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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. 

Quote: Originally posted by steveiow on 10/7/2007

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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

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Quote: Originally posted by Beccylovespurpl on 16/7/2007

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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. 

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Quote: Originally posted by MamaBear on 19/7/2007

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So do you lock it or just put everything away, valuables in car as advised or just zip up and leave it unlocked?

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Quote: Originally posted by MarciaA on 19/7/2007

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Quote: Originally posted by MamaBear on 19/7/2007

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So do you lock it or just put everything away, valuables in car as advised or just zip up and leave it unlocked?

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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 !

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