Follow on to Confidence Shaker

TishF650

Guest
Hi Everyone,

That thread has struck a chord with me.

We are starting to fulltime in September, after over a year of planning. Mostly travelling in Europe and intending to wild abot 50% of the time. I'm sure that we will be safe in most places, as seasoned travellers we'll follow instinct etc. but:

leaving aside the fire extinguisher etc. up front, with rear beds what do you think is the best/most excuseable weapon to have to hand should someone break in at the front? WD 40 sounds good but I couldn't take the smell in the van before it's fired in anger, after all it does stink and always leaks!

Sorry if this sounds a bit paranoid but best to ask now than after the event.

Tips and knowledge always appreciated.

Chris
 
The general concensus when we got broken into seemed to be "get a great big German Shepherd":D

If this doesn't suit I do like Bodgerndog's idea of a big dog bowl outside the door!

Personally, for me, "It's the hatchet I use for chopping wood officer";)

A better man than me once said "better to be tried by 12, than buried by 6".

Welcome to the site by the way:D
 
Captain said:
The general concensus when we got broken into seemed to be "get a great big German Shepherd":D

If this doesn't suit I do like Bodgerndog's idea of a big dog bowl outside the door!

Personally, for me, "It's the hatchet I use for chopping wood officer";)

A better man than me once said "better to be tried by 12, than buried by 6".

Welcome to the site by the way:D
Click to expand...

Something similar:) If full timing could justify having it in the M/H especially if you are a DIY type:)

A carpenters handsaw:D You get a good handle to hold onto, long reach and the scrote can't get a grip to take it off you;) As you say "I use it for cutting firewood"

John
 
True story:)

I knew a guy with a big M/H who was a bit apprehensive about a long continental trip on his own. He was a seasoned camper and his wife sadly died some time ago.

The M/H was great and he was generally a chatty guy and would meet people on caravan sites or in the pub etc. However, while driving from place to place it was a bit weird for him not having someone in the passenger seat

He decided on a life sized blowup doll (hot chick) with wig and sunglasses all belted in to the seat :D :D It soon became apparent that what started of as a bit of a novelty had very good security implications while he was away from the van, with lights on the silhouette of a woman could be seen sat on the seat through the windows:cool:

John
 
Good responses so far, however:

a) I suspect that my wife might be nervous of me with a hatchet in the van.

b) SWMBO hates dogs and all that goes with them, even if that is a bowl for an imaginary large dog.

c) A blow up doll?? I'm loving it, but maybe I might be safer taking my chances with robbers than Cath catching me with one of them.
 
I have a Tirfor winch lever that extends out to about 1.5metres and is secured to the floor by some broom clips to provide persuasion if needed.
 
Table Leg

Hi there

This tip is not really suitable for you but it may help others.

We have an old coach built and have to make up our bed from the seating/dining area every evening and the cylindrical table leg (approx 5" dia) sits very handily in clips above the toilet door which is next to the main back door. It's very shiny and looks menacing (potentially). "It was the only thing to hand officer" :eek: :D :rolleyes:

With regards to spraying something at would be intruders - you might want to think about ladies spray hair products such as spray gel or hair spray - perfume or aftershave might also be considered. Maybe a little extreme this one but spray detergent / cleaning products.

Chrissy
 
Hi Chrissy
Chrissy said:
With regards to spraying something at would be intruders - you might want to think about ladies spray hair products such as spray

Chrissy
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Hair lacquer must be one of the most horrible thing ever to get spayed in your face. It's bad enough being in the same room when Dot's doing her hair, it chokes me and makes my eyes sting, even when I'm standing a few feet away.
I don't know how you ladies stand it!

Frank
 
I have a steering wheel locking bar with the name "TRUCK CLUB" on it. usefull also for leaving visible on the steering wheel when I leave the vehicle. The prongs that go arround the wheel are lethal looking. It lives beside my seat while travelling.

A friend was stopped in Spain. The police saw a baseball bat and asked him what it was for. He said sports equipment and then produced the ball. The Policeman smiled and left him to continue his journey.

Another friend threatened a potential thief with the handle for setting the Hymer corner steadies.
 
My defensive weapon of choice is an ultra heavy duty walking stick, the type seen in Giles cartoons(without the duck). You can find them very readily at car boots for about 50p when some old dear has snuffed it. Its there by the door for walking purposes only(s******) and cant be pulled from your hand. I can personally vouch for their effectiveness from a mis-spent youth....Bob
 
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new thought, do you walk at all? not unreasonable to have an ice axe in your van ;) possibly a little more difficult to justify in summer ;)


Mag lite is a sound idea, insect spray another good one...
 
888dee said:
new thought, do you walk at all? not unreasonable to have an ice axe in your van ;) possibly a little more difficult to justify in summer
Click to expand...

Ice axe? No! I think we're going a bit overboard here - but I do have a pair of walking poles in the van at al times.

I've never felt the desire to take the van on the continent and tales of people being attacked and robbed on this and other threads don't encourage me to change my mind.
Has anyone ever been attacked by gangs of robbers in Great Britain as they have in other countries?

Frank
 
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Sorry Frank, the ice axe comment was meant in jest, hence the ;) ....


although not really any more offensive than some of the other suggestions! :eek:
 
Wouldn't it be easier to get a 'beware of the wife' sign and put it in the van window or is it possible to get sticker which suggests that you are a member of a fencing club (fighting with sword thing) or shotgun club :)

Jon
 
Chrissy said:
Hi there

This tip is not really suitable for you but it may help others.

We have an old coach built and have to make up our bed from the seating/dining area every evening and the cylindrical table leg (approx 5" dia) sits very handily in clips above the toilet door which is next to the main back door. It's very shiny and looks menacing (potentially). "It was the only thing to hand officer" :eek: :D :rolleyes:

With regards to spraying something at would be intruders - you might want to think about ladies spray hair products such as spray gel or hair spray - perfume or aftershave might also be considered. Maybe a little extreme this one but spray detergent / cleaning products.

Chrissy
Click to expand...




An even better weapon would be if you were spraying the hairspray at the intruder and it suddenly caught alight ,burn the *******s face where they stood.
The one i like would be a walking stick where a sword is secreted inside for extra safety.
How about overpowering the filth pin them to the ground give them a few slaps and then use a piece of paper and paper cut them for over an hour.
Or get a hammer bludger them then get a good butchers knife and cut them up in little pieces put in bin liners and.............................................oh dear it is a bit easy to get carried away isnt it.................................

Reasonable force i say if they are in your property,and it is your home
 
In some parts of Europe it's perfectly legal to buy and carry pepper sprays for defence. I got some from an Aunt in Holland.
 
maingate said:
WD40 plus cigarette lighter = Flamethrower
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not any more it don't, they took all the good stuff out of WD40 :(


I may have tried to assist the lighting of a bbq with some recently, would have been as well peeing on it!
 
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