Theft from motorhome

[El Veterano]

Far from what one post described on here as being 'no difference' between the 2 main types of windows, I would personally say that there is a huge difference so far as security is concerned between the type that shut proud of the camper body and those that shut recessed into the window frame (although neither are going to stop a determined thief, but I know which type I would rather have). We are currently looking to replace our camper, possibly with a new LHD number and we immediately reject anything with windows that do not close into the frame, and also anything with external water tanks , such as the new Baileys for example (but that's another story). If the damage is confined to the window itself and the roller cassette but not the frame, then this would be a very straightforward repair, so long as you can get the correct parts you could easily do this yourself. If the frame needs replacing then that is a different matter. Try CAK Tanks Motorhome accessories Caravan accessories spare parts Horsebox Race van camper Marine for the parts.

 

[maingate]

Far from what one post described on here as being 'no difference' between the 2 main types of windows, I would personally say that there is a huge difference so far as security is concerned between the type that shut proud of the camper body and those that shut recessed into the window frame (although neither are going to stop a determined thief, but I know which type I would rather have). We are currently looking to replace our camper, possibly with a new LHD number and we immediately reject anything with windows that do not close into the frame, and also anything with external water tanks , such as the new Baileys for example (but that's another story). If the damage is confined to the window itself and the roller cassette but not the frame, then this would be a very straightforward repair, so long as you can get the correct parts you could easily do this yourself. If the frame needs replacing then that is a different matter. Try CAK Tanks Motorhome accessories Caravan accessories spare parts Horsebox Race van camper Marine for the parts.

If you are quoting me then you have twisted my words round to suit yourself which is bad form.

You are changing vans to get flush windows. Are you suggesting that everyone else spends thousands of pounds having all their windows modified to flush ones? I would think that more bodywork damage will be done by jemmying flush windows.

 

[trevskoda]

It's a MacBook air and doesn't have a disc drive. It's locked (remotely by me) with a four digit code so if they put a usb in it wouldn't read it without booting up (I think). Although I know they will Beautiful Days able to take it to one of those unlocking places.

They would not of known that when they nicked it though they may change the chip drive as its of good value ,do hope you have ins.

 

[trevskoda]

Far from what one post described on here as being 'no difference' between the 2 main types of windows, I would personally say that there is a huge difference so far as security is concerned between the type that shut proud of the camper body and those that shut recessed into the window frame (although neither are going to stop a determined thief, but I know which type I would rather have). We are currently looking to replace our camper, possibly with a new LHD number and we immediately reject anything with windows that do not close into the frame, and also anything with external water tanks , such as the new Baileys for example (but that's another story). If the damage is confined to the window itself and the roller cassette but not the frame, then this would be a very straightforward repair, so long as you can get the correct parts you could easily do this yourself. If the frame needs replacing then that is a different matter. Try CAK Tanks Motorhome accessories Caravan accessories spare parts Horsebox Race van camper Marine for the parts.

7 bucks for a penny style led bulb that can be bought on ebay for 1 pound,robbers,

 

[El Veterano]

7 bucks for a penny style led bulb that can be bought on ebay for 1 pound,robbers,

Possibly, but the point is have they got the correct window in stock or at least can they get it faster than the previous quoted delivery time?

 

[El Veterano]

If you are quoting me then you have twisted my words round to suit yourself which is bad form.

You are changing vans to get flush windows. Are you suggesting that everyone else spends thousands of pounds having all their windows modified to flush ones? I would think that more bodywork damage will be done by jemmying flush windows.

I'm afraid I'm not twisting your words around at all as 'they are all very similar regarding security', which I pointed out they are not, far from it. The ones that fit flush externally the MH wall, such as the one in question, can be fairly easily opened with just your bare hands because it is an easy matter to get your fingers under the window edge. You simply cannot do that with a window that is recessed into the frame, and one would need at least a thin bar of metal to get under the opening light.
I am certainly not changing my MH to get recessed windows because as I stated in my post, I already have them. What I did say was that I would not consider buying another MH that did not have recessed windows. However, I wholeheartedly agree with you that by having that type of window, or more security devices securing them, could lead to far more damage being done to van. As is often the case, it is not so much the value of the things that that the thieves take from the vehicle, but the value of the damage they do to gain entry in the first place.

 

[n brown]

all this talk of which plastic window is pointless if you have toughened glass windows in the cab. i just looked at a tool that will quietly pop them instantly on Amazon-£2.75 !

 

[El Veterano]

all this talk of which plastic window is pointless if you have toughened glass windows in the cab. i just looked at a tool that will quietly pop them instantly on Amazon-£2.75 !

My point, more or less exactly. Then you need to have cab doors that have deadlocks on them, and so the list goes on. According to my Fiat handbook deadlocks are available as an option, but I have never met anyone who has them fitted.

