Motorhome Security at Supermarkets
Just in process of changing from caravan to motorhome. We are going to France in May/June and I was wondering when we do shopping at supermarket is the vehicle likely to be OK left unattended on the car park?
Comments
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Yes.
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Personally we never left our motorhomes unattended. A plumber friend of ours left a hired van in a car park in the south the kids, granny etc returned to find it gone all they had were the clothes they stood in. Police were`nt very interested, van never
seen again. Logic says if someone is inclined to break into parked vehicles a motorhome is an easy target highly likely to produce some pickings.0 -
We tend to shop separately so there is always someone in the motorhome. Perhaps not so bad if its a smaller supermarket where you can see it in the carpark.
David
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Just a random (but true) story on the subject: Two years ago we were in St Jean de Luz France (Camping au bord de Mer) and waved goodbye to a Swedish couple we had been chatting to as they headed off for their next destination, this was about 10 am. At about 4 pm they reappeared on the campsite. They had stopped at Carrefour on the edge of town to get some bits and pieces. Whilst in the supermarket their MH was broken into and lots of things taken. The thieves made a right mess of the door and they now had to get it sorted out. The police admitted that it was a problem in their area with regular such events. So I reckon that 99 percent of the time you'll be fine but if you are at the wrong supermarket at the wrong time ........
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My biggest concern usually is parking where I can get out again. Many others, in cars, have no idea about the problems size may cause you and park too close. If MH bays available I use them but again find cars do also or park wrongly to just nip in etc and
you may have difficulty getting out of your bay or around the car park roads because of you rear end overhang. They are generally not designed for bigger outfits. I tend to aim for the Lidl where I know there is a better chance of getting parked more easily
and no height restrictions. Regards Roy0 -
The only thing I would add is that generally France is probably safer than Britain in terms of things being stolen. Having said that, these things do happen (and happened to us whilst our caravan was unattended for one night on a municipal site). Afterwards, with the benefit of hindsight (my OH says there is no one so well paid as a 'Hindsight Engineer') we said 'We shouldn't have left it' - but we did, and we got over it. Of course it isn't just supermarkets, but leaving the motorhome unattended anywhere, whilst sight-seeing, having a meal in a restaurant, or visiting a market. You wouldn't not do these things because of worries I hope!
However, I've often thought that one of the disadvantages of a motorhome is that literally everything is in the van. At least with a car/caravan combination there is 'the other place' to leave your valuables.
Good luck - and I hope it doesn't happen to you - but don't be paranoid and let worrying about leaving your motorhome unattended be a focus of your holiday!
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What advice would you give a French driver visiting Britain who asked the same question? There are some obvious precautions to take, such as locking the doors, setting the alarm, putting the valuables in a well-hidden safe - you do have a safe? - looking
round to see who's hanging about, leaving nothing valuable on display, some people close all the blinds so no-one can see in, just the normal security precautions you would take anywhere. Or one of you stays in the van.0 -
Unfortunately as an ex insurance claims official the answer is that the risk of being broken into is higher for motorhomes than caravans. This is more to do with people having to leave them on public car parks more often rather than supermarket ones and
you might even find limits for goods particularly valuables in these in some policies. Not sure if the risk is higher or lower abroad as I cannot remember any comparison figures ever having been produced.0 -
Thanks for all the replies. Switching from Caravan to Motorhome is a completely new mindset! Probably take a view when we arrive at the actual supermarket car parks. Problem is we consider mooching around French supermarkets together as part of our holiday
as they are so different to UK.0 -
We toured France for 6 weeks in our motorhome last year and left it quite often in Supermarket car parks and never had a problem. Most of the ones we used had a few motorhomes in the car park and alot of the time we were able to see it from the supermarket.
It would proabably be wise to assess the situation when you are there as some places you may feel uncomfortable leaving it alone therefore don't but most places are fine. These things happen but I wouldn't worry about it.Enjoy your holiday!
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