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Security suggestions please

8K views 21 replies 12 participants last post by  Anonymous 
#1 ·
Hi

Finally took the plunge and purchased our first motorhome, a Swift Mondial grandtourer 1.9 W reg and totally new to the wonderful lifestyle we are embarking on!

Now obviously wishing to make it secure as possible, what are the best door locks to fit plus suggestions on a good alarm system please.

Thanks!

Angie 8O
 
#2 ·
Regarding alarm systems, we all have our favourites and you get what you pay for. If security is a worry you could have security deadlocks fitted and having the advantage of metal doors the scope is wider than for those of us with plastic caravn doors. Look at the ads in the magazines and have a word with your local dealer
 
#3 ·
security

HI angie,
We are in the same boat as you. A couple of items that we bought for piece of mind were a wheel lock and PIR. Both from Argos. The PIR is a battery operated one so no need foe cables. I have this screwed to wall above door entrance inside. This activates should someone step inside or break through the fromt windows. Also the wheel lock is one with a alarm. It clamps to the top of the wheel and emits a ear deafening noise should it be tampered with. The are about £10-£15 piece.
Not the best security but a start. :)
 
#4 ·
Hi Angie. Welcome to the forums.
The first thing to remember is that if someone wants to break into a motorhome they will.

We went for a package of security measures and went to a motorhome security specialist VanBitz in Taunton. www.vanbitz.com

They do a basic security package with additional bits to add on.
Not cheap but then you have to compare it to the cost of the vehicle you are protecting. We wanted protection not just from someone breaking in and stealing the vehicle or contents but also to be able to sleep in it and get warning during the night that someone was tampering with the locker doors etc.
Some alarm systems with movement sensors can't be set if for instance you want to leave an animal in it while you are away for a few minutes (shopping?)
 
#5 ·
Hi everyone, we are full timers currently touring the UK and security was one of our first concerns too!

Like robbieH we too started with battery-operated PIR units. They offered a little piece of mind, but were really only a stopgap until we went to see www.vanbitz.com (as already recommended by autostratus)

We went for most of the options, including LPG and 'sleeping gas' alarm. We had all our lockers protected, and opted for the pager that texts you when the alarm triggers AND allows you to immobilise the van remotely.

I'm not gonna sell their product for them, contact them and the spiel they send you will do that!

==

On the subject of door locks. The reality is that you can't stop somebody getting into a motorhome, most windows are plastic, roof vents can be pulled open easily and most door locks forced in seconds with screwdriver. If you reinforce the locks, they will just make more mess of the frame / vehicle body.

Better to let them get in (and out) easiliy, but make their stay uncomfortable.
 
#6 ·
We had our Autosleeper Talisman stolen from outside our house late last November. We were distraught, the vehicle was securely locked and alarmed. We've never heard another thing about the van.

We've since bought another Talisman and security is now my NUMBER 1 concern. It's not until you've had a van stolen complete with everything that you have in a van and believe me it's a lot when you come to add it all up, that you wish you had taken better security measures.

Our new van is much more secure with alarm, immobiliser and some more. We even have a sturdy chain and lock linking the two front doors.

Please peeps secure your vans as much as you can. There are some really clever thieves out there who will find their way past cheap PIR alarms and naff wheel-locks and stuff. Get the best you can afford 'cos believe me there's no worse feeling than waking up in the morning to find your pride and joy GONE :cry: :cry:
 
#7 ·
Going back to the Mondial, we were advised to fill in the screw heads on the back door hinges on ours, they are easy to get to and undo, - no point putting on locks if the whole unit can be lifted out.
8)
 
#9 ·
Closest supplier of security deadlocks in NW to brimo is at Birkenhead
they advertise in all the magazines, but there is another supplier locally brimo if you are interested wil PM you with details, brother in law just had their Executive (same shell as yours) done and they were quite impressed.
 
#10 ·
Milliemoo said:
Now obviously wishing to make it secure as possible, what are the best door locks to fit plus suggestions on a good alarm system please.
Hi Angie,

there are three different aspects regarding security:

1. Secure your motorhome while you are sleeping in it:
Make sure that any hoodlums can't break in without waking you up. Even better: If they can see from outside that breaking in will wake you up.

2. Secure your motorhome while it is parked and you are absent:
Nearly impossible. If they have time enough and nobody in the neighbourhood cares (and in many locations you can be sure that nobody cares) they can overcome all security measures you could think of.
So you can only reduce the probability that they steal the whole vehicle. Means that an immobilizer is essential.

3. Secure your motorhome while it is parked in front of your home:
See 2. Except if you have either a possibilty to park it on your private ground behind a fence etc. or nosey neighbours who call the police at every other hour.

We have already experienced an assault while sleeping in our motorcaravan. They had already opened one of the cab doors. Luckily I woke up and when I came down to the cab with my big MAG-Lite torch they ran away as fast as they could.

