Video copyright channel 9
Lock It or Lose It
It's no secret that caravans cost a lot – and that makes them a tempting target for thieves. The trick is knowing how to discourage the crooks and send them looking elsewhere.
Caravanning is like a marriage – sort of. That is, when you hitch up your vehicle with a van, like a marriage, that combo should last forever – or at least until a new model of one or the other rolls into view.
To prolong vehicle-van monogamy and prevent philandering vans running off with an opportunistic thief, consider installing a lockable hitch.
Saracen Ultra Hitch -$199.99
https://www.purpleline.com.au/saracen-ultra/
This hitch has hardened high-strength steel to resist cutting and drilling and has a high-security, multi-pin barrel lock, resistant to picking, drilling and gas freezing.
It’s hard to imagine an opportunistic thief, the desire for caravan pilfering front of mind, wandering around with a high-powered drill or a bottle of liquid nitrogen.
The Ultra works with most vans fitted with an Al-KO hitch and prevents the caravan being towed away. It suits Australian standard 50mm ball hitches and fits when hitched or unhitched.
GPS Technology
While a lockable hitch is useful, you can add to the arsenal of security devices offering GPS technology. Using a convenient App, state-of-the-art tracking systems are designed for caravans, trailers and motorhomes.
AL-KO Anti-Theft System GPS Tracker AL-KO ATS has a recommended retail price of $850 including 12 months of connectivity.
A monthly subscription allows global coverage, an alarm that triggers when the van moves beyond its defined ‘parking spot’ and precision tracking to within five metres accuracy.
Black Knight Z3 -$29/month
Available at https://www.blackknighttracking.com/shop
Black Knight’s Z3 is a high-performance GPS/3GSM tracker designed to be hidden in almost any vehicle — car, truck, motorcycle, caravan, trailer, machinery, boat, power-sports and more.
This system offers real-time tracking via an app, alerts if it is moved or disconnected and up to 12 months of travel history playback.
Wheel clamp
You can’t beat a wheel clamp for security. You just can’t haul away a caravan if the wheels don’t roll. There was a cautionary tale of how a Toowoomba caravan owner's van was destroyed when two young women stole her car and van for a joyride. A simple wheel clamp would have stopped the joyriders before they got started.
AL-KO Easy Clamp Anti-Theft Wheel Clamp $67.20
https://www.camec.com.au/al-ko-asy-clamp-anti-theft-wheel-clamp
Available through Camec, complete with two keys, the Al-KO wheel clamp is adjustable to suit 13 to 15” wheels.
Join the dots
While they might sound like a James Bond gadget, MicroDots are worth considering alongside more visible deterrents and make possible to identify your caravan and perhaps some of your belongings, no matter how much it's been modified.
MicroDOTs are tiny metallic flecks. Almost invisible to the naked eye, they contain a unique code laser-etched into them multiple times.
They are brushed or sprayed in the thousands into your caravan's nooks and crannies, making it easier to prove ownership to the police in the event of theft. Register this code with police to streamline the process.
https://www.microdotaustralia.com.au/microdot-dispensers
MicroDot Spray cans come in three sizes: small at $75, medium for $90 or large at $120, all plus GST.
Advice for Caravanners
Each year around hundreds of caravans are lost to theft. Moreover, the thief that steals it more often than not has detailed knowledge of various makes of caravans, have some knowledge of caravan locks and understand that canvas annexes are easily accessible.
Crime authorities understand that an accomplished bugler not only knows about caravan security, but knows how to enter a van where people are asleep without making the van rock.
All up, this means that that caravan owners be careful to lock up and secure their caravan and its contents, whether they are at home or on the road.
Safety options
Know where you are
Knowing exactly where you are is key to getting police or other assistance when a felon robs you or your van, or worse still, presents as a potential threat to your safety. Knowing your latitude and longitude (GPS coordinates) and might just be the difference in a quick emergency response and a devastating slow one.
Calling Triple-Zero
The key here is to remain calm, describe your location and follow the instructions given to you and help will be on the way.
Research your journey and conditions
When on the road, knowing what’s around may well enable you to get a sense of potential threats.
Never leave your vehicle
Never leave your vehicle if you become stranded. Park it in a safe place off the road and do your best to contact help. That works a treat providing you've let someone know where you were heading before you left. It means you'll be all the easier to find and know body that shouldn't have it is going to wander off with your home-away-from-home pride and joy.
Lock it or lose it