Attempted theft after only one week đ˘
I have brought an LMC van that I have saved for and finally decided after three years to make the jump for.  I joined the caravan club less than one week ago straight after buying the caravan.  I have booked our first trip for 8th aug through the caravan club and  stored it on a reputable site and guess what - someone has already tried to steel it- the bull dog wheel clamps (twin axel) that have cost me almost ÂŁ400 are destroyed and I feel gutted !  Iâm not sure this is for me Iâm so worried. Now itâs took all of the enjoyment away and feel like just getting rid now . What security do other people use on their vans- this is our first one and I thought it was so luxurious - obviously is to travellers too !!!
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Unfortunately, large T/A continental vans can be targets but, if the van is your ideal, stick with it, fit as many security devices as is sensible and, above all, make sure you have a good insurance policy and you comply with all its requirements.
You will never stop a determined thief so make sure you never leave anything of great value in it - either in terms of money or sentimentality.
At the end of the day, if the worst happens, itâs only a caravan and can be replaced courtesy of your insurers.Â
Youâve had a bad experience but itâs not worth throwing in the towel. If you sell it now you will take a very hefty hit in the wallet so you might as well stick with it.
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I wasnât assuming thatâs what the storage facility have told me  after disturbing them at 1am this morning trying to steel it- they have tried mine and a hobby ?  - I am completely new and was unaware of any difference in preference to vans and have just been told that these are travellers favourites.  I work with travellers and am not one making judgements or presuming, but am currently away with friends and am going on information received, and now feel so vulnerable and unable to protect what is mine.  Thought securing it would be the best thing to do- anyone any ideas on the best security devices to use or is it a case of if whoever wants to try and steel it will do so whatever is in place ? I feel like just letting it go and not continuing with this dream which is really not good đđź
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Thanks Tinwheeler - any suggestions on wheel clamps/locks/chains - there is nothing in there of any value Iâm just sad that I havenât even used it and now Iâm petrified - I brought it on my own to have some holidays (a female) and was absolutely scared to death to tow it, hitch it up etc etc but have done it and now just feel deflated . I have an ALKO hitch lock, had the two bull dog wheel clamps the best I was advised to have they just bent like a piece of paper - the storage yard have never had trouble and then mine lands and within a week this , Iâve spent the day apologising I feel dreadful.Â
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Iâm not up to date on caravan security devices so Iâm not the best person to advise you. I think the club has info on security but Iâve failed to find it. Have a hunt around the site and you might have more luck Â
One thing I would suggest you consider is to get it CRIS registered if itâs not already done. That may be an insurance requirement and does make it recognisable.
https://www.cris.co.uk/registration/
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I also have to ultimately consider the ongoing financial implications of abiding by the insurance recommendations and re-fitting new wheel clamps at ÂŁ400 per week along with anything else that is destroyed in the attempt to take the van- I donât know what to do for the best. Thanks for listening to my rants Clare x
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Clare, there are many of us who have/have had foreign units and had the good fortune not to experience this totally understandable upset you are currently facing. Indeed for the vast majority of us we thoroughly enjoy our wonderful pastime as should you. May I dare to say you need to draw comfort from us. It may help to join the LMC Owners Club if there is one, or the dedicated section on Caravan Talk, they could have specific advice about security measures and related issues to these and similar vans. They seem to be generally a very positive happy lot who are proud owners who stay very faithful to this brand. Now go and enjoy as best possible.
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3 years ago 4 vans were stolen from our compound. none were continental manufacturer, one was brand new and hadn't been insured. Other vans were also damaged.Â
The cctv should exactly who had done it, the police din't bother with viewing the footage for over a month or even fingerprinting any of the damaged parts. I do wonder what there policy is towards certain sections of the communityÂ
The main thing is to ensure that your van is well insured. Â
Not trying to put you off but have a look at u tube about how easy it is to steal caravansÂ
Having said all that please try and ensure that you enjoy the great pastime of vanningÂ
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crobinson9 - Sorry to hear of your problem which is making you feel very vulnerable just now. You appear to have taken all precautionary security measures when you placed the caravan in the storage yard and they took your money so no reason to feel guilty. There is only so much you can do so replace the damaged wheel clamps and enjoy your August trip away.  Donât give up the idea of a caravan but if it gives you peace of mind get rid of the LMC even if you have to take a financial hit and look for something less attractive to certain people.  Unfortunately, there will always be people who will try (& at times succeed) to take what others have whatever that may be and whatever security measures are in place. Good luck.
