I am getting a little paranoid... (1 Viewer)

[Arzedby]

...all this recent chat about stolen vans has worried me a tadge. A couple of days ago I stepped out of my front door, the reason why escapes me now, but as I did a youngish chap stepped out from down the side of the house. My van is parked up down the side. He quickly gave a hearty hello and said he was an Everest windows rep and was looking at my windows. I was not convinced. He looked more like an east end spiv than a salesman. Pork Pie hat, black shirt, bomber jacket and jeans. I told him I was not interested and off he went. I watched him go and he didn't go onto any other house/drive I watched him.
Now, two evenings running, I have happened to catch the outside light being triggered and on stepping outside I have found nothing or nobody around who could have triggered it. Even stepping out to the street I nave not seen anybody walking away.
I am now concerned that my van is being sized up. It is Fiat Ducato Based (2016) and has immobiliser and alarm. Was the first chap checking whether it was a Ford or something else?
I have my car parked right up against the rear of the Van but I am now thinking of other ways of further securing it. Wheel Clamp or Steering Lock or such like.
Maybe I am being over sensitive but I was wondering is there is any easy method of further immobilising the van until I can get some other physical restraint? I don't fancy disconnecting the cab battery as that would disable the alarm.

 

[Figaro]

Most security devices will only delay a thief, but just may be enough to put them off if they don`t fancy the effort.
I drilled the seat base in mine in an inconspicuous place and can now lock the drivers seat facing the rear, very cheap and I think quite effective. But being of more mature years, mines probably not as attractive to a thief as some.

 

[TinaLes]

Hi Arzedby, Yes having read the other thread, and we all know which one, then seeing all the vans that have been stolen on The UK campsite thread, its probably got us all thinking about how secure our vans are, so I do sympathise with you.
Yes you could use a decent wheel clamp, and yes like you someone would have to move the car from behind ours (when we are in that is), we have had the Vanbitz Growler Alarm and Meta Tracker fitted last month, we are now thinking about giving Vanbitz a call about their "non start" device, as this would eliminate the risk of being able to start the engine, even with the keys being stolen!

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[Arzedby]

Hi Arzedby, Yes having read the other thread, and we all know which one, then seeing all the vans that have been stolen on The UK campsite thread, its probably got us all thinking about how secure our vans are, so I do sympathise with you.
Yes you could use a decent wheel clamp, and yes like you someone would have to move the car from behind ours (when we are in that is), we have had the Vanbitz Growler Alarm and Meta Tracker fitted last month, we are now thinking about giving Vanbitz a call about their "non start" device, as this would eliminate the risk of being able to start the engine, even with the keys being stolen!

Yes, doesn't take much to get the old paranoia going does it. I have also been considering the "non-start" route. Maybe I will have to give Vanbitz a call myself.

 

[Tootles]

Put a sign at the front of your house, illuminated if possible, saying "LUCKY SCREW CANTONESE TAKE AWAY". You wont be able to move for police cars waiting for you to open.

 

[PP Bear]

Add all the security you can, I don't think you can overdo it when it comes to our Motorhome's.

I even thread a strap through the doors as a deterrent, then use the hab door and have extra security on that too, plus Lock-M-Outs on the windows.

It's all a deterrent to try to have them moved on to another target.

Good luck.

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[big map]

Someone suggested removing the fuel pump fuse.

 

[Figaro]

Someone suggested removing the fuel pump fuse.

Or a kill switch on the circuit (hidden)

 

[shawn&emma]

Not done it myself but Heard people saying they've put a a hidden switch inline to stop the starter motor from turning. Many years ago i had an Escort RS turbo, an old rusty one and used to unplug a relay which operated the pump. Twice when it was parked in the car park when I was at work (supermarket carpark) Someone tried to take it, once a hole through by the key hole and the other a broken side window. Very annoying on both counts but least it didn't disappear.

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[shawn&emma]

Add all the security you can, I don't think you can overdo it when it comes to our Motorhome's.

I even thread a strap through the doors as a deterrent, then use the hab door and have extra security on that too, plus Lock-M-Outs on the windows.

