Caravan security

I have seen some wireless systems on eBay where you can set the siren time from 1min-20min they go for around $180 with a a couple of door magnet sensors, some motion sensor ones, the remotes to arm/disarm the system

Check them out here

hi jeep cherokee

just a thought on the motion type alarms

it might be that in windy and rough weather conditions where a van can get shaken about a fare bit the motion of the van movements might set off a motion type alarm and could prove to be a bigger nuisance to others than a noisie generator ???????

for instant you might have something like an item of clothing or towel or some other thing hanging up near the m/detector and the van was moving a bit in rough weather it may trip off the alarm

i have trouble at home where my security light motion detector quiet often get switched on because the wind moves a plant branch some where in the garden

cheers
not trying to take a spoke out of your ideas wheel
as security is an important part of life these days no mater what the situation is
but it's just a thought angle that came to mind

If you are concerned about valuables, take them with you or install a safe in the van, back of a cupboard, under the bed etc. Alarms wpon't stop anyone from forcing entry into your van although a loud siren may scare them off before they actually get inside and pinch anything. Generally not a problem if there are other people camping in the area (not free camp area though that's just an open invitation to thieves) particularly if you tell them you are going to be away for some time e.g. caravan park operators etc.

I have a motion detector battery operated alarm with remote control from Dick Smith cost 30 bucks and use it in me van, just opposite the door.

If not turned off with in 4 seconds cover your ears 130 db.

Good so far!

Short of having fixed line machine guns, trip wires and a half starved doberman in the van, a van is not that secure or safe from break-ins if the person is determined to get in, but most stuff taken is opportunistic, (the laptop was left outside while you made a cuppa type thing.)

Security alarms can be disconnected from battery power easily (Force open the battery compartment, take one lead off the battery, it's done.)

Motion sensors make a lot of noise to scare away a potential theif, but if he's determined, he will ignore the noise, grab what he wants and go, just like that.

Doors and windows can be points of entry with a tyre lever, padlocks and chains only slow the theives down.

Bear in mind that securely locked windows and doors can also prevent you from escaping if you ever need to evacuate the van quickly.

But it's not all doom and gloom.

The majority of travellers are decent honest people doing the same as you are.

Take sensible precautions, don't flaunt your goodies or tell everyone what you are carrying with you.

Take your valuables with you whenever you lock the van and leave in your vehicle.

Obvious security ,chains and padlocks etc, may indicate to those on the take that there may be attractive bits of gear there for the taking.

Do not carry large amounts of cash, use a plastic card whenever possible.

Most important of all, if you feel uncomfortable or uneasy at any place you're camped, pack up and move on.

Hope this helps and that you enjoy your trip.

Disco.

You could try buying your small dog a VERY large dog bowl and leaving it conspicuously beside the van door with a large "Beware of the Dog" sign! At least it would make her feel important!
Seriously, determined break and enters appear to be almost unknown for caravans. Few caravanners carry enough to attract organised criminals. Take sensible precautions against opportunistic thieves eg: always lock the van when you go to amenities etc -it is a v ery good idea for each of you to carry a van door key on a lanyard around your neck so locking up quickly becomes automatic and no on gets locked out! Always keep you purse or wallet out of sight in a van cupboard, preferably not in a bedside drawer - opportunistic thieves want to be in and out quickly and won't spend much time hunting around. Don't wear or even take valuable jewellery etc or flaunt your possessions! (but then you probably wouldn't be caravanning!)
As for your dog she will be safe with commonsense! Our very precious Jack ussell has travelled many miles and enjoyed it all. It is not a good idea to leave a dog too long in an unattended van - you never know what the weather may do - if she cries neighbours may get upset and jemmy your door open to rescue her from neglect! Or CP management may evict you! It is a good idea to put her into puppy day care if you are taking long trips into a National Park etc. Many kennels and local vets offer day care or overnight care. (Don't forget to take her vaccination certs etc) Our dog enjoyed her break from the van in Darwin a while back - it got her out of the heat and confines of the Park and left us free to go to dog unfriendly places for a few days. There are plenty of good kennels that will look after small dogs appropriately.
Don't worry too much about security. An alarm would be a bad idea as mentioned. Just relax and use commonsense! Have a great time! Lynne

