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Re: best way to secure camper van?

Posted: 15 Feb 2009, 09:55
by DiscoDave
unfortunately as said previously if they want it they will take it, fancy alarms, immobilizer switches and other stuff fitted to the van won't deter them untill they've smashed a window or used just about any key they've got.

i would be tempted to go down the physical barrier route, i wouldn't chain the van to anything because they might not notice that untill they've got it running and have started to drive away and could just leave you with a broken mess. sink a bollard into your drive, a big one and not a fold down one, something like thisImage.

a wheel clamp is also a good visual deterrant, if they can see it from the road, and again only the good quality ones, i've got one of the cheap ones on my trailer, couldn't find the key last week so i jumped on it and it fell off!

An alarm is still a good idea, it will alert you to something happening even if no one else pays attention, it won't stop them but it might slow them down.

have you decided what sort of van you are going for? sticking with t4 or something else?

Re: best way to secure camper van?

Posted: 15 Feb 2009, 10:21
by fix
A physical barrier really isnt an option for me,other than maybe a wheel clamp. I still want to fit a few switches,for what they cost i might aswell

Re: best way to secure camper van?

Posted: 15 Feb 2009, 11:20
by dugcati
If possible put a CCTV kit up looking at where the van sits and have a few signs stating so?
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?cri ... &source=15

In some ways that is what we pay insurance for - I know it's heart breaking when something we have put sooo much time and love/effort into get stolen but at the end of the day that is part of the reason we have insurance - even if they would have you thing otherwise! (don't all jump down me neck on this - I'm merely pointing out!)

Re: best way to secure camper van?

Posted: 15 Feb 2009, 12:41
by Llamapup
My camper is not parked on a drive so I can't use any bollards or gates to secure it. So instead I have a series of more conventional security devices fitted to my camper.

A clutch lock with flashing light. This prevents you from depressing the clutch or accelerator. Its made of hardended steel.

Image

Image

I also have deadbolts fitted to all the doors (including slinding door and tailgate). Only the one on the driver's door is accessable from the outside of the van.

Image

A fuel pump cut off switch is located in a location that I won't share on this forum for obvious reasons.

All told this makes for a pretty secure campervan. It would certainly slow down any would be thiefs for at least a couple of mimutes. It certainly slows me down every time I try and drive my camper. :roll:

Good Luck

Llamapup

Re: best way to secure camper van?

Posted: 15 Feb 2009, 13:01
by eatcustard
The best way is to immobilise the engine.
http://www.clifford.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; make good security products, for a price

But if someone wants your van, they will take it. :evil:

Re: best way to secure camper van?

Posted: 15 Feb 2009, 13:33
by kit
Not that this helps, but my sister had her caravan taken (found smashed on its way to Salisbury) while is was hooked up to the mains was covered, alarmed and had wheel clamps both sides, no one heard or saw a thing, only consolation was the 2 traveller types that were driving the getaway car had a spell in hospital when they rolled it.

Re: best way to secure camper van?

Posted: 15 Feb 2009, 13:48
by fix
Llamapup wrote:My camper is not parked on a drive so I can't use any bollards or gates to secure it. So instead I have a series of more conventional security devices fitted to my camper.

A clutch lock with flashing light. This prevents you from depressing the clutch or accelerator. Its made of hardended steel.

Image

Image

I also have deadbolts fitted to all the doors (including slinding door and tailgate). Only the one on the driver's door is accessable from the outside of the van.

Image

A fuel pump cut off switch is located in a location that I won't share on this forum for obvious reasons.

All told this makes for a pretty secure campervan. It would certainly slow down any would be thiefs for at least a couple of mimutes. It certainly slows me down every time I try and drive my camper. :roll:

Good Luck

Llamapup


Ha theres some good ideas there! Though how doyou unlock dead bolts from the inside for the passenger/sliding door etc,do you have a key or just a lever?

I like the clutch/accelerator lock never seen those before

Obviously youre not gonna tell me where your fuel cut off switch is but any chance of sending me a pm on which wire is for the fuel cut off? The first thing i want to fit is a fuel cut off switch

Re: best way to secure camper van?

Posted: 15 Feb 2009, 16:46
by Mocki
i can recommend these work very well installed inside looking out or out side looking at your van , inconjuction with one of these or better still one of these

powered by 12v (so plug straight into van ) as long as you are parked with in range work a treat..... well mine does

Re: best way to secure camper van?

Posted: 15 Feb 2009, 17:02
by fix
CCTV is good but its not a physical deterrent,its something id think about but after id fitted security to the van.Not bad prices though im suprised!

Re: best way to secure camper van?

Posted: 15 Feb 2009, 17:19
by Mocki
its deterrent with a couple of BFU "24hr recorded cctv"signs, they dont like being seen.....

for the amount of money it will cost it would be my first move, because if there is even a risk that you can see what they are doing, or are recording their faces, they will go find one that isnt being watched.

Re: best way to secure camper van?

Posted: 15 Feb 2009, 17:40
by Llamapup
fix wrote:
Ha theres some good ideas there! Though how doyou unlock dead bolts from the inside for the passenger/sliding door etc,do you have a key or just a lever?

I like the clutch/accelerator lock never seen those before

Obviously youre not gonna tell me where your fuel cut off switch is but any chance of sending me a pm on which wire is for the fuel cut off? The first thing i want to fit is a fuel cut off switch

The deadbolts that unlock from the inside use a key that looks like phillips screwdriver. The clutch lock is pretty good. You can't press the clutch or the accelerator even a tiny bit the way I have it locked up.

I didn't install the fuel cut off switch myself, so I'm not sure how it works. The engine will only start for a brief moment when the fuel is turned off though.

Good Luck

Llamapup

Re: best way to secure camper van?

Posted: 15 Feb 2009, 18:05
by DavidPallister
I remove the fuel pump fuse from my road car (205GTi) to imobilise it. Can't on the van as its a DG so carb fed, but do have an ignition cut switch wired in. It is parked behind said 205, so would be pretty hard to trailer away during the night (during the day is a different story tho)

Dave

Re: best way to secure camper van?

Posted: 15 Feb 2009, 18:34
by fix
I think ive been stupid,mines a carb engine so it doesnt have a fuel pump lol. What a numpty! :oops:

Ill have to fit an ignition switch instead lol :)

Re: best way to secure camper van?

Posted: 15 Feb 2009, 20:06
by eatcustard
fix wrote:I think ive been stupid,mines a carb engine so it doesnt have a fuel pump

I though all petrol engines need a fuel pump?

How does the fuel get to the carb in the first place?

Re: best way to secure camper van?

Posted: 15 Feb 2009, 21:29
by fix
eatcustard wrote:
fix wrote:I think ive been stupid,mines a carb engine so it doesnt have a fuel pump

I though all petrol engines need a fuel pump?

How does the fuel get to the carb in the first place?

So did i but then davidpallister said he couldnt fit a fuel pump switch on his DG as its carb fed, thinking about it how else could the carb get fuel other than a pump.