Stowaways

[Chuns]

I thought I'd share this, received from a friend, so that we can all be aware of the need for increased vigilance.

“Peter as you go across the channel regularly just thought I’d pass this on to you.
Friends of ours are over in Calais waiting to come across. While waiting decided to get something out of the garage and there found two migrants. He thinks they must have got in while they filled up just outside of Calais.!! Anyway a wake up call perhaps for all of us. We do keep our garage locked all the time travelling but on the automatic locking system it obviously opens when we get out. We’ll just be more aware now I think.”

 

[Minxy]

Never known of a 'garage' opening with the automatic (ie central) locking system except in a camper van when the rear doors release ... what MH has your friend got?

 

[DavidG58]

Never known of a 'garage' opening with the automatic (ie central) locking system except in a camper van when the rear doors release ... what MH has your friend got?

Our Nercedes based Hymer does

But it does have a double lock option so the garage then doesn’t open without two presses

It would some squeeze though to get 2 grown people in

This does sound a little like a tale heard down the pub, maybe the new gassing tale

From what I have heard on here they would have been found at check in at least these days

 

[sonny]

No harm checking.

 

[Lenny HB]

Met a Belgium at Campirama a couple of days ago, he just spent a fortune getting expensive security locks fitted including the garage doors. He was telling how they got gassed in their last van and everything taken.
Had to stop myself from sniggering.

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[Clarky]

Our Nercedes based Hymer does

But it does have a double lock option so the garage then doesn’t open without two presses

It would some squeeze though to get 2 grown people in

This does sound a little like a tale heard down the pub, maybe the new gassing tale

From what I have heard on here they would have been found at check in at least these days

I doubt that they would be found.
In the many, many times we have been too and fro across the channel we have never had our garage checked.
Perhaps we look honest and upstanding citizens.

Richard.

 

[suavecarve]

Met a Belgium at Campirama a couple of days ago, he just spent a fortune getting expensive security locks fitted including the garage doors. He was telling how they got gassed in their last van and everything taken.
Had to stop myself from sniggering.

One wonders if the Rolexes paid for the van upgrade

 

[Lenny HB]

I doubt that they would be found.
In the many, many times we have been too and fro across the channel we have never had our garage checked.
Perhaps we look honest and upstanding citizens.

Richard.

Nearly every time we cross the garage is checked on the French side and in the UK always get asked if the gas is off. We mainly use Newhaven/Dieppe.

Last year one trip via Dover on the way out got called into the customs shed at Dover and a hot young chick had a look in the van and garage. The boss wouldn't let me keep her.

 

[Devon Sue]

We use Roscoff and don't get more than a cursory check, although the one time we used Le Havre we were checked, that was about 5 years ago. Strangely we are checked more often at Plymouth, and the one thing they want to inspect is the shower! Don't know what they expect to find in the shower on a British van leaving the UK, stash of smuggled marmite perhaps.

 

[Chuns]

It is a Cathago, Minxy Girl. I have no reason to doubt her.

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[Silver-Fox]

Met a Belgium at Campirama a couple of days ago, he just spent a fortune getting expensive security locks fitted including the garage doors. He was telling how they got gassed in their last van and everything taken.
Had to stop myself from sniggering.

When I was helping @The Dotties with a bit of work on their van.
We went to my local builders merchant where we met someone that had been gassed and robbed, no really he was serious.

We just looked at each other and it was difficult not to burst out laughing but that would of been rude

 

[carolyn]

Either we look suspicious or the inspectors are lazy but we frequently get searched and we have a PVC so I'm thinking the latter. We've had dogs sniffing inside a couple of times so I presume it's drugs and bombs they're looking for and not really anything else. Nick is very dark so we could sort of understand it when he was younger and had more hair! I do realise that is a bit of racial stereotyping but it used to happen at airports even back in the70's and 80's before all the more recent terrorist concerns.

 

[Silver-Fox]

It is a Cathago, Minxy Girl. I have no reason to doubt her.

Obviously hadn’t bought enough alcohol to put in the garage to stop them getting in

 

[keithchesterfield2]

If they'd been in our garage I'd have been more worried that they'd drunk all, or any, of the wine that takes up most of the space on our way back to the UK.

 

[Two on Tour]

Perhaps we look honest and upstanding citizens.

I've met you two and no way is that believable.

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[Duck Truck]

Crossed the channel two days ago
vehicle checked inside and out on arrival by French border
then 100 yds further on by British immigration
both times garage given a cursory look
and the wardrobe

 

[Minxy]

It is a Cathago, Minxy Girl. I have no reason to doubt her.

Not doubting her, I was just interested in knowing which MHs have this facility ... as its a Carthago it must be on the more expensive ones (same as the Hymer S800 mentioned above) hence why I've never come across it as I don't 'do' expensive!

 

[Lenny HB]

Not doubting her, I was just interested in knowing which MHs have this facility ... as its a Carthago it must be on the more expensive ones (same as the Hymer S800 mentioned above) hence why I've never come across it as I don't 'do' expensive!

Central locking is an option on most A Class vans. I don't bother with as I'm tight.
Don't really see the point as I don't want it on the garage and apart from fuel stops only use the hab door. £400 to unlock one door remotely - no thank you, and you still have to pull the handle to in.

 

[Chuns]

Nor do I Minxy Girl, I have asked them to leave it to me in their will!

Out of interest last time we came in through Poole, we were inspected - garage, in the contortionist area under the bunks, shower, but he didn't open the door to the loo, where at least two could have squeezed in, standing up!

 

[fullfat]

Last time I crossed back into U.K. froggy even made me take spare wheel cover off,
just incase an illegal was wrapped around my 16"....or maybe he was looking for my stash of Rolexes

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[fullfat]

Nor do I Minxy Girl, I have asked them to leave it to me in their will!

Out of interest last time we came in through Poole, we were inspected - garage, in the contortionist area under the bunks, shower, but he didn't open the door to the loo, where at least two could have squeezed in, standing up!

pongy??

 

[Clarky]

Nearly every time we cross the garage is checked on the French side and in the UK always get asked if the gas is off. We mainly use Newhaven/Dieppe.

Last year one trip via Dover on the way out got called into the customs shed at Dover and a hot young chick had a look in the van and garage. The boss wouldn't let me keep her.

They obviously have your number and know you’re a bit suspect.

Richard.

 

[Clarky]

I've met you two and no way is that believable.

Carefull now!!!

 

[Allanm]

We found someone hanging on underneath when we came out of the pet check in area a few years ago. He went when I challenged him but although we told both French and UK border people, they weren’t really interested.
I suppose security has hotted up a bit more recently, we had a French border person check inside the van last year, but that was the first time in 6 years doing 5 return trips each year.

 

[scotzsue]

We must look very suspicious, we rarely get through without a check, even been through the big xray machine.
Maybe we are tagged as one eime we were stopped john had his bedding rolled up in the overcab with his bike lid at the top.
Perhaps thought we were doing a test run.

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