Caravan security / theft
Fairly new to this caravan malarkey, having previously owned a winnebago, hence the user name,...................however what strikes me is the lack of in-built security in a caravan, hence making them easy to steal unless you apply some sort or 'after market' device, or in our case several devices, 1 hitchlock 2 wheel clamps things and 2 leg-lock things ...oh and a fulltime pro-active tracker...........but alas I am still nervous about leaving it ! ............so my question is several faceted...............first of all do the manufacturers (LMC in our case) deliberately not put any reasonable security built in to the new van in order to work hand in hand with the 'after market' security device people ? secondly it would appear to me from reading the posts on this discussion forum that most thefts appear to be from storage facilities with some sort of local security devices (barriers etc , maybe) but no actual physical witnesses ? correct or not ? and not from sites/pitches that are in use and therefore plenty of people around ? correct or not ? and one interesting conversation this week with a site employee involved the possible scenario of caravans being stolen to order, which I think would need the van to be stationary for some considerable time in the same location for the theives to be confident that they where not going to be disturbed (ergo storage facility) !.................possibly over thinking things a bit here, due to my surprise at the lack of inbuilt security.............which I am working on at the moment.................might be on dragons den at some point looking for investors :-)
Comments
-
Common sense says that a trailer on wheels which is built to be movable is never ever going to be totally secure. Nor are plastic and ali walls and fittings ever going to keep the determined folk out.
Would you trust a manufacturer to decide what security devices are appropriate to your own particular needs? Far better to choose what's right for you. We all make our own decisions on what’s needed but, unfortunately, it looks as if you may well have chosen a van in a high risk category.
As for your 'correct, or not' questions, you’re likely as wise as the rest of us.
I'm puzzled as you describe yourself as a motorhomer yet seem to be talking about a caravan. Perhaps your profile needs amending to remove the confusion.🤷🏻♂️
0 -
In answer to your first question, some manufacturers do build in security features. Our Knaus Starclass came with two Alko wheel locks, all windows have positive locks on them and the door lock - in addition to the normal catch, has two security bolts which automatically go into the door frame when it is locked - a bit like modern uPVC door locking mechanisms. I have added an alarm with tilt sensor for whatever good that will do.
I don't pretend for one minute that these features would prevent a determined thief from either breaking in (a brick through the window would suffice!) or stealing the van, but it all goes towards 'target-hardening'.
In the final analysis all you can do is to make it as difficult / noisy / time consuming as possible for the would-be thief and after that, rely on your insurance and the fact that the thief would probably go for the softer target.
0 -
Most caravans disappear from storage site and driveways. If its a professional after your van its unlikely there is much you can do about it after all nobody has yet developed the theft proof car let alone caravan. I think the ALKO wheel lock is the best deterrents around, most thieves know how to get around the factory fitted alarms, Theft from sites is not something I heard much about, and caravan theft on the continent is rare, as is security devices on foreign caravans. The more security devices fitted to a van on a driveway the bigger the deterrent hopefully.
0
