Protect your caravan with our in-depth security advice
Hundreds of caravans and motorhomes are stolen each year, so it makes sense to protect your valuable tourer with the best security products and services possible.
If we’re honest, a determined thief can break through pretty much any security device, given the time to use their specialist caravan-stealing arsenal of oxy-acetylene torches and angle grinders.
However, by defending your caravan with the best caravan security devices available, there’s a high chance they’ll take one look and move on to easier prey!
Many insurance companies say that a caravan hitch lock and wheel lock must be installed for any theft claim to be considered. But even within those two categories, there are many options to think about.
In this guide, we’ll give you a great overview of the security market and what some of the best products are for your shortlist.
The best caravan wheel locks
Caravan wheel locks stop the wheel from turning, thereby preventing the caravan from being towed away. Wheel locks are fixed in position with a key, and the best are strong enough to resist attack from crowbars or hammers and chisels.
There are two main approaches to caravan wheel-lock design.
AL-KO Secure is one example. It stops the wheel from turning, and prevents access to the wheel nuts. It’s considered the ultimate form of defence by many caravan insurers.
This lock has a strong steel receiver that’s always on the caravan. A technician attaches it to the backplate behind the wheel, usually before you get your tourer. The high-visibility secure locking mechanism is then slotted through the wheel spokes and aligned with the receptor.
Next, the security bolt is slid in and screwed into the receptor (start it off by hand, to avoid cross-threading it). Once tightened, a nine-pin circular deadlock is inserted and secured in place with a key. Finally, fit the plastic cover to protect the keyhole.
AL-KO Secure is much smaller and more portable than most other wheel locks, but it does have one drawback, especially if you need to fit more than one of them on your tourer.
The problem is aligning the gap in the alloy wheel spokes with the lock receptor behind them. This is fairly straightforward with a single lock, but for those that want to fit two locks to a twin-axle caravan, once one lock is fitted, the caravan won’t move to align the spokes on the second wheel.
The solution is to raise the side of the caravan just enough to rotate the second wheel into alignment. This can be done with a jack or airbag, but it does add a level of complexity and effort to your pitching or parking regime.
Once fitted, thanks to its precision design (each locking section is contoured to fit the caravan’s alloy wheels exactly), it’s impossible to get a crowbar in to lever the lock off.
The second approach is ‘wrap-around’-style steering wheel locks, which come in various designs. These tend to be much bigger and heavier than AL-KO Secure, and are best kept outside the caravan in, say, the gas locker.
Smaller or less mobile caravanners may find it hard to move these big wheel clamp locks. But on the plus side, these devices are very visible and easy to fit.
Once clamped around the wheel, the caravan cannot move, but, while they’ll deter most caravan crooks, the professional thief with the right kit will find them easy to remove.
Purpleline Nemesis Ultra
Price £134.95
W raymondjamescaravans.co.uk or visit our caravan shop
Other wheel lock brands: AL-KO, Milenco, Maypole, Bulldog
The best caravan hitchlocks
Caravan hitch locks fit to your tourer’s hitchhead and prevent the towball cup from being used. That means your caravan can’t easily be hitched up to the thief’s vehicle and towed away.
Like wheel locks, hitchlocks are an obligatory anti-theft device on many insurance policies, and should always be fitted when a caravan is left unattended.
To fit a typical hitchlock, first secure the safety-ball in the hitch. To do this, lift the stabiliser handle (if you have one) then raise the hitch handle. The ball will now slot into the hitch cup. Push the handle back down.
Most hitchlocks now drop over the hitch handle and secure in place, preventing it from being raised and stopping a towball from going into the hitch cup, so the caravan can’t be towed in the customary manner.
With AL-KO’s popular 3004 hitchlock, two lugs inside the lock must be aligned with two slots on the AL-KO hitch. All such locks are then secured in place with a key-locking mechanism. Reverse this process to remove the locks.
Purpleline Fullstop Saracen
Price £74.99
W raymondjamescaravans.co.uk or visit our caravan shop
Other hitchlock brands: AL-KO, Milenco, Maypole, Bulldog, Streetwize
The best caravan alarms
Protect your caravan 24/7 with a quality alarm system. The best ones feature motion sensors, PIR sensors and door contacts.
Alarms do require an electrical feed, so consider fitting a solar panel to ensure that your leisure battery is kept charged, as an alarm will slowly deplete it.
Some alarms have a tiny current requirement of <1mA, while others consume many times more.
Outsmart the Thief caravan alarm
Price £399 (£788 for alarm and tracker)
W 606060.com
Other alarm brands: VanMate, Phantom, Milenco,
The best caravan trackers
Caravan trackers typically activate if a caravan is moved without the alarm/tracker system being disabled. The best ones immediately send a message to your phone via an app, and/or to the tracker base station, who will contact you.
Initially, they’ll enquire whether it’s a false alarm and, if not, they can instantly pinpoint your caravan’s location and alert the police.
Some budget trackers only work through a phone app, and, while the owner can track the caravan, it’s unwise to confront the thieves without police support.
Like alarm systems, trackers do consume some leisure-battery power, which should be considered during long-term storage.
