Very interesting thought provoking topic Graham. I’ve always said if they want it they will take it no matter what security you have. I agree I wouldn’t want mine back, it wouldn’t feel the same. I once caught two men trying to open the gate at our storage, they had been in during the night and removed the locks off the van they wanted and came back during the day to try and get it. Security is a deterrent, but by putting more devices and security markings on the van will hopefully help you keep it a little longer. Great work on the intro and editing, Cheers Martin

Good vlog Graham. I have two points of advice for everyone who may be interested. 1. Fit as many devices as your budget can stretch too, why make it easy for them to steal your pride and joy? You can't stop them but you can make it a pain in the a** to get away with. 2. Buy good new for old insurance. Do these two things and the theft won't feel as bad as it would have done.

Definitely agree that our Motorhomes and caravans are taken to order. You have to protect it as best you can and fit the best you can afford in our opinion. We have as many visible deterrents to try and make it not so “easy” but if they really want it, it’s a sad fact it’s going to get taken 😢 Great advice and useful chat as always Graham 😃 Cheers.. Michelle and Andy 🚐👏🏻😃

Caravans are the same as houses and cars in that you can go on & on with security but the crims will get in if they are determined enough. All you can do is make it as difficult as possible for them and hopefully they’ll look for something easier to take. Good vlog Graham.

Great Vlog Graham. The caravan we have now is our first Brand New Caravan and we are probably a bit over the top with Security, when we have it at home and not in storage it’s Nose in with a car parked behind it. Alko Premium Hitch Lock, 2 Steady Locks, 4 wheel Lock (1 Alko & 3 Milenco Wraiths) an Alram & Tracker and I am soon to fit the Fiamma Door lock. The on,y thing different when in storage is we don’t have a car parked behind it.

We caught five guys (travellers) trying to nick one from a local storage facility. They had towed it across a field and hit a mound and were struggling to move it over it. Got out and confronted them and was met with a barrage of abuse. Called the police thankfully they were nearby and were there in under a minute. They fled. 2 were arrested immediately. Caravan was returned albeit slightly damaged

I've got ours nose first on the side drive facing the garage door(sealed up). So they've got to get the locks off, raise the steadies, disable the tilt alarm and turn it around. At least they've got to work for it

I have as much security as possible on my van including CaravanID and same as you the Nemesis, as well as other devices. They are all just deterrents to hopefully make the scroats move to an easier target. If they do nick it, claim on insurance. Good vlog mate 💪

Hi Graham I heard this week from phantom that there is a increase in caravan thefts from people's drives at the moment as more and more of us are staying at home in this covid times!! Ours is in a gold cassa storage yard for the last 9 years never had a problem great topic 👍

I personally have fitted security devices required to meet my insurers requirements and pay a lot more for decent insurance. (Old for new or a set value) . Because personally I wouldn’t want it back if it was stolen I would feel violated if that makes sense. So for me it’s more about ensuring I get an adequate payout to replace my van. Great vlogg cheers👍

Keep em peeled 🧐

Keep em peeled

Another great, thought provoking vlog Graham. We've got ours in a Silver Cassoa storage yard (no room on the drive) and I (like so many others) have loaded it with as many devices as I can, including an extra door lock, CaravanID, Al-Ko hitch lock and the E&P auto levellers. I'm in the camp goes by the adage "make it as difficult as you can". Oh yeah, plus I have New-for-Old insurance.

Hi Graham Another device which secures a caravan is the E&P levelling system. It lifts the van to the point that it can’t be moved. The thief would see it as an extra issue to deal with and hopefully not be bothered.

We have an Alko wheel lock, another claw type wheel lock for the other side (handy for when on site as it’s a visual deterrent but can probably be burnt off in 5 seconds) and a hitch lock. Don’t see the point of going over the top, if someone wants your caravan, they will take it - no matter how much security is on it. I watched a video once of thieves pulling up outside someone’s house, burning off two wheel locks, a hitch lock and a post in the ground, hooking up and f*cking off with a caravan in a nice residential area - start to finish was less than 5 minutes. My four rules are: 1) Just enough visual deterrent to prevent a random theft. 2) Make sure your insurance is up to date, with the best policy you can afford. 3) Read your policy and make sure you adhere to the requirements of the insurer (correct locks always fitted). 4) Make sure that in storage, there are always more attractive caravans to steal than yours (either less locks or nicer caravans). Not bothered about a tracker as I wouldn’t want it back and alarms are next to useless, unless it’s outside your house!!

