Theft a real nightmare

ScreenName11ECCC1177
ScreenName11ECCC1177 Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited November 2022 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1
  1. I would just like to warn caravaners that however safe you think your caravan is if a thief wants it then they will get it. We worked our way up to a beautiful new van to us we spent just 2 nights in her then bought her home to sit on our drive. She was alarmed and had a hitch lock and wheel lock she even had her winter storage cover on. Did that deter the thief no it did not needless to say we are devastated our new caravan and all our memories inside her gone in a few seconds. Our wheel clamp was a crumpled mess left behind and our hitch cover courtesy of glossop caravans left in the street. So if anyone sees a swift conqueror with a slight scuff to the left hand corner anywhere it could be our pride and joy. I’m thinking that would be a good thing that when a site is booked you would have to give the vin number as well as proof when you arrived at site you h no ever know someone may be in the stolen van and not really know it. Our vans been reported to the police and we have insurance and the cris people but it’s the things inside that cannot be replaced. 

Comments

  • Hedgehurst
    Hedgehurst Forum Participant Posts: 576
    100 Comments
    edited November 2022 #2

    What a distressing thing to happen to you. I hope the insurance pays up properly.

  • Fozzie
    Fozzie Club Member Posts: 550
    500 Comments
    edited November 2022 #3

    Screenname Sorry for your loss,but this is not the first time it is being posted that "new" caravans have been stolen,like yours within weeks or sooner.

    When mine was stolen,and I have to compose this so the mods do not delete it on here for breaking any guidelines,One lock was burnt off,but two of the most popular well known brand of hitch lock and wheel lock were removed with various pieces of metal left behind.I have a idea now how these locks are being removed so easily.

    The alarm was so easily silenced,I wonder why they are fitted at all. Active trackers ( the ones that send out a constant signal) are easily detected and positions known about.

    I also had a Milenco sliding door lock,but that still didn't deter then as another really easily way was used to get into the van.

    But when the theft of 3 vans valued at £55,000 by the police did not even come out to view the CCTV until the site owner said the them that the disk will over write soon.Imagine the outcry if a bank had been robbed of the same amount and police not bothered.

    I did have to bite my tongue ,with the irony of my wheel clamp and hitch lock are "police approved" and award winning,but did not even visit until too late.

    To me,it is treated as a victimless crime,but due to the amount stolen now,something will have to give.

    There are no easy answers to this yet,only possibly a Hublock,passive tracker that can be turned on after the theft,or an E P self levelling system that can leave its pads down,but I have no knowledge yet of the system.

    I have kept things pretty vague on here,as there was much more to add,but for obvious reason kept it like that.

    Oh and get decent insurance,and photograph everything.

     

     

     

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2022 #4

    I hope it is found intact or you get a speedy insurance resolution and you can put this behind you. We had an attempted theft of our then 2 month old caravan from storage a couple of years ago. the thieving toe rags couldn’t get the wheel clamp off however they vandalised the van internally trying to locate the tracker. The storage owner had spoken to someone the day prior who was acting sus but the police didn’t want to know - they didn’t even take a description. My insurance refused to pay out due to small print (they accepted my premium and quoted on the basis of the storage address and then refused to pay out because I hadn’t reported on my insurance application a previous attempted theft of another van from the storage I didn’t know about!!!!) 

  • Williams1974
    Williams1974 Forum Participant Posts: 18
    edited November 2022 #5

    Sympathies to you all. Same happened to us. It is devastating. CC insurance did pay out very quickly but it’s not all about the money. Memories, diaries of trips over the years and something special taken away from you.  Facebook full of ‘hot vans’ being offered and nothing being done. Best wishes.