TOP TIPS FOR CARAVAN STORAGE SITE OWNERS - PART 1

There are so many things to consider when setting up a caravan storage business. Here’s our rundown of the most important elements to bear in mind.

Planning Permission

First things first. You’ll need to make sure you have the necessary planning permission in place. In the majority of cases planning permission for change of use will be required, and this will usually be “B8 - Storage and Distribution” to include outside storage.

Plot Spacing

As a rough guide, each caravan should be given around 30 square metres of space. CaSSOA recommends that the space between each caravan (hitch post to hitch post) is 3.5 metres.

You will need to decide whether you as the site owner will be moving caravans in and out of spaces, or whether you will allow your customers to do this themselves.

You’ll need to consider the following threats:

•          Criminal Damage
•      Theft
•          Fire
•          Flood
•          Falling Trees
•          Storm Damage
•          Vermin

Security

Here are the key areas of security you’ll need to look at:

• Perimeter Protection – to prevent access and secure an area, we recommend that fencing is over 3m in height.

• Access Control should:
• Deny access
• Record access
• Have anti-pass back control that prevents tailgating.
• Activate CCTV (if in use)
• CCTV
• Should you decide to use CCTV, signs should be prominently displayed warning that CCTV is in operation.
• Where personal data is processed, The Data Protection Act 1998 requires that CCTV systems are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
• Security Lighting should: 
• Complement physical and electronic security features.
• Illuminate an intruder
• Illuminate protected premises.
• Operate from dusk to dawn
• Be mounted out of reach of intruders and protected.

Fire Protection

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to caravan storage sites and stipulates that a fire risk assessment be carried out, and any recommendations implemented. The site owner can do this.

In part 2, we’ll look at the administration aspects of setting up a caravan storage business.

For more information, please download our Guide to SecureCaravan Storage. 

Caravan Security Devices

There are a number of security devices on the market which can help deter a thief and protect your caravan or motorhome.

• Look for the Sold Secure badge when purchasing a security device – this is the industry standard which tests and approves security products. The Sold Secure logo provides gold, silver and bronze ratings. Wheel locks can obtain a diamond rating.
• Products can also be approved by Thatcham, or by European bodies such as TUV and SCM.
• There are hundreds of caravan security devices on the market, with some being better than others. As with most things you generally get what you pay for so do some research before buying to check if a product has been independently tested or reviewed.

Caravan Security Products

Hitch locks

• As well as being a visual deterrent to thieves, hitch locks fit over the towing hitch and assembly fixing bolts to prevent your caravan being towed away by a thief’s vehicle.  

• You should look for a hitch lock that is made from heavy steel and make sure that it covers the hitch fixing bolts. It should also be noted that whilst a hitch lock does give a reasonable level of protection, it is wise to use one in conjunction with other security devices.

• Hitch locks should not be fitted during transit as it may cause problems for the Emergency Services.

• Some insurance companies will require that a hitch lock and wheel clamp to be fitted to a caravan as a condition of your policy.

Wheel clamps

• Wheel clamps work in a similar way to hitch locks and are quite often required as the minimum form of security by caravan insurers. These fit over the wheels to prevent them from rotating and will prevent the caravan from being towed away.

• Some clamps leave the unit’s wheel nuts exposed meaning the clamp can be removed by removing the wheel, so it might be worth using locking wheel nuts alongside the clamp.

• Wheel clamps come in various sizes and not all are suitable for alloy wheels so make sure you get the right type and size for your caravan.

• Remember to consider the strength of the material the device is made of and the lock. A wheel clamp made of thick high-grade steel is worthless if secured by a cheap lock that can be defeated in a minute.

Wheel stands/winter wheels

• Wheels can be taken off your caravan whilst in storage and replaced with wheel stands. This should make it more difficult for a thief to drive off with your unit. However, make sure you check your insurance policy – if it stipulates the use of a wheel clamp of wheel lock, using wheel stands would invalidate your insurance.

Security posts

• Security posts are concreted into the ground and used to anchor the caravan to the spot with a heavy duty chain and padlock.

• For maximum protection the posts need to be set in concrete and have an internal locking mechanism, as padlocks can be vulnerable. Some posts have towballs on top so the caravan hitch can be locked on top, but in general most posts will just physically stop the removal of the caravan.

Miscellaneous locks

• Corner steady locks allow the corner steady legs to be locked in the down position. They are easy to fit, relatively cheap, and are a good addition to an existing basic security system.

• For motorhomes, steering wheel locks are a good visual deterrent.
  

• Caravan and motorhome door locks are not generally very robust security and can be supplemented with additional locks or fitted with a more secure locking mechanism. There are also devices that bolt onto the body of the caravan and swing across the door to protect the door lock.

• Remember to make sure that you are still able to easily exit the vehicle in an emergency.

