Nope ... but then my van spends very little time in a city - and as I travel full time it is either attached to the vehicle or parked in the bush somewhere.
I have camped in tents and camper-trailers for the past 50 years all over this great land and haven't had any "security devices" on them either. I am truly hoping Murphy isn't reading this as I have not had the misfortune to have anything stolen in all that time.
When camped I often leave the van all by itself at camp while I go off bushwalking for the day - often away 6 to 8 hours. I also go into town to get supplies etc as well and leave the van.
It is locked of course, and very little left lying around. I doubt I would attract a 'random' thief where I am usually, and my camps are not the usual places that would be under surveillance by Thief Groups.
However, I have had houses I lived in burgled four or five times in all that time - cities are unsafe - bush safe in all ways.
Those who have vans and have them stored in their city driveway etc and travel intermittently are of course in greater jeopardy. Smart to have some sort of 'security device' for sure.
Cheers - John
kiwijims said
03:20 AM Jun 22, 2015
Good advice there John, I am amazed how many caravans I've seen parked out the front of houses, with-out any coupling locks in place,
Just waiting to be hooked up and gone.
Mind you, it doesn't always happen to Private caravans, there must be dozens of caravans that go missing from Dealers Yards as well, this happened only recently here in Perth, the thieves were even caught on CCTV but it didn't stop them, they were filmed cutting the electric fence and driving off with the best van in the yard. !!!
While working in the caravan game, we had three vans knocked off in one weekend, to this day, they have never been recovered, it's a bloody big state out there, and plenty of places to hide anything.
K.J.
Desert Dweller said
06:08 AM Jun 22, 2015
We have a lock preventing the handle from being lifted up on the hitch. We have a coupling lock & a lock preventing the chains from being connected. All with TOP QUALITY PADLOCKS. We also use a wheel clamp.
We never worry about our van being stolen even though we spend most of our time camped out in the bush with no-one else around. Australian wildlife can be trusted. LOL. Best of all it's insured. If thieves are keen enough to have a go at 4 locks then good on ém.
We haven't got a flash van either, by choice actually. LOL. We travel with the padlock on the hitch.
Hey Jim said
06:32 AM Jun 22, 2015
Hi john,
Yes I'm the same, However we do still live in the city for now. I beleave in out of site out of mind. You advertise / showoff , you leave yourself wide open.
Jim
Hey Jim said
06:33 AM Jun 22, 2015
Hi Desert Deweller,
I'm with you, take every precaustion.
Jim
Meredith said
07:22 AM Jun 22, 2015
We have to leave our van in our front yard, so we have a wheel clamp, hitch lock and a large chain from the rear bumper around a big tree. We also have a large dog who barks loudly if anybody comes into our front yard and of course we have insurance. There is also a Jayco further down our street that has no visible locks, which would be a lot easier to steal than ours.
Hey Jim said
07:52 AM Jun 22, 2015
Morning Meredith,
That's good. You can only do as much as you can possibly do. Criminals need to be given harder sentences. Some are so brazen they use flat top tilt tray trucks and just drag the whole lot up and away.
I know of one families boat / trailer taken that way,under the noses of their neighbours.
Some folks remove a wheel as well.
It would draw attention pretty quick seeing a tandum van going along the road missing a wheel.
Jim
Roving-Dutchy said
05:12 PM Jun 22, 2015
I just keep ours well insured, if it goes so be it, no us worrying about something that probably will never happen. Padlocks only slow the crook slightly and are a endless hassle in time spent unlocking and locking.
Its much harder protecting yourself from white collar criminals.
Cheers
David
Stratman77 said
06:53 PM Jun 22, 2015
Hi, All! Don't just assume you will be covered if your van is stolen. Ring your insurer and ask them what precautions they expect you to take. There was a great (and quite frightening) article in the last 'Caravan and Motorhome on Tour' magazine on van insurance and how assessors can deny (and do) your claim if they believe you haven't done due diligence in keeping your van (and any other property) safe. For example, anything in your annexe - like a car fridge, BBQ etc. - even if it's chained to the sub frame and padlocked - will probably not be covered unless you can prove that it was locked up. If the thieves cut the chain and take it with them, or they can just unscrew the handle and leave the undamaged chain behind, tough luck.
Hi All,
Just reading the forum below. ( Stopping Theift Of Vans).
What kind of numbers of vans do get nicked each year?
Jim
Gday...
A smidgin of info -
http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/help-tips17.php
cheers - John
Gday...
Another smidgin of info -
http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/top-20-stolen-cars-19213#.VYaddvmqqko
Snipped from that site -
Cheers - John
http://www.goseeaustralia.com.au/stolen.asp
Aussie Paul.
Hi, John, Ausie Paul, everyone,
Um, thanks for your info.
Does any of you use a clamp.
jim
Gday...
Nope ... but then my van spends very little time in a city - and as I travel full time it is either attached to the vehicle or parked in the bush somewhere.
I have camped in tents and camper-trailers for the past 50 years all over this great land and haven't had any "security devices" on them either. I am truly hoping Murphy isn't reading this as I have not had the misfortune to have anything stolen in all that time.
When camped I often leave the van all by itself at camp while I go off bushwalking for the day - often away 6 to 8 hours. I also go into town to get supplies etc as well and leave the van.
It is locked of course, and very little left lying around. I doubt I would attract a 'random' thief where I am usually, and my camps are not the usual places that would be under surveillance by Thief Groups.
However, I have had houses I lived in burgled four or five times in all that time - cities are unsafe - bush safe
in all ways.
Those who have vans and have them stored in their city driveway etc and travel intermittently are of course in greater jeopardy. Smart to have some sort of 'security device' for sure.
Cheers - John
Good advice there John, I am amazed how many caravans I've seen parked out the front of houses, with-out any coupling locks in place,
Just waiting to be hooked up and gone.
Mind you, it doesn't always happen to Private caravans, there must be dozens of caravans that go missing from Dealers Yards as well, this happened only recently here in Perth, the thieves were even caught on CCTV but it didn't stop them, they were filmed cutting the electric fence and driving off with the best van in the yard. !!!
While working in the caravan game, we had three vans knocked off in one weekend, to this day, they have never been recovered, it's a bloody big state out there, and plenty of places to hide anything.
K.J.
We never worry about our van being stolen even though we spend most of our time camped out in the bush with no-one else around. Australian wildlife can be trusted. LOL. Best of all it's insured. If thieves are keen enough to have a go at 4 locks then good on ém.
We haven't got a flash van either, by choice actually. LOL. We travel with the padlock on the hitch.
Hi john,
Yes I'm the same, However we do still live in the city for now. I beleave in out of site out of mind. You advertise / showoff , you leave yourself wide open.
Jim
Hi Desert Deweller,
I'm with you, take every precaustion.
Jim
Morning Meredith,
That's good. You can only do as much as you can possibly do. Criminals need to be given harder sentences. Some are so brazen they use flat top tilt tray trucks and just drag the whole lot up and away.
I know of one families boat / trailer taken that way,under the noses of their neighbours.
Some folks remove a wheel as well.
It would draw attention pretty quick seeing a tandum van going along the road missing a wheel.
Jim
Its much harder protecting yourself from white collar criminals.
Cheers
David