caravan door locks
has anybody fitted additional door lock for security, i see on the web that companies such as Milenco have one on offer for £34, i appreciate that caravans are never going to be secure, i watched a demonstration where some guy opened the windows with a knife and was inside within minutes, so was looking at something that might just provided a deterant, something that doesnt need holes drilling into the van if possible . I have a 2008 Coachman Amara and lock provided looks very flimsey and easy to open.
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Regarding the windows, the easiest solution for better security is to replace the older window mechanisms with the type now fitted to later 'vans'. These are the ones with the locking button that cannot be opened with a knife from outside, then again nothing will stop a crowbar.
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The Milenco lock that is a big sliding block looks good and would be effective in stopping a door being opened with a screwdriver.
How it can fit depends on what is inside the caravan where it should go. If possible I would recomend drilling right through the caravan wall and fitting a spreader plate on the inside.
There were things being sold to fit over window catches to stop them turning but there were dear considering two per window minimum and nine windows on my caravan.
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Their is a popular opinion that if you fit strong locks you will just incur greater damage. Once we had our van “turned over” in Southern France whilst at the pool. The thieves popped the lock and ransacked the van. Nothing was taken as we had all our valuables with us. It was distressing but when we got back to the UK the repair to the door was straightforward. I dread to think of the damage if we’d had a stronger lock fitted.
Incidentally, several vans were robbed in just a few minutes (shows how easy it is) and one owner had left the keys to his expensive Mercedes in the van. Of course, the thieves drove off in it together with the cash he has also left in the van.
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The locks fitted to caravan doors are actually of very little use, as are any replacement locks. They use a very cheap mechanism, with very few 'keys'. We met a caravanner who had lost his keys, and he tried ours - it worked, and so did that of our neighbours.
A couple of years ago our caravan was 'broken into' whilst we weren't there - and lots of things stolen, but there was no damage to the lock. People on site told us that thieves have a bunch of keys and just tried one after another until they are able to get in.
No matter how safe you make your caravan it can be broken into, hitchlocks can be removed, steady locks bypassed, and windows forced.
Save your money, and spend the difference on a better insurance policy!
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It’s pointless fitting an additional lock for the door on your caravan. If someone wants to get in they’ll go through a window. Don’t bother fitting any kind of extra locks on the windows either, a sharp tug on a caravan window is all that’s needed to overcome the catches. I speak from experience.... sadly.
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