Security for a caravan

"My house is my fortress" - even if we are talking about our second house (the one on wheels), we always try to feel safe and not have to worry about random events. For this purpose, we choose safe parking spaces and purchase additional AC insurance to cover unexpected circumstances. Often we don't even want to imagine that our gems could become the object of interest... of amateurs who own someone else's property.

When preparing to edit this article, I tried to find out the data on the theft of caravans in Europe. It is difficult to obtain precise statistics, but Great Britain is in the lead, where hundreds of them are killed every year (a distributor of vehicle tracking devices - Moving Intelligence claims that it is up to 4,000 pieces a year, but does not support these data with officially confirmed reports, e.g. police).

Last year, our western neighbors had several dozen campers and trailers. However, when comparing the phenomenon year to year, taking into account the increased demand for recreational vehicles, problems with availability and horrendous prices, it is not difficult to predict that this scourge may grow stronger. At least once a week, on social media forums, there is information from camper/trailer owners about the loss of their beloved vehicle. The mere awareness of the disappearance of our second home is a traumatic experience, and everyone knows what the chances of regaining it are...

How to avoid or minimize the risk of theft and robbery? Today we will look at examples of trailer security available on the market.

Trailer protection against theft

Especially in countries where trailer thefts are a scourge, the inventiveness of companies and ingenious inventors can be noticed - many solutions finally reach mass production. We must realize that even the most clever security measures and devices only extend the time needed to illegally appropriate our property. However, it is worth effectively hindering or even discouraging the criminals. What types of technical security measures are most popular?

Mechanical security for caravans

Wheel locks are the most popular solution - there are several variants available, with varying degrees of effectiveness and advancement. When choosing such a product, always make sure that a specific "patent" has technical approval or a certificate from a recognized institution or meets a unified durability standard (for example, Sold Secure in England, SCM and KIWA in the Netherlands).

The advantage of solutions mounted on the wheel is that it makes it significantly more difficult to move/move away without mechanically removing the blockage - depending on the model, this can take a really long time for robbers. Note - there are dozens of wheel immobilizing structures available on the market and it is definitely worth reading the certification/user opinions and effectiveness reports before purchasing.
Another interesting mechanical protection of the trailer is the support lock placed on the screw of its mechanism - you can use one or more, making starting it significantly more difficult. They are usually cylindrical in shape and equipped with key locks.

The most popular and common product available in various variants is the drawbar lock - both hitch manufacturers (AL-KO/AKS, Winterhoff and Knott) have their own solutions dedicated to specific models, but there are also many suppliers of universal products for various manufacturers on the accessory market. The degrees of construction advancement and the quality of trailer security vary, but their use makes it fundamentally difficult for thieves to quickly connect to a tow truck and escape without mechanical intervention.

Let's not forget about protecting your belongings inside the trailer. Standard fittings and locks in the doors and windows of trailers and campers often leave much to be desired. Especially windows made of rather fragile materials, sliding or mounted on delicate frames and plastic fittings, are mechanically easy to defeat by thieves. You can protect yourself by installing reinforcing profiles around the frame (usually glued to the edges).

Caravan door lock

The door remains a key aspect of securing access to the interior. There are many solutions on the market that make it difficult for potential criminals to access and operate. Additional bolts attached to the wall sheathing are a perfect complement to the standard locks. Security variants integrated, e.g. with a handrail facilitating entry into the trailer, combine functionality and comfort. They are practical solutions, and easy installation is an additional advantage.

Trailer protection against theft - electronic systems

In addition to the wide range of mechanical trailer protection, it is worth considering electronic support. The safety of our belongings and loved ones is our priority. It is difficult to stay oriented in the maze of consumer electronics and alarms. Fortunately, there are companies specializing in solutions for campers and trailers - such as the legendary Thitronik brand - we wrote about this brand's alarms and solutions here: The most advanced camper alarm - TEST CampRest .

Simple solutions consisting of a control unit and window reed switches significantly improve safety, and the additional possibility of integration with smoke/carbon monoxide and gas sensors (including sleep sensors) and a GPS locator will give us confidence also when traveling. Speaking of trackers, it is a well-known fact that vehicle thieves use signal jammers. Additionally, location problems arise in buildings or underground parking lots and this technology may prove ineffective.

A number of companies offering location systems based on radio technology have emerged across Europe. The battery life in such systems is many years, and the signal transmitter is activated only when the customer reports the disappearance of the vehicle. The radio signal is much less susceptible to jamming and restrictions related to buildings and terrain barriers. In Poland, the leading supplier of this type of solution is the Warsaw company Gannet Guard Systems, which started building its offer focusing on luxury passenger cars, but currently uses its experience and potential to also protect construction machines, campers and trailers. Due to the design of recreational vehicles, the transmitter is easy to hide in a really hard-to-reach place, which translates into effectiveness and the chance of recovering our property.

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