I know it makes sense to put expensive items in the car boot, after all when you look, the stuff we carry starts to add up. Trouble is, I've never had trouble on a campsite, I have however had my car locks staffed several times when parked up in various towns. Luckily nowt much to nick though.
Though you can lock your valuables in your boot, you are still possibly leaving your chairs, table, lamps, cooler box, cooker, fan, etc, etc... behind when you go out. This lot will still cost an arm and a leg to replace.
Most theft is opportunistic. Though theft from tents is rare, I also believe that you can't be too careful.
We store the camp stuff in the tent when we go out so it's "out of site out of mind". Furthermore, I have a 6m security wire (similar wire as for locking bicycles, got it from a boating shop) which we thread through each handle or gap and pad lock the whole lot together. Takes a few seconds.
Getting to know your neighbours and looking out for one another is the golden rule - we stayed at a fab site in Dorset recently who have never had a single theft in 5 years of business (Woodlands Camping Park, in E Dorset between Wareham and Wool) . The owners know all the cars by sight and will challenge anyone they don't recognise.
We keep costly items to a minumum (phones, camera, guitar) and keep then with us (or in the car) at all times. The story of the tent being nicked is a horrendous but extremely rare incident- I have camped for 25 years and not had so much as a peg stolen.
I think that the occasions where camping equipment is stolen are just that occasional. I've never had anything taken or been on a site where I've heard of anything going missing.
However, although I do lock stuff in the car, I have had my car broken into a few times in the past and know lots of others who have too. Unfortunately, it happens in rural areas as much as in towns so doesn't help campers much. Thieves around us tend to target carparks in the New Forest, especially on Bank Holidays etc.
Having said that, it wouldn't be insured if you left it in the tent whereas if it is out of site in the car it should be covered on my home insurance.
I have a theory that during our everyday lives we are accepting into our heads so much rubbish thru radios,television,i-pods and internet that to leave these so called "valuables at home whilst on holiday would give our tired minds a well deserved rest.Want some music? Just listen to the wind in the trees or the birds singing.Want some television? just watch the antics of your neighbours.Leave your valuables at home and give yourself a holiday from worrying about whether they will be nicked.Mind you may get them nicked from home while you are away, but at least you have at last learnt to do without them! Tallman
Quote: Originally posted by steveiow on 10/7/2007
hi all :)
was just wondering about tent security i mean what do people do if they go out for the day off site ?
do you take your lappies and portable dvd players and radios with you or trust other campers not to enter you tent while you out ?
thanks
steve
Hi steve.
The site I use these days are fairly safe you soon get to know your neighbors and everyone seems to keep an Eye out without been asked.
But if you are concerned Why not get a portable alarm.
They will cost you £14 + postage they have very good coverage and are very loud 130 DB.
If you should get one don't forget to point it away from your windows
Google The Personal & property security shop. click personnel alarms.and check out the Motion sensing alarm with remote control.
If that goes of in a tent every one will know
all the best
Rex
------------- "Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)
Quote: Originally posted by Beccylovespurpl on 16/7/2007
I think that the occasions where camping equipment is stolen are just that occasional. I've never had anything taken or been on a site where I've heard of anything going missing.
However, although I do lock stuff in the car, I have had my car broken into a few times in the past and know lots of others who have too. Unfortunately, it happens in rural areas as much as in towns so doesn't help campers much. Thieves around us tend to target carparks in the New Forest, especially on Bank Holidays etc.
Having said that, it wouldn't be insured if you left it in the tent whereas if it is out of site in the car it should be covered on my home insurance.
Unfortunately it does happen and after 15 years of camping, this year we had some stuff pinched for the very first time. Although the items were replaceable this is not the point. The stuff was taken from the front of our tent, owners didn't worry either. So it does happen believe me.
Air of caution is best, unfortunately we were camping down in Selsey last week at Bunns leisure (5 star rating apparently) i would give less myself. A lady in the next field with young family on her own had her tent door ripped whilst she was a sleep and handbag snatched, found later contents taken and chucked a few feet away. In her defence it was blowing what sounded like a blizzard that night and probably distracted from what was actually going. I have always been very trusting but this certainly worried a lot of campers last week. I must say i usually taking personal things in to sleeping area with me but not sort of thing you would like to be exposed to especially with young family on her own.
Hi all
I think if I was a young lady camping on my own with my children I would now be tempted to get one of the portable alarms.It probably would scare off the cowardly that commit such offenses against brave young lady's who are giving their children a holiday,
What next Bad Weather, thieves, I suppose we shall have an heatwave next month killing all us old campers off
Rex
Post last edited on 19/07/2007 10:15:19
------------- "Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)
I guess it's a toss up on how to secure your tent then. My hubby bought locks but now I'm worried about our tent being slashed, we couldn't afford to replace it.
So do you lock it or just put everything away, valuables in car as advised or just zip up and leave it unlocked?
It's really sad that you can't go anywhere without worrying about someone stealing your stuff. Especially when camping, I know it's the odd one out, but I think I've come to expect more from campers because so many are wonderful, caring people. This site alone proves that.
Quote: Originally posted by MamaBear on 19/7/2007
So do you lock it or just put everything away, valuables in car as advised or just zip up and leave it unlocked?
I don't really take any valuables unless I can carry them about with me. I do put chairs etc. away in the tent if we go out but to be honest it's more for tidiness sake and in case of rain/strong wind than to prevent thieving. I don't think we have much that's worth nicking to be honest so maybe that's wht we've been okay this far !
I've just renewed our home contents policy and now have just short of £4k 'all risks' for things outside the home. We worked out that our gear would cost about £1300 to replace, so there's no way I'd go without insurance.
Having said that, I've never had a problem with loss before.
Quote: Originally posted by MamaBear on 19/7/2007So do you lock it or just put everything away, valuables in car as advised or just zip up and leave it unlocked?
I don't really take any valuables unless I can carry them about with me. I do put chairs etc. away in the tent if we go out but to be honest it's more for tidiness sake and in case of rain/strong wind than to prevent thieving. I don't think we have much that's worth nicking to be honest so maybe that's wht we've been okay this far !
Hi MarciaA
Yes that is what we seem to do But the gas bottle that stands outside our kitchen area is locked to the frame of the tent with a push bike cable lock and our solar panel is locked to the tent frame through the top center vent.with a 400Lbs braking strain shark trace,I know that sounds fishy but its true
Rex
------------- "Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)
We don't have either gas bottles or solar panels to worry about but I'd probably do the same as you if we did - I do know gas bottles can go walkies - my Mum has her two bottles chained firmly to her static caravan!
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Topic: tent security
that commit such offenses against brave young lady's who are giving their children a holiday,
