Don’t panic!

[Rumour]

We have only stopped on a service area once and that was enough. Apart from truck movements, even in the Camping-Car area, I woke at just after 1am to the sound of someone trying the doors. I shouted and got out of bed, but they had gone into the night (apart from the massive lights they ran under). We did report it and the Gendarme (station on the service area) said it is not wise to sleep on these places, there is a high crime rate at most. So now we don't!

 

[Geek]

In my opinion, if anyone considers the threat great enough to need these measures why park there?

Indeed, though very occasionally there is little choice.
People like to fantasise about security, deterrents and weapons.
In reality, they are just silly fantasies.
The crooks are younger, fittedr and less inhibited than we are. They would win any fight.
They don't care about damaging stuff. Glass, plastic and thin aluminium won't keep them out. Reinforcements will just make the damage more expensive to repair.

 

[runnach]

They don't care about damaging stuff. Glass, plastic and thin aluminium won't keep them out. Reinforcements will just make the damage more expensive to repair.

Damage to in our case, access door, cost is negligible, bent metal and the likes can be repaired/replaced. My main point of thread (which I regret sharing to benefit other forum members) was not to gear up with xyz weapons, it was to put out there to beef up door security, which can give a member time to get their head into gear at @ 02.00 hrs-ish
Not to debate where to park up, attempted break-ins, can happen anywhere, not just French MW Aires .

 

[Geek]

What limited your damage was the scream, not the lock. A large dog bowl outside near the door, or surfboards on the roof might be good deterrents.

 

[runnach]

Hi Terry,

Was it this aire (with a Flot Bleu borne)? https://maps.app.goo.gl/RVwDDbR9A4E9YCUs9

My apologies Tom, I missed your post, yes, this is the MW aire.

 

[runnach]

What limited your damage was the scream, not the lock. A large dog bowl outside near the door, or surfboards on the roof might be good deterrents.

All supposition.

 

[Geek]

All supposition.

It is only supposition that the whole episode wasn't a prank to surprise you.

 

[runnach]

It is only supposition that the whole episode wasn't a prank to surprise you.

 

[TJBi]

My apologies Tom, I missed your post, yes, this is the MW aire.

Thanks Terry,

Currently not in the CCI database and it looks as though the only reason for inclusion would be to warn people off! There is a link here to the (former) eco café on the site, with various negative reviews (if reviews are sorted most recent first).

 

[runnach]

Thanks Terry,

Currently not in the CCI database and it looks as though the only reason for inclusion would be to warn people off! There is a link here to the (former) eco café on the site, with various negative reviews (if reviews are sorted most recent first).

Hi Tom, can you pvt message me a link to CCI database please for future reference?

As mentioned within my OP, a long trip from Ambisola, Italy, to that particular service stop, with Grasse only a few clicks further on.

Trying for Archigny tomorrow, heat dependant, or the following day, currently at Comps south of Avignon, still a ways to our nice cool basement.

 

[El radge]

One of the first pieces of advice I received when I mentioned a possible trip to France was, 'Don't overnight on them.

I , on occasion , overnight at motorway services in different countries in Europe . Never had a problem . Which doesn't mean I'll never have a problem . Tend not to do it near big towns/cities .
As stated people have problems on aires , campsites etc . Trust your gut

 

[El radge]

What limited your damage was the scream, not the lock. A large dog bowl outside near the door, or surfboards on the roof might be good deterrents.

Surfboards ?

 

[Sharon the Cat]

One extra option with a dual role ....
Always good to have a fire extinguisher in the motorhome. Keep a little extra one handy where you sleep for any fires and maybe could be a useful thing to spray at an intruder? Would help keep a distance between you and them as well.

Possibly the best intruder deterrent I have ever heard of.
Unfortunately, to reach ours I would have to lean so far out of the bed, right by the hab door, that I would fall out and land on them. So, it's still a good deterrent in my book.

 

[Geek]

Surfboards ?

Yup. A potential thief will think twice about risking confronting the sort of young, fit people who go surfing.

 

[runnach]

Yup. A potential thief will think twice about risking confronting the sort of young, fit people who go surfing.

Most decent surfers will be stoned out their face and invite the perps in to share a doobie.

 

[runnach]

Surfboards ?

Perhaps a zimmer frame left outside and the perps conscience will have them move on to somewhere else

 

[runnach]

Possibly the best intruder deterrent I have ever heard of.
Unfortunately, to reach ours I would have to lean so far out of the bed, right by the hab door, that I would fall out and land on them. So, it's still a good deterrent in my book.

I agree, and I never thought about this, I have used dry powder in earnest to put out a fire in our Dethleffs camper. Horrible stuff, and the aftermath from the powder has to be seen to be believed. Breathing in, or eye contact I reckon would not be nice, with possible after effects?

