Securing Caravan to Car

Boggie
Boggie Forum Participant Posts: 6
edited February 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hi all,

Being new to all this i need some advice please. After reading of an incident where whilst stopped at services a caravan was unhitched, hooked up to another vehicle and stolen I have been looking at ways of securing the hitch.

i have a 2008/9 Pennine Pathfinder with the standard hitch (IE not a stabiliser version). Obviously I could chain the car and Pathfinder together but there are safety issues to consider. I also thought about using a padlock to attach the breakaway cable.
However, there must be a relatively cheap, purpose built device that prevents access to the hitch lever so that the Al-Ko hitch cannot be removed.

I don't want to break the bank on overkill. Just a  reasonably priced deterrent. Any suggestions please?

thanks,B

«1

Comments

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2016 #2

    Only take a couple of minutes to shear the nuts behind the towball and away goes caravan, hitch lock and ball still nicely together.

    Perhaps a motorcycle securing chain through both the chassis of the caravan and the tow vehicle is what would start to give peace of mind.

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
    500 Comments
    edited February 2016 #3

    The simplest solution is to use the facilities one at a time.

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited February 2016 #4

    Agree with rogher no matter what, we have never left a motorhome or caravans out of sight at roadside services or supermarkets here or abroad.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2016 #5

    When in services we always go one at a time last to go brings the drinks back ,and car doors locked when one is away

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited February 2016 #6

    When in services we always go one at a time last to go brings the drinks back ,and car doors locked when one is away

    Write your comments here...This is exactly what we do, there is a lot of money and love invested in our caravan. We are constantly amazed how other caravanners pull up and just walk away, with no locks in place.  Theives who are well rehersed could steal
    such a van in less than a minute.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited February 2016 #7

    Rather than a hitchlock we use a Nemisis Ultra. Snaps on in 30 seconds. Not cheap but to me far more secure. I doubt any thief would want to be seen working on that.

  • cariadon
    cariadon Forum Participant Posts: 861
    500 Comments
    edited February 2016 #8

    when we stop at a service station I am the one sat on the a frame while OH gets the drinks.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,310 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited February 2016 #9

    We also never leave it unattended. I think if we did we would have to fit the Al-ko wheel lock to comply with our insurance, or we could find ourselves not covered.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2016 #10

    We also never leave it unattended. I think if we did we would have to fit the Al-ko wheel lock to comply with our insurance, or we could find ourselves not covered.

    ...Good point,now going to check small printSurprised

  • Discoil
    Discoil Forum Participant Posts: 19
    edited March 2016 #11

    I always fit the hitch lock and also a wheel clamp together with the alarm  for ' insurance ' .

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited March 2016 #12

    We also never leave it unattended. I think if we did we would have to fit the Al-ko wheel lock to comply with our insurance, or we could find ourselves not covered.

    It depends on who you are insured with. The clubs insurance does not require it but others may require a wheel clamp and some a hitchlock as well.

  • bassett1
    bassett1 Forum Participant Posts: 40
    edited March 2016 #13

    we are the same as other members wife stays in car i get drinks and go to loo then wife  will go one of us always stay with van if they want your van there have it lock or not bassett.

  • RangeRoverMan
    RangeRoverMan Forum Participant Posts: 125
    edited March 2016 #14

    I'm surprised how little faith you all have in your fellow man.

    Why do you think that everyone is out to steal from you?

    We just park up and go for a coffee or lunch & don't worry.

    Been doing it for close on 50 years with no problems.

     

  • ADP1963
    ADP1963 Forum Participant Posts: 1,280
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #15

    Not everyone is out to steal your caravan,it is only the ones who want to and there are a lot of those around. May your luck continue,because that is what you are having ,read reports and watch The Caravan Channel on TV from time to time.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,310 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited March 2016 #16

    We also never leave it unattended. I think if we did we would have to fit the Al-ko wheel lock to comply with our insurance, or we could find ourselves not covered.

    It depends on who you are insured with. The clubs insurance does not require it but others may require a wheel clamp and some a hitchlock as well.

