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Topic: Trailer Tent Security

Keithd108

14/4/2016 at 8:53pm
Location: Notts
Outfit: Outwell XL and Outwell Bear Lake 6

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Hi, brand new to trailer tents we have just bought a Gabanon Saturn, what would people advise about a tow bar lock.

Thanks in anticipation

navver

14/4/2016 at 10:30pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo

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Yes you need one. Make sure it is insurance approves as they will no doubt insist you have one.

Also try and get something which will lock it to the car if you intend leaving it at the services when you go in for your MaccyD. Better still don't leave it unattended. Imagine losing it and all your possessions on your way to your long awaited holiday.

Don't leave it locked on when driving though.

Miserly

15/4/2016 at 12:15pm
Location: Stockport
Outfit: Venus and Cmax 2.0D

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This is the type we have,though ours is the DM model,it was on offer at Halfords,must be the first bargain ever from that particular shop. It can be used hitched to the car or post or unhitched. We don't leave the tt unattended at rest stops unless we can see it though generally we have to park amongst the caravans,and so our little trailer gets hidden from view.

Post last edited on 15/04/2016 12:21:59

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Duct tape is silver

OliverDay

15/4/2016 at 12:37pm
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When our children were younger we would leave one sitting on the A frame while we went to eat our lunch. However as they got older we found that they were starting to encourage people to steal the trailer.

I was about that time that we got the same end of season deal that Miserly mentions. At about £10 it was a bargain and enabled us to leave the children at home so we could enjoy our holiday.

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Ollie

2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup

baddon

15/4/2016 at 3:52pm
Location: Near Belfast
Outfit: Ranger & Hymer Nova

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OliverDay.......genius

Better still sell them and upgrade to a .....what ever you want!

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if your not living life on the edge your taking up tooo much room

lockie

15/4/2016 at 5:45pm
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We don't use anything as we never leave the trailer unattended. If we stop at services we take it in turns to stay with the car.

pnefan

15/4/2016 at 6:14pm
Location: Preston
Outfit: None

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Quote: Originally posted by lockie on 15/4/2016
We don't use anything as we never leave the trailer unattended. If we stop at services we take it in turns to stay with the car.

We dont leave ours either. Its not just the FC that can be stolen. Its too easy to open the soft top and steal items from the trailer.

SGThomas

15/4/2016 at 6:36pm
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For a really determined thief the commercial hitchlocks are no impediment, however they do slow down removal and so increase risk of being noticed.

Get the most garish, most visible and cheapest lock you can find on the internet. It just says "there are easier prey in this carpark"

However, if you have a Camplet, the badge is sufficient to deter any thief.

Keithd108

15/4/2016 at 7:32pm
Location: Notts
Outfit: Outwell XL and Outwell Bear Lake 6

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Thanks for all the advice our kids (now grown up) do not come with us anymore but we do take the dog which prevent "service use" for us both at the same time. So not left unattended seems the best idea I can always bring other half a drink and a packet of crisps in fact that is just like when the kids where young.......

smartecosse

15/4/2016 at 8:14pm
Location: Scotland
Outfit: Goodbye Quickstop Hello Globetrotter!

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Quote: Originally posted by OliverDay on 15/4/2016
When our children were younger we would leave one sitting on the A frame while we went to eat our lunch. However as they got older we found that they were starting to encourage people to steal the trailer.

I was about that time that we got the same end of season deal that Miserly mentions. At about £10 it was a bargain and enabled us to leave the children at home so we could enjoy our holiday.

hahahaha.....brilliant

We also purchased one of the bulldog hitch locks from halfords when they had them on special offer - great piece of kit, especially at that price

Kevimarr

16/4/2016 at 8:44pm
Location: North Somerset
Outfit: Pennine Pathfinder

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Hi folks, this is an interesting topic. We have a pennine FC and will be travelling down to south of France in the summer. For one night we will be overnighting at a hotel. We have a Hitchlock much like the bulldog one but I'm guessing investing in a wheel clamp would be good to?

Not saying I don't like or trust the French but you never can be too sure

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mzzy

20/4/2016 at 5:21pm
Location: West Midlands
Outfit: Karsten

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It's still a worry with a lock, we used a cheap ETap hotel on the way back from Fance once, the car and trailer were outside our window, I was still up every hour, looking out the window, to check it was ok 😕

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~*MZZY*~

Derbian

21/4/2016 at 2:01pm
Location: derbyshire
Outfit: Seat Exeo Opus Camper

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Use a hitch lock that can be left on whilst towing and you should be OK for breaks at Service Stations etc.

For overnights we usually use a Nemesis wheel lock as well, bright orange so easily seen.

Don't know how the beds/lids on your unit are secured but have just bought an Opus and the bedbases are held down with fairly substantial over centre clamps which you can lock down with padlocks.

Wouldn't stop a really determined thief but as an earlier poster has said it would probably make them look elsewhere. After all there are usually plenty of cars around with valuables on display and why would you go to a lot of effort to open up a trailer tent/FC when there might be nothing inside.

Inca10

21/4/2016 at 6:35pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Bear Lake 6 Frinto

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Quote: Originally posted by Derbian on 21/4/2016
Use a hitch lock that can be left on whilst towing

That's never advisable and in my opinion dangerous too. Yes, you can get hitch locks that secure the hitch when it is attached to the car, but they are meant to be used when you are parked up, not when you are driving.

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Junk: stuff we throw away... Stuff: junk we keep...

Itisapis spotitis andatino ne

Derbian

21/4/2016 at 7:36pm
Location: derbyshire
Outfit: Seat Exeo Opus Camper

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Lots of different opinions on whether or not you should leave a Hitchcock in place whilst towing.

Some thoughts that in the event of a serious accident having a hitchlock in place could prevent the emergency services separating the car and trailer. Have to say that if mine is in anyway twisted or on uneven ground you can't release the hitch anyway.

Some other suggestions that if a caravan is on fire it could slow you down when trying to unhitch. Have to say that if the fire was that serious that seconds counted I wouldn't be trying to unhitch it anyway.

Against this several mfrs say they can be left in place whilst towing and it does mean you don't forget to fit it when stopping.

It's your choice as too which you think is the greatest risk

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