The Caravan Industry & Security – Protecting Your Caravan

The caravan industry is an ever changing market, and with that comes developments in security as well as trends in caravan crime. Tim Booth, from the Caravan Safety and Security Group gives us a run down on what’s happening at the moment.

Looking at recent press reports it is very apparent that the Leisure Market is currently very buoyant, with both caravan and motorhome manufacturers reporting  high levels of sales. There is also a marked increase in the number of sales of European manufactured caravans.

Whenever a buoyant market for sales exists in any industry this is often seen by criminal groups as an opportunity to take advantage of a ‘high demand’ by seeking to meet this demand themselves. Of course, they achieve this supply at the expense of the current keeper or even the dealership, by stealing the caravans that they supply.

This then, is an important time of the year to make sure that you do everything you can to protect your caravan or motorhome.

Make sure that your caravan insurance cover is up to date and that you are meeting the requirements of the policy.

Of course it is not always possible to store your caravan or motorhome at your home address, due to planning conditions, and for some a lack of space – so owners increasingly turn to storage site providers.

It is a fact that many of the caravans being stolen are actually being taken from ‘informal’ storage sites – where caravans and motorhomes are just ‘parked up’ for the winter period. There are no inspections made by the site owner, or even the consumer. Many of the tracking systems fitted at time of manufacture only actually activate once the owner discovers that their property has been stolen, and then notifies the tracking company – the property can be long gone by then and chances of recovery are generally very low.

A ‘pro-active’ system will notify you if there are any issues that need to be addressed, so it is worth checking whether this is the type of system that you have – if your caravan or motorhome is fitted with such a system are you subscribed to their monitoring service?

Certificated storage sites, like the CASSOA scheme, offer the consumer a level of protection that is recognised by many insurers as a ‘positive deterrent’ to opportunist thieves. Some even offer insurance benefits for using such a facility.

Of course – if you are considering buying a caravan or motorhome, then make sure that you carry out a CRiS check on any caravan – this can tell you whether the caravan is currently stolen, or if there is finance outstanding. A HPI check can provide you with similar information about a motorhome. 

The cost of these checks could prevent you from becoming a victim of those people who choose to steal caravans and motorhomes, and then look to target unsuspecting consumers.

These straight forward measures can serve to protect your caravan or motorhome from being targeted by thieves.

Tim Booth provides specialist security advice to the caravan and leisure industry. He also works to support the National Caravan Council, The Camping and Caravanning Club and The Caravan Club by delivering an industry group called the Caravan Safety and Security Group.

Tim Booth Consultancy Services Ltd

Caravan Safety & Security Group

CaSSOA Working in Partnership with Sold Secure

Sold Secure is a company dedicated to reducing the risk of crime by the assessment of security products through manual attack testing.

Established in 1992 by Northumbria and Essex Police with the help and backing of the Home Office, Sold Secure is now owned and administered by the Master Locksmiths Association and works from purpose built laboratories in Daventry.

The scheme has close ties with a number of constabularies and insurers who provide regular information regarding the methods of theft and the tools utilised by criminals in their areas. This helps to maintain up to date specifications and means security products can be assessed in the light of the risk they are likely to encounter when in use

Manufacturers and suppliers can apply to have their products approved by Sold Secure. Products which have been satisfactorily assessed may bear the coveted Sold Secure Approved quality mark. Information on these approved products is circulated by Sold Secure to crime prevention officers, insurance companies, the media, the Home Office and the public, and is available free to those who require it in the form of the catalogue or via the Sold Secure website.

Steffan George, of Sold Secure says "We’re delighted to partner up with CaSSOA who we believe have the same ultimate goal as ourselves in terms of working in collaboration to reduce crime".

For more information about Sold Secure call, email or visit the website:

Telephone: 01327 264687
Email: admin@soldsecure.com
Website: www.soldsecure.com

Thh Farm Business Innovation Show 2015

The Farm Business Innovation Show 2015 is the most comprehensive and interactive show dedicated to helping farmers generate new forms of income from their land.

Taking place at the NEC in Birmingham, the show aims to help farms generate new forms of income from their land, and is the only farm business event that offers rural entrpreneurs the guidance, inspiration, suppliers and resources in diversifying out of agriculture.

This year CaSSOA will be exhibiting at the Farm Innovation Show, and we'll be joining over 5000 farmers, land owners and people with an interest in rural business,

With networking opportunities, over 200 exhibitors and a range of seminars and workshops, there could be an opportunity to create a business that could complement your primary source of income.

The schedule of seminars and workshops throughout the show cover a variety of topics, including leisure activities, glamping, renewable energy, farm shops, micro-breweries, and more. Each session is delivered by an expert, passing on their guidance in how to identify the right opportunities, securing planning permission, and attracting vital investment. The conference will also explore the latest trends in

diversification that farmers and rural entrepreneurs will look towards next year, featuring an unparalleled level of expert advice, knowledge and inspiration.   

Run in conjunction with the Farm Business Innovation Show, the Holiday Park Innovation Show
offers holiday park owners the guidance, inspiration, supplies, and resources to put their holiday park on the map.

These shows will give you the chance to network, explore the latest trends in diversification and find some inspiration of how to diversify. They will also offer opportunities for interaction with the farmers and holiday park owners who themselves have successfully diversified, offering you the chance to find out what worked for them and to meet face-to-face with the product suppliers who can ensure future profit is made from your land.

