACTUALLY HAD A FORD MOTORHOME stolen in the last year?

Somebody asked if I was worried about having my Ford Chausson stolen? Noooooooo! I think (and so far I have been proved correct), that it is absolutely safe. (And besides, I have a thing called 'Insurance'. It may be a new idea in the UK?).

I genuinely asked the question at the top of the post because I was interested in the responses and if Fords were really open to more thefts than other marques .

I absolutely will be the first to say that I was misguided if we get an avalanche of reports of stolen Fords but so far.....….........…..

 

[Paul and Val]

The 2015 theft was of a 2003 Transit
The 2018 theft was of a 2007 Transit

Both vehicles were:
Over 10 years old
Had low mileage for the age
In pretty good nick for their age
Had been serviced, with no expense spared their entire lives
Had standard Ford locks
One had a steering wheel to pedal lock
Other had a secret cut out switch

Police suspected "Non paying members of the Caravan Club" (good term, I'm going to have to use that one again!) stole them for spares. As it was a charity they were stolen from (and fully badged up)

Basically buy an old wreck the same age, swap over every part that moves or can be unbolted, end result is a van that is good for another 10 years, free of charge.

I am without being in anyway flipant, sincerely sorry for your losses. My post was in no way designed to minimise the awful loss of a vehicle.

I was honestly asking as there seems to be so much misinformation around. I wish you the very best of luck and kind regards
Paul

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