Motorhome security when away

huskydog replied on 15/03/2017 16:58

Posted on 15/03/2017 16:58

there is lots of advice about making our Motorhomes secure when at home ,but when we have been away on holiday and see M/H's parked up in car parks I never see anyone put wheel clamps on ,I fit one when we are parked up in car parks , perhaps I'm paranoid about it not being there when we come back , I do use other "internal " security devices 

do some let their guard down when away ???

Tinwheeler replied on 15/03/2017 17:17

Posted on 15/03/2017 17:17

We always use a steering wheel lock when Ieaving the MH as an added security measure with a great visual deterrent. Other security features are operative as well. 

JVB66 replied on 15/03/2017 17:29

Posted on 15/03/2017 17:29

We still have ,the removable steering wheel off our last Motor Caravan,,it was a great deterant and also allowed us to swivel he drivers seat without struggle,open to offers,it fits 2004 boxer

peegeenine replied on 15/03/2017 18:25

Posted on 15/03/2017 18:25

I use a clutch claw. It's a device that clamps the brake and clutch pedals together and wedges them in the up position so they can't be pressed. It can be seen from the outside of the vehicle just like a steering wheel clamp.
A removable steering wheel is a good deterrant but only if you take it with you.

triky auto replied on 15/03/2017 18:29

Posted on 15/03/2017 18:29

wink On my Autocruise ,i used a plastic covered cable from 'Screwfix' through the door handles & steering wheel,padlocked in the middle of the cab.On the side entry door ,a lockable swing over deterant.

peedee replied on 15/03/2017 19:16

Posted on 15/03/2017 19:16

You need the keys to steal most modern vehicles these days. What is of more concern is preventing the motorhome from being broken into and that is nigh on impossible. The best one can do is make life difficult for any would be thief so he/she goes and picks an easier target.

peedee

 

SteveDSD replied on 16/03/2017 08:57

Posted on 16/03/2017 08:57

The main thing is to try and minimise the valuables that are in the van when left.  If someone wants to break in then they will.  

A friend had his motorhome broken into. The van had deadlock doors. The thieves couldn't open any of the doors so had to climb in and out of the window. They destroyed the window blind and got glass all around the sofa. 

Sadly the thieves got away with a laptop and a couple of tablet computers that had been left in an inside cupboard.

Never leave stuff lying around that could encourage them, but as they know that there could be valuables hidden inside then they might just break in to have a look around and it only takes 5 minutes to check all the usual hiding places.

if you do have stuff like laptops etc. just make sure they're insured for being left in the van, and make sure you have backups of the data that's on them. (not just in case they get stolen, by the way).

As for the van being stolen, the suggestions others have made about physical devices is good, but maybe consider a GPS tracker system so it might be possible to find out where it is if it was stolen. 

hitchglitch replied on 16/03/2017 10:28

Posted on 16/03/2017 10:28

When we bought our new (first) motorhome last year I was surprised that it didn't have a decent alarm so I paid an extra £500 for alarms on doors, lockers, intruder detection etc. It also has a safe so I feel comfortable about cash and passports. It wouldn't stop a smash and grab attack though so tablets, laptops etc. are still vulnerable. Too many other things to worry about!

Thornsett replied on 16/03/2017 15:54

Posted on 16/03/2017 15:54

Wheel clamps weigh too much to be carried within most motorhomers payload. I use a steering lock instead. Lock it and alarm it, park sensibly, hide valuables, and most motorhomers will feel safe.

 

Tigi replied on 19/03/2017 21:02

Posted on 19/03/2017 21:02

Motorhomes have a flag waving above them saying all our personal belongings are in here, one of the reasons we rarely parked ours in car parks, maybe they are not so easy to drive off but so easy to break into.

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