Caravan have gone missing from free camps , Last year when I was in Townsville some stole a caravan from Bluewater free camp , Some do leave there caravan at free camps but that is the situation where i would use a caravan park
Would talk to neighbours and see if they are staying in situ for the day, if so would leave my mobile phone number with them, regardless have towball lock and 2 wheel clamps for our tandem along with a tracking system with a GeoFence setup.
Don't think a van in a free camping area is any more likely to be stolen than anywhere else. It never worries us. We have 2 padlocks on the hitch but if some-ones really determined to steal it they will. Our insurance will cover it.
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Cheers Desert Dweller.
Our land abounds in Natures gifts. Of beauty rich and rare.
Since most of our campsites are free camps we don't have a problem leaving the van to sight see or shop. You must use common sense (a rare commodity ) if no one else is camped a roundabout, but in four years of travels had not had a problem. Caravans have probably more frequently been stolen from private homes and caravan parks than free camps.
Late last year we stayed at a Big 4 CP and they have card operated entry gates to get into the park. Over the past few weeks 2 caravans had been stolen from the CP - so as Desert Dweller suggests, take reasonable precautions to lock your van from being easily hitched up and have good insurance (ours will supply us 4 weeks accommodation at $100 a day if our van is stolen or written off - enough to make other arrangements or buy a new van with their payout)
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
The last few camps I have stayed in there have been caravans, 5th wheelers and buses left while the owners have gone off for the day. Also as in my case I lock up the van and wander up town in places like Forbes.
Forbes, Ariah Park, Nerrandera Brewery Park and many other have had vans left with no problems.
All the comments are true. There is no sure way of stopping a low life scum bag that has set out to steal some other persons property. But you have a duty of care for yourself and your own property so look into systems that can be put in place if you have to leave your van anywhere such as a safeway car park. the more theft prevention put in place the better off. cheers
After sussing out other campers we have locked the van placed our locking device on the hitch and with wire rope secured the dish then have asked the other campers to keep an eye on things with our mobile no supplied.
In the many years we have done this nothing has been stolen however I have left stuff behind when departing.
One needs to take as many precausions as one can.
The big if is that battery operated angle grinders are now available.
But I will still do it if waranted and I thought the area reasonably safe.
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I was tired yesterday and I'm tired today betcha I'm retired tomorrow. he he.
Just a warning note. I have heard of people who asked their neighbour to keep an eye on things while they went out to have a look around and shop, came back a few hours later and everything was gone - including the neighbours who were "looking after things!"
I am sure this doesn't happen very often, but the scums are out there, so be aware.
I've only had stuff stolen when I camped at a designated free camp IN a small town (and the other campers were all gone before I took the dogs for a walk, so locals I'd say). I daresay opportunist thieves can happen anywhere, but that includes at any house. Be sensible but not paranoid
