My husband & I have just bought our first Caravan in which we re going to live in full time while travelling around Oz.
We have not left yet but have been doing little trips local to where we live. We have just bought a Hitchmaster lock but we were wandering n other people thoughts about a wheel clamp brand we are looking at on Ebay called " The Nemesis " at $234.95. It appears to be the toughest around but can anyone adivse others. We have a 2017 Royal Flair, Aussie Mate 18.4' single axle. Photo attached
I use a Herc-alloy chain and padlocks remember to chain all-wheels to suspension including spare, I always totally remove jockey wheel from vehicle and carry in tug, they are harder to steal when light fingered thief has to bring own jack to lift van onto their vehicle. Distinctive van markings and name on back also are deterrents.
Whilst ever there are 12volt four inch grinders there is no way you can be totally secure. Just make sure you have your insurance up to date for an agreed value.
hako said
09:40 AM Aug 9, 2017
Personally I would fit a GPS tracking device hidden on the roof of the caravan (powered by it's inbuilt battery backed up by caravan battery) - they are available for about $100 and enable you to locate the vehicle if stolen via your mobile phone. They can be setup to send you a SMS if the vehicle is moved and will track it's movements/location.
Good Luck.
mullpadd said
09:55 AM Aug 9, 2017
Hi Hako, That's a great idea. Can you point me to where One get these tracking devices? Thanks,Tony
Goldfinger said
10:10 AM Aug 9, 2017
..... Police Cars have their identification painted on the roof of their vehicles....can be seen by searching aircraft...or even folk standing on higher ground....perhaps we should all have our Registration or similar identification on the roof of our Vans.....the last place a thief would look as he' takes off' with his stolen goods...gives those looking for a stolen Van a small window of opportunity to spot it's whereabouts?.....Hoo Roo
macka17 said
11:31 AM Aug 9, 2017
Hi.
After a lot of yrs vanning.
If I'm going bush camp for a while.
The ONLY place I leave my van for ANY period of time.
Is IN a Van park.
Either in Storage area, with coupla wheels off. or on a site. paid for. With locks and a tracker in it.
Roll out half out. mat down. Maybe an old pr of sandals. and a light on inside.
looking lived in.
Read the news. Caravans go missing from your yard at home.
And you going to leave in strange place.
Another possible. is in a lockup storage area in nearest town.
30\40 yrs ago. it was fine leaving most places. Honesty and morals (to a point) still existed.
Nowadays. they'll thieve a dead match if it laying around.
ALSO.
GOOD INSURANCE is a given.
Enjoy the life. It is great.
Just use a little sensibility on the way round. and trust nobody with their hands outside their pockets.
-- Edited by macka17 on Wednesday 9th of August 2017 11:33:32 AM
PeterD said
02:19 PM Aug 9, 2017
ronjons wrote:We have just bought a Hitchmaster lock
Ronnie
Ronnie, I would suggest you take it back and get your money back. They would have to be one of the most useless pieces of gear around. All a tea leaf needs to do is use a piece of chain and a couple of shackles. The chain goes around his hitch and the two ends are shackled to the chains on your drawbar. He then takes the van down the road where he can cut off any so called protection you have installed or replaces the coupling and he is away.
hako said
02:23 PM Aug 9, 2017
mullpadd wrote:
Hi Hako, That's a great idea. Can you point me to where One get these tracking devices? Thanks,Tony
Just go to Ebay and search for "caravan tracking device"
Good Luck.
macka17 said
05:03 PM Aug 9, 2017
Bloke I knew yrs ago.
Went bush with his Troopie.
Had one of those folding drawbars made up.
with M\F plugs for wiring to van.
When he left van anywhere.
Up on axle jacks.
Drawbar on ute tray. and away.
His mate with him. Also Single axle.
Took bar and wheels . Just left the box on axle stands.
Both had a rooftop tent for bush.
If it can move. They'll thieve it.
Bolt on hitch. Remove it.
The harder you make it.
The more the chance they'll go to someone easier.
NOT good for him. But definitely better for you hey.
RustyD said
05:32 PM Aug 9, 2017
Unfortunately if someone want something of yours then that's it. I always grin when I see all the rolls of chain in Bunnings. They are just cut to length by bolt cutters sold in another aisle. A thief determined to nick your van will come prepared with all the required kit; spare jockey wheel, bolt cutters, 12v angle grinder, 12v drill/driver, wheel brace etc.
At home, I use a motorcycle ground anchor, heavy duty plastic covered stranded wire (also motorbike shop sourced) wrapped around the a-frame and a good sized padlock. It's all ultimately breakable but I'm hoping the noise made breaking this all up would wake up a few neighbours.
PeterInSa said
06:38 PM Aug 9, 2017
Re (Unfortunately if someone wants something of yours then that's it. )
Agree...But if you make it harder for them to steal your van, they could very well give up or steal somebody else's van. And if your New van is the best looking of 3 or 4 parked in a freedom camp and you are all away for the day, guess who's van they will try for first. Insurance... Its great if you have a new van and have not made any changes, just get the van replaced after a 4 months wait or buy a second hand unit. My insurance will not cover a new van and definitely not the personal changes I have made, so I replace the van, add $XX,XXX then spend another XX hours putting in my personal touches....
