We are looking in to investing in a caravan which we are able to keep on our drive. We are very security concious as we had our landrover nicked earier this year and have various measures in place - some obvious and some not so obvious!
Apart from hitchlock and wheel clamp and security post (sink in the ground type) what do other people do?
We keep her at home and live in Sheffield too! Being overlooked by neighbours who know us in a quiet area helps. Only things apart from what you say is a nose lock, an alco secure wheel lock (we also have a wheel calmp on the none alco secured wheel) and a factory fitted alarm (tilt/move etc). Between those last two devices alone it really would take some effort to steal. I think the point is that if the van is highly valuable (and some are more attractive to the err types who commonly nick them) then they can always find a way wherever and whenever but if it's a really tough proposition for them they will try something easier. I think the area you live in is important too, isolated locations being vulnerable and in Sheffield as you will know some parts are a bit more prone to theft than others...
The only thing we don't have is a satellite tracker which I think is a good idea if you have an expensive twin axle job.
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We keep ours at home and have an alco hitch lock, alco type wheel lock and standard wheel lock on the other. It is visible from the back of the house but if someone is going to steal it they will. You can get steady locks as well which we have considered buying but that will add to the time it takes to get it ready :(
The insurance company insist on 3 locks on ours as its new.
resistant to cutting and burning I believe it is one of the best security devices on the market (I have no connection with the company). You do need to remove /replace a wheel but that only takes 20 minutes or so.
I also fitted a security light with p.i.r on the house wall covering the area where the caravan is stored.
It's a twin axle so a little difficult to manouvere by hand, especially in a tightish drive, therefore I use the motor mover to turn the van at right angle to the drive and remove the mover control from the van. I hope this would make the job of hitching it up to thief's tow car more difficult and time consuming and therefore act as another deterrent.
hitchock/two wheel clamps/alarm/ground anchor with chain to front and both back legs same as with chains and top quality locks.all cushions identified by a black marker number/ good neighbours.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Ive bolted a towball to the wall and I hitch the caravan to it and lock it with a alko hitchlock and wheel clamp. I also have it chained to the wall. And just incase the buggers want to try at night I have 500 watt floodlight above it.
------------- If at first you don't succeed, pay someone else to do it for you....
We do most of that plus we have CCTV with a camera purely on the van. Our tow vehicle, a hefty Jeep 4x4 is also parked directly in front of the van and cannot be moved without the keys as it is automatic and that would require breaking into the house where the alarm is set and more CCTV etc.
Quote: Originally posted by Richl812 on 11/8/2010
We do most of that plus we have CCTV with a camera purely on the van. Our tow vehicle, a hefty Jeep 4x4 is also parked directly in front of the van and cannot be moved without the keys as it is automatic and that would require breaking into the house where the alarm is set and more CCTV etc.
i like that, not risking a thing and i dont blame you.
i woukd get CCTV but not got other things to pay for so a future purchase
i have the 2 wheel hub locks fitted plus a hitch lock and an camera that records to an SD card , but if some one wants it there not much else you can do , if you go to youtube and type in tubular locks they will show you how to open all the locks and they will also sell you the tools to do it , no cutting gear needed
hefty Jeep 4x4 is also parked directly in front of the van and cannot be moved without the keys as it is automatic and that would require breaking into the house where the alarm is set and more CCTV etc.
Neighbour was burgled the other week and they just took the car keys ....and then the car....they have an alarm..........I sleep with my car keys now!!!!
All you can do is whatever you can and for peace of mind have new for old insurance so you can get a brand new van........and hope that when your van is coming up to five years old it gets taken!!!!!
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
I too had an attempted theft if they want it they will get it except,and i know this sounds crazy,I bought 2 small alarms with an off/on switch on them,tied them 2 the axel then,tied a piece of fishing gut 2 the switchs i then led the gut to a piece of broken slab.When they got through hitchlocks,clamps,movement sensors etc,they hitched on the van then all hell broke loose. When they moved the van forward,the gut pulled the switches to on it woke the full street and the thieves fled.I guess you can have all the best deterrants in the world but like i say if they want it theyll get it.