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One bit of "security" IF you want your caravan returned after the low lifes have stolen it,is to your vehicle registration or Cris number on the roof of the caravan in large letters as it can be traced ,as not many will think of checking the roof,but cctv and police can see it,
Taking the wheels off one side and fitting "winter wheels can help but a pain if it is used often for touring
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I would change storage site before anything else as they should have security and check all is well. How did the lowlife get in in the first place. Go on CaSSOA website and find a gold rated facility for added security thats closest to you. I travel 1/2 hr to my storage yard but worth it. Â
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Even a gold storage is not secure enough to deter the low lifes who want to have in their eyes the real prize of the type of caravan the OP has got,as noted when one was taken last year from our very secure inc cctv and alarmed with 24 hr on site staff and two barriers and locked gates to overcome
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Very sad to hear of the problem. I am afraid those who say continental twin axle caravans are a particular target for thieves who want to live in them. Having said that all makes are subject to theft at times like everything else in life so all you can do is your best to protect them. It is good to see that the Bulldog clamps worked. They are probably looking for something less secure now.
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I have tried registering with CRiS not easy as it is imported - I have to send photos of everything to then get VIN numbers etched in etc etc so will sort this as soon as I can. Thank you.Â
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Storage facility have been really good and to be fair are equally as upset as myself. Â Just really bad luck. Â I am going to stick with it. Â I love the van and they arenât going to ruin it for me. Thanks for the advice .Â
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More than one and half hours away so not really practical for me. Was lucky to get this one- Â the one we really wanted had an 18month waiting list that I am on. Â The good thing I suppose is that this may make the storage place a little more on guard. Â Things can become complacent when you never get any trouble I suppose. Â
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Funnily enough - the company I brought the van from also recommended the same thing. Â They said they have never heard of a van being removed with these on even if I used these throughout the winter months at least there is piece of mind. Â Thanks for the advice I think I will look into these and how easy they are to fit and remove. Â Maybe use the bulldog clamps whilst away and these whilst in storage . Â Thanks for your advice itâs really fab x
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At this moment in time the Police have neither the Resources nor the willpower to tackle the "small" crimes and inconveniences that affect ordinary citizens, such as property crime. This applies whether it is a caravan, motorhome, households, cars, mobile phones, bank accounts etc. Until society decides that it has had enough then this situation will continue.
There has been some good advice given above. All that you can do is your best and if you give up you are indirectly giving in to these scum who couldn't care less about whether their actions have any affect upon you. So I hope you have the resolve to carry on. Unfortunately your choice of caravan is one that the travelling community, both here and abroad, like. To reduce the chance of a repeat either fit the JSB Hublock or change your caravan to a different model.
Good luck whatever you decide.Â
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I canât offer any advice regarding the security of your Hobby caravan as I have no experience of them, unlike others on here, but I can understand how upsetting this all must be for you, so just wanted to say donât give up. Â Once youâve had some trips out in your caravan youâll start to feel more confident and comfortable, Iâm sure. Â When youâre expecting something to go badly, it never turns out as bad as you thought it would be. Â Good luck, and let us know how you get on.
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Well after much research deliberation and pondering - I have gone for the JSB locks no thefts in 15 years cannot be quibbled with. Â I have the bulldog wheel clamps to use on tour for peace of mind , alarm and tracker going in , registered with CRiS. Â We will see but I feel better. Â Looking forward to our first adventure on the 8th August we arenât going far as itâs our first time just in case trip . Â Thanks everyone for your advice đđź
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That's a horrible experience to have had, but great that you're going for the trip - hopefully a good holiday experience will tip the balance back in a more positive direction.
To other more experienced caravanners - do you find the location makes a big difference? In our few years at this game, plus a lot more with tents beforehand, we've often felt more relaxed, security-wise, in out of the way places, the sort of areas where people don't always bother locking their own front doors, but more concerned near big areas of population, like the pre-trip night near the ferry port for example.
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We have not had any problems or worries, we use a mix of rural and near town sites both in UK and abroad. Â We generally fit/use all our security devices, just in case, but are less particular when abroad.
One thing we do not do is to leave much of value in the van, as caravans are not exactly difficult to get into!
We carry, for example, cameras and laptops in the car whenever we go out.
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Iâd agree brue. I think you get a âfeelâ for a location. There are some Club Sites I wouldnât leave a step out, never mind anything else, likewise remote Farm in Cotswolds gave me the eeby jeebies. Theft from farms is huge, and a nice shiny van surrounded by lots of camper toys (cadacs, expensive recliners, etc....) are vulnerable. Only thing we have ever lost was a cheap water carrier, farmer thought it had been stolen probably to steal fuel elsewhere.
Word regarding Marazion. Club Site has a public footpath all the way through, and it does get used. I strolled through with a friend one evening, and we were astonished at how much gear was lying around.Â
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You're right, of course, I was guilty of generalising too much!
I was thinking in particular of the sites we used in the far NW of Scotland, where obviously things must get taken, but in general there's a superb level of trust in the community - not just on sites. Our neighbour at a site near Ullapool left a nice shiny trolley for his kayak on a beach some miles from the site. It's not busy, but does have regular visitors. No surprise at all that it was still there hours later when he went to reclaim it.0