We have left our caravan on numerous occasions to do day trips; in a caravan park, a free camp ground, national park or roadside rest area, all without incident. The previous van was a windup something like yours and getting in through the canvas would have been a simple matter, but apart from a few plastic plates, they wouldn't have got away with much. Most thieves can get far more from a suburban home than from a caravan, so robberies of this kind would be pretty rare.

When in caravan parks in larger towns, we make sure we lock the van if we both go to the showers at the same time, as we have heard second hand reports of people going through caravan parks and taking cameras and handbags in certain towns. A row of caravans might be seen as easy pickings, but one caravan left out in the sticks, even if 'the wrong person' was passing by, would get little or no attention. I also lock the door at night when we don't feel safe. Cameras and wallets are with us in the car during the day, and we carry very little cash.

I purchased a motion sensitive alarm from DealExtreme very cheaply, with the idea of using it as a deterrent to foxes who kept killing my chooks, but i haven't even tried it. I considered taking it with us but though that would be a waste of time. If in a shared camp ground, anyone walking past would trigger it and annoy all the neighbours, and if we were away on a day trip, we would have the remote for turning it off. If we left the van alone such as in a free camp or rest area, the alarm could squeal all it liked and nobody would care.

I would prefer a motion sensor alarm which played the sound of a very large dog snarling and thumping up and down in the caravan.

Motherhen

first ---secure the van itself ----been a few vans stolen lately and not recoved --some caravans are worth a lot more to thieves than cars nowadays and easier to dispose of interstate.
quick hook up and its gone

JC
In my experience thefts from caravans are usually the work of locals in the town you are staying in. I have seen situations where a whole row of caravans has been hit - on each occasion the row nearest to the public road, with no secure fence. Usually at night and they take anything they can get their hands on outside or under the vans. Fishing rods and eskies are very popular. We recovered a mates esky one morning about 50 metres up the road, still full of beer, the thieves obviously didn't like Tooheys OLD!!! Thefts from within vans are much more rare. But as has been said, carry your valuables with you, and don't advertise the existence of anything special. Put things in hard to get at places- thieves don't hang around for long. I reckon there is more chance of your home being broken into while you are away than there is of your van being broken into.

teege

The more chains + padlocks ect that you use and have on show when at a free camp or c/van park only advertises that you have something that you think a lowlife wants to steal , dont advertise the fact you are away from the van especialy at free campsites.

Thanks to you all for your replys.It sounds like many of you are talking from experiences while being on the road.I will be discussing the replys with my wife and take on board the valued comments.Once again, Many thanks.

i just bought one of these gadgets. Made for mounting on a bike, but could be attached to chairs, cameras etc. Adjustable sensitivity and not an IR movement detector so it wont go off unless somebody actually grabs the item. I think I will buy a couple more.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemVersion&&item=110488879242&view=all&tid=489947546001&guest=1

Ian

Hi jc. We've just completed a 5 month tour of Victoria & NSW in a small poptop staying at caravan parks and free camps. Most of the free camps were just overnighters so there was alway someone with the van and we were very observant. Anything of real value was kept in our locked vehicle (well out of sight and not easy to get to) which is alarmed. The only item that stayed outside was our 3.5hp Johnny O/B motor which we secured to the van drawbar with a special security chain and $40 padlock. The drawbar was then covered with a tarp cover. A thief with an angle grinder and plenty of time might have got it but no passing opportunist was going to. We secured the van with a Klamp It wheel clamp which attached to the spare wheel at the rear of the van when not in use. Didn't leave anything sitting out in the awning (when away) apart from a pair of rickety old folding chairs. Had no problems on the trip - perhaps we were just lucky.

cheers
Tee-Rib