Security when on site

ashneedham
ashneedham Forum Participant Posts: 17
edited September 2016 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

Hi,

so I have a deposit on my first caravan and will be picking it up in 3 weeks. I have purchased a hitch lock, alko axel lock and I will get a corner steady lock,a wheel clamp and a hitch post for when it is not in use at home. 

I was wondering what level of security people had when they are on site.

Thanks

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Comments

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited September 2016 #2

    A hitch lock & at least one Alko wheel lock and if the other reciever lines up-ish I have a Bull Dog Max

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited September 2016 #3

    Previous van Alko hitch lock. This van Alko wheel lock and Phantom Tracker

  • fur ball
    fur ball Forum Participant Posts: 155
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    edited September 2016 #4

    On site I only use a hitchlock .

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited September 2016 #5

    Alko wheel lock and and if possible the site barriersWink

  • ashneedham
    ashneedham Forum Participant Posts: 17
    edited September 2016 #6

    yea, my initial thoughts are the hitch lock, alko wheel lock and a corner steady lock. i don't want to carry too much weight but equally I don't want to be too lax on security. The van has an alarm too.

    i am feeling very protective alr and I haven't even picked it up yet. 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #7

    It could also depend on what your insurance policy might stipulate.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #8

    As much security as possible. A tow vehicle breakdown may mean having to put 'van in a less than ideal place.

    Also consider measures to deter break-in, and also where you will keep any valuables you do take with you. [Hark!  Is that the sound of a can of worms opening?]

  • gygafo
    gygafo Forum Participant Posts: 51
    edited September 2016 #9
    Hitch and wheel lock are about as much as you can chuck at a caravan unless you want to get into the expense of trackers and ueless door locks etc. There are some very clever marketing people
    out there that want you to buy their products but If thieves want it, they will take it. Whatever you have fitted it's still the same heartache!

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #10

    I would say a wheel clamp or wheel lock are essential as they need a lot of effort and usually noise so on a busy site most thieves will not want to tackle them. 

    Frankly hitchlocks are useless as they can be overcome by a length of chain wrapped round the A frame. Leg locks have a delaying effect as the thieves can miss them when assessing a caravan but are easily overcome.

     The Alko axle lock is the best deterrent and is probably the most secure device for touring. You can get a Milenco wheel clamp allegedly undefeated but it is filled with concrete so is not one for touring.

    It is not true that thieves will take a caravan whatever the security if they want it, some do go to great lengths to steal it but in other cases they will simply leave it and find another but you will never know.

    Trackers are useful as in many cases they are recovered so quickly that they are still in the city but nothing is foolproof.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited September 2016 #11

     ..... 

    Frankly hitchlocks are useless as they can be overcome by a length of chain wrapped round the A frame.  ....

    I'm curious as to how you'd wrap a chain around the A frame such that you could suport the weight of the hitch There are no holes in my A frame ..... there's a cover over it .... and I'm sure that you'd atract a little attention dragging a caravan with a
    chain

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited October 2016 #12

     ..... 

    Frankly hitchlocks are useless as they can be overcome by a length of chain wrapped round the A frame.  ....

    I'm curious as to how you'd wrap a chain around the A frame such that you could suport the weight of the hitch There are no holes in my A frame ..... there's a cover over it .... and I'm sure that you'd atract a little attention dragging a caravan with a
    chain

    ...Where theres a will theres a wayUndecided

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited October 2016 #13

     ..... 

    Frankly hitchlocks are useless as they can be overcome by a length of chain wrapped round the A frame.  ....

    I'm curious as to how you'd wrap a chain around the A frame such that you could suport the weight of the hitch There are no holes in my A frame ..... there's a cover over it .... and I'm sure that you'd atract a little attention dragging a caravan with a
    chain

    ...Where theres a will theres a wayUndecided

    I'm sure it'd just be easier to drill the hitch lock's barrel than faff with bits of chain

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited October 2016 #14

    It could also depend on what your insurance policy might stipulate.

    Which, to some extent, depends on what you wish to use. On previous caravan I had a hitchlock and a wheel clamp. As I would not always wish to faff with a wheel clamp on site I cose to use a hitchlock only and forego any addition discount for a wheel clamp
    although I would use it at home and on some sites.

