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We never ever leave the van unattended at a services (go to the Loo one at a time lol)/ I also dont use a wheelclamp as not neccessary with my insurance, but then  my van is 15 years old and not likely to be the one the thieves want.

Regards Robin

We always clamp and hitchlock regardless of whether its overnight or longer.  In services, one always stays with the car and van or if we have to leave it we clamp and hitchlock - after all it only takes 5 minutes to put it on.

Our CC insurance states we must use the clamp and hitchlock when not towing.  We also use a heavy duty bike lock and loop the aquaroll, wastemaster and bikes if with us through the corner steady as well.  I also remove the water pump from the side of the van and store it inside whilst out and about since speaking to fellow campers who have had them stolen.

Richard

I never gave a thought about having my brand new aqua-roll and wastemaster stolen, they cost me a lot of money.  I can't believe that anyone would have the nerve to still these items - what is this world coming to?  One day we may have to padlock the awning to the caravan?

Having just got back into caravanning after about 10 years break I'm begininning to look at security issues, in particular I'm thinking of how to make life difficult for would-be thieves. Besides the hitch lock and wheel clamp one thing I am going to do is 'customise' my corner steadies. I intend to modify the hexagon 'nut' part into a non-standard size/shape and make my own custom winder to suit. It'll be hard to nick if they can't wind up the legs. Not that it's worth much (less than a grand) - I just like to hold on to my possessions...

Simon H

To Browningjazz, I am sorry to hear about your misfortune in regards to the Aquaroll and Wastemaster, what sort of site were you on at the time? I for one would never have imagined this happening on a CC or C&CC site, or even sites from the B of B stable, I am new to caravanning and do not want to start turning up on site and locking everything to the van, as I would not like to appear untrusting to my genuine trustworthy fellow campers,

best regards, Martin  

Oh my word I had never thought of locking the caravan at a service station but yeah seems very sensible. 

I must add a bit of a funny on safety at a site

I went to a c&cc site and we needed curtains for our 2nd hand awning.  I made the curtains but needed to get some clips to fix them on, so off we went to the local camping shop only to find out they would need a zip off panel as they didn't have a clue what I was talking about.  We drove back to the site, parked in the car park whilst hubby ran back to the caravan and unzipped one of the side off then ran back to the car and drove off.  When we got back the manager came over and said that someone had reported a man running over and pinching the side of an awning.  We had to explain it was us and that all was well.  I had a bit of a giggle, mind you just shows you have to be careful as even though people notice it wasn't reported until after the event and if hubby was a theif it would have been far too late.

Haven't got wheel clamps, as insurance doesn't pay for theft anyway. But we do use the hitch lock.

And yes, you do get strange looks, if locking the caravan in Germany. But still, isn't it better to get strange looks, instead of looking stupid, when your gear is gone?

I see now.  Yes it can be quite expensive to insure the van itself.  Our van is nearly 8 years old, but we insure it on a "new for old" basis, so have cover of £16500 including the Mover,awning and other equipment. This insurance also covers various other costs and liability for damaging other things/people.  For this we pay £365.

On this policy, vans over 10 years old are only insured for "market value" and the cost is much less then.