Think about it. Vans don't usually have a trunk. They have a door on the side of the vehicle which slides open. In fact they might have one on both sides of the vehicle. Kinda hard to park that against two trees, etc. Perhaps very close to cars on both sides.

Burta's experience is a caution to those who come to this forum determined to rent a car no matter what because they can stop whenever and wherever. Those who have avoided incidents so far seemed to have selected where and when to park the car securely.>>

we have driven all over Europe in hire cars and in our own cars, and have had ONE incident in 35 years. Of course we try to park in sensible places but it's not always possible and quite often we just forget and park anywhere, just like we would if we weren't on holiday.

It is possible to overstate the risks and to let it ruin your trip.

We worried about breakins before our trip as we had a "crossover" vehicle but the luggage area had a cover - not that I'm sure it would make a difference. We were not always able to park in a busy area but never had any issues nor did we encounter anyone whose car had been broken into. Try not to let these worries spoil your holiday. Should the worst happen, there are plenty of places to shop that aren't expensive. We saw H&M and Monoprix department stores wherever we went.

Being cautious, we keep our passport, credit cards, and money in money belts or the hotel safe (except for one credit card and a small amount of money that my husband keeps in a wallet in a deep pocket). I carry my iPad and phones in a PacSafe purse but my husband keeps his phone in his deep front pocket. We often saw locals with an expensive phone tucked into a back pants pocket so we assume they felt they weren't in danger of having it stolen. We never felt at risk for pick pocketing and never saw any incidents of it. We saw no "gypsies" or packs of children approaching people. We did talk with someone who was robbed on the train between Antibes and Nice but he said that it was due to his own carelessness. Stay alert, don't flash your cash, and be cautious at ATM's and you should be OK.

I worked for Avis for 9 months 40 years ago, and I can still recognize within 2 seconds any Avis, Hertz or Europcar car whether or not it has stickers on it. (Besides the licence plate, one of the main reasons is that the cars are new and clean. Cover your car with filth if you don't want to be a target.) I would imagine that professional thieves are better at identification than I am.

Like Annhig, we have rented cars on all but one of our frequent trips to Europe and have not had a problem with theft. I do worry about it (somewhat) while in transit between hotels, however.

The idea of getting a bicycle chain and locking the luggage together and to the car is a good one. We'll do that next time--just what we need: more to pack and drag along!

I will use the black cover.....We will get cable locks to lock luggage together AND to the vehicle....We will leave NOTHING in sight in the car.....and we will park in well traveled areas.....and hope for the best.

Thank you all for the advice. Since we are "plus size" shopping on the fly is not an option. So hopefully our luggage will stay with us and we won't be stuck with wearing one outfit for 26 days.....LOL

Photobear. You have written about having a "minivan", but that is not a description much used in Europe. What vehicle are you hoping to use, and how many of you are there? The problem with most European vehicles with three rows of seats is that they either have room for passengers or room for bags.

Give us that information, and we may be able to advise you.

I had a normal rental car once and discovered that trunk cover thing was missing when it was already too late. I bought a black blanket at a hypermarket and covered my stuff with it. I can attest that it was pretty much impossible to perceive that there was anything in the back of the car when the black blanket was on top.

I was using the generic term of minivan....My husband has mobility issues and will only feel comfortable in an SUV or minivan type vehicle. We will be 4 people maybe 5. Thank you. We now feel like we can conquer this.

Our hotel parking in Cochem was so far from the hotel with a steep set of stairs that my friend took out what she needed for the night and kept her suitcase in the car. I travel lighter and took mine making way for hers to fit under that little cover in the fast back of the VW. Made me nervous that the car would be broken into. I had friends that lost valuables at Stonehenge. The daughter left her backpack on the back seat and they broke in and took it.

We now feel like we can conquer this.>>

that's the spirit, photo bear.

let's face it, any trip is a leap of faith - so many things could go wrong but IME rarely do. and many things can and do go wrong at home too - it's a fact of life.

Take sensible precautions and have fun!

Ditto annhig!

And ditto drchris -- do NOT leave any cash or passports in the vehicle (use a passport pouch). If possible, take your electronics with you, too, or the few items you consider MOST irreplaceable.

"Since we are "plus size" shopping on the fly is not an option." I've been known to take a few lightweight items (and at the very least, a change of undies) in my day pack on days when I park with luggage in my trunk. Nothing heavy or bulky. Just a thought! ;-)

I use a cable lock (for a bike) too.. lock the luggage itself then put the cable through all the bag handles and through something in the car as well. I use the same cable lock on trains, in hotels.. it won't stop the most dedicated thief but it will stop the in-a-hurry ones.

We are also planning a car trip through France next spring and have read all the horror stories of car break ins. I really appreciate Chartley and Annhig comments. Be aware and smart, but don't let it ruin your trip! I have friends that do what nytraveler mentioned, they place a sign on the dash that states "nothing worth stealing here, just used clothes and half empty bottles of shampoo"

photobear - One of the reasons I was worried about my clothes being stolen was because I am a plus size also. I posted that concern on the forum and received links to stores where those sizes are available in France. You might look for that post just in case.

Since 4 of you are traveling together, do check very carefully how much luggage your vehicle holds. We had a compact(it was larger than that description sounds)- a Renault Captur - which could easily hold 4 people but there was just enough room in the rear for two 22" carryon suitcases and little else. Bags with food and drinks had to go in the back seat.