Security

[Lofty66]

Hi all we are new to the caravan world and take delivery of our caravan on the 5th .Think we have most things in place but still need security products,level ramps for a twin axle, TV dish also water products for a premium pitch any advise on anything for us as are new to it done a bit of motor home rental
Many thanks dave and carole from cheshire

Caravan is a Bailey 624 twin axle

 

[Raywood]

Not sure exactly what model you have or its age as generally Bailey caravans have a model name rather than a number. You need to establish what the insurers security requirements are and use that as a minimum level of security.
If it is a fairly new one it should have the ability to take an ALKO wheel lock at each wheel. These are the most secure form of security but are not cheap and can be awkward to fit and you would need a jack. I would check with whoever you are buying from if they can be fitted before buying any. Insurers usually give a discount for these but nothing like the cost of them.
That apart there are numerous good wheel clamps from firms like Milenco and Nemisis. The best have Sold Secure Gold approval.
Hitchlocks are easily overcome by thieves and personally I would not bother unless the insurer wants one. There are also other things like leg locks available which do help but are not infallible.
You might also look at devices like Tracker. They will not prevent theft but do help recovery if stolen.

 

[Lofty66]

Many thanks I will look into wheel locks the caravan is a Bailey pegasus 624 twin axle .2011

 

[Dustydog]

Lofty.
Certainly back in 2010 the Pegasus came with Al-ko wheel locks, two in your case. Did you ask the seller?
Are the receivers attached at the rear of the hubs for the locks.
As far as levelling goes I use four 1" 4 foot boards depending on how much adjustment is necessary.
Ask your Insurers what security they require if you haven't already been told.

 

[Lofty66]

Thanks for advice I will check wheel locks

 

[Woodentop]

I find it puzzling that an insurer would want two Al-Ko wheel locks on a twin axle. If one wheel don't move you can't tow it - unless I suppose they physically cut the tyre off the rim?

 

[Dustydog]

I find it puzzling that an insurer would want two Al-Ko wheel locks on a twin axle. If one wheel don't move you can't tow it - unless I suppose they physically cut the tyre off the rim?

They let the tyre down on the locked wheel and off you go

 

[Lofty66]

I thought it lock the wheel in place so it can't turn guess they tow it on 3 wheels then.

 

[chrisn7]

I thought it lock the wheel in place so it can't turn guess they tow it on 3 wheels then.

That would be a significant risk. The single tyre would then be supporting half the weight of the caravan, and consequently wildly in excess of that tyres maximum load.

Regarding your security question, rather than abandon the hitchlock I would add one. Some insurers require just one type of lock, which gives you flexibility. For example in storage I have all security in place. On site just the hitchlock, and the standard alarm. This saves lugging heavy wheel locks about.

There is a school of thought to make theft as time consuming as possible, so at home or in storage I have hitchlock, x2 wheel locks, x4 steady locks, removable jockey handle off and alarm on.

 

[Woodentop]

I find it puzzling that an insurer would want two Al-Ko wheel locks on a twin axle. If one wheel don't move you can't tow it - unless I suppose they physically cut the tyre off the rim?

They let the tyre down on the locked wheel and off you go

Would the trail of smoke or pieces of tyre behind the 'van not give it away slightly?

Plus the boys in blue would pull it PDQ for having a failed tyre. Somehow I don't think any scroat would want that to happen?

There again, insurance companies will do anything to get out of paying......

 

[Dustydog]

Very clever these thieves
They tend to work at night and take the caravan somewhere nearby where they can work on the deflated wheel. If they need a new wheel guess where that comes from

 

[KeefySher]

I thought it lock the wheel in place so it can't turn guess they tow it on 3 wheels then.

That would be a significant risk. The single tyre would then be supporting half the weight of the caravan, and consequently wildly in excess of that tyres maximum load.

.

Thieving scroats nicking a twin axle caravan are unlikely to be concerned about such risks. :S

 

[chrisn7]

What I meant was the risk for them is that they wouldn't get very far, as the overloaded tyre would likely overheat and disintegrate.

 

[Dustydog]

What I meant was the risk for them is that they wouldn't get very far, as the overloaded tyre would likely overheat and disintegrate.

I doubt it Chris.
If I get a puncture at 55 mph I don't expect the other wheel on the same side to give up so easily. In fact I suspect at say 30ish it would go on for a long time.
However as I said before it wont stop the thief hence even in my dog case the CC still require two wheel locks on the same side.