Stolen caravans and motorhomes

Jazzybaby
Jazzybaby Forum Participant Posts: 109
edited August 2017 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Hi all, whilst on a site recently (not CC I hasten to add) we noticed that there were 7 other units on this site that were clearly being used by travellers or whatever term you use to call them. They all had the usual run of the mill caravans albeit the top of the range twin axle models (i.e Elddis, Swift, Bessacar etc.) now i'm not suggesting they were stolen but it got me to thinking about this.

So picture this and pull apart my idea if you want.

Most caravans have a CRIS number so why aren't the insurance/caravan industry utilising the technology available to supply campsites, ferry terminals, caravan dealers etc with a hand hand scanner to check the integrity of any van/motorhome that comes in to contact with their business. Similar to microchip pets etc. The same goes for cars if say the chassis number is etched into the aperture where you fill it with fuel so that when you pull up at a fuel pump to fill up, the nozzle has a reader built into it and its scans the chassis number and if the vehicle is stolen it wont dispense fuel.  

Surely if a reward is offered to anyone spotting stolen goods the thieves would not have a market for their ill gotten gains.

I would not have a problem with this when checking in at reception the receptionist scans my caravan to check its not stolen what about you?

Comments

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #2

    cost ,who would pay for it , and just say someone turned up to a site with a caravan that was listed as stolen ,would the warden have the authority to take it off you !!?? and any system is only as good as the person updating it

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2017 #3

    I'd not be best pleased if I saw someone creeping around any LV I owned with a scanner or pen & paper jotting down/staring thru my windowsfrown

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #4

    As ever, it's the practicalities of implementation and policing the system. 

    I really can't see site wardens welcoming the task. 

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #5

    We know that the police are reluctant to interfere with the travelling community so why would anyone else.  Lets be honest here if someone stole my van I wouldn't want it back thats why I pay new for old insurance

  • dmiller555
    dmiller555 Forum Participant Posts: 717
    500 Comments
    edited August 2017 #6

    Good idea but too much trouble to implement as with most law enforcement items.

    Much easier just to increase insurance premiums. 

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2017 #7

    I like the idea too but - sad to say I agree with others that it probably wouldn't work very easily. 

  • Aspenshaw
    Aspenshaw Forum Participant Posts: 611
    500 Comments
    edited August 2017 #8

    Take it further and it may work for sites ...

    A 'tag' that can scan you in and out of the site as you drive though a barrier, automatically checks you caravan/motorhome against the CMCs database whilst at the same time allotting you the pitch you booked 9 months ago on line.

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #9

    I think most of this exists in some form already, particularly to those willing to pay for it or make the effort to make any checks.....

    As Jazzy says, caravans have a CRIS number and anyone can get a CRIS check done although looking at the website you may have to pay. There seems to be a police liaison facility so if you had any reasonable grounds to suspect a van was stolen plod would quite probably undertake the check for you. As someone said above if your suspicioun is purely that it is occupied by a "traveller" that is unlikely to be sufficient, but if you had a bit more reason to suspect, then report it and a check could be undertaken...

    As for microchips, all the jetski's I have owned and my last two motorcycles are datatagged and anybody with a reader can check they are not reported stolen, in reality that will probably be dealers then....

    Similarly there are numerous "Trackers" on the market you can fit to your van or car etc enabling you or the authorities to know where it is.

    It seems to really just come down to costs, which have to be met by the end user somehow.....

     

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2017 #10

    I have no desire to live in a Big Brother society. Such checks would be intrusive and could lead to all sorts of problems if the database gave false results. Next you will be asking the wardens to check passports for each of the visitors, log books for their vehicles, credit rating for the main member, etc.

  • bandgirl
    bandgirl Forum Participant Posts: 440
    100 Comments
    edited August 2017 #11

    You can buy a microchip and marking set for your caravan from CRIS, which you can fit yourself and register the location of the chip with them so that police, for example, can be advised where to scan should the need arise.

  • Bri
    Bri Forum Participant Posts: 40
    First Comment
    edited August 2017 #12

    You already do live in a big brother society. You can't travel any motorway without your number plate being read and big brother knowing just where you are.

    As per the OP, the techknowledgey is there but it all costs money and as another, don't want my van back if it gets nicked.

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