While parked in Karratha yesterday some dimwit removed the lock pin from our hitch.
Result, drove of, coupling came out, van nosedived, ripping out all wiring, breaking the hitch on the van.
Fortunately I was only doing about 10km.
Car parts company staffer told me they were getting average of 10 per week. Also thefts from caravan parks is rampant from Broome, right down the west coast.
-- Edited by Snippy on Tuesday 1st of August 2017 07:17:08 PM
Cupie said
07:31 PM Aug 1, 2017
What a low act.
Lucky that no serious damage was done.
I wonder what criminal charges would apply to the offender if someone was injured or killed as a result of their action.
In my case the chains might save the day & in any case my pin has a lock to protect against such vandalism.
Cruising Cruze said
07:32 PM Aug 1, 2017
Hi Kevin
Sorry to hear that mate
I hope you've got the police involved
You wondering why them idiots do things like that
Hope that the damage was not to much and easy to repair for you
When you hear things like this you never think it will happen to me
We just bought on other caravan what is nearly twice the weight of the old one and on of the first things we've got was an hitch pin lock
Must be money well spent
Hope that you got back on the road soon
Regards John
Snippy said
07:44 PM Aug 1, 2017
Thanks for the replies. The chains stopped the drawbar from going under the, but ripped all the wiring out.
We now have a hitch pin lock........
Haven't gone to police as yet, don't think there is any point.
Baz421 said
07:44 PM Aug 1, 2017
Yes it happens. Happened to a contractor we used in 2009 at Pt Augusta,,, lost his box trailer at 9.30 at night on highway.
I always have mine padlocked in.
Ge said
08:15 PM Aug 1, 2017
Yes report to the coppers just in case you make an insurance claim.
I would think if there is approx 10 a week getting done the coppers would be aware and try to catch the little rascals.
Roving-Dutchy said
09:23 PM Aug 1, 2017
It was happening 20 years ago when we drove round the block. Made sure we had a lock on the pin.
Cheers
David
Lancelot Link said
09:48 PM Aug 1, 2017
Thanks. Sorry to hear, but you have convinced me to buy a lockable pin! This is after I read this and earlier caught a person in his mid thirties trying to steal my tow ball and weight distribution hitch at the local supermarket! The guy was a local ice head! Said he was going to sell it!
Snippy said
09:57 PM Aug 1, 2017
Special thanks to Dan and Jude our camping neighbours.
Dan painstakingly reiwired the hitch plugs and fitted an new towing hitch, (Lucky to find one in Karratha)
We are on the road again. Dan would not accept any form of payment, so hopefully I can help someone some day as a thank you.
meetoo said
11:31 PM Aug 1, 2017
Glad you are back on your way Snippy, and GOOD ON YOU Dan and Jude.
Cheers, John.
Blues Man said
07:11 AM Aug 2, 2017
sorry to hear of your misfortune snippy ,make sure you go to the police so that they have a record of what happened.
SouthernComfort said
08:50 AM Aug 2, 2017
Horrible experience Snippy. Having spent $600 on my WDH I invested in a $35 locking pin to avoid the tow head getting nicked. At the time it never occurred to me I'd also avoid an act of sheer vandalism such as you described. There are some real low life's out there, but then great samaritans like Dan & Jude do restore your faith a bit.
macka17 said
08:45 PM Aug 3, 2017
hmm
I thought everybody a lockable one nowadays with the vermin around.
I change mine every couple of yrs.
There's 3 or 4 in garage somewhere with the old hitches\Balls and HR Bars.
Last time we came up through NSW.
Truck stop on Newell.
Parked Patrol\van in Truck section to leave room for cars.
Took off after meal.
couple miles down road a cop pulled me over. No indicators????
S'cuse me.
We checked them b4 leaving -----,
Hmmmm. Again.
Round back of car.
Some P-----k had pulled my cables. then just pushed in enuff to hold.
