Lone traveller - is it really safe? (1 Viewer)

GHOSTFOX

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Read this today and it has made me think, OK I have a carbon monoxide detector and fire alarm, always lock the doors and windows, I have the dogs......I have something hidden just in case......... I am usually always staying on a site of some sort but there may come a time when I'm 'stuck'. What are your views and any additional advice?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...fumes-car-exhaust-knock-travelled-France.html
 

TheBig1

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first of all, believe very little you read in the daily mail with its sensationalist crap, manipulating facts to make a more newsworthy story. secondly as you will see from many many threads on here, there is very little truth to people being gassed and robbed, as in the gassing part is a myth

travelling as a solo traveller, is as safe as you make it. the vast majority that travel alone have never had any trouble. if you have dogs, you are even safer still as thieves tend to be secretive and opportunistic. if a dog barks or an alarm goes off, they wont hang about for a second try
 
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GHOSTFOX

GHOSTFOX

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TheBig1, I did wonder how they got in as surely (as I do) no matter where you are you lock the doors? So how did they get in in the first place? Only mentions robbery, no damage to doors or windows. Having said that, have heard of this before.

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TheBig1

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the simplest method is a bent screwdriver.....put the blade in the lock and turn it. they are only made of plastic so move easily

before anyone objects to me posting this to give thieves an idea, they already know how to jemmy a lock
 
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GHOSTFOX

GHOSTFOX

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Ok, that said, can I get the lock changed then? Lunar Roadstar 786
 

TheBig1

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yes is the simple answer but the security barrels are quite expensive. best to fit a good perimeter alarm, triggered by opening a door. that way you can set it when going to bed and not worry. just remember to switch off before stepping outside

a great visual deterrent is a very large dog's water bowl left by the door

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sean n maggie

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yes is the simple answer but the security barrels are quite expensive. best to fit a good perimeter alarm, triggered by opening a door. that way you can set it when going to bed and not worry. just remember to switch off before stepping outside

a great visual deterrent is a very large dog's water bowl left by the door
the big dogs dish is a lot cheaper than an alarm....:LOL::LOL:But i too need an alarm fitting for the doors,,,its just finding the right place to have it done :(
 

Tootles

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Lets say they got in because the door wasn't locked in the first place?? I cant see any damage to the lock. Did I miss something the Mail photographer saw??

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Just Google all the first hand reports you can find of incidents. Make sure you exclude the 'friend of a friend' and slow news day reports.
 

Clive

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I travel on my own all the time and have been for the last 3 years, in France mainly stopping on aires. ln all that time only once did I think, not stopping here and moved on.
I do have an alarm that I set every night and I make sure everything is locked, sleep like a baby.
In case everyone thinks ignorance is bliss back in 2003 my caravan was broken into, they even took the watch off my arm, blade lock, screwdriver and spanner, opens everytime. Since then I always change for a barrel lock, not that expensive but cant be opened as easily
 

Tootles

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Get a Jack Russell Small, manageable, but can hear an owl 'toot' at 300 yards during the night. (y)(y)

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movan

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My only two thefts were when I wasn't in the van... one motorway cafe and the other at a food festival rally.
 

Tootles

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We had them later, behind the cafe where the second theft took place........:Eeek::Eeek:
 

Hollyberry

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I spent just short of 2 years full time in my m/home. Alone except for dogs/cats. Never had a problem, never worried once.
Fiamma handle that closes across the habitation door. If wild camping/Aire camping I locked that then entered through the cab, locking the doors.
For extra security you can buy 2 dog tethers like these:
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Together they fit across the cab, looped through the handles. If someone gets your door open, it will be just a few inches, you'd be awake by then. They'd have to get something through the small gap to attempt to cut the cables. Add an alarm as Jim suggests. I had one that was the old "rape alarm" pull the cord out, shrill noise. Mounted on the door arm rest, longer than normal cord on it looped through the sterling wheel-- open the door, cord pulls out.

I never felt worried.

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Hollyberry

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There you go, cheap as chips---one in my van was mounted in a holder. Screwed to arm rest on door. Add an extra bit of strap-- a lanyard would do, loop round steering wheel. Instant alarm.
 
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GHOSTFOX

GHOSTFOX

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I have a PAA, will rig that up. Can I ask something in confidence? Not that anyone knows me, but......
 
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Jeeeesh , I think if a rape alarm went off under our Luton bed whilst we were asleep up there I'd have a heart attack !
Just lock the doors and park in a safe place.

Our dogs would bark to alert us.

Then the base ball bat or shotgun would be out. ;)

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tambo

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Park in a safe spot and unless someone's been watching you for a while they've no idea whether there's one in the van or 6
 

Badknee

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I would set the wife on them ......................................... oops did I really just type that? :whistle2:
 
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Just got back from 10 days solo wildcamping. Only one minor scare.
Parked miles from anywhere, about 11:30pm car arrived with 3 lads. Thought oh oh but they were just some very poor lads. They must have been poor 'cos they all got out a shared a single hand rolled ciggy and then drove off very quietly.
 

movan

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Oh dear, it's things like that get me into trouble.... I would have asked them in for a coffee to get warm.... Last journey I wildcamped I felt sorry for a young motorcyclist who was drenched from a storm .....and he had coffe with me till the storm passed....

Just shows you can trust people and it's a shame we have to worry about safety in this day and age.
 
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Being an ex crime prevention officer I am keen to stay safe and have a cat one alarm fitted, however with increasing stories I decided to fit some flexible door restraints to the inside of the doors so that they will not open even if the locks are forced they were simple to fit only four screws in each they come with lock and screws, I am a chippy so I suppose it sounds easy to me but anyone with a bit of DIY knowledge could do this It just gives a bit of piece of mind whilst asleep although our dogs would let us know if someone was outside.
The restrictors are: Penkid window cable restictors. Cost £5.51 each.sales@trulypvc.com
 
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Having a Yorkie called Fang (joking!!) is the best deterrant, forget mice farting at 300 yards and dogs barking in the next country, she's so clever she can hear would be thieves planning a break-in!!!

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