SECURITY DEVICES

The Hide-Away consists of a  ‘docking station’ which can be mounted anywhere.  Once the safe box slides into the docking station and is locked with a key it renders the mounting screws inaccessible.  With the addition of another docking station the safe could be easily moved from say your tow vehicle to the RV or even your residence.

These safes come with a choice of two Abloy Security Locks.  The manufacturer claims the locks are drill resistant and virtually pick proof, and come with a 15 year warranty.  The locks can be keyed to differ or keyed alike.

Seton Australia also have a ‘Car Safe’.  This is a foam lined box which can keep documents and laptops secure in the boot of a vehicle.  The box  comes with two keys and a security cable.  The cable can be looped around the boot hinge and the end is locked inside the safe until unlocked.

WHEEL SECURITY

To prevent your wheels or spare wheels being stolen there are wheel nut locks available.  The locking wheel nuts may be operated by a key or it can be a specially shaped nut that requires a compatible socket for their removal.

GAS BOTTLES / CYLINDERS

For gas cylinders on the draw bar or ‘A’ Frame, padlock them onto the gas bottle fixing bracket.  For gas cylinders kept in compartments ie boot or specially designed compartment, these areas need to be kept locked.

HITCH RECEIVERS / COUPLINGS

Hitch receivers are removable from the tow bar and are quite expensive to replace.  To prevent the hitch from being removed from your tow bar it is recommended you acquire a hitch pin.  The hitch pin goes through the hole on the tow bar and a keyable lock fits on one end of the pin shaft.  The key entry point usually comes with a plastic cover to keep out dust and moisture.

Hitch pin locks are available from Hayman Reese, boating, automotive and caravan accessory stores.

Standard Hitch Pin

Locking Hitch Pin

TOW BALL LOCKS

There are several devices available to secure the coupling.

• Couplemate Dual Trailer Safety Lock

• 2” Dual Safety Lock  /  Lock Mate Coupling Lock

COUPLEMATE  HITCHUP GUIDE AND LOCK

LOCK MATE COUPLING LOCK and DUAL SAFETY LOCK

These locks can be used to secure your camper trailer or caravan by clamping onto the ball coupling thereby preventing the coupling being placed on the ball of another vehicle.  (The angled guiding plate on the Couplemate pivots and one side slots into the rear enabling the other side to shield the tow ball).  It is recommended that the trailer or caravan chains on the draw bar or ‘A’ frame be looped through the clamp on the "Lock Mate Coupling Lock" as well as this will prevent the RV being towed away by the chains.

The trailer guide makes hitching up your RV a breeze as it guides the ball coupling into place directly over the tow ball.  This accuracy of lining up the RV coupling to the ball prevents damage to the back of your tow vehicle and the need to try to drag the RV into place.

These locks however, are unsuitable for ORCA, Tregg or load leveling coupling devices.

Hitch Helmut This is a solid device that can lock the RV alone or when connected to the tow vehicle. It clamps over the coupling and under the tow ball.

Related Articles: Caravan Security Theft prevention and what security measures you can personally take to protect your property. Security Alarms Alarm systems for cars, caravans, motorhomes and campertrailers (including engine immobilisers)

Tregg Poly Block

Trigg Poly Hitch Locking Pin Couplemate also supply a Tregg lock.  This lock replaces the ‘R’ clip and it can be used when your trailer is connected to the vehicle. It can also be used when the trailer is stored at home by inserting the pin and lock into the poly block.  There is also another lock with a Spring/Pin/Lock with a ‘T’ bar handle.

Another available brand is Talon.  The Talon Locking Pin suits the Tregg Poly Block ¾ inch off-road coupling.

WHEEL CLAMPS

Heavy duty wheel clamps are highly visible and protect your RV from theft by clamping onto the wheels thereby preventing the RV from being driven away.  Tyre size may reduce effectiveness, so care should be taken when selecting the size of the wheel clamp. 

Two brand names are ‘Keep It Klamp-It’ and ‘Stretchmaster Wheel Lock'.  The manufacturer of Klamp It claim that it is Australian designed and manufactured and has the ‘stamp of approval’ from the insurance industry.  The clamp is powder coated and highly visible and the steel plate protects wheel nuts from being removed.  They are lightweight and fold up for easy storage. The manufacturer of the Stretchmaster claims it is made of hardened steel, weighs under 3 kg and fits up to 290mm tyres.

 
TRACKING DEVICES

Monitoring and tracking devices offer a variety of features and can also provide personal duress notification.  They can be used to recover vehicles after theft as well as track cars, boats and RV’s in “real time” 24 hours a day.  If someone opens the door and tries to steal your vehicle the automatic vehicle location and tracking system is activated.  These devices normally require some type of battery power supply. SmartTrack sell internet based tracking solutions and tracking is accessible from any internet connected PC.

One provider, Ming Car Watch, use a radio-based communication network for signaling.  Annual monitoring fees apply. 

QuikTrak have a transponder that can be fitted into your vehicle.  Once you report it stolen they can initiate a recovery procedure by sending a signal to the transponder which pinpoints its location.

Cobra Car Alarms Sales & Service Pty Ltd also have a ‘CarMinder GPS Tracking System’.  Unlike other tracking products on the market it does not require a subscription to a base monitoring service instead, you contact your vehicle or it contacts you.  As soon as the alarms sounds, the system sends you a text message informing you of your vehicle’s position, direction of travel, UBD page and grid reference.  If the vehicle is stolen outside the general UBD map area, latitude and longitude co-ordinates for location can be used. 

By using your mobile, you can close doors, shut off fuel supply and apply hazard lights. 

An advanced feature is that the system can send an alert to a primary number and a secondary number, say an SMS to your mobile and a voice alert to your Telstra home phone. No doubt there would have to be a mobile telephone coverage to enable receipt of the SMS alert.  Another option is for the alert to also be sent to your email account.

You can order through DataDot Technology (Australia) Pty Ltd.  Smaller DataDot Kits for household items are sometimes available through your local Neighborhood Watch.

Mongoose Australia Pty Ltd also have a product called ‘idMicroDot Australia’.  Each kit has a unique PIN code which is recorded on their data base along with your details so any stolen items can be traced back to you.

Caravan/RV Door Antitheft Device Fiamma have a ‘Helping Hand Door Handle’ (46 cm, 03513A01 – Part No. 50145305).  This handle attaches to the exterior of the caravan and serves to make entering and exiting the RV easier.  When the RV door is closed, the handle then folds back onto the door and works as an anti-theft device. The Helping Hand Door Handle is available from Caravans Plus, 22 Endurance Avenue, Queanbeyan NSW 2620.  They mainly conduct an internet based business for RV parts and accessories.

Brake and Clutch Pedal Lock

Alternatively, another device is a ‘Clutch Claw’.  This anti-theft device clamps over the clutch and brake pedals, locking them into position and that ensures neither pedal can be depressed.  The updated version of the Clutch Claw features a flashing LED light to draw attention that the device is fitted.  Any would-be thief would see this light and hopefully then be deterred from forcing entry into your vehicle, motorhome or campervan. 

The Clutch Claw is available from European Motorhomes and Caravans on

(08) 9581 5995, 296 Pinjarra Rd, Mandurah WA.

Other articles that may interest you -

Caravan & Motorhome Security  |  Security Alarms