ME walk round b4 going.
They "looked" ok. (NOT expecting to really find anything wrong))
NSW Bitumin a bit bumpy. They shook out. Anderson incl.
Only had bits left.
but Luckily I carry a spare. so we rewired and soldered. Carried on.
Got a pone call from cop next day (NICE bloke for a NSW man )
Apparently it's a regular at that servo.
Truckies and caravanners.
BONUS.
They got him on park camera, and getting into his truck (rego plates)
I heard later he don't work for that boss now.
Police report went to truck depot.
I'm an ex truckie.
but seemingly some have lost what little brain matter they started with hey.
Nowadays. I connect mine. then run a length of self grip yellow tape round connection.
They'd have to cut through to remove anything.
and not be able to reconnect. it shrinks when you release it.
While parked in Karratha yesterday some dimwit removed the lock pin from our hitch.
Result, drove of, coupling came out, van nosedived, ripping out all wiring, breaking the hitch on the van.
Fortunately I was only doing about 10km.
Car parts company staffer told me they were getting average of 10 per week. Also thefts from caravan parks is rampant from Broome, right down the west coast.
-- Edited by Snippy on Tuesday 1st of August 2017 07:17:08 PM
What a low act.
Lucky that no serious damage was done.
I wonder what criminal charges would apply to the offender if someone was injured or killed as a result of their action.
In my case the chains might save the day & in any case my pin has a lock to protect against such vandalism.
Hi Kevin
Sorry to hear that mate
I hope you've got the police involved
You wondering why them idiots do things like that
Hope that the damage was not to much and easy to repair for you
When you hear things like this you never think it will happen to me
We just bought on other caravan what is nearly twice the weight of the old one and on of the first things we've got was an hitch pin lock
Must be money well spent
Hope that you got back on the road soon
Regards John
We now have a hitch pin lock........
Haven't gone to police as yet, don't think there is any point.
Yes it happens. Happened to a contractor we used in 2009 at Pt Augusta,,, lost his box trailer at 9.30 at night on highway.
I always have mine padlocked in.
I would think if there is approx 10 a week getting done the coppers would be aware and try to catch the little rascals.
Cheers
David
Dan painstakingly reiwired the hitch plugs and fitted an new towing hitch, (Lucky to find one in Karratha)
We are on the road again. Dan would not accept any form of payment, so hopefully I can help someone some day as a thank you.
Glad you are back on your way Snippy, and GOOD ON YOU Dan and Jude.
Cheers, John.
sorry to hear of your misfortune snippy ,make sure you go to the police so that they have a record of what happened.
I thought everybody a lockable one nowadays with the vermin around.
I change mine every couple of yrs.
There's 3 or 4 in garage somewhere with the old hitches\Balls and HR Bars.
Last time we came up through NSW.
Truck stop on Newell.
Parked Patrol\van in Truck section to leave room for cars.
Took off after meal.
couple miles down road a cop pulled me over. No indicators????
S'cuse me.
We checked them b4 leaving -----,
Hmmmm. Again.
Round back of car.
Some P-----k had pulled my cables. then just pushed in enuff to hold.
ME walk round b4 going.
They "looked" ok. (NOT expecting to really find anything wrong))
NSW Bitumin a bit bumpy. They shook out. Anderson incl.
Only had bits left.
but Luckily I carry a spare. so we rewired and soldered. Carried on.
Got a pone call from cop next day (NICE bloke for a NSW man )
Apparently it's a regular at that servo.
Truckies and caravanners.
BONUS.
They got him on park camera, and getting into his truck (rego plates)
I heard later he don't work for that boss now.
Police report went to truck depot.
I'm an ex truckie.
but seemingly some have lost what little brain matter they started with hey.
Nowadays. I connect mine. then run a length of self grip yellow tape round connection.
They'd have to cut through to remove anything.
and not be able to reconnect. it shrinks when you release it.