As you can see from my other threads, had my second van stolen last week.
Well, it was recovered yesterday in Hayling island from a gypsy site. I cannot believe it. No damage they can see. Locks are open they they may have forced them, wont know till I see it.
Not sure I want it back or not, but wont know till I see it. The fact someone has been sleeping in it for a few days I am not sure I can deal with but hopefully I can get over it as it was such a lovely van.
Some contents stolen such as my cobb but may claim for that once I see it but as I have a excess, it may not be worth it. Mind you, I will also have to buy a wheelclamp (proved this time they are useless) and hitchlock and some form of alarm if still not on the van.
Quite excited as I loved this van. Hoepfully, hopefully, its ok.
Typing this while on phone to caravan club to see how much reduction on insurance I can get if I install a tracker.
Wowie. Mixed emotions on this one then Scott, it's been found but what state is it in? I hope you still feel right about it when you see it again at the weekend, good luck and fingers crossed it has not been trashed too much.
What were the circumstances around its discovery? Did they raid the site and it was one of the ones found or did they have some sort of tip off?
I can't believe that anybody would ever defend this section of society as it is proven time and time again that they account for a lot of the theft of motor vehicles and caravans. Every site of this nature should be raided weekly IMHO, they'd soon get the message that it is not acceptable and they are not untouchable.
Scott I'm so glad it has been found. And you're right the Burstners are lovely vans and I'm sure we'd want ours back if it hadn't been too badly damaged. But then I wonder why they would trash it otherwise it makes it valueless to them.
The sad thing behind this story though is how ineffective all the security devices are. You did your best to protect it and it made no difference. I guess a tracker is the most reliable at getting your van back and I think under the circumstances you'd be wise to go down that route.
I really hope there's not too much damage and you can continue to enjoy caravanning.
I would suggest, go away in it a few times before you decide wether to keep it or not , You may just forget after a while, put it down to one of those niggly things in life you can't change but you can make the most of it! Buy a load of febreeze and cleaning stuff, make it look like new again!
Hope that everything is ok!
------------- Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Seems police were asked to go a check on the gypsy site, checked vans and noticed this one was not quite right. VIN number had been changed. They rang Burstner who referred them to the dealer, who then refererd them to the last owner and then onto me. The police guy I would say is superb. He even said the coppers who logged it, never even logged it properly so it did not flag on his system. He questioned the costs and surprised how much it was when I told him, so I think its in damn good nick apart from probably a casing. They would only have had it 5-6 days I rekon so fingers crossed I can live with it.
Going to get a cheap wheel clamp and hitchlock as the gold secure ones are useless it seems. Also getting a silent alarm like my last post. Cheaper than tracker device which only saves you 10% on insurance and no monthly bills.
i'm sorry that this has happened and glad that it has been found. somebody else said that perhaps it had been stolen "to order" and that sounds quite likely to me.
i used to be a police officer (for 12 years) and when the "travelling community" were around the crime rate increased significantly (proven facts). however, there ARE a few "true romany" groups who i feel for, as they get tarred with the same brush as the low lifes.
it's not nice to think that someone has been in your caravan but hopefully as it's lovely and what you wanted you may be able to put it behind you. i hope so for your sake. don't let the bastards get you down.
Thats really good news, I've only known 1 other caravan recovered, that was after about 6 weeks and the owner spotted it on the road and followed it.
If you don't like the thought of someone sleeping in your caravan, why not get it valeted, and the upholstery cleaned professionally.
Our local mobile valeter did my wifes car after our youngster had a field day with chocolate on the back seat (ivory cloth upholstery) it cost £25 and the results are incredible.
Once again, great news, and I hope you are going to continue caravanning now.
Cheers
Paul
------------- "Whether you think you can, or think you can't... You're right"
I'm really glad you have found your van, I hope it gets cleaned and sorted out so you can enjoy it again.
Thieving Pikeys make me mad, shame the Police didn't test their Tazers on them when found your van!! Of course we are such a nanny state now that they get away with what ever as they plead discrimination etc. Maybe we should just nick all their vans & see how they like it then deport them to some penal colony that we set up in the middle of the ocean and get rid of them once & for all. Then at least some of our taxes would be spent on something useful.
Great they found back your van, especially as it is in good condition.
As to the locks, you also could consider locks for the steadies.
Now plan holidays again...
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Caravan has been found - yippee
And dont forget the lint cloth and matches !! 
