Caravan Alarms

[CRAIG_5077026]

Hi, we have just taken delivery of our new Bailey Ranger and would like to protect it against theft, we are using the usual devices like al-ko hitch lock and bulldog wheel clamp. I am considering buying an alarm system, the insurance company say Argos do one at about £15, which would be ok, but I'm not sure. What I would like is any feedback on this subject i.e. cheap and cheerful or a full caravan alarm system, which are around £150. Pro's and con's on both systems would be much appreciated before I part with any cash, thanks for your help, regards, Craig.

 

[DaveBev]

we bought our carvan( new to us, 2 year old) and it had a diy alarm in it, so when i rang the caravan club up and asked them abuot it they said it would not count towards their discount of having an alarm. it does however give out a 125db shreik if you forget to turn it off after 8 seconds,

it also goes off if you walk past the door when it is open( which is a good thing as i put the alarm on and then i can tell if the kids have been near it - they are exited about it and keep going to sit in it as they cant wait for the holiday, wouldnt mind but they do it after they are dripping wet from being in the swimming pool)

so really it depends what you are wanting it for. our works great and we can hear it go off in the house, which is what we want it for, but our insurance hasnt gone down with it on, but since we arent really bothered that it hasnt( i mean it wouldnt go down

 

[KiwiPete]

Hi Craig,

Have you ever thought of buying a caravan mover, like the Powrtouch, and when parking your van, park it the wrong way round ie with the a frame away from the drive or way out. Makes it very difficult to steal in a hurry!

 

[Tony A.]

Craig

Get phantom tracker fitted, not cheap but if you get the movement sensor, they tell you when the van is moving and where it is, and you might catch the thieving b```````s as a bonus

Tony A.

 

[RayS]

To get any insurance discount for having an alarm it will probably need to have a vibration and/or tilt sensor incorporated.

I've just fitted one from SAS and after some initial troubles with the control unit (replaced free by SAS) it weems to be fine. Installation is fairly easy depending on how much trouble you go to to hide the cables.

There is a weatherproof siren, so you do not have to cut a big hole in the floor, only a small one sufficient for the cable.

The tilt and vibration sensor needs to be mounted directly above one of the steady mountings - usually front offside - so that the vibration from winding up the leg or the subsequent tilt of the van will activate the alarm. This means you have to get the van levelled in the same way on every site, but is not too difficult.

Cost around

 

[PC_5119929]

Our own experience and that of friends and family is that you need a good alarm approved by all insurers.

If you have new van surely you want better security than a

 

[Steve L]

One tip I can offer is, to buy a couple of personal attack alarms. You can get them from any good DIY outlet.

They are the type you attatch to baggage (hand bags, brief cases etc). Sorten the pull out cord and replace with 4LB fishing line.

Stretch the line out either across the doorway, or by fitting the alarm under the van, to the ground.

You get a 120db protable alrm, and the trip wire is virtually invisable. This might give you a last ditch nuisence to the thieving B*****ds when they strike.

I'm afraid you won't stop a dedicated proffessional, but you might make it too awkward for him and he'll buzz off to easier pickings.

I park my twin axle front facing in on the drive, have two wheel clamps of different design, a hitch lock, mains plug lead removal protection (voltage drop sensor) and I park an alarmed car inches from the van covering the wheel clamps. Oh and a post locked in the ground at the road side.

There are other gadgets fitted but I don't want to disclose those as (A) everyone would know!! and (B) they are also illegal.

I know of one incident where a guy got up at 7am to go to work only to find his caravan half way out in the road. The thieves had over come the alarm and hich lock and wheel clamp. Taken out two fence panels and dug up the fence post. Only to be thwarted by the freshly dug flower bed covered in wood chips. Good job his wife was on old school gardener and "double dug" the garden.

A 3 foot by 18 inch deep wood chip covered soft dug trough was what foiled the little s****. It took a couple of hours and a few air bags to lift out the van which had sunk to the chassis in the mud, but atleast they kept their pride and joy.

You see each individual item of security add's minuits to escape time and this is precious to the thief as he wants your van not a free room with iron bars for a few years.

I must admit to liking the arabic way (taketh the hand that doth offend)at least he'd only do it twice!!

Steve.