    Now I choose not to use a hitchlock and simply use an Alko wheel lock in addition to alarm/tracker

  • Kerry Watkins
    Kerry Watkins Forum Participant Posts: 325
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    edited October 2016 #15

    I always use a hitchlock and wheel clamp. Neither take long to fit and well worth it in my opinion.

  • brightstar2
    brightstar2 Forum Participant Posts: 128
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    edited October 2016 #16

    I use wheel clamp - hitchlock - I am not giving my insurance companmy an excuse not to pay out - they have enough already !

    My policy states must use all those devices - at ALL times - even if stopping on motorway services if left unattended.

    Your 'van is a big investment.

  • Flyingfox
    Flyingfox Forum Participant Posts: 45
    edited October 2016 #17

    I always use a hitchlock and wheel clamp. Neither take long to fit and well worth it in my opinion.

    Write your comments here...I agree. But use an Alko wheel lock instead of a clamp.

     

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited October 2016 #18

    My policy exclusions (CC) 

    Theft or attempted theft of the Caravan if left unhitched from a towing vehicle for a period exceeding 8 hours, if it is not immobilised or protected against theft or unlawful removal by the use of one of the following: hitchlock, wheelclamp, heavy duty
    chain or immobiliser or an alarm system. 

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,667 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #19

    When we are on site we use a hitch lock and an awning.  I do think that there are usually people/warden about on site, and many sites have security barriers anyway.

    David

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited October 2016 #20

    It is strange. OH would happily leave her purse etc in the caravan when she goes off for a shower etc or maybe if we stroll from site somewhere. The strange part is that she would not leave it in the car glovebox when the car is infact much more secure?
    Even stranger - If she goes off for a shower she will ask me not to lock the doors if I go off somewhere on site as she has not got her keys! 

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #21

    I'm curious as to how you'd wrap a chain around the A frame such that you could suport the weight of the hitch There are no holes in my A frame ..... there's a cover over it ....

    You just bash a hole in the cover using a hammer! These are thieves remember, who are not concerned about damage.

    "Locks deter only honest men."

  • bandgirl
    bandgirl Forum Participant Posts: 440
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    edited October 2016 #22

    We use an Al-Ko wheel lock and hitch lock.  Our caravan has an alarm fitted but, to be honest, we don't switch it on unless by accident (fob in OH's trouser pocket scenario).

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited October 2016 #23

    I'm curious as to how you'd wrap a chain around the A frame such that you could suport the weight of the hitch There are no holes in my A frame ..... there's a cover over it ....

    You just bash a hole in the cover using a hammer! These are thieves remember, who are not concerned about damage.

    "Locks deter only honest men."

    I appreciate that, but as said, a caravan being dragged along via a bit of chain is going to raise a little suspicion .... far easier to drill or gring a hitch lock off

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited October 2016 #24

    When we are on site we use a hitch lock and an awning.  I .....

    Easily sorted with a Stanley knife Wink

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited October 2016 #25

    Or a match 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited October 2016 #26

    Or a match 

    But would you want to set fire to the caravan that you're stealing? Wink

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited October 2016 #27

    Good point Cool

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
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    edited October 2016 #28

    As stated on another thread, a hitch cover is a good way of keeping secret from passers by,what type and make of hitch lock is fitted, if any . An Awning does the same for wheel clamps,  thieves like to know Exactly what they are up against, extra time removing it could be the differance between getting caught in the act or not. 

  • ashneedham
    ashneedham Forum Participant Posts: 17
    edited October 2016 #29

    As stated on another thread, a hitch cover is a good way of keeping secret from passers by,what type and make of hitch lock is fitted, if any . An Awning does the same for wheel clamps,  thieves like to know Exactly what they are up against, extra time removing
    it could be the differance between getting caught in the act or not. 

    Never thought of that. I suppose it's not difficult to look under the hitch cover or into the awning but doing so could arouse suspicion. 

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #30

    When we are on site we use a hitch lock and an awning.  I .....

    Easily sorted with a Stanley knife Wink

    Write your comments here... I cannot see a thief using a Stanley knife to remove an awning on site as it would attract attention. Frankly an awning is so time consuming to remove I just do not see it happening but you never know.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #31

    When we are on site we use a hitch lock and an awning.  I .....

    Easily sorted with a Stanley knife Wink

    Write your comments here... I cannot see a thief using a Stanley knife to remove an awning on site as it would attract attention. Frankly an awning is so time consuming to remove I just do not see it happening but you never know.

    Time consuming? Hence the use of a Stanley knife Laughing

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