We have a towball lock, A 2G tracker system that needs to be replaced with a 3G system and the wheel clamps (below)
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Wednesday 9th of August 2017 06:43:34 PM
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Wednesday 9th of August 2017 06:56:02 PM
elliemike said
08:16 PM Aug 9, 2017
I wonder how many are actually Stolen each year and what is the risk ?
Below taken from Caravan World: see link
While the idea of someone stealing the caravan youve worked hard to buy is concerning, the statistics show the risk is actually quite low. In the 2013/14 financial year, those five companies mentioned above reported 263 caravan theft claims between them, with an average claim value of $19,450. That number reduced to 250 theft claims in 14/15, and currently sits at 211 to the end of May 2016.
In that time, there was a simultaneous reduction in the average value of those claims, dropping to $16,644 from 13/14.
Also noteworthy is the fact that the total number of claims involving caravan theft, as well as theft from caravans, reduced over the same three year period from 312 claims in the 2013/14 financial year to 273 for the 2015/16 financial year up to May 2016.
Mike the OP intends to be on the road full time so to me more opportunity for the van to be stolen. And the low risk... Tell that the owners of a van that has been stolen.
Peter
macka17 said
10:43 AM Aug 10, 2017
$40 to 100plusK of mobile box on wheels.
Dead easy to steal when nobody looking.
Leave it in secure storage \park area and spend the extra on fuel
for the extra dis, to\from storage to explore.
You KNOW it'll still be there when you return then. 99.5% of the time.
That folding emovable drawbar system sounds a real good idea to me though.
Tony Bev said
05:41 PM Aug 13, 2017
Locks will only deter the opportunist thief The professional thief, will soon get through locks
When I pull into a camp, I introduce myself to some of the people parked around me
When I was towing a caravan, and leaving it for a quite a few hours, I always asked at least three other sets of travelers, to keep their eye on it
I always started the conversation, by asking if they wanted anything picked up in town
This always gave me peace of mind, but I will admit, that my old caravan was probably not worth stealing
Edit to say
I forgot my manners, welcome to the forum
-- Edited by Tony Bev on Sunday 13th of August 2017 05:48:45 PM
Coyote said
07:12 PM Aug 14, 2017
Looking at these tracking devices it appears they need telephone coverage, what do they do when there is no phone network?
Mike Harding said
07:22 PM Aug 14, 2017
Coyote wrote:
Looking at these tracking devices it appears they need telephone coverage, what do they do when there is no phone network?
Don't work.
hako said
08:12 PM Aug 14, 2017
Coyote wrote:
Looking at these tracking devices it appears they need telephone coverage, what do they do when there is no phone network?
Rest assured that if your van is stolen and it has a tracking device fitted it will at sometime enter an area that has mobile phone coverage and when they do you will know because it will be logged.
The market for stolen caravans is where the people are, and where the people are there is mobile coverage.
Good Luck.
Coyote said
10:31 AM Aug 15, 2017
Thanks for that
so in fitting these thy obviously have to be on the outside to get the GPS Signal if they are that obvious wouldn't a thief just remove it?? Or are they small enough to hide ???
hako said
11:53 AM Aug 15, 2017
Coyote wrote:
Thanks for that
so in fitting these thy obviously have to be on the outside to get the GPS Signal if they are that obvious wouldn't a thief just remove it?? Or are they small enough to hide ???
Look at what's on top of the average caravan - solar panels, airconditioner, vents, roll out awning etc.....easy enough to disguise it up there and you can hide them behind a cover.
If your mobile phone works inside your caravan (which it generally does if near a town), then you could have the tracker inside the van.
They use them in them in the construction industry when leaving graders, cranes etc parked overnight etc. See link.
Hi,
My husband & I have just bought our first Caravan in which we re going to live in full time while travelling around Oz.
We have not left yet but have been doing little trips local to where we live. We have just bought a Hitchmaster lock but we were wandering n other people thoughts about a wheel clamp brand we are looking at on Ebay called " The Nemesis " at $234.95. It appears to be the toughest around but can anyone adivse others. We have a 2017 Royal Flair, Aussie Mate 18.4' single axle. Photo attached
Cheers
Ronnie
Whilst ever there are 12volt four inch grinders there is no way you can be totally secure. Just make sure you have your insurance up to date for an agreed value.
Good Luck.
Hi.
After a lot of yrs vanning.
If I'm going bush camp for a while.
The ONLY place I leave my van for ANY period of time.
Is IN a Van park.
Either in Storage area, with coupla wheels off.
or on a site. paid for. With locks and a tracker in it.
Roll out half out. mat down. Maybe an old pr of sandals. and a light on inside.
looking lived in.
Read the news. Caravans go missing from your yard at home.
And you going to leave in strange place.
Another possible. is in a lockup storage area in nearest town.
30\40 yrs ago. it was fine leaving most places.
Honesty and morals (to a point) still existed.
Nowadays. they'll thieve a dead match if it laying around.
ALSO.
GOOD INSURANCE is a given.