Our conclusions:

- The weakest spots are the cab doors. Especially the Fiat Ducato door locks are just ridiculous. So unless you have an A-class motorhome without cab doors you should secure them in a very visible way. Our solution now is:

- Forget about sleeping gas: That's all urban legend. It is just impossible to achieve anaesthetic concentrations of whatever sleeping gas (below military grade) in a motor home by feeding it in from outside with an aerosol can.
- The best alarm systems are the really big ones on four legs :wink:
- If you don't have an immobilizer, try to have one refitted.
- Try to avoid critical sleeping spots. I am not aware about the situation in the UK, but in "old Europe" you should strictly avoid all motorway lay-bys. Especially on main tourist routes. Also areas close to country borders are always critical.
- When you leave your "rolling home", always take all real valuables (car papers, credit cards etc.) with you. Or build in a real sturdy safe.

Best Regards,
Gerhard
 
#11 ·
alarms

hi all, thought you might like to know ,if you are in the birmingham area,their is a alarm company called quicksilver in sparkbrook, that can accomodate large motor homes, and seem to really no their trade ,i have no connection with the firm ,only as a customer,they also do reversing cameras ect
pete
 
#12 ·
van security

Not surprised that there seems to be a lot of interest in this topic. Thanks, Gerhard for a good summary, and since we also have a Ducato I think we will go for linking the doors as your photo. We already have internal and locker alarms and immobiliser.
Windows are a weak spot, as someone said, but continental vans (we have a Frankia) tend to have recessed edges which are less easy to prise open.
Graham
 
#13 ·
An alternative to the chains or crook locks across the cab doors is pull the seatbelt out, wrap round interior door handle once and then feed into seat belt clip. This works on Boxers/Ducatto, cant comment on any of the other base vehicles
- advantage, doesnt make a mess of door handles, dont need to carry any extras
 
#14 ·
I have mine parked on the drive with two security lights gazing at it so if so much as an overweight gnat goes near it at night, the lights come on and a chime 'bing bongs' downstairs. The daytime is more of an issue because I only get the 'bing bongs' and they're not much use if you're in work.

I also have two large four legged alarms that woof at everyone that walks past along with three lots of neighbours who look over my drive.
The van is fitted with an immobiliser and Dantrack (texting to tell me where it is etc).

I'm more concerned about it being stolen when I'm away from home rather than when it's parked here.
The way I position it on the drive means that you would have to break into my car (a Saab which is locked into reverse gear when you take the key out) and move that out of the way, then take the gates off the hinges (it's a tight squeeze) then manouvre around a tree and various other parked vehicles on the road.
I'm not complacent but I know that they would have to have woken half the neighbourhood to have done all of those things to get away.

A determined thief will, of course, try anything, so I will certainly start locking the seat belt around the door as suggested when I'm on site.

Banjo :lol:
 
#15 ·
I met a couple who have been burgled three times parking in filling stations in France (I assume they've learnt their lesson now?)

Anyway, when they secured the doors with the seat belt the thief simply cut the belt. However, it wasn't fruitless because it was the sound of the belt retracting that woke them and scared the thief off.

Barricading doors is all very well, but think about how you're going to get out in a fire!

In a A-class with pull-down front bed, perhaps leaving it down at night would give them a surprise when they open the cab door?
 
#16 ·
Re. Cab security.
We have a welded link chain with padlock which use to fasten the cab doors together.

Being longer gave us an additional worry when we bought this van.
As mentioned elsewhere, we have the VanBitz system fitted which allows the perimeter alarms to be set when sleeping in the van turning off the internal 'radar'.
Our van is 7.25m long and sleeping on the 2 long seats at the rear of the van makes our heads about 6m from the cab windows. We'd heard of vans being broken into at night by using one of the air operated punches to break a side window and allow access. Apparently the noise isn't excessive and we thought we might sleep through it.

We had a discussion with VanBitz and for us they have fitted a second and very short range detector in the cab which we can choose to have switched on or off. When we go into sleep mode this detector is still active and covering the cab area only.

What surprised us was that VanBitz said this was the first time anyone had thought of and mentioned this to them.
 
#17 ·
We've got an alarm on our 'van (Trebe) but concerned during day when at work. Thought those posts look good - Sentinel? - that you cement the base into the ground and lock the post into. Our van is wedged in a corner so forward is the only way you could drive. Anyone tried them?
 
#21 ·
Motorhome security

Hi everyone

When we bought our new van last year we had what was recommended as "the best alarm in thr buisness" fitted to our van.It`s a Toad AI106 alarm,Immobilizer and PIR sensor.It was set up so we could leave our cat and Cockiteil in when we went walkabout.The firm that fitted it was called Leisuretech in Ribchester,Lancs.They do do a mobile fitting service(and no,I dont work for them!)I paid over three hundred quid for mine and at the time I was a little surprised at the cost for "a mere alarm system" However,when I went to insure my van and spoke to MCIA I realized you get what you pays for.The alarm was so good it saved me five hundred quid off my insurance premium so it paid for itself right way. If you want the number for Leisuretech you can call them on 01254 878008.Their web address is:www.leisuretechservices.co.uk
 
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