Habitation Door Security

I would like to have fitted an additional EXTERIOR security door lock to the habitation door to increase security. I should be most grateful to hear from anyone who has had such a unit fitted either DIY or paid for the job to be done. Please give name of manufacturer, model number and ANYTHING that I should be aware of. Thank you in anticipation. - Jaime

I fitted one of these:

https://www.milenco.com/products/security/recreational-vehicle-door-locks/security-door-lock

You need to make sure you have clearance inside and out for either of the fitting options (mine fitted in landscape mode).  

I imagine it wouldn't be the hardest thing in the world to jemmy it off but obviously I haven't tried. However it does give an extra level of visible security when the vehicle is left unattended and is also quick & simple to lock and unlock from inside without needing the key.

I’m in two minds with those locks, shows that you are definitely not in the van. When we had our coach build I ended up putting a ring contact sensor on the habitation door linked to our house alarm. Obviously when away from home its redundant but we tend to stay on club sites.

There are so may ways of getting in to your van quickly and easily rather than through the habitation door I think extra door locks achieve nothing. Just another way to look at it.
If your concern is when you are in the van take a cargo strap and secure the door to something firm in the van.

DeeBee wrote:I’m in two minds with those locks, shows that you are definitely not in the van.  . . .

As I mentioned in my earlier post, these Milenco locks are also designed to be locked (without using the key) when you are inside the van to give an extra level of protection from intruders, so certainly don't "show that you are definitely not in the van" at all. 

Although it's slightly worrying that some folk may think that . . .    . . .  hence less of a deterrent?

Over the years have seen lots of things to make people assume you might be in the van including leaving a pair of shoes outside on the step like you just went in and at night leave a water bowl outside with a dog chain attached to the van. 
That said in many years of wild camping and aires never had a problem. 
If anyone did get in they would soon leave, bear spray can be very convincing.

groundhog wrote:Over the years have seen lots of things to make people assume you might be in the van including leaving a pair of shoes outside on the step like you just went in and at night leave a water bowl outside with a dog chain attached to the van. 
That said in many years of wild camping and aires never had a problem. 
If anyone did get in they would soon leave, bear spray can be very convincing.

Careful who you let know that you have Bear Spray. Owning such as well as its use is illegal in UK Under Firearms Legislation. Pledge furniture Polish spray in your van would be legal.

PLOUGHLIN wrote:

Careful who you let know that you have Bear Spray. Owning such as well as its use is illegal in UK Under Firearms Legislation. Pledge furniture Polish spray in your van would be legal.

Thanks for the reminder on the question of legality of such sprays Peter, or rather lack of it!
Apologies to OP as we are going off topic, may be of interest to some you can now buy sprays which mimic CS and Mace but are non harmful. Legal in the UK and may be considered by those worried about personal protection. Bears don't like it either

Pledge would smell much nicer though, now back to door locks...

Just to say many thanks to the members who have responded to my request for advice.

My choice is the Milenco security door lock. See if you have a 30 mm gap between the door frame and wall fixing/furniture.