Upgrading locks / security?

[Eldorado]

So we are caravan newbs looking to mostly be travelling off season

One concern I have is security, mostly when we are on very quiet sites, off season . Welcome views

- for security to prevent break ins - what are the options? Can you upgrade caravan door locks? Seen the Milenco hand rail thing, but don't like the idea of drilling the body of the van . . .

- and security around theft of the van - obviously we will have wheel/axle and hitch locks, maybe even some leg locks, because they are cheap enough. In 2 minds about trackers, seems that many (most?) of them can be blocked unless they are UHF and have a sleep mode

 

[otherclive]

You can install as much security as you want around the caravan doors , steadies and wheels, but the windows, skylights and access to lockers from outside will not deter the thieves from entering for or more than a couple of minutes if they want to burgle the contents. Trackers, there are lots of posts on here about the different trackers and their costs. Do a search but at the end of the day it is your decision whether to fit one. For what it's worth Ive not really seen a post on here where the caravan has been burgled on a CL/CS, yet quite a few members go to the remote ones. Yet when I stored my caravan on a CASSOA Gold site one was stolen by thieves cutting the security fence, removing the various locks, pulling it across a field to a green lane bye way then off down to Thames Valley. Where they were caught by being involved in a RTA. Another attempt at that site saw the caravan stuck and abandoned in a ploughed field external to the security fence. But that is why we have insurance.

 

[toad a caravan]

I agree with O.C's thinking,I could only add perhaps if they are opportunist they may leave a caravan alone that has security devices and go for one that hasn't

 

[Mr Plodd]

As an ex copper I only ever use Alko wheel and hitch locks, anything else is (in my view) simply wasted money.
A tracker might help in recovering a stolen caravan, but it will never stop one getting stolen in the first place. Plus of course any subscriptions vastly outweigh the meagre discount insurers offer if one is fitted. It would appear that thieves now know where trackers are embedded and one of the first things they do is rip 'em out
Caravans (of all makes) are about as secure as your garden shed, i.e. not very!

 

[Andy Norfolk]

Depending on your caravans value some insurers insist you have a tracker. Personally I don't value them much even though I have one. I think most thieves will find it and cut it out.

 

[Eldorado]

thanks folks - good to hear from the wisdom on here

Related Q - Alko wheel lock doesn't have a listed fitting for Knaus alloy wheels on their website, I assume they can still be fitted?

 

[Beachball]

My last caravan came with the Milenco hand rail I found it very useful aid for getting into my caravan and then when we go out it went across the door but it came with caravan alarm, and we had a hitch lock and a Milenco wheel clamp .

 

[birdman101]

Alko hub lock Alko hitch lock,Alarm,and that is it. If it is stolen I do not want it back that’s why insured new for old. So I would never pay for a tracker for insurers benefit of more chance of getting it back.

 

[Buckman]

Alko hub lock Alko hitch lock,Alarm,and that is it. If it is stolen I do not want it back that’s why insured new for old. So I would never pay for a tracker for insurers benefit of more chance of getting it back.

However what many people do not realise is that if the caravan is recovered before the insurance pay out, they have no choice except to take it back , tracker or not tracker!

 

[birdman101]

However what many people do not realise is that if the caravan is recovered before the insurance pay out, they have no choice except to take it back , tracker or not tracker!

Then in my case it would be sold ASAP

 

[otherclive]

thanks folks - good to hear from the wisdom on here

Related Q - Alko wheel lock doesn't have a listed fitting for Knaus alloy wheels on their website, I assume they can still be fitted?

You should contact either your likely Knaus dealership or Alko.

 

[toad a caravan]

I've recently added extra security on mine, I've put a sticker on the front window "Protected by RoboCop"

 

[Dustydog]

So much for CASSOA Gold being thief proof! Not a good read Clive. Did the CASSOA site refund the storage fee😁.
All the security kit so far mentioned is nothing more than a deterrent.

Years ago a stolen caravan was recovered four weeks after the theft. Returned to Chipping Sodbury caravans who sadly had to repair it for just about 50% of the value. Insurers couldn’t write it off. It was internally abused and trashed beyond belief. The Owner PXd it without ever taking it back.
The only value of all the security stuff for me is complying with my Insurers Ts&Cs.

 

[Buckman]

We always had a tracker on our caravan and our current car has a tracker plus a CAN Bus blocker. I have had two cars stolen in the past and do not want another car stolen or if they are able to get past the CAN Bus blocker and steal the vehicle it is to be hoped it can be traced and the thieves apprehended. The tracker in the car cost me nothing, zero as it was fitted by the manufacturer and they picked up the cost of the subscription.

Our son in South Africa has two trackers on his car which is a Landcruiser as that was the only way he could get it insured. However it would be a very brave or extremely stupid thief to travel miles into the middle of a game reserve to steal his car as they would need to walk. LOL! 🤣 🤣