Caravan alarms

• From small alarms which can be fitted to doors and windows, to devices which have sensors to detect corner steady vibration or internal movement, there are a range of caravan alarms available to provide you with warning should someone attempt to steal or gain access to your caravan.

• Do your research to make sure the alarm is reliable – false alarms are a nuisance and risk being ignored if there is a genuine incident.

• Some caravan alarms can be connected to home alarm systems, and similarly, some can be linked up to a tracker device if you have one fitted.
• Immobilisers

• Caravan immobilisers bolt the wheels to the axle preventing the caravan from being towed away without first being unlocked.

CRiS

• The Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS) is a national register for caravans in the UK and provides registration documents similar to the DVLA for motor vehicles as well as information relating to the history of the caravan.

• All UK caravans manufactured since 1992 are automatically given a CRiS number which is etched onto the body of the van. It is also possible to register pre-2002 caravans and imported caravans.

• In the event that a stolen caravan is recovered or sold on, a CRiS number will allow the owners to be contacted. When purchasing a used caravan, buyers are advised to contract CRiS to confirm that the unit has not been registered as stolen.

• Remember not to keep your registration documents in the caravan – store them in a safe place at home.

Caravan Marking

• The roof of your caravan can be marked with the last 6 digits of its CRiS number. It is also recommended that fixtures and fittings are marked with an ultra-violet pen. Microdot security systems are also available.

Tracking systems

• GPS Tracking devices are installed inside the caravan and linked to a central database. Should your caravan be stolen, your vehicle can then be tracked by the control centre, located and recovered.

• Some tracking systems will automatically send out an alert whilst a theft is in progress, and those with VHF signal technology work even if your vehicle has been moved into a container or stored underground.

• Having a tracking system installed can reduce your caravan insurance premium, but it is important to find out whether you are required to get it professionally installed. Most require a Thatcham or Sold Secure approved tracking system. 

• Whilst these systems can be pricey they seem to provide good results. Leading manufacturers include Phantom and Tracker.

And finally…

Whilst no product can guarantee that your caravan won’t be stolen, security devices will help to deter or at least slow down a thief. Fitting more than one security measure is worth considering.

When your caravan is in storage it is worth removing personal items and leaving the cupboards open so the thief can see there’s nothing of value inside. You might also want to remove the unit cushions, which will not only keep them dry but dramatically reduce the saleability of the caravan in the event of theft.

If the worst happens and your unit is stolen notify the police, your insurance company and CRiS. The police will need as full a description, your CRiS or chassis number, any other serial numbers and identifying marks or features. Make sure you have recorded these and stored them in a safe place. It’s also worth taking some photos that can be used in the event of theft.

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Keeping your Caravan Safe

In recent years the level of reported thefts of touring caravans has reduced substantially, however that is of little consequence to those who become a victim of this type of crime. As a caravan owner it is important to make sure that you do all that you can to protect the security of your caravan, which after all for many is a substantial investment. Tim Booth, from the Caravan Safety & Security Group has some useful advice.

A number of touring caravans have recently been reported as having been stolen in the Derbyshire area. Many of these were from storage that was being provided at farm locations.

The most important consideration when seeking to protect your caravan is to make sure that you meet the standards required by your insurer – you do not have to insure a caravan but of course if you decide to then there will always be policy conditions. Most insurers require you to fit a hitch lock and wheel clamp – but you have to consider whether this is enough.

A caravan stored at an ‘informal’ farm location is often vulnerable as any offender can spend time defeating security devices that you have fitted. So, you need to consider the storage site security. 

• How easy is it for you to collect your caravan? 
• Is there security in place?
• Is the storage area a fenced and gated area? 
• How often have you been ‘challenged’ when collecting your own caravan – or do you have to arrange collection with the storage provider?

If it is very straightforward for you to drive in and collect your caravan, if it is then the same applies to someone seeking to steal your caravan.

How often do you check your caravan? Many operators provide storage, but there is no check of your property once it is parked there – does the storage agreement include checks by the operator? – If not then you need to make regular visits (some of the caravans stolen have not been seen by their owners for a number of months).

If your caravan has an alarm system then make sure that it works – alarms will serve to both deter offenders and attract attention – but if the caravan is in the middle of nowhere then it is unlikely that there would be any response to such an activation.

If your caravan has an after theft recovery device fitted then make sure that you have paid the subscription for the monitoring (many insurers provide a benefit for using these devices – but failure to pay the subscription may leave your insurance invalid).

Some systems can only be activated once the caravan has been stolen – so this may be some considerable time after the event – so the value of such a product may not be as good as you may want to see. There are pro-active devices available – again these offer a benefit with many insurers – the real benefit here is that, if the alarm is linked to a monitoring device, then the alarm activation will be reported to you, and then action can be taken to investigate what is wrong – these systems can also provide live updates of the caravan’s location, enabling an early recovery in the event of a theft (these recoveries on some occasions have been within the hour – so your caravan and the contents are still together).

