Valuables

[geofthecyclist]

We are new to caravanning and I am intending to use my caravan abroad for reasonably lengthy periods. It means carrying vehicle documents, passports, laptop and probably more cash than I would normally have with me.

Other than relying on the alarm and probably hiding valuables throughout the caravan (somewhat inconvenient) does anybody have advice to offer on security products like a lightweight "safe" if there is such a thing or do sites abroad offer a safety deposit like hotels?

 

[SteveW77]

I got a safe from Screwfix

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Geoffrey,

Rather than looking to have a secure store in your caravan, consider fitting one to your car.

Generally speaking car security is stronger than caravans, also the car will tend to be with where ever you go, whilst the caravan will be left on site during days out etc.

Having the valuables nearer to you means they are under better control, and you would have access to them if you should need them whilst on days out.

You will need to make your own judgment on the pro's and cons of car or caravan storage.

 

[Joyce_5063910]

Hi Geoffrey

You do not say where abouts aboad you may be visiting.

Many here on the forum will tell you tales of caravnners being robbed on their way down to Spain and Portugal but many times it because they did not go in a secure camp site at night.

We know of some this happened to.

But if you are going to Holland or Germany or Luxemburg in my experience you will find that many caravanners leave their caravans, awnings, gas bottles, bikes and possessions in place all through the summer on a camp site they like and go back each weekend.

Noone appears to touch anything and it amazes us that people just leave things, zip up their awning and go home.

Now I am not saying that you should be open with all your things and not secure valuables somewhere but I think you will find it is very different abroad.

You only have to ask Lutz if he has a wheel clamp and I think the answer will be ..No

Because we come from the UK I still find myself locking everything up and I would not leave everything on show ..it is built in to do that!

So do not get too worried about thigns just go and have a fantastic time but be careful and sensible. Joyce

 

[Val & Frank]

Geoffrey,

On the cash point, if you have a Nationwide card you can withdraw all the cash you may need on Holiday, commission and charge free from most cash points. Saves losing the lot if your robbed !!!As Joyce points out it's no different from the UK, be sensible and enjoy yourselves.

Val & Frank

 

[RayS]

You can get small safes from Screwfix and other places and fit to caravan or car or both. If you bolt through the caravan floor, use some very large washers or better, a spreader plate on the underside. Coachbolts from the bottom up are good, as they provide very little purchase from the outside.

Many cars now have fastenings in the boot or load space to take tie downs. Remove one of these, drill a hole in the bottom of the safe and refit with the bolt inside the safe. Minimise the gaps and thus avoid potential leverage access.

If you want something a bit larger, safes used for ammunition are available from gunsmiths.

You then need to decide where to keep the key/s of the safe/s of course - loosing these would be very frustrating. (Perhaps digital locked safes would be better ?)