Repeating myself, and a simple task, as our camper has only one access door, which already has a secondary door security measure, making an addition simpler.

Look at at your door/s, ask your self, what can I do to beef up entry from undesirable’s, be it diy or off the shelf. Fit it, as it can buy you time to get your head together to take positive measures to keep you safe.

 

[wildebus]

I agree, and I never thought about this, I have used dry powder in earnest to put out a fire in our Dethleffs camper. Horrible stuff, and the aftermath from the powder has to be seen to be believed. Breathing in, or eye contact I reckon would not be nice, with possible after effects?

Repeating myself, and a simple task, as our camper has only one access door, which already has a secondary door security measure, making an addition simpler.

Look at at your door/s, ask your self, what can I do to beef up entry from undesirable’s, be it diy or off the shelf. Fit it, as it can buy you time to get your head together to take positive measures to keep you safe.

If you think back to films set in the middle ages and/or properties from that era which showed people securing the doors internally and a common method was dropping a big wooden plank across the door resting on two "U" brackets. Modern version could be shoot-bolts. The biggest problem is finding a position strong enough on the doot to mount on.

Now I can't recall where I saw this next thing, and I don't know what it is called so can't search for it, but maybe the description will ring a bell .....?
There is an aftermarket product that can be used with Hartal type motorhome habitation doors. You take this product, which I think has a C-shape and simply slide it over the internal moving lock part - either top one or bottom one, or even get a pair or them? When they are in position, it prevents the bolt, that moves up or down when you pull the handle, from moving. Doesn't matter if the door is locked, unlocked or the has been forced, it physically cannot be opened. I guess a bit like a deadlock in effect.

Very simple, and I bet some folk on the forum could work out how to make one pretty easily?
Something everyone muct keep in mind .... the more secure you make your motorhome, the harder - and longer - it might take you to exit in an emergency, or something to get in to help you if you could not help yourself? All a matter of getting the balance right.

FWIW, I have a a house-style alarm in my own motorhome. I have PIRs internally and magnetic sensors on the doors (including cab doors) and lockers and a siren. And like a house alarm, I can set it to be "Away", so all active including the PIRs, or "Home", where the mag sensors are active and the PIRs are off. So if I set to "Home", if anyone opens the doot middle of the night, after a few seconds the Siren will go off. I also have a remote keyfob to enable/disable the alarm plus an "SOS" button for instant activation.
Maybe having something like that could be a good option? Mine also interfaces with the Alexa in the van and I have the alarm activasting a message on the Alexa speaker telling the incomer to get out and they are being recorded from the internal Blink camera.
These kind of alarms are not expensive at all. Little search for something like "wireless shed alarm" say might be a goof starting point?

 

[TeamRienza]

What about befriending and anethsetist and getting a small canister of gas from him. It would be very satisfying to gas a thief considering the large number of motorhomers who have been gassed.
Perhaps you could turn the tables on him and steal his Rolex, wallet and cards, not forgetting his jewelry. Make sure you take a photo of his sad, unconscious face for the newspapers!

Seriously, I would prefer to be robbed on an Aire where the thief would be spoilt for choice.

I have over the years thought of strengthening the hab door security (A class) and am of the opinion that it would be more easily repaired, replaced or even a new one fabricated than chasing replacement windows for a 10 year old van. So one good tug and they could be in. The only valuable item in the van is me and that is only scrap value.

Davy

 

[runnach]

What about befriending and anethsetist and getting a small canister of gas from him. It would be very satisfying to gas a thief considering the large number of motorhomers who have been gassed.
Perhaps you could turn the tables on him and steal his Rolex, wallet and cards, not forgetting his jewelry. Make sure you take a photo of his sad, unconscious face for the newspapers!

Seriously, I would prefer to be robbed on an Aire where the thief would be spoilt for choice.

I have over the years thought of strengthening the hab door security (A class) and am of the opinion that it would be more easily repaired, replaced or even a new one fabricated than chasing replacement windows for a 10 year old van. So one good tug and they could be in. The only valuable item in the van is me and that is only scrap value.

Davy

I take your point Davy. Personally, I’d rather have a fubared window than our only door to contend with. Easy to do a bodge on a window than a door that is your only access to camper.

Even now I still reflect back on the night/morning, what the outcome could be? Someone trying to access what is basically our box to steal, would imo, have little scruples to stab/kill you to get what they want.

Even tonight, parked up a lovely remote spot, camper is parked within an open area where If some were to happen, I have good visibility all around me, rear, using rear view camera.

It is not supposed to be like this, sleeping with one eye open, and constant listening albeit a remote spot or an aire for movement outside our box.

Heyhoo, life’s a beach then you dive!!