The Farm Business Innovation and The Holiday Park Innovation Show will take place on the 11th and 12th of November at the NEC in Birmingham, and is absolutely free to attend.

Book your ticket online here.

Vermin Proof your Caravan

Prepare your caravan for long term storage to prevent vermin damage.

Caravan Magazine talks us through some top tips for keeping your caravan safe from rodents.

Mice can squeeze through tiny gaps including the plastic vents and gas drop-outs under your caravans. And if they don’t fit, they can gnaw through them.

Without blocking your vents (it’s dangerous), cover them with a piece of fine metal mesh, chicken wire doubled over, or a metallic pan scrubber, stapled firmly in place. Don’t bother filling gaps with expanding foam, mice seem to particularly love chewing through that. It’s like a mouse Crunchie bar!

• Flush a strong detergent down your sink plug hole, as mice can be attracted to bits of food that go down the waste pipe.

• At either side of your front locker there are usually gaps leading up the hollow pillars and into the caravan. Block these with some scrunched-up fine wire mesh netting.

• Investigate the floor of your caravan for any tiny holes or gaps, and make sure all are properly filled.

• Seal around all cable holes in the floor with a good quality silicone sealant.

• Don’t leave food (human or pet) in the caravan.

• Clean the fridge and bins thoroughly.

• The strong smell of a used barbecue will attract mice and rats. Don’t store one in your caravan. If you do, keep it spotlessly clean.

• Remove potential nesting materials from your caravan. Consider storing expensive sofa cushions and mattresses at home over winter.

• Vacuum your caravan before storing it, to remove almost-invisible crumbs of food.

Storing Your Caravan

• Caravans on hard-standing are less likely to get infested than those on grass. Mice avoid areas where they are exposed such as bare hard-standings.

• Farm storage locations are likely to have more rodents around than other options.

• Don't give rodents an easy route into your caravan. Even sagging caravan covers can provide access.

• Mice find their way to food and shelter by following trails of mouse urine. Consider spraying your corner steadies, tyres and jockey wheel with a Jeyes Fluid solution to eradicate these trails.

• One option is to remove your caravan's wheels and replace them with axle-stands or 'winter wheels' when storing it through the winter. This makes the van more secure, prevents tyre damage and makes it trickier for mice to get up to the chassis.

• Certain scents are believed to repel mice. These include tumble-dryer sheets and mothballs.

• Check with your caravan storage site to make sure they have a vermin control regime in place.

For more advice on preparing your caravan for storage click here.

Thank you to Caravan Magazine for this feature.

What is CaSSOA?

We could write a lengthy post describing what CaSSOA is, but why do that when we could give you a video to watch!

Enjoy.

For more information, or to locate a CaSSOA accredited storage site please visit our website www.cassoa.co.uk.

Choosing a Caravan Motor Mover

What is a motor mover?

A motor mover is a manual or 12V motorised device which is clamped to a caravan chassis and connects to rollers attached to the caravan wheels which then propel the caravan in any chosen 

direction, controlled by a handset.

Motor movers are powered by the caravan’s battery and are available with different power motors depending on the weight of the caravan.

Why use a motor mover?

Caravan motor movers allow you to easily manoeuvre a caravan into position, whether that be into a driveway, storage or touring pitch, or even hitching up. If you can’t or don’t want to push or pull your caravan in a space using your car, a motor mover will move the caravan into position.

Motor movers also allow you to move a caravan towards the car when hitching up, as well as helping to precisely align a wheel lock receptor to simplify inserting a wheel lock barrel.

Whilst caravan motor movers can’t be described as an essential piece of equipment, they can make life a lot easier – they can save you having to rely on precision-manoeuvring with your car, struggling to manhandle the caravan, and needing the guidance of another person. For tight spaces and heavier caravans they’re especially useful.

What to consider:

• As a general rule you can expect to pay around £1000 for a motor mover depending on the make. Less expensive devices may have a less powerful motor, which may be reflected in performance if using in wet or cold condition.

• The mover you choose will depend on the weight of your caravan and whether it is single-axle or twin-axle. Each motor mover will detail the working loads they can handle. If you expect to have to move your caravan up a steep incline you’ll need a motor mover with capacity to do that.

• The weight of a motor mover needs to be subtracted from the payload of the caravan, so you need to be conscious of your payload allowance if using a motor mover. Find out more about caravan towing weights.

• Motor movers are either manual or motorised. Manual devices use a hand operated lever whilst motorised have 12-volt motors which move the mover’s rollers to make contact with the tyre. Electrical motor movers have the advantage of not requiring any manual effort, though are generally more expensive. Remember to find out how the motor mover works if the motor fails.

• Most motorised motor movers will require a well-charged 85Ah battery to operate.

• To avoid interference with the functioning of the spare wheel carrier or jacking brackets, a motor mover should be positioned in front of the axle. Getting the motor mover is fitted by a professional will avoid any problems.

Remember to read and follow manufacturer’s instructions and perform regular maintenance checks.  

For more in-depth advice, The Camping and Caravanning Club have a useful fact sheet available here.

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.

Read this post on our website 

Search for a CaSSOA accredited storage site here