|
Securing your camper
trailer
Camper
trailers are an increasing easy target for thieves, stealing them from
driveways, backyards as well as locked garages. Leaving a camper trailer
on the nature strip in front of a house is definitely an invitation for
thieves. In some circumstances the nature strip may be the only place to
leave your camper, especially in the inner city suburbs. In these
instances you need to make sure you are vigilant with your security. Once
taken camper trailers are hard to identify, being easy to repaint & sell
off. Most camper trailers based on a box trailer are registered as a box
trailer only. All the thief needs to do is buy an old box trailer for a
small amount & place the plates on the stolen camper.
A number of
camper trailer manufacturers do have identifying serial numbers welded
to the chassis. Altering or removing these numbers will be evident
especially on a galvanised chassis. If you are buying a preloved camper,
ask the manufacturer where the serial number can be found or check the
stolen campers page on the the
campertrailers.org website.
The best you
can do is to make sure some sort of anti theft device is fitted making
it hard for the opportunist thief to take your camper trailer. This also
applies when you are out camping & have left your camper setup & gone
sightseeing for the day.
You can make
your camper look as you are not too far away by leaving chairs set up
with cups at the table, towels or shirts hanging up drying around the
awning etc. This will make camp look as if you have just gone for a
short walk or ducked to the
shop. If you have any camping neighbours that are hanging around the
camping area for the day, let them know what you are doing & ask if they
would keep an eye out. Just invite them over for happy hour when you get
back or a taste of your camp oven made dessert for supper.
If a thief is out
to steal a camper trailer, they will have all the gear necessary & the
operation will be well planned. If this is the case there is little that
will stop them.
Check with your
insurer as you may receive a reduced premium for fitting some form of
anti theft device when your camper trailer is stored at home. Some
devices are also approved by insurers & will be stated on the packaging.
diy
A simple thief
proof solution can be a length of high tensile chain through the spokes of your
campers wheel & wrapped around the axle secured with a quality padlock. Add some
plastic tubing to the chain so it will not chip the paint off the rims.
Another could be to padlock your safety chain to the towbar while you
are parked in town shopping or walking to a nearby scenic lookout. Put a dob of
weld on the couplings thread so it cannot be unbolted from the tow
tongue. Please note that a
padlock does not replace the shackle when towing & could void your
insurance in the event of an accident.
electronic
The
Australian made CUDA Alarm is a portable alarm that is
powered internally by two 9 volt batteries and controlled by a
micro-processor. Any attempt to move the trailer will trigger the
alarm resulting in activation of the 103db siren for 30 seconds. The
alarm will then automatically reset to “active” monitoring mode. If
the trailer is stolen the alarm will continually sound until the
towing vehicle and/or trailer is stationary.
|
|
 |
 |
|
Cuda Alarms |
in position |
on trailer |
wheel clamps
Wheel clamps
area the most visible deterrent to the casual thief. In the attempt to
remove a wheel clamp there will be plenty of noise to alert you or your
neighbours. There are several brands of wheel clamps available on the
market in sizes to match the wheels on your camper trailer.
Barrier
have the Scorpion wheel clamp which is easily fitted to a wide range of
wheels from large 4WDs to small sedans including trailers & caravans
including mag wheels not needing the removal of wheel trims. The steel
clamp is fitted to the outside only using a high tensile steel chain & a
tensioning system. All parts pack neatly inside the wheel clamp for easy
storage or transport.
Klamp It
produce wheel clamps in five sizes, from Size 'A' that suit the
smaller wheels on boat trailers through to Size 'E' for the
larger 4wd wheels. They include a key lock. The Klamp It is priced from
$200 to $300.
Trojan
have two models, the Sentry in three sizes & the Defender in two sizes.
Both models have a zinc & powder coated finish & are supplied with a
high quality lock.
Trailer Security Wheel Clamp
have three models, the Supreme,
Enforcer & Protector. The shield is manufactured from laser cut
steel plate with four specifically placed holes
which are used to place the supplied 8mm galvanized mild steel chain
through. The chain is placed through the two bottom holes, under the
campers springs or RHS frame & back through the two top holes &
locked at the front with the supplied padlock. These clamps are priced
from $440 to $640.
Ultimate
Wheel Lock is made from hardened steel &
fits wheels up to 29cm wide. Priced at $100
towball locks
There are a number of devices on the market to
render a ball coupling incapable of fitting onto the tow ball. They
simply fit in or over the coupling & makes connection virtually
impossible. Most towball locks are made from hardened steel to prevent
the use of a hacksaw & are designed to lock the trailer
coupling when disconnected or in some types connected to the tow
vehicle, however most of these cannot be used when towing.
Trailer Cop
simply expands in the ball coupling with the use of an allen key & is
locked into position with a chrome plated brass lock for longer life.
It can be used for locking of all types of cast iron or cast steel 50mm
trailer couplings. Around $35.
Coupling Lock
There are a few different brands & types of two piece coupling locks
which simply fit onto your ball coupling & secured with a padlock. These
can also be used when your camper is attached to your vehicle, but it is
not recommended you drive with this attached. They are priced around the
$30 mark.
Arc Trailer
Lock Two models. ATL15 comes with the trailer lock only while the
ATL155 comes with a pin lock for the towbar itself.
Talon Trailer
Lock secures your trailer both on and off your hitch with the simple
turn of a key. Made from fully cast marine grade 316 stainless steel.
Two models available, FATL140 Talon Trailer Lock only & the FATL145
which includes a hitch locking pin.
Helmet Hitch
has a solid metal construction & minimises theft while trailer is
connected or free standing. Priced at $230.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Trailer Cop |
Trailer Cop |
Trailer Cop |
hitch pins
Replacing your
existing hitch pin with a locking version is a good move because it is
all too easy to remove the pin and push the receiver assembly out,
trailer & all. There are a number of manufacturers who make locking hitch
pins to suit the receiver type towbar. Trailer locks are designed to
slow down criminals, make them create noise & attention. A rubber cap
over the locks barrel is a good idea if you are going off road.
Talon,
Hayman Reese, Ark & Couple Mate manufacturer locking hitch pins.
Prices around $30.
Couple
Mate have a lock which fits either the existing hitch pin & the
T-bar pin of the Treg, Trigg & AT35 couplings. It costs $16.
Fulton
have a similar lock. It is a twist-on design, built of
corrosion-resistant brass.
off road coupling locking
T-pins
For those who have a Treg or AT35 off road coupling there are locks that replace the T-pin.
Talon
produce the stainless steel FATL160 which replaces the T-bar
complete with cylinder lock & dust cover. The FATL155 has both
the T-bar pin lock & hitch lock in the one package. Both locks are keyed
alike. A FATL170 model suits the AT35 coupling while the
FATL175 has both the T-bar lock & hitch lock in the one package for
the AT35. Both locks are keyed alike & with a dust cap.
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
Talon FATL160 for Treg |
Talon FATL170
for AT35
|
Talon FATL155 for Treg |
Talon FATL175 for AT35 |
pintle hook coupling
Couple Mate also make a lock for the
pintle hook. It has been especially developed from zinc plated steel with a
solid flap to protect the lock from bolt cutters & saw blades. This
simple pintle lock fits 2" & 3" pintle hook trailer couplings & helps
prevent thieves from stealing your trailer. Padlock is included. Cost is around $50.
|
 |
 |
|
Pintle Lock |
Pintle Lock |
|