It's all a deterrent to try to have them moved on to another target.

Good luck.
View attachment 198025 View attachment 198026 View attachment 198027

Keep thinking about trying this myself but worried that a good yank and the door panels would be pulled of and they'd still get in.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Yes you can fit a hidden switch on the earth cable coming away from the ignition.
Simple but effective.

 

[Shrimp]

Take a wheel off, take the steering wheel off-probably can't do that one, remove fuses seems like a good idea, easy and effective!

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[ludo]

I drilled the seat base in mine in an inconspicuous place and can now lock the drivers seat facing the rear, very cheap and I think quite effective.

Any pictures please?

 

[kip]

...all this recent chat about stolen vans has worried me a tadge. A couple of days ago I stepped out of my front door, the reason why escapes me now, but as I did a youngish chap stepped out from down the side of the house. My van is parked up down the side. He quickly gave a hearty hello and said he was an Everest windows rep and was looking at my windows. I was not convinced. He looked more like an east end spiv than a salesman. Pork Pie hat, black shirt, bomber jacket and jeans. I told him I was not interested and off he went. I watched him go and he didn't go onto any other house/drive I watched him.
Now, two evenings running, I have happened to catch the outside light being triggered and on stepping outside I have found nothing or nobody around who could have triggered it. Even stepping out to the street I nave not seen anybody walking away.
I am now concerned that my van is being sized up. It is Fiat Ducato Based (2016) and has immobiliser and alarm. Was the first chap checking whether it was a Ford or something else?
I have my car parked right up against the rear of the Van but I am now thinking of other ways of further securing it. Wheel Clamp or Steering Lock or such like.
Maybe I am being over sensitive but I was wondering is there is any easy method of further immobilising the van until I can get some other physical restraint? I don't fancy disconnecting the cab battery as that would disable the alarm.

Don't think your being over sensitive as all, it's a genuine concern.When we return from our jaunt I'm going to fit one of those metal posts that you put across the drive.Must try & remember it's there though. .

 

[Paul an Jane MK]

What about a callapsable post on the drive, big visible deterrent.

I would put switch on fuel pump rather than starter motor, I would suggest a bit less obvious and they might flatten battery - but won’t help if they tow it away though.

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[PP Bear]

Keep thinking about trying this myself but worried that a good yank and the door panels would be pulled of and they'd still get in.

They’re very secure, even the strap won’t budge the panels when I pull it tight, they’re definitely over engineered, which I’m happy about.

I’ve often forgotten that the straps are in place when I’m outside and try to open one of the doors. They don’t move at all, I think the outside door handle (plastic) would snap first, meaning they won’t get in.

Of course they could break a window etc, but it’s all a deterrent. When I wild camp I only ever drop a large blackout blanket down from the overcab bed and tuck it in behind the seats. That way the strap stays visible and it’s also high enough for me to still get in the seat and drive off if the need ever arose.

 

[Figaro]

Any pictures please?

I'm not sure you'd be able to see much from a photo. Mine are IRSI (?) Seats, I just swivelled it until the seat swivel cleared the base part and drilled through the steel and painted the exposed steel with black hammerite to match. I can now fit a chunky padlock which stops the seat rotating to forward facing position. It would be tricky to get anything in to cut the padlock off given where it is, not impossible but would certainly slow down a theft.

 

[John65]

We have 2 security posts across the drive which probably wouldn't stop someone determined but is a good deterant. If using posts buy the anti ram ones as they are a lot stronger and look more of a deterant.

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[ludo]

I'm not sure you'd be able to see much from a photo. Mine are IRSI (?) Seats, I just swivelled it until the seat swivel cleared the base part and drilled through the steel and painted the exposed steel with black hammerite to match. I can now fit a chunky padlock which stops the seat rotating to forward facing position. It would be tricky to get anything in to cut the padlock off given where it is, not impossible but would certainly slow down a theft.

I'm sure a photo would help. I have looked at my seat and can't work out where to drill it. Mine is a 2017 Ducato.

