Security Stop at Service Areas

Well I guess you could put a hitch lock on, that's what some do. When we caravanned we used to eat in the van, little likelihood of it being stolen then, although we tried/try not to stop in service stations in this country as they are usually full where you park caravans and if you have to go in bus bays they don't like it, lorry parking smells like toilets or worse. 

Is it not possible to plan your route so you could stop at a nice place to eat?  we still never leave the vehicle empty by the way always one of us in it at all times.

I wouldn't leave the caravan empty in a service area. Stay with it. 

We never ever left our car and caravan unattended at motorway services. one went in and bought whilst the other stayed.. You should also take note of what your insurance policy requires. if it says a wheel lock or whatever should be fitted at all times when unattended then you must comply to be covered.

My policy says locks should be applied (hitch and wheel) if I leave the van for more than 3 hours.  However I usually put on the hitchlock IF I go into the services.  Like others I generally use my facilities and eat in the van.  I have also left the tailgate up with the dogs in their cage and they would draw plenty of attention to anyone loitering.  I also hope my elderly van wouldn't be a target but....... who knows. 

We regularly leave our van unattended on motorway service areas, but always fit the ALKO hitchlock & a wheel lock & have never had a problem. I do feel caravanners get a bit paranoid about these things, when the reality is that the percentage of caravans stolen from service areas is probably tiny. Does anyone have actual facts on the numbers ? Or are we all working on the " I heard about this...... " rumours ?

There is nothing in the services that I really want other than fuel and a few mins to stretch legs and grab a coke out of the fridge perhaps. So no point leaving the caravan really. Generally I avoid services except for fuel on a longer tow.

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That's an odd thing to state about paranoia and yet you fit both wheel and hitch locks!!! Why if you believe it is so safe. ?

Well the answer is surely to avoid stopping at service stations where at all possible! On the rare occasions when we have had to I'd never leave the van unattended, one of us will stay while the other does whatever needs doing and vice versa. Not so much to do with security but more on past experience of having a van badly damaged while parked up and no sign of who was responsible on our return. But it's probably a matter of 20 minutes or so at most.

Can't think of anything worse than stopping in service stations. Awful places