Wow that's just bad luck Val, we don't pack anything loose in our roof box, in fact this year I borrowed my mates Kamie Husky XXL (510lt) roof box as we went to France without the trailer.
The locking system on the Kamie was single key, but very secure, more so than my Kamie Dolphin 380lt roofbox, in fact the Kamie Husky XXL is on my Christmas list now.
We pack everything into Gelert Cargo bags ten of to be precise!, mostly bedding and alike although this year we had some what would be hard to replace camping kit also in the roofbox.
It would have been a nightmare if it got Brocken into, more so for the outward journey that the return journey, I guess for you it was just a case of being in the right place but at the wrong time.
Quote: Originally posted by badger54 on 19/10/2019
Just out of interest Val, where exactly were you parked in Calais.
We were parked in the hotel car park of the Holiday Inn in Coquelles, but we've think that the theft may have been interrupted by someone because there is nothing missing, other than the two padlocks which locked the box.
Fortunately most of the stuff in our box was packed in waterproof bags - even my wool - but as it hit the road it must have burst and all the balls of wool rolled down the road separately. Everything else remained 'bagged. The worst casualty was my white shirt which was wet through and suffered from road dirt as I picked things up!
But I love the fact you were being philosophical about someone else potentially in more need of bedding from your holiday home than you were. Some folks would have used bad words to describe the people that did this, but you remained graceful.
Stuff is just stuff and I guess even seasoned travellers can still learn lessons.
Quote: Originally posted by lidds0 on 18/10/2019
That must have been really alarming. Did you just notice stuff flying out when using your rear view mirrors?
Had the locks been totally removed? Our top box lid won't clamp down unless the key is in the lock.
Yes, exactly how we noticed it - and someone behind 'tooting'!
The locks had been totally removed, and the snap down fastening at the front had been broken off too - though the rear one was just unfastened. Our box is 20 plus years old, and the locks are two tiny padlocks which slot through two pieces of metal. They are very easily snapped off as they are not much bigger than suitcase locks. The box is due for replacement and one with stronger locks is now on the cards!
Playing devil's advocate here:
Since nothing has gone, the roofbox 20 odd years old and secured with 2 tiny padlocks, is it possible those padlocks failed and the lid just bounced up, breaking the front fastening?
When I asked if the locks had been removed, I was thinking barrel locks, as on most modern roof boxes.
All anyone can do is speculate, of course, but glad to hear everything was retrieved from the road and - more importantly - nobody was hurt.
A reminder for all of us to check the integrity of our roofboxes as well as being vigilant about overnight parking.
Quote: Originally posted by lidds0 on 18/10/2019
That must have been really alarming. Did you just notice stuff flying out when using your rear view mirrors?
Had the locks been totally removed? Our top box lid won't clamp down unless the key is in the lock.
Yes, exactly how we noticed it - and someone behind 'tooting'!
The locks had been totally removed, and the snap down fastening at the front had been broken off too - though the rear one was just unfastened. Our box is 20 plus years old, and the locks are two tiny padlocks which slot through two pieces of metal. They are very easily snapped off as they are not much bigger than suitcase locks. The box is due for replacement and one with stronger locks is now on the cards!
Playing devil's advocate here:
Since nothing has gone, the roofbox 20 odd years old and secured with 2 tiny padlocks, is it possible those padlocks failed and the lid just bounced up, breaking the front fastening?
When I asked if the locks had been removed, I was thinking barrel locks, as on most modern roof boxes.
All anyone can do is speculate, of course, but glad to hear everything was retrieved from the road and - more importantly - nobody was hurt.
A reminder for all of us to check the integrity of our roofboxes as well as being vigilant about overnight parking.
No, having finally unpacked, we have discovered that missing are two pillows, a double duvet and twelve water glasses bought in Spain, and still in their boxes. Two very brightly coloured plastic bags (containing the missing duvet and pillows) are also missing, and definitely weren't strewn across the road. Drying out are half a dozen balls of wool which are very wet and soggy and the other duvet and pillows which survived unscathed are now in the launderette!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
No offence taken Lidds0 - we're both very pragmatic about these things. We had the caravan broken into about four years ago on a tiny municipal site, and all sorts of odd things were stolen. These included the awning canvas but not the poles, the hoover but not the (essential) hose and tools, the caravan steps and hook-up, towels and bedding, and my (lovely) compact manicure set! Oh, and a fish holder for a barbecue, but not the barbecue!
I just wanted to warn people about the possibilities, because we've stayed in Calais many many times without problems and I suppose I've always been a bit dismissive of potential problems.
(PS - The glasses were for my sister anyway - and the missing duvet and pillows were 'spare ones' and will save me about £40 in launderette costs!)
Our Thule roofbox has internal straps to hold things tight ... and the triple locking system seems pretty good, so, even it it did open, stuff would probably remain 'on bpard'. The lid 'bounce might damage the car ...
I had a cycle panier plus contents stolen from a campsite on the Loire, years ago ... police found it and drove me to the location ... stuff was strewn all over a small country lane ... mostly clothing ... so all recouped except for one 'favourite' jacket (the only decent piece of clothing I had on the bike trip!
Not 'fun' though ... but it will provide a chapter in the security section of your long awaited book: 'Advice to Campers in Europe' ... or 'Camping with Val' ...
We're still awaiting communication from the hotel about the efficiency (or otherwise) of their car park security!
A replacement roof box is now definitely on the cards as we've realised just how old (and how insecure) ours is! (Anyone wanting rid of a roof box.................?)
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Calais problems!
via mobile 20/10/2019 at 12:21pm
