Strategies for safeguarding your recreational vehicle during travel
In recent times, caravan theft has become a significant issue for tourers across the UK. Enterprising criminals are targeting tourers, making it essential for owners to take measures to secure their vehicles.
The Central Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS), operated by the National Caravan Council, plays a crucial role in combating caravan theft. CRiS records touring caravans manufactured since 1992 by NCC members on a database using a unique 17-digit VIN. Moreover, CRiS can also register pre-1992 and imported caravans onto the database.
When buying a new or used caravan, it's important to check that the CRiS numbers are visible and matching, ensuring that you are the registered keeper of your touring caravan. CRiS also offers a CRiS Check service that can tell you if there is any history of a caravan that you should be aware of before you purchase, such as any outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or if the caravan is flagged as stolen.
Caravan thieves commonly use tactics involving opportunistic break-ins, targeting vulnerabilities such as unlocked doors, unsecured windows, or weak locking mechanisms. They often seek valuables left visible inside and can exploit poor physical security features. To deter thieves, adding deterrents can hinder their progress.
The best caravan hitch locks prevent a towball from being inserted into the hitch and are considered the bare minimum provision by many leisure vehicle insurers. Caravan wheel locks, such as the Al-Ko Secure wheel lock, are popular physical security devices that deter thieves and slow them down. Security posts are a cheap and relatively effective defense or deterrent against 'tow-away' thefts for storing a caravan at home.
Factory-fitted alarms may be easily located by experienced thieves, so aftermarket alarms should have the control box and siren hidden away. Caravan trackers are an excellent, non-invasive way of keeping tabs on a caravan and are able to monitor if the van moves, alerting the owner if someone bumps into the van in their absence.
Not all trackers are accurate enough for the police to locate a stolen caravan, and some police forces may not have the capacity to investigate vehicle theft. However, specialist leisure vehicle insurance providers can help ensure that a suitably high level of contents cover is included in your policy, and that other expensive items are also protected.
Leaving nothing on show and not advertising the contents of the caravan by having stickers on the outside can discourage thieves. Additionally, always parking up with the hitch-head facing away from the road can make it more difficult for thieves to tow the van away.
For more information on protecting your caravan with the VIN CHIP® system, contact 0333 212 4746 or visit www.vinchip.co.uk. By taking these precautions, you can help reduce the risk of becoming a victim of caravan theft and enjoy your touring adventures with peace of mind.
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Trading caravan lifestyle for home-and-garden bliss might seem appealing, but neglecting caravan security measures could lead to heartache. To minimize the risk of caravan theft, consider both insurance options, such as caravan insurance, and physical security measures, like investing in high-quality hitch locks, wheel locks, and aftermarket alarms. Regularly checking for and addressing vulnerabilities, like unlocked doors or weak locking mechanisms, can also deter potential thieves. [5] [Source] [6] [Source] [7] [Source] [8] [Source]
