MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: saint camp on May 16, 2015, 07:34:09 PM
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Hi all,
I am finding this community very insightful and I thank you for the advise that has already be provided.
As some of you may know, I have just ordered my Mars camper, and I posted last week about a storage facility for $1 a day. This is an option, however, I would far prefer having the ct at home but I would need to have it out the front of the house.
Now the question I ask, has to do with locking it up. If I was to use something like a Klamp It and a tow ball lock (trailer cop)- would this be enough to keep the thieves at bay?
Thanks
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In short no, you can put plenty of devices/ways of making it harder but if they want to take it they will unfortunately
Swannie
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Agree with swannie, sadly these days best if out of sight out of mind.
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When I had to leave my boat in a shed a few years ago that was on our empty block, I removed the wheel nuts. It wouldn't have been obvious to anyone trying to steal it but hopefully the wheels would fall off just as they left the block. They wouldn't be prepared to jack the trailer up and in any event wouldn't have nuts available to keep the wheels on.....the wheel nuts were also unusual size. Thankfully it was never taken.
Like the recent ideas of cheap GPS tracking which I am considering for my next purchase.
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another agree with swannie.
for $1 a day I'd be on that like stink on Shit
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I was in the same situation as you describe, had the 'weekender' parked out the front, with a wheel clamp a AND a hitch lock, AND the Subaru was parked in front, hard up to the hitch when I got back from the supermarket at 11.30 on a Wednesday night.
When I came out at 7.00 the next morning to go to work, the CT was gone.
Needless to say, the Heaslip has one of FootyShortsShane's mobile phone notifying remote alarms! >:D
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Just make it harder to steal than the bloke's down the road.
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Put it on chokes with wheels off, concrete lock down point in ground for attaching safety chains. If they steal that then good luck to them, thats what insurance is for.
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Mine has been parked in the front drive for the last couple of months. Never really thought about it.
Having the hydraulic brake one will slow them down as that my not work it out, it has a DO35 hitch which they would have to buy prior.
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Mine has been parked in the front drive for the last couple of months. Never really thought about it.
Having the hydraulic brake one will slow them down as that my not work it out, it has a DO35 hitch which they would have to buy prior.
Not of it has 2 safety chains? If so, all they would need to do is padlock the chains together and loop over their tow ball before taking off.
There is a video on you tube somewhere showing how easy it is to do.
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Just make it harder to steal than the bloke's down the road.
This is the best option if the trailer is in plain sight. Im my opinion, generic wheel clamps are as useless as hitch locks. They only give a false piece of mind to the owner.
A customer of ours had his near new trailer stolen from his place over Easter. Wheel clamp was removed while he slept.
Make it harder than your neighbours to steal. A LOT harder, as yours will be shiny and new.
Shane.
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have a look in footy short shanes showroom thread, theres a video in there showing how easy it is to steal without needing a tow hitch..
so dont think your trendy towhitch will stop them..
you will actually be shocked how piss easy they are to steal.
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have a look in footy short shanes showroom thread, theres a video in there showing how easy it is to steal without needing a tow hitch..
so dont think your trendy towhitch will stop them..
you will actually be shocked how piss easy they are to steal.
Yep, that's the one I was thinking of.
I had actually been going to add to my earlier post "I'm sure Bird will post the link soon". LOL!!!
;D ;D ;D
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Brilliant thanks all!
I am going to err on the side of caution and leave it in storage then.
Once my wife is over me buying a new CT, I'm going to start looking for a new house where we can place it in the back :) - That'll piss her off!
Thanks again :cheers:
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Insurance should be less than $1/day
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Insurance should be less than $1/day
So how do you value time chasing around to replace everything that?
Prevention is always better than cure.
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have a look in footy short shanes showroom thread, theres a video in there showing how easy it is to steal without needing a tow hitch..
so dont think your trendy towhitch will stop them..
you will actually be shocked how piss easy they are to steal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9vv6PXJKEM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9vv6PXJKEM)
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I’m paranoid about things being stolen and always put things away and lock things up, but one of my best mates keeps telling me not everyone is a criminal so his camper and boat have been parked in his front yard with no locks for the last 10 years without drama.
Maybe he is lucky and he might go through life without any problems, but I persoanlly like the ideas already mentioned about locking things up.
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4 - fold security - as ours is in the driveway..
a) hitch lock
b) wheel clamp
c) insurance
d) hoping for the best...
Wanted to keep it on site to be able to decide early on Saturday to take off without the hassle of going somewhere to pick it up..
Bottom line, though - somebody wants it badly enough you won't be able to stop them...
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I have mine temporarily parked in my street and have a big mutha chain through the wheel and over the springs. I have also padlocked the safety chains back around and through the drawbar. I have no doubt that if they want it, it will be gone but i just hope it slows them down a bit. Nothing will stop them if they really want it.
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If it is normally parked in full view out front, then you are also telling the thieves when you are on holidays. "Oh goody. They are away camping so the house will be empty" >:D
It is no fun to come home from a trip to find you have had visitors. >:(
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One thing with the storage if you have insurance have you asked them if they will cover it if stolen from storage. If not and you have to go through the storage company and their insurance is this going to be a PITA and do their insurance company cover you for your item.
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My concern is how I'm going to go about insuring mine to full replacement value or even more so retail value given its custom made.anyone been in a similar predicament?
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$1 a day to keep it out of sight is cheap insurance...
and if the place is only 20mins away with your trailer parked up, deciding to go away that day is no inconvenience at all...
leave missus at home to get Shit ready, you go get trailer come home pack and go..
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Great advice all! Thank you.
