New motorhomer....at last!

Blumoon
Blumoon Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited March 2019 in Introductions #1

Hi everyone.

Well after years of small tent camping, then trailer tenting and finally bigger tent camping, a few years ago now admittingly, we have now progressed, in the last two days, to motorhoming.

I remember us going to a Camping and Motorhome show at GMEX in Manchester maybe 30 years ago and saying to ourselves 'We want one of those one day'. Well the time has come and we have our new Motorhome.

As we are new to this we would be very grateful for any advice from experienced motorhomers.

At this very early stage we would appreciate your advice on motorhome security. I have already had a tracker fitted as recommended by our insurer and fitted a wheel clamp, steering lock and about to add a disk lock to lock the drivers seat in the reverse position. Additionally, I have a PIR light and CCTV keeping an eye on our investment on the driveway. I would like to know your recommendations for an audible alarm? Good idea or overkill?

 

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 23,373
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    edited March 2019 #2

    Welcome, Blumoon.

    I hope you enjoy your new van.

    Personally, I think your security devices are overkill and certainly so on site where I fear you will quickly start to curse them. Only you can judge the risk on your driveway.

    Happy times await. 😀

     

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2019 #3

    Like  TW,  I  think  you  can  do  too  much  on  the  security  front.  Its one thing for the goodies  to  LOOK  secure  and  too  much  hassle  to  nick,  but  there  is  no  way  you  can  stop  them  taking  it  if  they  really  want  to frown.  Also, many  on  here, myself  included,  have  doubts  about  accepting  a vehicle  back  if  its  been  gone  for  any  period  of  time. Who  knows  whats  been  going  on  in  it  undecided??

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 14,096
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    edited March 2019 #4

    Hi Blumoon

    Hope you enjoy your new motorhome. As to security you must fit what you feel comfortable with. However when travelling, and I assume staying on sites, you could find those physical security things get in the way and of course some of them are heavy. As to an alarm there are a couple of specialist motorhome alarms out there. We had a Strikeback alarm fitted to our previous van by a company called Vanbitz down in Taunton. It is our intention to have one fitted to the new van. There is another one called "Outsmart the Thief". Hope that helps.

    David

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,156
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    edited March 2019 #5

    Hey Bluemoon and welcome to CT. Don’t know what sort of CCTV you have at home but if it’s wifi just be aware that people can buy disables on line that interrupt the signal so nothing shows onscreen when the van is stolen

  • Aspenshaw
    Aspenshaw Forum Participant Posts: 611
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    edited March 2019 #6

    Only Blumoon can assess the specific risk relating to the motorhome. To me, in the locations I visit, an alarm plus a visible deterrent [I have a steering lock] is sufficient. The alarm must be at least up to the standard specified by the insurer. If the insurer recommended a Tracker, then it sensible to fit one. I wouldn't buy a Ford given the number being stolen.

    I'm not sure whether Blumoon's van already has an alarm but if not, I wonder whether the insurer is aware. Insurers tend not to like motorhomes that haven't an alarm fitted from day one.

    For bees-knees alarms, have a look at VanBitz for alarms.

    Wifi reliant CCTV can be jammed.

    Apart from active deterrents, Blumoon should also consider the passive issues such as how and where the van is parked when they are out and about. 

     

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
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    edited March 2019 #7

    Whatever you feel you need, but as others have said ,when touring all those devices will cut into your load margin weight. I agree that purely the manufacturers electronics are no longer much of an impediment to the thieves. So perhaps just the steering wheel disclok?   Most motorhomes are stolen from driveways or storage, planned in advance. Less by chance when touring, but giving them an unexpected surprise is good.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited March 2019 #8

    This is a very personal view but OH and I try not to get to sentimental about the vans that we have owned. In fact, our 3 year old motorhome has a scratch and I often think that it might be good if somebody stole it - save me getting it fixed!

    Seriously, nobody really wants their motorhome stolen but I tend to regard security as satisfying the insurance company rather than a real deterrent. We have an audible alarm fitted which gets an insurance reduction but it packed up last year and it was quite inconvenient having it go off in the middle of the night on our driveway.

    You have a Tracker; most people don’t. Unless you have a safe fitted, don’t leave valuables in the van when away from it - tablets, smart phone, passport, money.

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