securing a van..

bilbo · Senior Member

securing a van..

Possum3 · Guru

We use,
Herc-Alloy chain securing wheels (ensure spare wheel secured as well) plus tow-ball lock. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Trailer-Parts-Coupling-Lock-Universal-Hitch-Tow-Ball-2-Keys-Caravan-Antitheft/311672495262?_trkparms=aid%3D1110004%26algo%3DSPLICE.COMP%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140109102600%26meid%3D1e1dcbed69e84caeaec376dc3e443357%26pid%3D100041%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D30%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D153873156773%26itm%3D311672495262%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2508507%26algv%3Ddefault%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2508507.c100041.m2061
Tracking device carsplan.com/hidden-tracking-devices-for-cars/
Insure for full value - best security.

-- Edited by Possum3 on Saturday 30th of May 2020 01:33:44 PM

Whenarewethere · Guru

Let your tyres down, no one is going hang around long enough to pump them up even if they have a compressor in the first place.

yobarr · Guru

Possum3 wrote:
We use,
Herc-Alloy chain securing wheels (ensure spare wheel secured as well) plus tow-ball lock. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Trailer-Parts-Coupling-Lock-Universal-Hitch-Tow-Ball-2-Keys-Caravan-Antitheft/311672495262?_trkparms=aid%3D1110004%26algo%3DSPLICE.COMP%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140109102600%26meid%3D1e1dcbed69e84caeaec376dc3e443357%26pid%3D100041%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D30%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D153873156773%26itm%3D311672495262%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2508507%26algv%3Ddefault%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2508507.c100041.m2061
Tracking device carsplan.com/hidden-tracking-devices-for-cars/
Insure for full value - best security.-- Edited by Possum3 on Saturday 30th of May 2020 01:33:44 PM

Hi Possum3....what gauge chain do you use? I have a couple of lengths of heavy chain,but it is difficult to get it through the wheels because of the 12" brake drums.Cheers

Possum3 · Guru

yobarr wrote:
Hi Possum3....what gauge chain do you use? I have a couple of lengths of heavy chain,but it is difficult to get it through the wheels because of the 12" brake drums.Cheers

Don't know gauge but the links are 6mm dia - I used Herc-alloy (https://borderlifting.com.au/products/herc-alloy-800-chain) because I had it - It resists cutting with hacksaw or bolt cutters, but nowadays it seems everyone carries a small battery grinder. I use a Lockwood circular padlock to resist knocking open with hammer (https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=Uu88kfyZ&id=B07580EADCFB44D61B755F131B59E919512A7D32&thid=OIP.Uu88kfyZA1aucaJXF883ZQHaHa&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2falexnld.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2018%2f07%2f238ba116-d487-4a66-b2e3-62d4134edd78.jpg&exph=800&expw=800&q=lockwood+circular+padlock&simid=608004374860529853&selectedIndex=48&qpvt=lockwood+circular+padlock&ajaxhist=0

bilbo · Senior Member

Thanks for the answers......I was "thinking" about the thief who has access to a tilt tray!! would an old mobile hidden "somewhere" & very well and charged from a 12V system?? is that doable??...cheers Bilbo

Possum3 · Guru

What's the point of leaving a mobile in the van? Do you want to call thief and ask for van to be returned?
Seriously any thief with tilt tray will take your van regardless of locking devices - That's why a good insurance policy is paramount - Just make sure it is covered for loss of van plus any contents.

Knightrider · Senior Member

What Possum3 says is so true - just have the van insured and then just use common sense to secure your van. I know you said "bilbo" that you don't have a van yet, but don't let paranoia take over your life and ruin your intended travels.

Whenarewethere · Guru

I have a Bosch 10.8v/12.0v angle grinder which is very impressive for its size. I recommend you use at least inch thick bar so there is some delay. There are plenty of battery angle grinders out there. My plumber used a slightly larger grinder & it was amazing how quick it cut through a solid stainless steel bathroom floor grate.

