Will my trailer get stolen?

[BaseCamp]

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...






 


 

[edz]

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 ..

[saint camp]

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!

[fishfinder]

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.

[BaseCamp]

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....

[fishfinder]

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"  then you just carry an adaptor so your tug works fine on other trailers