Travel Safes
Lightweight Lexan Impact modified polycarbonate travel safes
are available for motor vehicles, caravans and motorhomes.
One such
brand, “Hide-Away Safes” is manufactured in Melbourne and is
SCEC endorsed. The ‘Caravan Safe’, weighing about 1.5 kg,
comes in a variety of sizes and is excellent for storing
valuables, confidential information, laptops and hard
drives.
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.
Locks
Galore have a Helix Car Safe which they state will house a
laptop computer and power adaptor or conceal documents and
valuables in the boot of your car. The Helix Car Safe
includes two keys and a security anchor cable to secure it
to the boot of your car or a fixed object. The dimensions
are 457mm x 315mm x 124mm.
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 |
How Can I
Prevent Theft of my Camper Trailer?
Tow
Ball Locks
There
are several devices available to secure the coupling.
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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.
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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.

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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)
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Tregg
Poly Block

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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.
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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.
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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. |
Then there is the ‘Protector’, ‘Enforcer’ and ‘Supreme’ One
Size Fits All Wheel Clamp which are Australian made and come
with a 25 year guarantee. The Steel Shield plate is
manufactured from solid steel and is secured to the wheel
with a high tensile chain and an Abus 83/45 padlock.
Tracking
Devices
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Monitoring and GPS tracking systems or devices offer a variety of
features and can also provide personal duress
notification.
These GPS tracking systems are ideal for caravans,
trailers, 5th wheelers and motorohomes.
Sadly, an engine immobiliser won’t stop your
motorhome or campervan from being towed away so
these GPS tracking systems
can be used to recover vehicles
after theft as well as track
the location of
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 constant battery
power supply.
Polaris You-Trac System is a GPS tracking system for
caravans and motorohomes. It enables the vehicle owner to
track the vehicle’s location via the internet on any
computer. The system features a power supply range from
6-37V DC, password protected log-in, real time monitoring,
remote engine immobiliser and panic button for emergencies.
If the motion sensor is triggered it can send an SMS message
to your mobile phone to warn you someone may be interferring
or stealing your caravan or motorhome.
SmartTrack sell internet based tracking solutions
and tracking is accessible from any internet
connected PC. |
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IntelliTrac Advanced GPS Tracking Systems have four systems
available including a SOS button for personal security and
there is a monthly fee applicable for monitoring.
QuikTrak
CarWatch system is designed for passenger and light
commercial vehicles.
The system features remote engine shut down, tilt/towing
alert, vehicle tracking and 24 hour/ 7 day response. The
minimum monitoring period is 12 months and fees apply.
Cobra
Car Alarms Sales & Service Pty Ltd also have a
Caravan and Motorhome Alarm System.
This system incorporates a wireless Passive Infra Red
(P.I.R) sensor, wireless smoke detector and a two stage
shock or impact sensor. The alarm requires constant 12V as
the sensors are battery operated and transmit a radio
frequency to the alarm unit when triggered. DIY kits are
available. GPS self tracking and monitoring sent via SMS to
your mobile phone is an optional extra.
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TRACING DEVICES
DataDot Technology |
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The
Motor Vehicle DataDot System has the vehicle VIN (Vehicle
Identification Number) written on each DataDot.
This
technology consists of tiny discs, about the size of a grain
of sand, etched with multiple lines of code. It can be
brushed or sprayed onto your RV, tow vehicle and other
assets. The dots are invisible to the naked eye but are
visible under UV light.
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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.
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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. |
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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.