    Seems a little odd I have to fit a wheel lock on a CC site, as the Caravan Club gives me a discount for doing so, but I would be OK at a motorway services without one. Surely the risk would be higher at the services.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited March 2016 #17
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • RangeRoverMan
    RangeRoverMan Forum Participant Posts: 125
    edited March 2016 #18

    My CC insurance only requires me to fit a hitchlock and I have that on all the time we are hitched up.

  • bandgirl
    bandgirl Forum Participant Posts: 440
    100 Comments
    edited March 2016 #19

    Is it safe to tow with the hitchlock on? 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #20

    Is it safe to tow with the hitchlock on? 

    Best not to .... so they say. I'd never considered towing with it on, but there seem to be some here that do, the possible problem is if it all goes t**s up & the caravan needs to be detached from the car in a hurry. Though I'm sure the fire tenders have
    enough heavy cutting gear to remove it without the key. Wink

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited March 2016 #21

    Good advice from a lot of people here saying never leave the caravan unattended at service stations, but what if your on your own?

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #22

    When solo I just put the hitchlock and wheellock on and hope for the best.  Just hope they don't take the car as well.  To be honrst I try never to park between trucks unless there is a CCTV camera in clear view

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #23

    To put this in context how many unattended caravans are actually stolen from motorway service car parks and who has had theirs stolen in such circumstances? My suspicion is this is  a bit blown out of proportion.....

  • RangeRoverMan
    RangeRoverMan Forum Participant Posts: 125
    edited March 2016 #24

    Is it safe to tow with the hitchlock on? 

    Yes of course it is. I cant think of any situation when it would be unsafe.

  • heddlo
    heddlo Forum Participant Posts: 872 ✭✭
    250 Likes 500 Comments Name Dropper
    edited March 2016 #25

    I'm surprised how little faith you all have in your fellow man.

    Why do you think that everyone is out to steal from you?

    We just park up and go for a coffee or lunch & don't worry.

    Been doing it for close on 50 years with no problems.

     

    Write your comments here...+1

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
    500 Comments
    edited March 2016 #26

    I'm surprised how little faith you all have in your fellow man.

    Why do you think that everyone is out to steal from you?

    We just park up and go for a coffee or lunch & don't worry.

    Been doing it for close on 50 years with no problems.

     

    True, I think there’s a lot of unnecessary concern but the chances of being the target of theft are increasing.

    I used to leave my outbuildings unlocked and the only intruder I was aware of was a mouse. Now insurance requires that I have 5 lever locks and intruders have broken in through a skylight.

    Simply be aware of the possibilities and take whatever precautions you feel necessary.

  • Briang
    Briang Club Member Posts: 670 ✭✭✭
    500 Comments
    edited March 2016 #27

    Is it safe to tow with the hitchlock on? 

    Yes of course it is. I cant think of any situation when it would be unsafe.

    You should not tow with the hitchlock on. If you have an accident the  emergency services will not be able to unhitch your car from the caravan.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
    1,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #28

    Is it safe to tow with the hitchlock on? 

    Haven't got a clue, but no-ones going to pinch it at 60mph and it only takes a minute to put it on and remove it when stationary.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #29

    Good advice from a lot of people here saying never leave the caravan unattended at service stations, but what if your on your own?

    ..Speak to the truck drivers either side of you,they normally stay in their cabs for their legal breaks

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited March 2016 #30

    Is it safe to tow with the hitchlock on? 

    Yes of course it is. I cant think of any situation when it would be unsafe.

    You should not tow with the hitchlock on. If you have an accident the  emergency services will not be able to unhitch your car from the caravan.

    I don’t think the hitch lock would cause them too much of a problem.

    I few years back as part of my job I was giving a tour of a new multiplex cinema to the local fire brigade, I was explaining the security systems and who the key holders were. One of the firemen just laughed and said don’t worry about that I’ve got a universal key and gently patted the axe hanging from his belt. Happy

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
    500 Comments
    edited March 2016 #31

    We always put a wheel clamp on - something like this.

    http://www.leisureoutlet.com/caravans-and-motorhomes/Wheel-Clamps/Maypole-Universal-Wheel-Clamp_2.html?gclid=CLvS1ebuocsCFeop0wodrTQDOg

    Iit literally does only take seconds and we've never had a problem. It's only a deterent and if anyone is determined they'll get it anyway.

Categories