Enjoy the life. It is great.
Just use a little sensibility on the way round.
and trust nobody with their hands outside their pockets.
-- Edited by macka17 on Wednesday 9th of August 2017 11:33:32 AM
Ronnie, I would suggest you take it back and get your money back. They would have to be one of the most useless pieces of gear around. All a tea leaf needs to do is use a piece of chain and a couple of shackles. The chain goes around his hitch and the two ends are shackled to the chains on your drawbar. He then takes the van down the road where he can cut off any so called protection you have installed or replaces the coupling and he is away.
Just go to Ebay and search for "caravan tracking device"
Good Luck.
Went bush with his Troopie.
Had one of those folding drawbars made up.
with M\F plugs for wiring to van.
When he left van anywhere.
Up on axle jacks.
Drawbar on ute tray. and away.
His mate with him. Also Single axle.
Took bar and wheels . Just left the box on axle stands.
Both had a rooftop tent for bush.
If it can move. They'll thieve it.
Bolt on hitch. Remove it.
The harder you make it.
The more the chance they'll go to someone easier.
NOT good for him. But definitely better for you hey.
At home, I use a motorcycle ground anchor, heavy duty plastic covered stranded wire (also motorbike shop sourced) wrapped around the a-frame and a good sized padlock. It's all ultimately breakable but I'm hoping the noise made breaking this all up would wake up a few neighbours.
Re (Unfortunately if someone wants something of yours then that's it. )
Agree...But if you make it harder for them to steal your van, they could very well give up or steal somebody else's van. And if your New van is the best looking of 3 or 4 parked in a freedom camp and you are all away for the day, guess who's van they will try for first. Insurance... Its great if you have a new van and have not made any changes, just get the van replaced after a 4 months wait or buy a second hand unit. My insurance will not cover a new van and definitely not the personal changes I have made, so I replace the van, add $XX,XXX then spend another XX hours putting in my personal touches....
We have a towball lock, A 2G tracker system that needs to be replaced with a 3G system and the wheel clamps (below)
www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Heavy-Duty-13-15-Steel-Car-Van-Wheel-Clamp-Safety-Lock-for-caravan-Trailer-/122466674638
Safe Travels
Peter
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Wednesday 9th of August 2017 06:43:34 PM
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Wednesday 9th of August 2017 06:56:02 PM
I wonder how many are actually Stolen each year and what is the risk ?
Below taken from Caravan World: see link
While the idea of someone stealing the caravan youve worked hard to buy is concerning, the statistics show the risk is actually quite low. In the 2013/14 financial year, those five companies mentioned above reported 263 caravan theft claims between them, with an average claim value of $19,450. That number reduced to 250 theft claims in 14/15, and currently sits at 211 to the end of May 2016.
In that time, there was a simultaneous reduction in the average value of those claims, dropping to $16,644 from 13/14.
Also noteworthy is the fact that the total number of claims involving caravan theft, as well as theft from caravans, reduced over the same three year period from 312 claims in the 2013/14 financial year to 273 for the 2015/16 financial year up to May 2016.
https://www.caravanworld.com.au/features/1607/is-caravan-theft-on-the-rise
Peter
Dead easy to steal when nobody looking.
Leave it in secure storage \park area and spend the extra on fuel
for the extra dis, to\from storage to explore.
You KNOW it'll still be there when you return then. 99.5% of the time.
That folding
emovable drawbar system sounds a real good idea to me though.
Locks will only deter the opportunist thief
The professional thief, will soon get through locks
When I pull into a camp, I introduce myself to some of the people parked around me
When I was towing a caravan, and leaving it for a quite a few hours, I always asked at least three other sets of travelers, to keep their eye on it
I always started the conversation, by asking if they wanted anything picked up in town
This always gave me peace of mind, but I will admit, that my old caravan was probably not worth stealing
Edit to say
-- Edited by Tony Bev on Sunday 13th of August 2017 05:48:45 PM
Don't work.
Rest assured that if your van is stolen and it has a tracking device fitted it will at sometime enter an area that has mobile phone coverage and when they do you will know because it will be logged.
The market for stolen caravans is where the people are, and where the people are there is mobile coverage.
Good Luck.
so in fitting these thy obviously have to be on the outside to get the GPS Signal if they are that obvious wouldn't a thief just remove it?? Or are they small enough to hide ???
Look at what's on top of the average caravan - solar panels, airconditioner, vents, roll out awning etc.....easy enough to disguise it up there and you can hide them behind a cover.
If your mobile phone works inside your caravan (which it generally does if near a town), then you could have the tracker inside the van.
They use them in them in the construction industry when leaving graders, cranes etc parked overnight etc. See link.
https://gpstrackit.com/tracking-solutions/heavy-equipment-tracking/
Welcome to the forum Ronnie.
This is the device we fitted/built in a car my Hubby built.
-- Edited by Jayco Gypsy on Thursday 17th of August 2017 01:09:21 AM
-- Edited by Jayco Gypsy on Thursday 17th of August 2017 01:09:56 AM
-- Edited by Jayco Gypsy on Thursday 17th of August 2017 01:10:49 AM