Security on site
Hi all;
Just wondering about the security of the caravan when on site. We will use a mixture of Club Sites and CL's and I was wondering if things like hitch locks and wheel locks should be fitted when sited.
I can imagine that Insurance companies might prefer them to be but sites might not in case they need to move the van in case of emergency.
Would appreciate thoughts on this...
Comments
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Go with what your insurance company says. Its not a case of what they prefer but, if stated as such, a mandatory requirement to avoid invalidating your policy.
Whatever the policy says, I would without fail always use the hitchlock as a bare minimum.
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You will probably find that is a requirement for your insurance that a hitch lock and/or wheel lock are used when your caravan is unhitched. So the answer is a definite yes. I can envisage very few 'emergencies' when it is necessary to move a caravan whilst it is on a site, I have never come across one in my 50 yrs of caravanning - gosh is it that long!!.
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I always fit the hitch lock & I carry a couple of wheel locks .. an Alko & a Bulldog Max ... trouble being it's often only when we're levelled up with the steadies down that I remember about them, and then the Law of Sod means that even the Bulldog won't fit!
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With our caravan the alko wheel lock was declared for a discount as was the alarm and tracker. Fitting a hitch lock didn't secure a discount, so wasn't declared. When on site, I used everything, but only the declared items were required to be fitted / working.
Have you received a discount for having the devices?
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With the first of the latest 3 vans I initially had alarm etc, hitch lock and wheel clamp after the first tour I amended the policy to remove the need for wheel clamp.
On the second caravan I initially had hitchlock and Alko axle lock. After having a problem fitting the hitch knock on a very cold April afternoon and my hands that cold that I was near to tears I removed the hitch lock requirement.
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I have declared that I use hitchlock and al-ko wheel lock so I guess a discount has been applied. I was just concerned whether their use when on site might contradict site safety requirements.
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I don't think you need to worry about not using your antitheft equipment.
Think of a MH, you don't leave your keys with the reception when on site, well not on any site I have been on so far!
I have a wheel clamp and steering wheel lock and use both depending on the site's location and whether we would leave the van on site when out for a day. (only the steering lock is on the insurance)
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Put it this way. You have your caravan covered by a policy which insists you have various security items in place. What site owner or warden is going to risk being sued for the cost of your van if it is stolen and your policy is invalidated because said items were not used at the behest of the site owner/warden?
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I have always had caravan insurance policies which are content with a very simple basic hitch lock. If I get a quote from an insurance company which wants alarms, trackers, or wheel clamps I just click delete and insure elsewhere.
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Thanks all; I think i'll go down the route of safe rather than sorry and fit the locks. I was just concerned that sites might have a view on this, as I said, in case of emergencies. But locks on it shall be!
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Unless a site does not have barriers ,we do not use any security other than the milenco handle on the door which locks across it
Where we have stored our LVs for about 40 yrs ,to access is by card via two barriers one storage pitch cards only, i do not use any other security as i would rather my LV to be able to be moved quickly if the need arises
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One thing worth noting on the insurance / security issue, is seasonal pitches. A couple of years ago we had a seasonal at Cirencester Park. I couldn't find anything in the documentation so gave CAMC insurance a ring. As our caravan was stored in a gold compound this was taken into account on the insurance. Leaving it on a seasonal counted as storage, not pitching it on a caravan site. A temporary change to the policy and a small payment was required to maintain the insurance. Otherwise in the event of theft, fire or break in, it wouldn't have been covered.
Whilst chatting with the van next to us, insurance came up in conversation. He hadn't even considered it and rapidly phoned the Club to sort his cover.
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Probably because they are registered in their own right has something to do with it? This is not the case in the UK which makes tracing a stolen caravan not impossible but more difficult? It could be that general vehicle crime is also less common in Germany as there are five times more cars stolen in the UK each year compared to Germany.
David
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so is insurance against theft also almost unheard of on the continent? Must be surely? I mean if theft is almost unheard of why have insurance to cover it? or at least a much reduced premium?
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I have never heard of a caravan being stolen from a site but happy to be enlightened. It would be brazen and risky to steal from a site where there is always somebody around; it’s not like a storage compound. In 30 years I never used any security when touring, only in storage. My insurance at the time only required security if leaving the van overnight.
Thieves won’t be put off by any hitchlock, simply wrap chain around the whole hitch and strap it on to the tow ball. Anyway, that’s apparently what they do to steal a van from your driveway.
We were in the South of France once when a couple of robbers went right through the site in broad daylight stealing anything they could find. They popped our door lock but we had left nothing of value. One unlucky caravan owner had left the keys to his Merc in the van. They stole the car but not the van of course.Seems a bit obsessive to be fitting all that stuff on a campsite but that’s probably just me!
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Just do what makes you feel happier.
Me, I fit both hitch lock and Alko hub lock when on site - only takes a few minutes and it gives me piece of mind. A lot less time than it would take to fill a insurance form if it was stolen!
I have them, why not use them?They are a deterrent and yes a determined thief could overcome them, but person that doesn’t doesn’t use them is a more inviting target!
Those that tell you there is no need, will not be responsible for your loss.I even fit the hitch lock (when it’s coupled up) if I stop on route, at services for a comfort break.
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If you have an awning even porch that covers the nearside wheel how will any one know you have a wheel clamp fitted?
We only use club sites now and most have security barriers on the entrance and exit , and on some sites more than one at the entrance. We now only put any mechanical security on our C/van if on sites without security barriers , and when in our storage ,we have to go through two barriers for that
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Just about to renew our insurance. We have a discount for AlKo locks and tracker/alarm, so always use them when we are not with the van.
No need when we stop en route as we never leave the van unattended, we have everything we need in the van.
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I have never heard of a caravan being stolen from a site but happy to be enlightened.
I have, about 20 years ago. I site that I used regularly had a caravan stolen. The son of the site owner gave chase, contacted the police and kept them informed. The thief (or thieves - I forget) abandoned car and caravan on the hard shoulder and scrambled up the embankment. The owners son gave chase and made an arrest prior to the police arriving. I remember because the site owner, nice guy, was chuffed because both he and his son were presented with an award certificate on the same day. His son for the arrest and him for giving CPR a week or so before.
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