 

[Polar Bear]

Sorry for your loss.
I have a remote 'Thatchem' alarm fitted in my van. all doors have censers. It also has a PIR in the wardrobe and another one on the wall under the table so if any one opens the wardrobe or walks the length of the van it set of the alarm. I also fitted a 139 dcb siren http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12v-139DB...1?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4190fcfe01if you are in the van when the alarm goes off it so loud you feel sick and don't hang around!
Good luck sorting it out.

 

[Pauljenny]

Go to Beverley

I am no expert on the Euromobil vans and you have not given any details of year or model ...... but ........ if it is just window damage then it is probably made by Seitz or Remis or even Heki. The windows or parts for them are readily available. I am very surprised at the repair place talking about long delivery times for parts. I would have a search online yourself.

Nasty business, we feel very sorry for you.

That Nice Mr O'leary will have just what you want .... Google him .

The same happened to us under very similar circumstances. Jenny left her hand bag in the van... " hidden " and we took off for a walk and stopped to buy ice creams .

Somebody noticed that she was without a handbag ..... Don't have to be a master criminal to deduce it's in the van somewhere !

We came back 25 mins later to find the cab door bust and a very professional job done opening cupboards .
By the time we'd phoned the cops and insurance , they'd taken £200 of each of her credit cards at a shopping centre ,2 miles away.

We were on our way to trade the van in for a new one . Autoglass put a plastic temporary in and, in our panic, we forgot to mention it when we arrived at the dealers.. It's probably still there !

We are very careful now ..... AND ALWAYS TAKE HER HANDBAG !!

 

[John H]

Plenty of dishonest "haves" out there too - wrong to assume that you are only under threat from the poor.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

Air horn inside the van, I mentioned before, easily connected to sensors and will stop naughty people from doing much as they have their fingers in their ears. You have to be able to reset it after a short time or your van will be vandalised by irate neighbours. My garage is connected to the tank on my compressor with horns and IF the door is forced it will trip the valve and run the tank down through the horns. PS I do not have it fully charged or switched on. A bit of air left is enough.

 

[John H]

If you had thought of it, the phrase you would have used is "dishonest people". But that wouldn't have suited your rant would it? I'll teach you to be objective, yet

 

[izwozral]

...............and they lived happily ever after?

 

[maingate]

My point, more or less exactly. Then you need to have cab doors that have deadlocks on them, and so the list goes on. According to my Fiat handbook deadlocks are available as an option, but I have never met anyone who has them fitted.

I fitted them on my last van, mostly because it had no alarm fitted. They are a decent bit of kit but seem quite expensive for what they are.

They would not stop anyone if they break the Cab window and hoisted their mate through the door.

 

[campervanannie]

all this talk of which plastic window is pointless if you have toughened glass windows in the cab. i just looked at a tool that will quietly pop them instantly on Amazon-£2.75 !

I was at a meet once when a member locked his keys in his MH he just popped open one of the storage lockers and climbed in and up through the seating into the MH I was gobsmacked so you can change your windows beef up your door locks these big expensive MH are vulnerable all you can do is leave valuables at home take cheap laptops phones and such with you on hold and make sure they cannot drive the vehicle away repairing is easier than replacing IMO.

 

[terry1956]

theft

Lets not all over react here. Yes there are people out there who just go out breaking into cars and motorhomes.to these people alarms mean nothing.ask yourseft how many times have you heard a car alarm going off and just carried on walking. Alarms are a total waste of time and money and thats why car manufacturers dont fit them. All locks can be overcome if you know how and if not a slide hammer works. I use my campervan each day and yes I do worry about leaving it at times.i never leave anything in it or on display. When using it as a camper I keep all money passports etc on my person in a money belt, all thats in the van worry nicking is the tv. I only close the blinds when we our in it at night, this allows the toe rags to see there is nothing to take. Be careful, watch where you park, and if it feels wrong move on. Michael

 

[John H]

Well, judging by your purile rants, I don't think you have.

 

[Reevsie]

You can spend £1000's on alarms and everything else, but the scumbags will still have a go. Even if they don't get in, they cause a lot of damage trying to do so. The only way you can be 100% sure that your motorhome is not broken into is Not to buy a motorhome in the first place. buy why should we let these little Sh^$ spoil our enjoyment.

The worst thing is when ever anyone is caught they are not punished properly. They should be made to re-pay the insurance company 100% of the money it cost to fix it, and pay the owner compensation. Take it out of their benefits, wages or if they have money out of a bank.

It makes my blood boil thinking about the misery these pathetic scumbags.

RANT OVER>>>:wacko::wacko::wacko:

 

[Gayle]

Update

We've been for a couple of quotations on the repair work and it seems that the window is indeed going to be difficult/ time consuming to source. Both our local 'one man band' repair bloke and the large company have the same verdict. That's the most important of the repair jobs by far.
We have been looking into alarms and the standard ones may be pointless as they will be ignored - those Growler ones sound like the business if they are loud enough to cause actual pain - but at around a thousand quid it's a big investment. I realise we can't make the van scum-proof, but we need to do something pro-active or I will never be able to lock the door and go out walking again.