When we started caravanning many years ago we kept the van stored in the front garden accessable via a cul de sac finishing at my garden. We found this great for servicing and loading up van pior to outings. Could also get the fridge cold via electric hook up. This went on for a few years then one of our friends who also kept the van at home on his drive had his house broken into while they were away in the van. Police reckoned that whoever broke in either saw them going or knew if the van wasn't there neither were the house owners. That decided us to store the van at a secure storage site, I know that doesn't mean we are immune to the lowlife scroats but at least they have no indicator we are away.
------------- 74,going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
our house was broken into before we had a caravan and lots of stuff stolen.we were on holiday at the time.now i do not worry about it and just pay the insurance and go.our van is at home.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Quote: Originally posted by michael on 04/12/2011
our house was broken into before we had a caravan and lots of stuff stolen.we were on holiday at the time.now i do not worry about it and just pay the insurance and go.our van is at home.
Agree. There's reasonable argument that the sudden disappearance of a van stored at home is a good indication of the house being empty, but my experience suggests there's as much chance of being broken into regardless; friends house was burgled and their van was still sat on the front of the drive.
The use of random time switches on lighting, dusk-to-dawn lights and friendly neighbours who keep tabs on curtains being drawn etc., all add to the illusion of the house being occupied.
My view is if they want to get in they will, wether you're out for the night or away for a holiday, they are either opportunists or the ones that will watch your movements ( the people who stole our landrover were very prepared, bought plates to cover our plates up) you can only make your house secure pay your insurance and carry on as normal, or you'd never go anywhere or do anything , our van is at home it's around the back out of site and because of where we live you can't see it very well, but even if it was on view I'd still keep it at home, I like having it there.
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The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
Well we have timed lights and a burglar alarm system, and i know if they want what you got they will probably get it. Just didn't want to advertise it, as to the car it's in the garage.
------------- 74,going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
our vans at home on the drive and several friends have asked me if I'm concerned thiefs will target our house when the van isnt there but I totally agree with murano.
We do live in a dead end road with no passing traffic other than the 10 or so neighbours houses after ours. So someone would have to come looking and we get so few people walking/driving up the road and the ex copper who we call Mr Nosey is always at home and dosent miss a thing. We're sure he logs us all in and out hes at the window so much
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If the money one spends putting the van in storage, was transferred to a good (and visible) burgler alarm system, that would be a better deterrent to oportunist thief.
We keep our current van at MIL's, she's nearly 80 and likes it because she says it makes it look like a family lives there as she lives alone.
We were burgled at our last house with the van on the drive, we will bring ours back when getting for long breaks but we live in a very 'cosy' cul-de-sac now, it would be hard to mess around with a caravan without being noticed.
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Hi, My Neighbours daughter had her house burgled last week, their cars were on the drive and they where in bed, her husband had cold and was not sleeping too well, he heard a noise in the house, he got up to check if it was one of the two children (one of the children sleep walks) had got out of bed, realised there was some one in the house, went down stairs picking up a golf club, and came face to face with the guy, who promptly made off carrying the children’s lap top and Xbox. So agree with other posts that it could have been an opportunistic thiefchancing his luck.
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Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 04/12/2011
If the money one spends putting the van in storage, was transferred to a good (and visible) burgler alarm system, that would be a better deterrent to oportunist thief.
Doh, got one
------------- 74,going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
We had a break in a few years ago they ransacked the house they must have had a really good look before hand as we plus our neighbors each side of us who are sisters were all on holiday the police said they probably went for us being the middle knowing they wouldn't be heard by neighbors.
We now have cctv, burglar alarms, timer lights and neighbors let each other know that they are away so put bins in and out and make sure nothing is left hanging out of the letter box.
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Topic: Where to keep the van
