Folks

I noticed that the Australian Campertrailer group have a page just for stolen camper trailers.  I little worrying since I hope to buy a trailer and put something like an Oztent RV1 on top.  What can be used to deter thieves?  I think you can get wheel locks.  Does anyone know where to buy them?

Jo

Hi joan, you can get wheel locks and also towball hitch locks, despite the seemingly high number of reported thefts this is a rare occurance and I wouldnt worry too much about it, if you tallied up the number of campers on the road and then tallied the number stolen that would give you an estimate of less than 1.5%, more chance of getting killed by a rampaging bull whilst setting the thing up than to have it stolen, grab a towball lock and just take the normal precautions and you will be fine, lock it securely at home, thats where most are nicked from, not out there

A shot gun and sit and wait . Don't under any circumstances take prisoners. Dead thieves tell no lies.

 If thinking of a tow hitch lock check your insurer some will only reconize certain types.  Marine Insurance is one that only likes certain types .

 Still like the first idea I had

-- Edited by Wombat 280 at 14:48, 2008-09-11

Thanks Guys, Dave I'll check out the tow hitch/ball locks now I know what to ask for. Wombat thanks for drawing my attention to the insurance question. I promise I won't take any prisoners. Now all I need is the trailer, a tent to put on top and I'm set to go. Jo

Joan please pay attention to the padlock that you place on the towball hitch, try to get one that covers the opening part of the lock as much as possible, try to make it as difficult as possible to get a pair of boltcutters on to the lock, a few dollars extra spent here will be the difference between an easy theft and a difficult one, the thief will always go to the easy theft, most of all dont spend all your time worrying about it take it out and enjoy the place, lots to see, as wombat says, dont buy a cheapie, check it out from the thiefs point of view, how easy is it to get off

Our van is our driveway open to all and sundry. I was worried about somebody nicking it while we were at work,found this wheel clamp on ebay for about $50

Dave, Wombat, and Gary and Kerry. This is a great help!! I can see that just a few simple but well thought through precautions will certainly lead to a more relaxed a enjoyable venture. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I'm off to research it all now. Cheers Jo

I agree with Dave - they are mostly "knocked off" at home, so on the road is not a real problem.

If you have to leave it, and are concerned, let down a tyre, and just pump it back up when its time to go. I would suggest a lump of wood under the axle so it does not rest on the ground. A pump is a wise investment anyhow, and cost the same or less than those ridicule "clamps" that you do not use.

I saw a fellow "Clamp" his trailer in a caravan park. Took him about 10 minutes to do it, but he was within 10 metres of the office. This was in the middle of no where?? - Take the boy out of the city, but cannot take the city out of the boy!

Hi Joan
We have a Cub Supermatic camper for sale, I see you hail from Toowoomba, we're only an hour or so from there.  Perhaps you'd like to contact us offline and we can send you pics.

We're selling the camper to buy a motorhome and go on the road fulltime just as soon as the house here sells.

Cheers
J & D
jmcraig@optusnet.com.au

-- Edited by Ozziebushfolk at 20:48, 2008-09-12

Bob - simple and innovative. I have always had a pump that uses the cig lighter. Very fast and easy to use. Like the idea of the tow hitch lock as well. Probably use both in some areas as Dave says - need to make it difficult for the theives. Jenny Thanks and Happy Birthday. I was looking for a used box trailer to tow my art gear with the idea of putting an Oz TentRV1 (or similar) on top when I went camping and continue to use the trailer for general purposes other times. It would be a very cheap alternative to a camper trailer. I will contact you though - I am intersted in the pics - You never know what tommorow will bring.

Opps!!! Jenny Got the date back to front. Jo