Locks on caravan doors/windows are not the most robust and so we would like some advice about securing valuables against theft.  Specifically laptops, TV's, cameras etc.  I had some advice to get a laptop safe and bolt it down!!!  When I saw the size of the "small" laptop safe (not to mention the weight) this was a no-no. 

On my laptop I use a laptop cable lock and carry the rest of the valuables.  Only have a cheapish digital camera and nothing else really that is irreplaceable.

I don't have a laptop carry bag, and put the laptop under the pillow when travelling or leaving the caravan.  So no obvious signs of a laptop.  The laptop cable goes around the steel lift up bed frame.  Tuck it under the back of the top of the matteress when not using it.  I carry in my bag on my person a portable 160Gb hard drive with a full data backup, so if they flog my laptop I would go out by another and do a data restore.

With LCD TV's been down to under $200 they are not the sort of thing that is going to be pinched.  Not to easy to off-load and in my case no 240v power supply with the TV as it only powers from 12v.

Personally I would be far more agro about the damage they did breaking in than anything else.  Thankfully to date, never had anything damaged or stolen - long my it continue.

-- Edited by OutbackAus at 09:29, 2008-07-22

I agree with everything that outback says, never had a problem with theft or anything like that, I guess it is up to where you are staying as well, stay in high risk areas and I guess you will cop it one day, I hear some absolute horror stories coming from people who stayed in caravan parks, but that is not all parks is it? my wife also has a laptop valued at about $2,000 so wouldnt like to replace it in a hurry, we have a backup external drive as well and all the other stuff like lcd tv, digital set top box, dvd player, gps and other belongings, our camera, a fuji s9600, I carry with me most of the time the other gear that is not built in we sort of squirrel away under sheets or blankets, what is not obvious will not be flogged (in theory), the stories we hear coming from the east coast from friends there worry me a bit, but it seems that is resricted to a swathe of 100 kms along the coast up along the seaboard, they seem more desperate, now I hear the people that live or travel there screaming at me but as I said I hear the stories, but that would not stop me from travelling through there again, I would just do what I have been doing for the last 20-25 years, hiding things and with a little bit of luck my next 20 years of travelling will be as worry free as the last. all you can do is secure the obvious and pray for the rest, if they see it and they want it it doesnt matter if you put it in the bank of england they will get it. so dont let them see it in the first place, they chase the smaller, large ticket value, quick turn over gear, so have a look around through the eyes of a druggy thief and see what you would pinch and then take steps to secure it. works for me!!!

Unfortunatley some of us may experience some need for security on our travels. I had my van broken into and a few things taken but since then i found as everyone will tell you just excercise some basic security... I fitted a small electronic safe to my last van, simply bolted it through the floor under the bed, great for storage of small attractive but essential items, walletts, purses, cameras etc... Also I fitted an alarm (that has two remotes) to the ceiling. It gives an earpiercing screetching alarm, is very discreet and is a great deterrent to the casual thief. Of course if you are parked away from others it won't be of much use but in a van park it certainly draws the attention of all & sundry ( I have forgotten to disable it a few times)...
This all cost me about $100 and in my new van will be the second thing I do...Laptops are always going to be attractive, once again as Dave has suggested buy one of those portable laptop locks that yuppies use around airports and secure it to some solid part of the van. The best cure is to not flaunt your laptop, easy to say not so easy to do, nothing nicer than to sit outside, beverage of choice at your fingertips, while you do your essential computing where EVERYONE can see you....
As Dave says there are areas where thieves tend to be more desperate...