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Towergate Bakers, one of the insurers I got a quote from say they can give a 10% discount for the SmartWater Security System, not all do. I have spoken to the company representative about what type to use for a caravan and was told that the car one would suffice, its about £36 for that kit and it seamed reasonable if ongoing outlay to protect my van. The deterent value of the 4 stickers in the kit must be worth something.

How many out there have used it and would they recommend it?

Dave

Just read about it on the website.  Isn't there a risk of accidentally activating the system and spraying yourself?  I wonder how many opportunist thieves have even heard of Smart-Water? And catching one contaminated with it is reliant upon the thief being caught.  Unfortunately, all thieves do not behave in a manner to draw attention to themselves when not "up to their tricks".   It would certainly have to be an additional backup for conventional security devices such as hitchlocks, wheel clamps, etc.

The C.C. insurance scheme demands a minimum of one device; hitchlock or wheel clamp.  We use both.

What I have changed (C.C. insurance approved) is to replace our Bulldog wheel clamp with a Thatcham-approved chain and lock.  This has a hefty attack-resistant padlock and the sleeved chain has links of 12mm square, hardened steel.  It is no hevier than the Bulldog clamp, and stows much more easily.  Being flexible, it would be more difficult to work on to cut than a clamp more or less rigidly held by the wheel.

The caravan also has an alarm.  If anything, I think I would add an extra alarm; attracting attention being the best deterrent for immediately backing off.

Bertie.

Hi Bertie, The kit that I was looking at doesn't spray any of the liquid, its painted on. Preferably into nooks and cranniess where it can be detected but is difficult or impossible to remove. Each batch of liquid has a unique forensic code registered to the owner.

Dave

the normal smart water is just a tracer, its a permanant meands of marking your propert to make sure it gets back to you.

its only anygood if they actually find the kit. although it is nigh on impossible to remove without damaging anything.

its a paint on-liquid, which dries clear containing a code that is registered to its owner. this is detected with a UV lamp to retrieve the ID info.

its a good deterrent, the bottle will do you more than you needs, you can keep it, and buy extra stickers etc, keeps for a really long time (out bottle at wpork is 4 years old and still usable, not gone off in the slightest.

What happens when you come to sell the caravan? This kind of thing is great for something that you're likely to keep forever, such as an heirloom, or something that you'll keep until it breaks, such as a TV set, but a caravan?

if you only mark the stuff in yor caravan from one kit (and not all your house stuff) you can re-register the smart water kit.

TBH, Im presuming they mean mark the contents, not the van itself??

Re-register - sounds like another annual fee.  Problem is, van or property, the police have got to trace van/property before they can check it, and culprit before they can link him/her to the crime.

Where a van is entered for propery theft, you can have cover via home insurance, and entry damage to van is likely to be the greatest cost.  If the van itself is stolen, most owners seem to hope never to see it again and claim on the insurance.

On this basis, adequate insurance cover and good anti-theft devices (wheel/hitch locks and alarm seem to be the most popular.   There are so many proprietary anti-theft devices on the market; where do you stop?  Whilst taking sensible precautions, it is wise to remember that those marketing these devices rely our fear to promote their sales.  The more scared we become, the greater their income.

Bertie. 

Quote: Originally posted by The 2 Tops on 19/4/2010

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The more scared we become, the greater their income.

Bertie. 

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