Meredith · Senior Member

There are gps tracking devices available, you need to pay some ongoing costs to keep them active. There are also gps tracking blocker devices that any professional thief equipped with a tilt tray is going to probably know about. At home we have a wheel lock, towball lock, large chain around a tree and good insurance. I think our best defence against theft is probably the Jayco down the road with no visible deterrents.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Decades ago there was a high speed expanding foam with wire mesh that filled a space like solid concrete! Just wouldn't want it to go off by mistake & be entombed!

yobarr · Guru

bilbo wrote:
Thanks for the answers......I was "thinking" about the thief who has access to a tilt tray!! would an old mobile hidden "somewhere" & very well and charged from a 12V system?? is that doable??...cheers Bilbo

That works,and will allow you to track the van until the phone battery goes flat,assuming the thief has already disconnected the power supply.Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Saturday 30th of May 2020 08:04:33 PM

yobarr · Guru

Possum3 wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Hi Possum3....what gauge chain do you use? I have a couple of lengths of heavy chain,but it is difficult to get it through the wheels because of the 12" brake drums.Cheers
Don't know gauge but the links are 6mm dia - I used Herc-alloy (https://borderlifting.com.au/products/herc-alloy-800-chain) because I had it - It resists cutting with hacksaw or bolt cutters, but nowadays it seems everyone carries a small battery grinder. I use a Lockwood circular padlock to resist knocking open with hammer (https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=Uu88kfyZ&id=B07580EADCFB44D61B755F131B59E919512A7D32&thid=OIP.Uu88kfyZA1aucaJXF883ZQHaHa&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2falexnld.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2018%2f07%2f238ba116-d487-4a66-b2e3-62d4134edd78.jpg&exph=800&expw=800&q=lockwood+circular+padlock&simid=608004374860529853&selectedIndex=48&qpvt=lockwood+circular+padlock&ajaxhist=0

Thanks Possum,much appreciated.A good padlock is paramount,but,as you say,a small battery powered grinder will cut almost anything.Good padlocks help,but some sort of tracker,such as a SIM card,probably is the best option. Your best hope is to simply slow them down.Cheers

PeterInSa · Guru

Hi bilbo sent you a PM

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Hi Bilbo,
Whatever you use, someone if they want your van will do some homework to find some way of removing it. I've heard caravan theft via your flat bed trucks is common in big cities.

I have a TRIGG Bros hitch that might deter some people but I also have a way of locking my chains away so they can't just hook up to them & tow the van by them.

Go through the history on this forum (Advanced Search) & you'll find some interesting tales, methods.

If you're worried about the van being removed from home, keep in touch with your neighbours - especially if they are around during the day & observe the comings & goings. Out in the bush? Perhaps a shotgun hooked up to a motion detector!!

Whenarewethere · Guru

Anti terrorist retractable bollards. One up through the A frame.

elliemike · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
Anti terrorist retractable bollards. One up through the A frame.

What percentage of Caravans or Camper trailers are stolen each year. ?? anyone got any clues.

I have some friends who had theirs stolen from a Secure Compound in the retirement village. Security, Lights, CCTV, and the bloke just cool as anything cut Gate Locks and and calmly hitched up removed their Caravan.

I have to leave my Avan out in front of the house. I park it "A" Frame pointing IN to the garden. Use a 12v electric Jockey wheel to park it that way around.

But if I have to have it "A" Frame pointing out ( i.e. accessible to hitch up to a vehicle) I remove the Spare and the wheels and store it on Axle Stands.

Trolley jack and 12v rattle drill make it a quick job to get the wheels off and put em back on.

Whenarewethere · Guru

If someone wants to take it all you can do is slow them down with multiple devices to the point that they feel the risk is too great to spend any more time.

Sticky tape pretending to hold things on & fake repair patches, lots of stone damage on front will make it look not worth it.

Baggy Bums · Veteran Member

We have installed a WiTi security device - siren, flashing lights and brakes locked if someone tries anything

Bobdown · Guru

I've heard the Kovix are a good lock...........alarmed as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmm13IVn0aA#action=share

Never had one but check it out.

Cheers Bob

Grandad5 · Senior Member

Possum3 wrote:
What's the point of leaving a mobile in the van? Do you want to call thief and ask for van to be returned?
Seriously any thief with tilt tray will take your van regardless of locking devices - That's why a good insurance policy is paramount - Just make sure it is covered for loss of van plus any contents.

Possum, do I detect a level of cynicism in this post? biggrin Perhaps I can help. Just to illustrate a point, I've had an old iPhone 4 hidden way up under the dashboard of my car for a couple of years.

