Security Stop at Service Areas
Hi,
New to this caravan lark, can anybody offer advice on how to secure my Caravan to car while on a rest break at service stations. It only takes 2 mins to steal a van, so how do I ensure nobody steals while we are having some food
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Similar to SteveL; normally we don't both leave the caravan at the same time - when we do we put the hitch lock on - one of these http://www.al-ko.com/shop/uk_vt/security-device-aks-2004-3004.html which takes seconds to put on and the manufacturer claims it can be left on whilst being towed (although we have never done that)
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We regularly leave the caravan and go into UK service areas, we leave it at Cribbs Causeway Bristol mall and go shopping at M&S, we leave it all over France and go to a restaurant for lunch and tour hypermarkets for hours.
My present Saga insurance just asks for a hitchlock and that's all I have, my previous insurance with this Club was happy for eight hours with no locks at all.
Do some people worry more than I do?
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We have never left car & caravan or MH unattended in a service area. If it's necessary to leave the unit, we do so one at a time but mostly we never set foot on the tarmac these days as all we need is on board.
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It's service areas I was talking about, BB, as per the OP's enquiry. The M/way service areas are notorious for cvans being removed from the towing vehicles by ne'er-do-wells.
I wasn't talking about parking elsewhere and leaving the van. 🙄
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I think we've got the message that you're less aware and/or less cautious in service areas than some of us who have been doing this for decades, BB.
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It really is a matter of planning ahead. The day before we leave, one of us will go to the local supermarket and buy packs of ready made sandwiches or pasta salad etc, plus crisps fruit juices or other drinks etc.
Then on the day we fill a couple of small flasks with tea & coffee etc. The caravan toilet will be prepped for use, and off we go.
At service areas we park up and either eat our food in the car or often in the caravan. We use the caravan toilet if needed. We never go into the shops or cafe at the service area's. Why pay their prices?
TF
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BB, go look at Another David's post which appears in the duplicate of this thread. Perhaps then you'll stop niggling away.
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Leaving a caravan without hitchlock or other means of secutity is a risk. How high a risk is for the individual to assess. When my wife and I caravanned we did not leave the van unattended [here or abroad]. Now I am on my own and a motorhomer so I make sandwiches etc and use the van facilities. As with all security issues it is a personal choice [insurance provisos accepted].
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Overall, a caravan is probably more at risk than a MH that doubtless has immobiliser/tracker etc and has more or less the same security level as a car. A caravan probably needs sufficient security to prevent opportunist theft, i.e. a hitchlock. I would concur that mostly the actual services provided by MotoChef or some other chain are not required. The leg-stretch of walking to the loos, however, is probably a good idea.
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It would suit you to leave it, wouldn't it? Having thrown out accusations you won't want to hear a few home truths in return.
What took place between me and another poster has no bearing at all on this issue but you, as ever, will use anything you can in an attempt to belittle someone else, especially when you know you're in the wrong. It's called bluster.
I suppose you'll trot out your usual threat of reporting me now.
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How infantile!
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You have a fantastic imagination, BB, but the same old groundless stuff you churn out when you have nothing of substance to say does become boring so I'll simply reciprocate your wishes.
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I totally agree with planning ahead but I wouldn't dream of 'going to the shops to buy sandwiches' why would I when I could make them myself, or better still make the fillings for them and then put them in the caravan fridge and make 'fresh' on the day.
Likewise we would never go into the cafes or shops at services and pay their prices either.
If we do stop at a service area (rarely) OH takes a walk to get a paper while I stay and make lunch, he likes to 'stretch his legs'
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A wise decision in my opinion, Jomo. Enjoy your travels.
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Fit a hitchlock and go in for a coffee.
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Tammygirl.. The DCOS thinks exactly like you, and will normally want to make the sandwiches herself, but (Ouch that hurt) Oh and very nice they are too ..... Shhh-- but I like the supermarket ones a bit more because they can be quite exciting! BUT of course the DCOS makes very nice ones too! Oh dear I'm getting into deep water here.
Nevertheless the main security principle remains, we never leave the van unattended if stopping at a motorway service area!
TF
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that made me laugh, I do agree though supermarket ones can be more exciting ,OH doesn't get them though cause I do the catering 