Beginners advise on safety please

[susana]

Hello,
I have joined your website a few minutes ago. My husband and I have decided to take a career break and go motorhoming around Europe for a year. We are completely beginners so we have lots to learn and I am sure your website will be very helpful to us.
We have bought a few books to know more about how to purchase a motorhome, how to prepare it, how to deal with ongoing maintenance, etc. However, I would like to learn more about safety and security, and it would be great if more experience motorhomers could share some tips with us, in particular on:
1) how best to protect the vehicle when we leave.
2) where we must avoid parking the vehicle
3) how best to protect ourselves in case they break into the vehicle when we are inside and,
4) What useful devices you would recommend buying
Thank you very much
Susana.

 

[TonyJones]

Hi Susana, welcome to the forum - and the hobby! I've "upgraded" you so you won't have to copy the "security squiggles" next time you post.
You're clearly very concerned about security - please don't worry! There ARE bad guys out there, but much of what you hear can't be verified. Only believe horror stories if someone you trust puts their hand on their heart and says "This happened to ME," - not my friend, neighbour, or sister. Lots of "urban myths" out there!
Your first concern should be to choose the right motorhome. Two of you, living in it full-time for a year, need to think very carefully about what "stuff" you need to take with you, and what you can manage without! Both the storage space and the "payload" (maximum shown on the vehicle's plate, less the weight of the vehicle itself) will affect what you can take with you.
Consider also whether you're happy to make up a bed every night, or need a "fixed" or "drop-down" bed which can be left made up during the day.
Many continental models have limited cooking facilities - some as little as two gas burners, with no oven or grill! They seem to manage fine with that, but most of us Brits would want more, so tend to look at British vans.
How big a vehicle will both of you be happy to drive? (or even legal - if you passed your test after 1997 you're limited to 3,500kg, unless you take an extra test).
One way many people start is to hire a motorhome for a holiday, see what's good and bad (for them) about that particular van, and so make up a checklist of what they're looking for when they're ready to buy.
A visit to one of the many motorhome shows can also be helpful - but don't be tempted to "sign on the dotted line" there and then, just because a dealer says it's a "special show price." You can usually get the sme deal later, and from a dealer who's nearer to your home (important for any comebacks).
I hope I've given you enough to think about for now - without putting you off! I really envy you the opportunity to take a "grown-up gap year" while you're young enough to enjoy it properly - most of us have to wait til we retire!

 

[Flicka]

Hi susana - Generally take the normal precautions as you would with any vehicle, but also:-
1) how best to protect the vehicle when we leave.
Alarms are available (which are often the requirements of Insurers) that protect the "Motorhome" side. They can protect the habitation door, any external lockers, even windows & work inconjunction with the vehicle alarm. The Van Blitz version can also be extended to integrate bikes on rear rack (others may but I don't know)

2) where we must avoid parking the vehicle
I'll assume you mean other than Camp/Caravan sites. Same as any vehicle, if an area looks undesirable or unsafe, move to somewhere you feel more comfortable.

3) how best to protect ourselves in case they break into the vehicle when we are inside and,
Tha Alarm, as above, should have internal movement detectors in standard mode. This can be disabled whilst you are in the van, but alarm on all doors remains active. Some people go for additional security for the main cab doors, but that generally applies to older vehicles. The current Fiat Ducato & Peugeot Boxer based motorhomes have cab door deadlocks. (also the Ford Transit, I think)

4) What useful devices you would recommend buying.
The Alarms are generally refered to as "Thatcham Approved" For a well respected Alarm have a look at the Van Blitz website.

 

[susana]

Great,
Thanks very much for putting things into perspective for me. I am much more enthusiastic about my trip as it is getting closer.