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We are just about to buy a caravan and have nearly sorted all the bits and pieces out but was just wondering if I can get some advice on hitchlocks, I like the look of the bulldog ones but cannot decide between the  mini one or the heavy duty one . any advice on either would be welcome as we are new to this caravaning stuff.

many thanks,

F.B.D

Hi Dave,

All Bulldog locks are well respected!

If it were me i'd opt for the smaller one and with the cash left over put it towards buying a wheel clamp.

 Hitchlocks although a pretty good deterrent don't really stop a thief as they simply tie a rope around the hitch then around the towbar of their car/van and tow it away like that then hacksaw the lock off later, so fitting a clamp too is a very positive thing to do!

All the best.

Post last edited on 02/10/2006 13:29:07

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Quote: Originally posted by Chalkie56 on 02/10/2006

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Buy Sold secure, but they only deter for a couple of miniutes.

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your insurance company may state this as a requirement

also the more secure the better

Quote: Originally posted by grub on 02/10/2006

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Hi Dave,

All Bulldog locks are well respected!

If it were me i'd opt for the smaller one and with the cash left over put it towards buying a wheel clamp.

 Hitchlocks although a pretty good deterrent don't really stop a thief as they simply tie a rope around the hitch then around the towbar of their car/van and tow it away like that then hacksaw the lock off later, so fitting a clamp too is a very positive thing to do!

All the best.

Post last edited on 02/10/2006 13:29:07

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Quote: Originally posted by Fat boy Dave on 02/10/2006

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We are just about to buy a caravan and have nearly sorted all the bits and pieces out but was just wondering if I can get some advice on hitchlocks, I like the look of the bulldog ones but cannot decide between the  mini one or the heavy duty one . any advice on either would be welcome as we are new to this caravaning stuff.

many thanks,

F.B.D

Hi Dave

Depends where you are keeping your van. Hitchlocks are a waste of time as described earlier but the insurance will insist. If you keep it at home then nothing will stop them taking it. Best to leave the blinds up and take out all the furnishings. They won't want it with cushions missing.

Wheel locks are slightly better as they have to cut those off. Takes about 3-4 minutes!!!

Better to find a secure storage site!

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 Thanks for all the advice folks,We will be keeping it  in secure storage and  will be getting a wheel clamp but what else is worth having and what is a waste of money as far as security goes?

Cheers

FBD

Quote: Originally posted by Fat boy Dave on 07/10/2006

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 Thanks for all the advice folks,We will be keeping it  in secure storage and  will be getting a wheel clamp but what else is worth having and what is a waste of money as far as security goes?

Cheers

FBD

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Wouldn't bother too much if it is secure storage. The one thing we have which has proved good is an alarmtrail alarm. Lets you know if anyone is messing about via your mobile. Works extremely well.  We use it when we are away aswell as it will tell us if anyone breaks in.

http://www.alarm-trail.com/

You can also check where the van is via

http://www.followus.co.uk/

Basically a pay as you go gps but less accurate as it works via the mobile phone system. At least you can see if it is still in storage at any time.

Quote: Originally posted by 2kias on 07/10/2006

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Quote: Originally posted by Fat boy Dave on 07/10/2006

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 Thanks for all the advice folks,We will be keeping it  in secure storage and  will be getting a wheel clamp but what else is worth having and what is a waste of money as far as security goes?

Cheers

FBD

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Wouldn't bother too much if it is secure storage. The one thing we have which has proved good is an alarmtrail alarm. Lets you know if anyone is messing about via your mobile. Works extremely well.  We use it when we are away aswell as it will tell us if anyone breaks in.

http://www.alarm-trail.com/

You can also check where the van is via

http://www.followus.co.uk/

Basically a pay as you go gps but less accurate as it works via the mobile phone system. At least you can see if it is still in storage at any time.

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Hi Dave

We decided on a Phantom pro-active tracker, it is expensive about £800 plus you have to pay an annual charge of about £90.  If you agree to take out 3 or 5 years, it works out cheaper.  In the event of your caravan moving, Phantom will call you and let you know your caravan is moving, they will then contact the police and can plot the movement of the caravan, and let the police know of it's exact where-abouts.  On one occasion we forgot to turn off the tracker, and they contacted us whilst we were towing the caravan we had only got about 5 minutes up the road.  Hope you have many good times in the new caravan.  Best regards   Elaine

We particulary like it as we have two dogs and if we leave them in the caravan whilst on holiday,  it's good to know that if it was stolen that our dogs could be recovered quickly.  Also, if you sold the van at any time, hopefully you could sell it as an additional extra.

Nothing you can buy will stop a determined, organised theie from nicking anything, be it caravan, car, or stuff from your house, but the products will deter opportunist theifs, which ar by far in the majority to organised tea leaves, they will also slow down the organised thief, not always by much, but may-be enough to get caught.

Sorry to say a bulldog didnt last long when my van was stolen, the theives came armed with a hydraulic cutter. The bulldog is large and allows the cutter to be inserted. Having lost the van I contacted Bulldog who didn't bother to answer. I now use the ALKO it is tight fitting not allowing this type of cutter to be used.

Regards

Steve