Securing a <span class="highlight">caravan</span>

Submitted: Sunday, Jul 20, 2014 at 13:23
ThreadID: 108809 Views:2208 Replies:7 FollowUps:2
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Can anyone advise me on locking mechanisms to secure a caravan. I have looked at a few that fit the ball but they seem to be made of mild Steel and could easily be removed with a good hacksaw .
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Reply By: The Bantam - Sunday, Jul 20, 2014 at 13:36

Sunday, Jul 20, 2014 at 13:36
there are all sort of contraptions and then there are methods to get round them....
SO....what is your percieved threat and how serious are you "protecting" your caravan.

cheers
AnswerID: 536323

Reply By: Member - Ian H8 - Sunday, Jul 20, 2014 at 14:17

Sunday, Jul 20, 2014 at 14:17
The Bantam will have a hundred for's and against so just chain a hungry blue dog to the a frame. Works every time,
AnswerID: 536328

Reply By: Athol W1 - Sunday, Jul 20, 2014 at 16:13

Sunday, Jul 20, 2014 at 16:13
Johno

After having one caravan go missing, and it was fitted with both coupling and wheel locks that were removed with bolt cutters and it was within a locked compound within a gated community, I am now using a modified coupling lock with a fully covered good quality padlock that is not assessable with bolt cutters (boxed in similar to what you see on National Parks gates) and also a Nemesis wheel lock ( not cheap but very sturdy). I also have a tracking device fitted that allows me to locate the van as long as it is within the mobile phone network range.

Given enough time and determination there is NOTHING that will stop the determined thief, so the next best thing is to be able to locate it and hopefully catch the culprit before any damage is done.

Regards
Athol
AnswerID: 536331

Follow Up By: The Bantam - Sunday, Jul 20, 2014 at 20:41

Sunday, Jul 20, 2014 at 20:41
While there is nothing that will stop a determined and well prepared thief.

Fortunately the majority of theves and neither determined or well prepared...so there is no reason to make it easy for them.

So many of the anti-theft deviced are designed to sell rather than work well.

Start by looking at what ever you have and think how would I go about steeling it.

with any trailer start with the bolts that hold your coupling on....in many cases the theves just unbolt the coupling complete with whatever coupling lock there is.

There are a number of devious methods to slow em down removing the coupling.

keep looking and thinking from there.

Remember if you are looking at chain.....a grinder will get thru anything eventually....but mild steel chain is a snack for bolt cutters...at least get some high tensile transport chain.....they will need big strong bolt cutters and strong arms to go with them.

cheers
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FollowupID: 820427

Reply By: Member - bungarra (WA) - Sunday, Jul 20, 2014 at 22:41

Sunday, Jul 20, 2014 at 22:41
You could use a motion detector such as a fridge switch that is strategically placed in a hard to find or not so obvious place.

Wire it so it locks the caravan brakes on as soon as it is moved. It will take a determined thief sometime to work out what the hell is going on....then they have to find what/where is locking the brakes on.

Given time they may find what it going on and disconnect ( a lot of time required if its hidden) they will fail and maybe unhitch and drive off...

worth considering if your really worried
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AnswerID: 536348

Reply By: martycon - Sunday, Jul 20, 2014 at 22:53

Sunday, Jul 20, 2014 at 22:53
If you are insured, the mot important thing is to take what ever action to secure your van, which your insurer deems adequate. Good luck on finding out what is adequate.
regards marty.
AnswerID: 536350

Follow Up By: Athol W1 - Monday, Jul 21, 2014 at 09:16

Monday, Jul 21, 2014 at 09:16
When my van was stolen the insurance investigator told me that the fact that it was in a locked yard was adequate, and anything else that I did to secure it was up to me. I had no trouble getting the pay out from the insurance for the van.

I did not receive any payout from the insurance for the contents because I could not provide acceptable proof of what was in the van (receipts, warranty documents or photographs) so I now regularly photograph the inside of the van, with the cupboard doors and drawers open, and keep copies of all receipts on a file.

Hope this is of assistance to all.
Regards
Athol
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FollowupID: 820441

Reply By: Member - Bruce B5 - Monday, Jul 21, 2014 at 21:47

Monday, Jul 21, 2014 at 21:47
Hi I use to discounect the brake away switch because it locks the brakes on all wheels or just discounect the batteries in the boot does the same thing they won't stick around to find out why they can't get it to move Bruce b
AnswerID: 536391

Reply By: kevmac....(WA) - Friday, Aug 01, 2014 at 16:02

Friday, Aug 01, 2014 at 16:02
I use a coupling lock when parked at home in a unit complex, and when travelling, even if we are not leaving the van vicinity. Only time lock comes off is when towing. Gives me some comfort at least.

AnswerID: 536962

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