SAFE & SOUND

ALTHOUGH THE CHANCES your caravan will be stolen or broken into are small, the number of these unwelcome incidents has been growing; so there’s never been a better time to audit your security provisions, and check they are as good as they can be.

Caravan thieves are unbelievably brazen – if you’re thinking, “My van’s parked six feet from my house – nobody will touch it”, you really need to think again.

Any security is better than none, but an experienced thief can remove a budget lock in seconds, so it pays to buy wisely. Follow our guide to the top 10 security measures for your caravan, and you’ll be making life as difficult as possible for them.

1 Wheel locks

How many times nave you heard the old adage, “You get what you pay for”? Well, it’s generally true, and never more so than when buying caravan security.

Wheel locks come in all shapes and sizes, but the one the insurance companies seem to favour is the Al-Ko Secure wheel lock. This device is smaller and lighter than most other wheel locks, so it’s easier to transport. The receiver is also fixed to the caravan’s chassis, making it a more secure option.

When fitted, the lock receiver is visible behind the wheel and the device slides between the wheel ‘spokes’ before the bolt is screwed into the receiver.

Start by aligning the wheel so that the receiver is visible and centred between two spokes. Take out the yellow plug, which caps off the receiver when it’s not in use.

The lock has several parts. Position the main