Check out number 6 in my local paper this week....
only 2 months ago, strange people started wandering up my front drive. As you can't see my house or caravan from the road, it was all a bit suss, my dogs alerted me to the men.
then, one Friday lunch time a huge Nissan patrol rocked up my driveway... I was on the phone, watched for a bit, got a bit creeped out and went out to confront said driver. He roared down the driveway as soon as he saw me and disappeared Quickly up the road. I got the rego plate, but in my panic, forgot it too!!!
long story short, I spoke to my local cops. I'd been having home opens and they reckon the caravan was spotted and was the target. Within 2 hours of this happening, I had a tow ball and a wheel lock on the van.
Im on the home open merry go round again, and this time the caravan will be stored a 2 hour drive away, guarded by a German shepherd!!!
I always empty the van on returning home.
on my last trip away, I took the locks with me and used them when free camping! Not that I'm paranoid now
I've been looking to buy a caravan. After reading this I will now check any vans ownership history. It's something I would automatically do when I buy a car. I just hadn't thought of it before reading your topic. cheers arthur
MaryJane said
10:32 PM May 16, 2014
Hi Arthur,
I have heard they "steal to order", but that's heresay. Also, I believe each chassis has it's own unique number....
MJ
It is possible to keep the lock on while travelling so the caravan cannot be unhitched and towed away by another vehicle while you are busy shopping.
graham (chickenman) said
08:39 AM May 20, 2014
Instead or using a pin on your safety chain a good quality hardened padlock be the go.
Plendo said
08:41 AM May 20, 2014
I am not sure about being able to keep it on when towing, but it can certainly be fitted when the van is attached to the tow bar, thus locking the two together. We have the first one shown, and it comes in two versions:
The small one, that just works with the empty coupling on the van.
The large one that does both, it works with an empty coupling, it also works to lock the coupling onto the tow bar. It is a nice simple solution.
graham (chickenman) said
09:03 AM May 20, 2014
This is what it says about the super cheap locker.
----------> Secures trailer when attached or unattached from vehicle
Includes 40mm brass padlock with 2 keys
Ideal for protecting caravans and trailers at home or boat/jet ski trailers at the boat ramp
That wheel locked looks good it covers the nuts so the wheel can't be removed, but have to remember to remove it before taking off
That would deter most thieves I say .
-- Edited by graham (chickenman) on Tuesday 20th of May 2014 09:08:17 AM
graham (chickenman) said
09:13 AM May 20, 2014
Also if a thief has a bit of time he can take your coupling off and put another coupling on? Only 4 nuts to undo and the other put on and its gone.
That is where the wheel clamp would deter these low life mongrels from stealing the van?
Baz421 said
03:51 PM May 20, 2014
In the real world,,,, with hacksaws and cordless grinders most of the things shown in this post would not avoid a van being stolen,,, many would deter and slow thieves down I admit.
I lived in Darwin for many years and boats were stolen to order and disappeared very quickly to Perth are as back loading on road trains.
Likewise caravans are targeted I would assume,,, why steal something you don't want or can't flog off quickly.
Check out number 6 in my local paper this week....
only 2 months ago, strange people started wandering up my front drive. As you can't see my house or caravan from the road, it was all a bit suss, my dogs alerted me to the men.
then, one Friday lunch time a huge Nissan patrol rocked up my driveway... I was on the phone, watched for a bit, got a bit creeped out and went out to confront said driver. He roared down the driveway as soon as he saw me and disappeared Quickly up the road. I got the rego plate, but in my panic, forgot it too!!!
long story short, I spoke to my local cops. I'd been having home opens and they reckon the caravan was spotted and was the target. Within 2 hours of this happening, I had a tow ball and a wheel lock on the van.
Im on the home open merry go round again, and this time the caravan will be stored a 2 hour drive away, guarded by a German shepherd!!!
I always empty the van on returning home.
on my last trip away, I took the locks with me and used them when free camping! Not that I'm paranoid now
Take care folk!!
I've been looking to buy a caravan. After reading this I will now check any vans ownership history. It's something I would automatically do when I buy a car. I just hadn't thought of it before reading your topic. cheers arthur
I have heard they "steal to order", but that's heresay. Also, I believe each chassis has it's own unique number....
MJ
Can buy this from Supercheap.
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Trailer-Coupling-Lock-Includes-40mm-Padlock.aspx?pid=215553#Cross
Can buy this from Supercheap.
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Trailer-Coupling-Lock-Includes-40mm-Padlock.aspx?pid=215553#Cross
One of these be the go get it from Supercheap.
This mine my son knocked it up for me.
Instead or using a pin on your safety chain a good quality hardened padlock be the go.
I am not sure about being able to keep it on when towing, but it can certainly be fitted when the van is attached to the tow bar, thus locking the two together. We have the first one shown, and it comes in two versions:
The small one, that just works with the empty coupling on the van.
The large one that does both, it works with an empty coupling, it also works to lock the coupling onto the tow bar. It is a nice simple solution.
This is what it says about the super cheap locker.
----------> Secures trailer when attached or unattached from vehicle
That wheel locked looks good it covers the nuts so the wheel can't be removed, but have to remember to remove it before taking off
That would deter most thieves I say .
-- Edited by graham (chickenman) on Tuesday 20th of May 2014 09:08:17 AM
Also if a thief has a bit of time he can take your coupling off and put another coupling on? Only 4 nuts to undo and the other put on and its gone.
That is where the wheel clamp would deter these low life mongrels from stealing the van?
In the real world,,,, with hacksaws and cordless grinders most of the things shown in this post would not avoid a van being stolen,,, many would deter and slow thieves down I admit.
I lived in Darwin for many years and boats were stolen to order and disappeared very quickly to Perth are as back loading on road trains.
Likewise caravans are targeted I would assume,,, why steal something you don't want or can't flog off quickly.