Shaun Taylor His catchphrase was "keep 'em peeled!"

We have a phantom tracker fitted to ours that was already from previous owner. I called to enquire the cost and they told me exactly where our van was which impressed me but I’ve heard that the delightful thieves just rip the thing out which makes it a waste of time tbh. Our storage place is incredibly secure so I think that’s enough for me with the usual locks I have on it. Hitch, wheel etc

Our storage site has just had two, virtually brand new caravans stolen in broad daylight. A hole was made in the outer fence, the hitch locks were removed and left behind (still locked). The police were not interested and didn’t even come out. They said it will probably have been gypsies. Apparently only 3% of stolen caravans are recovered.

Hi, with Our Swift Challenger the swift command system has a tracker. The basic function is free where you can manually check the location of the van via the app. Or pay the fee to have it monitored. 👍

Great vlog Graham food for thought mate 👍keep em peeled

“Don’t have nightmares” I think that was Shaw Taylor’s parting shot. I can here younger people saying who’s Shaw Taylor? I’ll let you explain Graham.

1200 stolen a year is about 0.1%. Keeping it real!!

Friends had caravan stolen from a compound, they lifted it onto a trailer using a crane. Took 2 vans at the same time, didn’t get ours as we were away in thankfully. No security would have stopped it !

Hi thanks for the advice. Unfortunately we had our lovely coachman avocet 830 xcel. Stolen from a locked compound in the west Midlands it was fitted with a alloy hitch lock and 2 nemesis wheel locks. They broke into the compound through the back fence then proceeded to remove the wheel locks they couldn't remove the hitch lock so they broke the stabiliser handle off the hitch so the ball would drop out. After doing this they used a 4x4 to ram the gates then tow our caravan out of the pound. We have cctv showing our caravan being towed away. The police didn't want to know they didn't even bother coming to the compound had to wait over a week for a crime number. Its like so many comments on here and other sites if they're determined to take it they will

I think the caravan manufacturers have a bigger part to play in this. Like the car industry in the 1980 had to up their game when cars could easily be stolen. Also a national database that traffic cameras can read some form of Id to identify if it's stolen and on the move and finally you have to prove if taking the caravan outside the UK that you are the owner. For me it spoils the start and end of the holiday locking the caravan up because someone thinks they have a right to it when I have worked hard for something I enjoy.

Cracking Vlog, pretty much summed it up with the comment about steal to order and with the uptake of Staycation our vans are hot potatoes 🥔. I wonder if thieves go for the new top of the range vans or the easiest to steal ? . If its more new top of the range my 2011 Conqueror may be less desirable/nick able, fingers crossed 🤞.

Annual tracker costs for a Swift caravan through Sargant is £95.00. This is monitored by Sargant 365 days a year 24 hours a day.

The problem with removing wheels is caravan insurance often stipulates having a wheel lock fitted, which can't be done if wheels are removed.Crazy, as no wheels makes it harder to steal.

Put your caravan in a CASSOA storage. It’s nice to have it at home, however would you want to confront thieves of today, they’re more likely to attack you nowadays and even force you to release the security. Be safe first, then worry about replaceable items. If your not insured then your own head be it.

We have the alko wheel lock. I’ve heard that thieves will burn them off with a gas cutter. That’s mad!!!

Good points there Graham don't think I'd want a yracl r as I wouldn't want the van bak after been stolen think I would invest in good locks v than a tracker .kev

Not bad Graham sham no hands on practical demonstrations but I guess with no caravan makes it a little awkward. Arm chair advise is still advise

I hope your feeling better mate? 1,200 stolen! 🤦‍♂️ I would always say it’s best to keep it at home. Bob Earnshaw done a good video on Caravan ID

Sleep with one eye open, (gripping your pillow tight... ) thanks for the Metallica ear worm 🤘. Pete

I'm looking for a decent hitchlock. I think if it makes it harder for the thief it may work most of the time ⏲️

Just get adequate insurance cover, all caravans are replaceable. All locks can easily be defeated and add more time and fuss fitting each time. I'd sooner pay a bit more for my insurance and not have to bother fitting locks.

Can i just say, Graham, you went a wee bit overboard with the editing of this blog , leave it a bit more natural , I was getting google eyed watching it !! Besides that, keep up your blogs, we love them !!

If they want it they will take it all you can do is make it harder for them 🤔🤔

If you don’t want it stolen, take the wheels off of it.

I,ve got a big decal on the back of my van, who would want to steal it? LOL