The Caravan Owners Club

[stan]

Hi All,
I have just fitted a sleeping gas alarm to my 495 UFE Prestige, so we will now sleep a little easier in French and Spanish rest areas when we need to pull over on route south. If anyone wonders what I'm talking about let me explain. Unscrupulous individuals are now targetting caravaners as they sleep in their vans in service areas etc. They spray a knock out gas into your van such as 'easystart' via the fridge or floor vents while you are asleep, this will render you unconcious. They can then break in, steal and do what ever they like. Be prepared if touring abroad and fit one of these alarms, its very easy.

Stan and Sue.

[mcrossi]

Hi Stan,

it sounds a good idea!! What make of alarm have you installed and where did you buy it from?

Cheers

Ivan

[stan]

Ivan.
I have fitted a German made alarm called Sopo Alarm, purchased from Martins Caravans of Exeter, it comes complete with a blue strobe light. Very nicely made but Cost £139. I expect its available from Joerresons fair bit cheaper. There are other versions available that look like glorified smoke alarms at about £80.
Cheers
Stan.

[mcrossi]

Thanks very much for the info Stan, I will get in touch with them

Ivan

[les m]

ive heard plenty of reports about this gassing thing yet i have yet to hear from the horses mouth, so to speak, (no offence intended) of any one who as suffered this traumitic experiance, it as always been somebody who knows, heard of or was told of by somebody. surely if it is so freverlent (spelt wrong no-doubt!!) somebody would have quoted it as a personal experiance, or have i led a sheltered a very life
les

[BJH]

We met a couple on a site in the Drome (France) two years ago who had been gassed (and robbed) on their way down - it happened on a service area near Lyon despite then parking up amongst the lorries for added security! They were (not unnaturally) very traumatised by the experience. Talking to them has certainly made us much more wary!

[les m]

again "met a couple" precisely the point im making. not that i have any reason to disbelieve you what so ever. but i have yet to hear from a victim.

[beejay]

Hi
LIDL & NETTO are selling a gas alarm at £12.99 I bought a similar one from NETTO last year . I tested it with various gases and it works fine. A French caravan magazine checked this "knockout " gas story. They claimed that it is not practical because of the large amount of gas required to fill a caravan to make people unconcious. Using inflammable gases would almost certainly result in an explosion at the concentration required. (There is usually something about that will produce a spark when it cuts in and out). They couldn't find anyone with first hand experience of this kind of robbery. Everybody knows somebody who knows somebody etc. etc.!!!!!!! I DO know of a couple who were robbed on a campsite but no gas was used, just a very quiet entry and exit with a wallet from under the pillow of a sleeping person. P.S. I bought mine to detect any possible leakage from the caravan gas system but it is nice to think it may have other uses.