We never had an awning with our MH so this question did not arise. However, I can see that we'll be spreading into our awning (when we get it) rather than living in the van (when we get it).

Trouble is that I'm a bit of a cynic and assume that these days 'if it isn't nailed down someone will nick it'.

I find it hard to balance that with what seems to be a very laid back attitude of leaving huge amounts of stuff in an awning, chairs, cooking equipment etc etc.

What do folks feel about this? Caravan sites are no more secure than anywhere else, I haven't detected and magic shields anywhere, or is just a case of take the risk? Lots of pics of awnings in use convince me that people will not pack all that lot back in the van every day before they go off exploring, hence puzzled.

With the exception of valuables, jewellery, phones, tablets, etc. I am very much the glass half full and trusting sort. Never had a problem. I leave chairs, bbq and accessories, towels, awning pegs and tools and general flotsum that naturaly finds its way into the awning. I do not pull over the curtains when I go out. There is usualy always somebody about a touring site and in general caravanners are decent sorts. I do not tour abroad so can make no comment but I doubt I would do anything different. I tend to take as I find when it comes to people.

Stewart

Everything but the kitchen sink stays in ours and even then I feel sure that if I looked hard enough I'd even find that tucked away somewhere. That said, I do make a mental note of those that are around and we always introduce ourselves to the neighbours so that everyone knows WHOSE SUPPOSED to be in the awning. When out and about during the evening we do close the curtains, however, and leave a light on.

P1000137.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Plus 1 for the above set our awning up like the kitchen don't really give any thought to thieves never had a bother yet. Plus caravanning/camping is a relaxed affair (once the awning is up) your there to enjoy yourself not keeping taking things in and out all the time. If you do that your making life a lot harder try to relax keep your valuables with you.
Morphy.

Just a thought: don't leave any food related products or you might get a visit from a local rodent: one 'middle of the night' I was exiting to have a whizz and moved a folding chair in the awning: somehow a very large black cat had made it's way into the awning and it jumped off and made its escape. What a cardiac test I wasn't right for hours after.

We keep our coats/walking boots/ shoes and deck chairs in the awning. When we had the old Puck we use to keep the bin in the awning, one night we were woken up to a rustling and grunting. When I investigated it was a hedgehog pulling out bits from the bin bag...

Anything of low value stays where it is in the awning or even just under the sun canopy. We don't bother drawing curtains or leaving lights on and touch wood never had a problem

Just buy a retractable wire with a combination lock. Thread the wire through chairs, table & BBQ, very difficult to remove these items all together. Need to have items back to back. The wire can be cut, just an easy deterrent.

Thank you one and all for your thoughts - Deeps, I have no idea how you manage to transport that lot. I thought I was good good at fitting lots into a small space but I raise my hat to you sir!

Think about how people manage in tents. Everything has to be left out! We just kept valuables in the car, now the van. I have no idea what the problem is like in British campsites, but we're never had a problem in France.

Quote: rambling robin wrote in post #11

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Deeps, I have no idea how you manage to transport that lot. I thought I was good good at fitting lots into a small space but I raise my hat to you sir!

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This Is a good thought provoking thread for me. We use our past vans and trailer tent or vintage campers to visit vw festivals and I must say we leave the chairs and cooking gear and dog cage (minus the dogs, they are either with us or sleeping the the van) and a few bits and bobs in the awning.....
That said, over the last couple of years the security and reports of thefts (and I'm talking stealing parts OFF VEHICLES ON DISPLAY!) have sky rocketed. I think I'm more inclined to put more stuff away.... I mean, the cooking stand which holds my stove is a vintage Hako unit with several hard to find attachments.... I'd be well miffed to find it had walked.
Glad I have an estate car now too to chuck more stuff in. I don't know how I'd be on for caravan insurance covering awning thefts??

>but we're never had a problem in France.<

I have, our van was broken into through the window while we slept inside.
Dave