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Been considering buy a van this year and looking for storage first.

Whilst chatting to a work colleague who has jumped into Caravaning last year, he said that he takes all his seat cushions out the van when he leaves it at his storage.

The point being that a van without upholstery is not attractive to thieves as it would all need buying - of course, someone wanting a whole set of seats and cushions for a particular van is going to be noted in the business .... not something the thieves want.

I know it's a bit of hassle ..... but, it's FREE and it may be more effective than any other device (the thieves have the answer to all devices used) - they won't be carrying a set of upholstery with them though!

What do you reckon?

Just remember to leave the curtains open so that they can see that there is no upholstery inside.

Might also be worthwhile lifting the lids on the underbench lockers to show that there is nothing stored away either.

I thought I may put a sign in the window stating all upholstery has been removed - then remembered the thieves can't read!!

I'm not sure you can get the exact upholstery for a specific caravan from e-bay ..... can you? Certainly, the thieves would have to wait until an exact set came up - not something they would want to do.

  Here's a thought, don't the site have to have some insurance against break ins?

    Or does the individual owner have to claim on their own insurance? It seems a bit off, that someone's paying £100s a year, if they've no recourse against the site owners in the event of a break in.

As far as I know the Insurance lies with the owner of the van.

I guess, if you could prove negligence on the part of the site owner you may have a claim - but, I suspect, even Lawyers4U wouldn't touch it!

Quote: Originally posted by MrRee on 05/3/2012

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So - that cost would mean that it is, indeed, a very good idea ...... if the cost of Upholstery is so high.

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I guess it's a great FREE Security measure then?

If the van comes home to get ready, then the upholstery can be put back in from the garage within 5 minutes .... hardly a great hardship.

Then, when home from holiday, it will be at home again to unload - just take out the upholstery and keep in the garage.

I really like this idea! A big sign in the caravan window stating NO UPHOLSTERY INSIDE may just do the trick?

Best of all, it's FREE!