Tracking and Alarms

We store our 'van at home - on its own parking space. 

It is a Coachman and we had significant problems with the built in tracker, and thus at renewal we did not extend the contract; too many calls at 02.00 hours saying your caravan has moved when it is sitting on its platform.  So no we just use the built in alarm.

Our insurance company creates no special conditions for home storage so would recommend you contact your insurers for advice as to what they need?

Obviously hitch and wheel locks are essential and a locking post is a very good deterrent, stopping anyone driving off with the caravan.

Good luck!

I fitted both an alarm (Haegil) and a tracker (Rewire Security) to ours and get a discount on the insurance because the alarm has a tilt sensor.  One useful feature of the alarm is that I've wired it into the awning light which comes on for 30 seconds when the alarm is set / disabled - useful when going in at night.

The tracker is affordable - about £40 to buy and £7 per month subscription and it has the ability to set geozones around it and send me a warning by text and email (with an alarm sound) if it moves.  So far proved to be 100% reliable. An added bonus is that, through the website, I am able to review mileages travelled, time, speed and route taken.

Yes - I know both could be defeated by determined thieves - but for what both cost - they give additional peace of mind.

Do you need them? It all depends where you live. Do things get stolen where you live? I stored caravans at home (four widely spaced areas from Cumbria to Cornwall) for over 50 years without ever feeling I needed trackers or alarms, and I was right. 

You should check what your insurance company requires as it may be a condition that you have a such devices and/or it may give discount for having them. I'm sure having a hitch lock and/or wheel clamp will in there somewhere.

And of course piece of mind to yourself as well?

+1 Rewire Security tracker, plus you can add the option to disable the vehicle if stolen while on the move e.g isolate fuel pump. Also allows remote monitoring of starter and leisure batteries. Great bit of kit.

I've always stored at home, but in a locked garage, even so the Alko hitch lock and Nemesis Ultra wheel clamp are always fitted. This summer we are moving and the van will be stored on the drive. I've thought about taking the wheels off and fitting winter wheels, but was unsure if these would meet insurance requirements. As such I've bought the bigger Nemesis as it is more substantial at about 12kg, the disc covers all the wheel bolts and is a greater visual deterrent.

Colin

No it didn't and no zeal at point scoring Bill I can assure you but I was confused about you talking about disabling a vehicle having a fuel pump leisure and starter battery when clearly the OP was referring to a caravan being stored on a drive and was really interested if a tracker could be used to somehow disable it? That would be a good idea if possible

Yes security is very relevant to both and I'm glad you've clarified why you posted and even though off topic it will be of use I'm sure. And yes it does sound a good piece of kit.