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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Well I guess you could put a hitch lock on, that's what some do. When we caravanned we used to eat in the van, little likelihood of it being stolen then, although we tried/try not to stop in service stations in this country as they are usually full where you park caravans and if you have to go in bus bays they don't like it, lorry parking smells like toilets or worse.
Is it not possible to plan your route so you could stop at a nice place to eat? we still never leave the vehicle empty by the way always one of us in it at all times.
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We never ever left our car and caravan unattended at motorway services. one went in and bought whilst the other stayed.. You should also take note of what your insurance policy requires. if it says a wheel lock or whatever should be fitted at all times when unattended then you must comply to be covered.
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My policy says locks should be applied (hitch and wheel) if I leave the van for more than 3 hours. However I usually put on the hitchlock IF I go into the services. Like others I generally use my facilities and eat in the van. I have also left the tailgate up with the dogs in their cage and they would draw plenty of attention to anyone loitering. I also hope my elderly van wouldn't be a target but....... who knows.
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We regularly leave our van unattended on motorway service areas, but always fit the ALKO hitchlock & a wheel lock & have never had a problem. I do feel caravanners get a bit paranoid about these things, when the reality is that the percentage of caravans stolen from service areas is probably tiny. Does anyone have actual facts on the numbers ? Or are we all working on the " I heard about this...... " rumours ?
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There is nothing in the services that I really want other than fuel and a few mins to stretch legs and grab a coke out of the fridge perhaps. So no point leaving the caravan really. Generally I avoid services except for fuel on a longer tow.
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Well the answer is surely to avoid stopping at service stations where at all possible! On the rare occasions when we have had to I'd never leave the van unattended, one of us will stay while the other does whatever needs doing and vice versa. Not so much to do with security but more on past experience of having a van badly damaged while parked up and no sign of who was responsible on our return. But it's probably a matter of 20 minutes or so at most.
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"... except for fuel" ? You must have deep pockets to pay motorway prices, ET. I always research supermarkets at the various places I visit to locate cheap fuel. I never spend that long on the motorway network that i need to refuel on it.
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Yep, CY. I have deep pockets
£400,000 in savings and more coming in than going out. Get OAP in November as well.
Fuel is a small part of costs IMO. However usually only but fuel on the way up into Scotland. Don't like less than a quarter tank.
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I usually put a wheel lock on similar to this...
http://www.towsure.com/the-claw-universal-wheel-clamp
- it only takes a few seconds to install and is worth it for peace of mind.
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It's not just leaving a van, if you're off on holiday the contents are more at risk so worth looking after on busy services.
By the way leaving two versions of this discussion is very confusing, we seem to have a lot of duplications appearing.
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hi jombo60 we're new to caravaning as well carnot talk for everyone we all have our own ways we leave our hitchlock on and our alarm when we stop on services for us caravaning is to be enjoyed and whilst you have to be vigilant for me i don't let the thought of low life thevies determine what i should and should not do just take every precaution to make safe that's all we can do.
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As others have said Jomo, we only make comfort breaks, so one walks the dog (on a lead😜) close to the van whilst the other stretches their legs to the facilities and back. By the way, welcome to this great hobby and being from Fife you don't need to make much use of motorways with all the superb places in Scotland to visit👍
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Being a little newer at this caravanning lark (and really enjoying it) I have the opinion of what seems like the minority.
We do stop along the way every couple of hours (tiredness kills don't you know) we do both leave the van (unless OH is asleep) and we just put the hitch lock on.
I don't want to loose the van, it cost me a lot of money and time getting it how I like it, but life is a little short to worry about just about everything, I take precautions (hitch lock when stopping for a refreshment break) and if leaving for any length of time like when we get on site, I put on the alko lock and the corner steady lock, but just for a short stop... After all the caravan is insured, that's why we took it out and as long as one is not negligent or careless then let your blood pressure drop down a little.
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I would actually find it more stressful to do that as I would be worrying about the van, even with a hitchlock in place!
Yes it is insured, but having to make a claim is also stressful, losing your holidays for however long is stressful.
We have not seen any new vans we actually like, so prefer to keep this one.
We also prefer our own food, and it saves money to boot!
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