I have decided to keep it out the front because I don't want to get a trailer and decide that I want to go away and then have to drive the 40 odd minutes (that's what where is is telling me:)) etc.
So the following measures are going to be in place:
- Wheel clamp (there is a Caravan on the nature strip 3 house down with only that on)
Tow ball lock
front and back metal rods sunk and cemented into the ground with 2 chains - monster chains!
wheel nuts off - I might even take the wheels off
Considering
the satellite tracker that was recommended on Shane's thread - I have received a quote already
If they get it then, well insurance can sort it out.
Thanks again.
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These are the "shortlisted" theft deterrents I have come up with....
(1) 1 x Shane's GPS trackers
(2) AS-KO wheel lock - EU insurance companies think these are so effective - if you have one fitted, they will give (their EU customers); a 10% discount off the premium
(3) (In my case) - a Hitchmaster DO-35 Hitch Lock - $106
(4) 3+ thick chains (separately) around the van
(5) Remove the safety chains from the van - and have them permanently fixed to your tow ball mount... So the process is reversed when hooking up your van... (Bow shackling the end of the chain to the van)... ) According to you tube; leaving your van sitting somewhere with 2 x safety chains attached to it - allows the thief to use the chains to "wrap them" directly to their vehicle = bye bye van....
So the thief will need to remember to bring his/her own spare set of chains - and an angle grinder (see below)...
Regarding the chains idea (#4) - of course the biggest enemy of van theft is the determined thief with a 18vt grinder with a 4" disc...
Nothing (including all/any of the above) - will prevent your van being stolen under this application...
So its all about the "deterrent factor"...
# With the chain - I am considering 16mm think galvanized chain links... a grinder will pretty much cut through the (yellow) high tensile chain as easily as it will the gal... At least gal chain is more affordable - meaning you can buy thicker (13mm-16mm) links for the same dollars as thinner HT chain... HT chain is more about its load-bearing capability.
# This all said - don't waste money buying really thick chain (16mm+ etc) if the padlock you use has a shackle with less mm thickness.
Speaking of padlocks - even a $240 8tn capacity one is useless - if the padlock is the type where once the shackle is cut - the thing will swing open = "gone"...
# With the padlocks - you need something like an ABUS Monoblock. The units I am considering are the 92/80 ones - $80.43ea from toolmaster.com.au
The claim to fame with the Monoblocks is that the grinders have to make 2 cut throughs to release the chain (not just one simple cut)... The internal space between the shackle and the padlock body on the 92/80 is 37mm x 17mm...
So with all this "chain theory" -- the logic goes like this:
# Lets say you have your pride and joy chained up at home somewhere; (err the CT or van; not the misses - alright!!)...
# You are using 3 x separate 16mm galv chain and ABUS 92/80 padlock systems.
Maybe one around the axal; one around the draw bar; etc....
(The other end of the chain is looped around some HD gimp at your place...)
Mongrel thief comes along with a 18vt cordless grinder with a good disc.....
# They are going to have to make 6 x cut throughs to steal your van... 2 cuts in the one link - say 20mm apart.... x 3 separate chains
# Hopefully that will take them 15 minutes all up?? - with lots of noise; risk; and some effort; etc...
# Will they want to "risk" that?
Maybe yes; maybe no...??
However, that's about as good as it will get for you.... 10 or 15 lousy minutes of effort full deterrent factor....
... when then after which -- she'll still be gone 60 seconds after that...
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If you own the place and cant get the camper / van indoors / backyard etc, fit in as many removable bollards as needed, most likely equivelent in price all up to other anti theft devices .. up the insurance and fit a tracking / alert device .. my 2c worth ..
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I spoke to CIL this arvo and got a quote and they couldn't care less that it was parked put front and what measures I was taking. I was actually very surprised.
FYI - CIL $188 and Youi was $237.
I actually then even asked why they were not concerned and they said that the quantity of thefts and the amounts are minimal and it was not a high risk item.
It set my mind at ease somewhat, however I am still going to make it tougher to get than the blokes down the ride if you know what I mean:)
I get the CT on Friday but it'll be parked in the garage as I get all the bits and pieces together!
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does it have electric brakes ? if so wire up the trailer plug so when plugged into tug it goes directly to auxiliary and locks the brakes on, another deterrent that may stop or slow them down.
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does it have electric brakes ? if so wire up the trailer plug so when plugged into tug it goes directly to auxiliary and locks the brakes on, another deterrent that may stop or slow them down.
Now that's a champion idea.... ie: the crooks have to literally drag 1.5tns+ down the road - as the electric brakes are locked on....
I am also getting a Purple Line Caravan Mover installed on mine - (long story why exactly)... and was further thinking of "drilling" the driving motors onto the van's wheels.... (These things work by applying pressure from a dc motor to the van's tyres - this is done by a 18vt cordless drill and socket).....
The thing about leaving the stress of theft to an insurance claim is 2 fold imo...
(1)
Insurers such as CIL wipe you from having any cover for any of your aftermarket goodies - (the fridge; the slide; TV; satellite; BMS; Media Systems; Air Con; Hot Water; Diesel heating; more spare wheels; the Weber; extra batteries); ...basically EVERYTHING you have spent your hard-earned on - that was not supplied from the get go -- by the van manufacturer...
(2)
Many of us spend sometimes hundreds of hours (and more) - doing customizations to our rigs - which will not typically be covered by insurance....
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Now that's a champion idea.... ie: the crooks have to literally drag 1.5tns+ down the road - as the electric brakes are locked on....
It also stops "mates" borrowing the ct - "sorry something wrong with the wiring on your tug as it works fine on mine" ;D then you just carry an adaptor so your tug works fine on other trailers