Site security

[GaryH]

Hi everyone,

We're newbies, pick up our van a week on Friday but have been trying to get up to speed with this caravan malarkey!

I've read a lot about security and now realise that if someone wants your van they'll get it no matter what you have to prevent it - hitchlock, wheel lock, alarms etc.

We'll probably keep it on a secure storage site and may even pack it there so we don't have it on our drive (we've had a few vans stolen in our village this week).

All this got me wondering...the most riskiest time we'll have with the caravan will be whilst on the holiday site.

Do many vans gets stolen from caravan sites?

Is it less probable when it's a big site?

Do other vanners shout if they hear/see someone hammering a hitchlock off?

Lots of questions I know...apologies if they've been asked before.

Cheers,

Gary & Amanda

 

[Hamer_5041128]

Gary,

In 30 plus years of caravaning i have only ever heard of two caravans being stolen from sites when on pitches.

One from a site on Exmoor in the middle of the day, no one was around on site. The other from a site in Derbyshire in the middle of the night. This had no security and was on a seasonal pitch.

Which village has had the caravans stolen?

Hamer

 

[Martin_374351794]

Hi

They don't need to hammer the hitch lock off, they just clamp a new hitch onto the square box of the hitch lock, and quietly drive away. Easy, unless you have an irregular shaped Alko hitch lock and I'm sure there are quiet ways of removing that. Best security is a small inexpensive single axle caravan!

 

[Legsmaniac_374344731]

Gary H,

You got it....

"if someone wants your van they'll get it no matter what you have to prevent it - hitchlock, wheel lock, alarms etc."

Oxyacetylene torches play a big part in caravan thefts now.

I'm new to caravanning too but read a lot of reports and forums. My advice is.... Don't worry about it. Vans are stolen from secure compounds too so why waste money on secure compounds if you can keep the caravan at home?

As long as your van is adequately insured, relax.

 

[GaryH]

Gary H,

You got it....

"if someone wants your van they'll get it no matter what you have to prevent it - hitchlock, wheel lock, alarms etc."

Oxyacetylene torches play a big part in caravan thefts now.

I'm new to caravanning too but read a lot of reports and forums. My advice is.... Don't worry about it. Vans are stolen from secure compounds too so why waste money on secure compounds if you can keep the caravan at home?

As long as your van is adequately insured, relax.

You're right Legsmaniac, trouble is I've got so much to sort out before next week! I thought caravanning was relaxing!?

I reckon once we've got the kids off to sleep that first night and are just opening some wine/beer...then I'll relax!

Cheers,

Gary

 

[GaryH]

Hi

They don't need to hammer the hitch lock off, they just clamp a new hitch onto the square box of the hitch lock, and quietly drive away. Easy, unless you have an irregular shaped Alko hitch lock and I'm sure there are quiet ways of removing that. Best security is a small inexpensive single axle caravan!

Cheers Martin, shame you weren't around with that advice before I bought my big twin axle!

Gary

 

[GaryH]

Gary,

In 30 plus years of caravaning i have only ever heard of two caravans being stolen from sites when on pitches.

One from a site on Exmoor in the middle of the day, no one was around on site. The other from a site in Derbyshire in the middle of the night. This had no security and was on a seasonal pitch.

Which village has had the caravans stolen?

Hamer

Cheers Hamer, I thought as much, but just wanted to check.

I'll take Legsmaniac's advice and chill a bit I think!

Our village is Belton in North Lincs.

One of the vans stolen was a twin axle stolen from the drive of a house round the corner from us.

I guess the moral of this thread is make sure you are adequately insured, then just relax and enjoy your van hey?

Cheers,

Gary

 

[Pat_374304630]

I'm not an expert on caravan thefts but I think the majority that are stolen are twin axels.

And guess which element of the travelling community mostly uses them.

 

[David_from_Ashby]

You're right Legsmaniac, trouble is I've got so much to sort out before next week! I thought caravanning was relaxing!?

