Caravan security devices explained
A practical guide from Caravan Information Services
Caravan security matters because, according to the AA, around 4,000 caravans are stolen annually in the UK.
Caravan thefts occur on driveways, storage sites and even service stations from behind a car. Moreover, many thefts result from organised gangs targeting high-value caravans.
There are approximately 555,000 caravans in the UK, so thieves have plenty of opportunities. However, most thefts are opportunistic, and poorly secured caravans are at the highest risk.
The good news is that you can encourage thieves to ignore your caravan by making theft and selling on a caravan as challenging as possible.
Caravan security typically involves taking advantage of the following:
- the Central Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS)
- wheel clamps
- chassis locks
- hitch locks
- upgraded caravan security door locks
- electronic tags or tracking devices
CRiS
CRiS is the National Register of UK touring caravan keepers. The register is similar to the DVLA and is recognised by the Police, regulatory and insurance bodies.
CRiS matches your caravan’s VIN (vehicle identification number) to visible and invisible VIN CHIP™ elements such as RFID chips, microdots, and tamper-evident labels.
Most new caravans are registered with CRiS, and the dealer will update your keeper details. The CRiS website also provides online registration where needed.
Top Tip! If you are buying a used caravan, use the CRiS Check service to see if a caravan is reported lost or stolen, written off, or has outstanding finance.
Wheel clamps
Wheel clamps are a minimum insurance requirement and represent the first step in caravan security. They provide an instant visual deterrent, perfect for dissuading opportunistic thieves.
Prices range from around £30 for a basic Halfords Wheel Lock to around £220 for a top-of-the-range Bulldog Wheel Clamp.
Full-wheel clamps take longer to fit than a simple lock but offer a more prominent deterrent and the best security.
Aside from their primary use to deter theft, wheel clamps prevent a caravan from rolling when parked on a steep hill or incline. Wheel chocks do the same job, but chocks may get stolen or removed by pranksters.
Top Tip! If you choose a wheel clamp that doesn’t cover all of the wheel bolts, then make sure you fit locking wheel nuts. Accomplished thieves often carry a spare if they can remove a wheel with the clamp intact.
If you are still deciding which clamp to choose, look at units rated by Sold Secure. A Sold Secure-rated wheel clamp undergoes rigorous testing and verification for resistance against lock picking, lock manipulation, drilling and cutting, bolt croppers, wedging, and pulling.
Sold Secure products are rated Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond, with Diamond representing the most durable.
Chassis locks
A variation of conventional wheel clamps is the chassis lock, also known as a lock and receiver wheel clamp. These units fit specific caravan models built on the AL-KO chassis.
The wheel clamp fits through one of the spaces in the wheel before screwing into a receiver fixed to the back of the brake drum.
Fitting the AL-KO Secure Wheel Lock gets you a Diamond Sold Secure rating. However, you have to line up the lock with the receiver. This means you’ll either have to tow or reverse your caravan into position or jack the caravan so you can rotate the wheel.
Hitch locks
Hitch locks prevent a thief from hitching or un-hitching your caravan. They work by inserting a false tow ball into the hitch and preventing the hitch handle from being raised.
Many choices are available, but most fit specific hitch and stabiliser types.
You can fit some hitch locks to a hitched caravan, perfect for when you stop for a break en route to your destination. Other types allow you to tow the caravan. However, the fire service and recovery organisations advise against this in an emergency.
Caravan security door locks
Standard caravan door locks offer little protection against a determined thief. They use a basic mechanism to fit as many caravan models as possible. The keys may be different, but the mechanism is easily damaged, and prying open a caravan door with a simple lock is straightforward.
Alternatively, reinforced upgraded door locks provide two levels of added protection:
First, they deter casual thieves from attempting to break into your caravan to steal your valuables.
Second, they provide an extra headache for caravan thieves as they must change the locks before selling.
There are typically three types of aftermarket door locks:
- Deadbolt locks feature a bolt that slides into the caravan frame, making it hard for an intruder to force entry.
- Caravan door locks are fitted to the door frame and slide across before being locked. This type of lock provides a wide surface area to block forced entry.
- Security handrail locks are also fixed to the caravan door frame and locked across the door.
Caravan security electronic tags and tracking devices
Datatag electronic tagging involves fitting a tamper-evident registration number to the chassis and micro-sized RFID Transponders around the caravan interior. Special scanners issued to the police throughout the UK pick up a code emitted from the unit’s transponder.
There are three benefits to using Datatag in your caravan:
- acts as a visual deterrent because the system is virtually impossible to remove
- increases the chances of recovering your caravan if stolen
- helps validate the true identity of a caravan you may wish to purchase
Vehicle trackers are electronic devices that use GPS or VHF technology to provide your caravan’s location in real-time.
Some devices, such as the Phantom PRO 3, include a motion sensor that triggers an alert on your mobile phone app when the caravan moves. The Phantom devices wire into your caravan’s battery supply.
Other devices, such as Tracker Retrieve, use VHF technology. The UK police forces use VHF to monitor vehicle theft. Unlike the Phantom Pro 3, Retrieve runs off a self-contained power source. This makes the unit easier to install, but there is no motion sensor alert, so you must manually report the caravan as stolen.
Top Tip! Thatcham Certification is an industry standard that tests and validates security devices for effectiveness. Insurers look for certification when deciding on policy discounts. Always look for the Thatcham Certification when buying a caravan tracker.
Summary
While some insurers insist on fitting a wheel clamp as a minimum security requirement, the number of caravans stolen in the UK suggests it pays to look at additional security measures.
Caravan security is about making theft as challenging and time-consuming as possible. Most thefts are opportunistic, where a thief spots a poorly secured caravan.
Organised crime gangs prepare well and arrive committed. But even in this case, thieves may move on to easier pickings if they see a caravan with high-quality wheel and hitch locks, upgraded door locks, electronic tagging and a Thatcham-approved tracker fitted.