If you leave ‘caravan’ equipment in your caravan when it is stored then it is a good idea to mark this with your postcode. Not only does this protect your property when you are using the caravan on a site, but it also provides permanent identification of this property should any offender seek to sell, or dispose of the contents of the caravan, after the theft.

A permanent marker pen is ideal for this – one that leaves a mark that you can see, not the ‘hidden’ UV marker. You may also mark the inside of your caravan with the last six numbers of its VIN – its unique identification mark found on the windows. Repeating this mark inside cupboards / lockers within the caravan can help to identify it if the offender works to remove the identification provided by the manufacturer.

Registering your caravan with the CRiS scheme (the UK Central Registration Identification Scheme) can also help the Police to identify your caravan. This is a register of keepers and in the event of a theft then previous keepers can provide information to officers about unique features of the caravan that you previously owned. Introduced back in 1992 the scheme can now provide you with covert identification tags that can be hidden around the caravan. These electronic tags can be read by a special reader that is available to Police officers – so even if the manufacturer’s identification marks have been removed the caravan can still be identified.

To locate secure storage site for your caravan or motorhome, click here.

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Protect your Caravan with CRiS

CRiS (the Central Registration and Identification Scheme) is the National Register for caravan owners in the UK working towards preventing and detecting caravan related crime.

Established in 1992 by the The National Caravan Council, CRiS provides registration documents similar to the DVLA for motor vehicles and maintains information relating to the history of the caravan.

A CRiS check will:

• show if a caravan has ever been written off by an insurance company,
• show if a caravan is subject to any outstanding finance,
• provide details of the current registered keeper, and detail how many owners there have been in the past,
• confirm the make, model and age of a caravan.

All new caravans will be given a unique 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is recorded onto an electronic tag and embedded into the bodywork of the caravan, and etched onto the windows. It will also be recorded in the Touring Caravan Registration Document which is kept by the registered keeper of the caravan.

If you are buying a new caravan, the dealer will register the van and you will receive a CRiS certificate shortly after. If you already own, or are considering buying a caravan which was manufactured prior to 1992 when CRiS was established, and therefore does not have a VIN, you can apply for it to be CRiS registered.

If you are looking to buy a used caravan, the CRiS number is really useful in preventing you from purchasing a stolen caravan, or one which has finance outstanding on it. Simply call CRiS with the number which has been etched onto the windows (or stamped on the chassis), and for a small fee they will make sure that the number matches the caravan make and model on their register. It is also advisable to ask the seller for their CRiS registration documents.
Whilst it is highly recommended that you do carry out a full check, you can decode the CRiS number yourself.

Here’s a quick guide:

Say your CRiS number is SGET000EX9AVA5009: 

• The first two characters represent the country of manufacture. SG = United Kingdom
• Second character is the make of the caravan. E = Elddis
• Third character represents the number of axles. T = twin axel (s=single)
• The next three digits are for optional manufacturers data, like the caravan model.
• The eighth & ninth digits show the make of the caravan. EX = Explorer (known as Elddis)
• The tenth digit is the year of manufacture. 9 = 2009
• The final digits are the caravan’s serial number = AVA5009

Please note that the caravan build seasons runs from 1st September to 31st August. This means that a caravan which was built between 1st September 2010 and 31st August 2011 will have a manufacture year code as B for 2011.

For reference, here is complete list of VIN codes: 

Manufacturer codes:

AB = ABI 

AD = Adria 

AV = Avondale

BE = Bessacarr (later built by Swift so will use the SW code)

BU = Buccaneer (later built by Explorer Group so will have code EX)

BY = Bailey 

CL = Carlight 

CM = Coachman 

CP = Compass (could have EX code as were built by Explorer Group) 

CS = Cosalt (later Abbey’s were built by Swift and so will use SW code) 

CU = Sprite (later Sprite’s were built by Swift and so will use SW code) 

EL = Elddis (may carry the EX code, as Explorer Group re-branded to Elidds)

EX = Explorer Group (now known as Elddis) 

FL = Fleetwood 

LU = Lunar 

SW = Swift Group 

Build year codes:

N = 1992 P = 1993 R = 1994 S = 1995 T = 1996 V = 1997 W = 1998 X = 1999 Y = 2000 

1 = 2001 2 = 2002 3 = 2003 4 = 2004 5 = 2005 6 = 2006 7 = 2007 8 = 2008 9 = 2009 

A = 2010 B = 2011 C = 2012 D = 2013 E = 2014

If you’re struggling to decode your CRiS number, here’s a tool that will automatically do it for you:http://www.caravanvindecoder.com/

For more information about CRiS, visit https://www.cris.co.uk/secure

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