I reckon once we've got the kids off to sleep that first night and are just opening some wine/beer...then I'll relax!

Cheers,

Gary

Hi Gary

What...you reckon you will get the kids off to sleep on their first caravan outing???.......hahaha

The trick is, have the wine/beer whilst the kids wear them selves out, they almost beg to go to sleep then

David

 

[DeliDave]

we have never heard of a van being stolen from rally or CL or site for that matter we would certainly notice if someone started ripping down an awning or burning an Alko lock off pay your insurance lock it and enjoy yourself its not worth a heart attack over

 

[AnnM1]

If you have cycles with you make sure that they are secure as these are a prime target for theft.

 

[Hamer_5041128]

Gary,

With regard to equipment being stolen.

The weirdest situation i have experienced was a few years ago at the Chatsworth Caravan Club site.

As i stepped out of the awning , about 7-30am, the caravaner opposite came out of his caravan and asked if my mains electrics were ok. They were working fine. As we walked round to check his bollard connection, shock horror, during the night someone had cut his electric lead leaving about 6 inches sticking out from his electric box. They had disconnected it from the bollard and cleared off with the lead.

It turned out 5 other caravans had the same treatment.

No doubt they were sold at car boot sales.

Hamer

 

[GaryH]

Gary,

With regard to equipment being stolen.

The weirdest situation i have experienced was a few years ago at the Chatsworth Caravan Club site.

As i stepped out of the awning , about 7-30am, the caravaner opposite came out of his caravan and asked if my mains electrics were ok. They were working fine. As we walked round to check his bollard connection, shock horror, during the night someone had cut his electric lead leaving about 6 inches sticking out from his electric box. They had disconnected it from the bollard and cleared off with the lead.

It turned out 5 other caravans had the same treatment.

No doubt they were sold at car boot sales.

Hamer

How strange! Interesting though, I guess you can't prevent theft like that, only keep a spare!

How did you find the Chatsworth site? I'm from Chesterfield originally so have fond memories of going to Chatsworth during the Summer. It's still not that far from us now so we were thinkng of trying it out. I guess it's expensive (all things connected with Chatsworth are!) but is it worth it?

Cheers,

Gary

 

[Hamer_5041128]

Gary H,

We like the Chatsworth Club site. Prior to retireing to Wales we lived sbout 20 miles from Chatsworth. We have used the site on a regular basis for holidays and to visit relatives.

At present the site is closed. The toilet block is being extended and other small things being done.On completion the gap between the men's shower block and the laundry will be filled in creating a much bigger toilet block.

It is a good site for visiting Chatsworth and the surrounding area. When the site is full, as it usually is especially at weekends, certain parts of the site can feel cramped although there is correct spacing between the outfits.

There is a door at the back of the site which leads into the park and the house. Very handy for dog walking, dogs must be on leads at all times in the park, handy for an evening stroll to the pubs and resteraunts in Baslow. Also very handy if you are visiting Chatsworth for a special event such as a concert or Country Fair.

Hamer

 

[GaryH]

Gary H,

We like the Chatsworth Club site. Prior to retireing to Wales we lived sbout 20 miles from Chatsworth. We have used the site on a regular basis for holidays and to visit relatives.

At present the site is closed. The toilet block is being extended and other small things being done.On completion the gap between the men's shower block and the laundry will be filled in creating a much bigger toilet block.

It is a good site for visiting Chatsworth and the surrounding area. When the site is full, as it usually is especially at weekends, certain parts of the site can feel cramped although there is correct spacing between the outfits.

There is a door at the back of the site which leads into the park and the house. Very handy for dog walking, dogs must be on leads at all times in the park, handy for an evening stroll to the pubs and resteraunts in Baslow. Also very handy if you are visiting Chatsworth for a special event such as a concert or Country Fair.

Hamer

Many thanks Hamer, we'll probably give it a try I reckon.

I'll let you know how we get on!

Cheers,

Gary