It uses a cheap Aldi SIM and is permanently on charge. I can locate my car at any time, from anywhere just by using the "Find My Phone" function. Not only where it is right now, but also a track of where its been over the previous 48 hours.

I'm ever so slightly paranoid about my car being stolen simply because replacing it is more a case of trying to find one in this condition rather than the cost of doing so. Once my van moves from my backyard to the nature strip I fully intend to do the same thing with it. For the same reason.

I believe a similar method can be used with Android phones.

Cheers

Jim

RichardK · Senior Member

I'm with Whenarewethere, we have multiple devices to make theft harder and longer and perhaps noisy, however if someone really wants it they will figure out a way.

Best remedy is to make it hard enough for a thief not to be bothered and go elswhere, mind you some caravans are stolen to order.

I guess also that the more uncommon the van the less likely it may be stolen.

Cheers

Richard

bilbo · Senior Member

Thanks everyone......the thread was (in part) designed to create a discussion and it did its job......I am not worried about anything being stolen from where I live and without giving anything away I don't live anywhere near Darwin.... I think "Mereidith" had good ideas.....plus when I have a van I will have a tracking device.....PS Possum has great jokes but obviously was not a copper in a past life!!... cheers Bilbo

Brodie Allen · Guru

Possum3 wrote:
What's the point of leaving a mobile in the van? Do you want to call thief and ask for van to be returned?
Seriously any thief with tilt tray will take your van regardless of locking devices - That's why a good insurance policy is paramount - Just make sure it is covered for loss of van plus any contents.

Many phones have a location device fitted as standard and other authorised phones on same network

can trace it very simply. To within meters.

Great for when the missus can't find you also!! blankstare

Whenarewethere · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
I have a Bosch 10.8v/12.0v angle grinder which is very impressive for its size. I recommend you use at least inch thick bar so there is some delay. There are plenty of battery angle grinders out there. My plumber used a slightly larger grinder & it was amazing how quick it cut through a solid stainless steel bathroom floor grate.

Pushing my grinder to its limits. I have cut up some old 60 x 3mm galvanized steel pipe with an almost new disc, charged batteries to swap but still plenty of charge at the end of the job.

First cut 4 minutes, second cut 7 minutes. In other words it took 4 minutes to cut through 537mm2 of steel. The grinder's motor was very warm in my palm but not excessively hot but I don't want to kill the grinder. It has done light work for an hour cleaning rusty arch bars without getting too warm.

Disc reduced diameter from 77mm to 74mm for the 2 cuts.

Just think how quickly a larger battery angle grinder could cut through a bolt or lock.

Bicyclecamper · Guru

You know, your going to need that pipe and realise it is a couple of inches too short, and you going to have to weld it back up again, it has happened to me.

spida · Guru

I just drop the A frame on to a stand and remove the jockey wheel. Not easy to do anything without it although no doubt a jack could help. Also I was advised a long time ago never to leave the shackles on the chains as they can be used to make a loop to go over the ball if there is a towball lock in place. Maybe a padlock on the chains wrapped around the a frame might be a frustrating deterrent.

2 olestiffs · Member

hi u can also secure 1 of those small square 12volt house alarm rechargeable batteries under the dash. to mobile phone charger. connect extra 2 wires to battery . with adapter into plug in the fag lighter. these batteries only need a charge every 2 - 3 weeks. they will last 1 year at least. u can check voltage at the adapter any time. at least this way if the tea leafs disconnect the car battery. you will still be able to find your wheels. most wont go looking up there. some stick magnet trackers under your car. if you are selling it at a servo were cameras are every were.1 will try and distract you. while the other gronk makes out he's checking for cut and shut evidence etc underneath etc. keep all buyers away from your homes these days. when selling items. we meet buyers at a big cemetery with the goods. most freak out. we visit rellos on a regular basis. plenty of security cameras at this cemetery big time. especially at the inwards entrance.

PeterX · Senior Member

About using a mobile phone for a tracking device.

Disconnect the speaker and vibrating thing so if anyone every rings it , it stays silent.
Disable Bluetooth and wifi.
Get a long life SIM

Add a lithium backup battery for the phone. ( power bank )
Have phone on a timer , where it is only switched on at known times for short periods of time. a Bit technical to do , but possible - to help defeat jammers and detectors.
Even if GPS is jammed, detection would still work to a location of a few hundred meters.

Also could have a jammer detector,