Thanks

 

[Chris Laing]

...all this recent chat about stolen vans has worried me a tadge. A couple of days ago I stepped out of my front door, the reason why escapes me now, but as I did a youngish chap stepped out from down the side of the house. My van is parked up down the side. He quickly gave a hearty hello and said he was an Everest windows rep and was looking at my windows. I was not convinced. He looked more like an east end spiv than a salesman. Pork Pie hat, black shirt, bomber jacket and jeans. I told him I was not interested and off he went. I watched him go and he didn't go onto any other house/drive I watched him.
Now, two evenings running, I have happened to catch the outside light being triggered and on stepping outside I have found nothing or nobody around who could have triggered it. Even stepping out to the street I nave not seen anybody walking away.
I am now concerned that my van is being sized up. It is Fiat Ducato Based (2016) and has immobiliser and alarm. Was the first chap checking whether it was a Ford or something else?
I have my car parked right up against the rear of the Van but I am now thinking of other ways of further securing it. Wheel Clamp or Steering Lock or such like.
Maybe I am being over sensitive but I was wondering is there is any easy method of further immobilising the van until I can get some other physical restraint? I don't fancy disconnecting the cab battery as that would disable the alarm.

I may be wrong but as far as I know Thieves cant steal Fiat Ducato based motorhomes without the key. There is no technology available to thieves to start the engine without the key.
Unless they break-in to your house and find the key lying around or they lift it onto a lorry its not going anywhere. You should be considering the security on your house more than your motorhome.

 

[Blue Knight]

We use the 'Mark-1 Rottweiler' as part of our home security system. We only had one to begin with but then I added a second a few years ago and have had no regrets since.

They like to operate in covert mode and have an inbuilt thief detection system which draws large quantities of blood after a series of quiet growls.

Better than a wheel lock IMO

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[JJ]

I have a security guard in my motorhome.

He is there practically 24 hours a day, everyday.


JJ

 

[Allenaah]

Being new to this FORUM and reading lots of Notes with regards to MHs being stolen I have had a CAT C Tracker fitted at the cost of £280 plus the Tracker Subscription of £140 a year ,you can get a as long as you own the MH subscription for £599,I notified my insurance company and sent all the documents to them and they have given me £120 rebate, so really, for peace of mind I think its a No Brainer having a Tracker installed,

 

[robnchris]

Being new to this FORUM and reading lots of Notes with regards to MHs being stolen I have had a CAT C Tracker fitted at the cost of £280 plus the Tracker Subscription of £140 a year ,you can get a as long as you own the MH subscription for £599,I notified my insurance company and sent all the documents to them and they have given me £120 rebate, so really, for peace of mind I think its a No Brainer having a Tracker installed,

Trackers are an excellent idea, personally I prefer prevention rather than cure, the tracker works on the basis that the vehicle has been stolen, better I think to prevent them taking it in the first place.

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[Langtoftlad]

The thing about all these visible deterrents when at home is that a determined thief who has 'cased' your place previously will come back equipped to deal with it .

 

[Tootles]

Not done it myself but Heard people saying they've put a a hidden switch inline to stop the starter motor from turning.

They are as cheap as chips, and very effective if you hide it away. Got one on our Hymer.

 

[The Dotties]

They are as cheap as chips, and very effective if you hide it away. Got one on our Hymer.

View attachment 198050

Whereabouts?
And where is the van parked please?

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[Tootles]

Whereabouts?
And where is the van parked please?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BATTERY-...654546?hash=item43fefabed2:g:JlsAAOSwzqFY~xFA

Under the bonnet, on the main battery lead under the air trunking.

 

[jollyrodger]

Similar and simple to fit
:

 

[BKen]

Fitted a lock on the seat when its in the reversed position as suggested in earlier posts ..not keen on drilling any of the original fittings so fitted an eye bolt double locknuts and peaned over thread and used the original seat base fixings with a plate steel bracket ...have a look at the pics

As has been said if they want to they can get passed these things but it just makes it more difficult

Also fit a steering wheel crook lock as visual deterent .

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