Outsmart the Thief caravan tracker
Price £399 (£788 for alarm and tracker)
W 606060.com
Other tracker brands: VanMate, Phantom, Milenco,
Other security devices
Other security devices are available to further protect your valuable van. These include:
Winter Wheels
Some consider these the ultimate theft deterrent, as they replace your wheels for longer-term caravan storage. Original wheels should be stored well away from the caravan.
In testing, JSB Hublock winter wheels proved nigh-on impossible to remove, even with oxy-acetylene!
JSB Hublock Winter Wheels
Price £235 single axle, £458 twin axle (both incl postage)
W jsbhublock.co.uk
Other winter wheels brands: FullStop Security, Safe & Secure (SAS)
Corner steady locks
Lower your steadies and lock them in place. This prevents the caravan from being towed and adds a level of inconvenience for any thief. Hopefully, it will deter them from stealing your van, but it will certainly make the process much more difficult.
Milenco Corner steady locks
Price £35
W raymondjamescaravans.co.uk or visit our caravan shop
Other corner steady lock brands: Milenco, Torpedo, Safe & Secure (SAS), Maypole
Security door handle
These robust pivoting handles swing across the caravan door and lock in place, preventing entry to the caravan. They also double as a supporting rail for caravanners with mobility issues.
Fiamma security door handle (which doubles as a handrail)
Price £87
W raymondjamescaravans.co.uk or visit our caravan shop
Other security door handle brands: Milenco
Ground anchors
Ground anchors secure your tourer in place with a strong steel rod going from the hitch to an anchoring point on your drive. You’ll need a hitchlock to prevent the caravan being taken off the round anchor.
G2 caravan ground anchor
Price £110
W nkgroup.co.uk
Other ground anchor brands: Bulldog Ground Anchor
Security posts
Block your caravan in its parking space with a tough metal post or ground anchor that’s securely fixed to your driveway. Without the keys to remove the post/anchor, it will slow any thief intent on stealing your van. The best posts are sunk into the driveway, not just bolted down, though this adds to the cost of installing one.
Streetwize buried parking post
Price £29.98
W toolstation.com
Other security post brands: Auto-loc, Streetwize, Maypole, Bulldog
Caravan covers
While it’s not, strictly speaking, a security device, a caravan cover is an extra layer of protection for your tourer, encouraging any thief to move on to an easier target.
They vary in price from around £100 to £500, with more expensive versions performing their primary role, of keeping the van clean and dry, much more effectively.
Specialised Caravan Covers
Price from £449
W specialised covers.com
Other caravan cover brands: Crusader, Royal, Maypole, Protec
CCTV and Doorbell cams
Keep an eye on your home-stored caravan from the comfort of your armchair with an app-linked security-camera system.
Ring video doorbell
Price £99
W en-uk.ring.com
Other video/CCTV brands: Eufy, Arlo, Toucan, Blink, Google Nest
Motormovers for security
A caravan motor mover is not a security device, and the roller should never be left pressing into the tyre as a security deterrent, however, they are useful for manoeuvring a caravan into inaccessible positions which couldn’t be done with a tow car, or even by pushing the van.
For instance, your van can be positioned with the A-frame pointing away from the road, making the it impossible to tow away.
Secure caravan storage – Where do you keep your caravan?
One of the biggest factors when it comes to protecting your beloved tourer, is where you store it. Whether you store at home or in a purpose-built caravan storage facility can have a huge influence on the chances of it being damaged or stolen.
For all the information you need on the subject, check out our Caravan Storage blog. (Link to blog #9)
What is Sold Secure?
Sold Secure is an independent testing organisation that assesses security products. In the UK, Sold Secure is run by the Master Locksmiths Association, the country’s largest security trade body.
Sold Secure rates caravan security products, and those that pass its tests gain accreditation which is shown by the SS logo being displayed on the product, packaging and promotion.
Not all companies sign up to Sold Secure assessments.
Insurance discounts for improved caravan security
Insurance premiums are based on the probability of a specific caravan being damaged or stolen. Therefore, the more security you use, the less the chance of you making a claim on your tourer insurance, and the bigger the insurance discounts offered.
Here’s a rough guide to the level of discounting you can expect from major insurers.
NB: Many insurances will not pay out claims if you don’t have a standard hitchlock and wheel lock fitted. Total maximum discounts may be capped.
• AL-KO Secure wheel lock 25%
• Proactive tracker (you receive alerts) 25%
• Reactive tracker (no alerts received) 10%
• Factory-fitted alarm 10%
• AL-KO anti-snake stabiliser 10%
• CaSSOA storage up to 25%
Get in Touch for Expert Caravan Security Advice
In the end, protecting your caravan is important. With the many security devices available, you can greatly reduce the risk of theft and make you feel more secure.
From robust wheel locks and hitchlocks to advanced alarm systems and trackers, each product serves as a vital layer of protection for your cherished tourer.
For personalised advice and to see our full range of caravan security solutions, visit Raymond James Caravans.
Our experts can help you choose the best security features for your caravan. We’ll make sure your caravan is safe and secure, no matter where you go.