Can anyone beat this? Brand new van, parked outside my home at 1630, last seen by me at 2200, gone next morning by 0830. Fortunately, it was located about 200 metres from home, with draw bar/tow hitch lock still in place. Attempted theft or prank - who knows? Naturally, I wanted better security so I tried a local supplier for a good quality wheel clamp. They had one around $90. "Don't waste your money," was the reply, and this was from the bloke who sells them. "Go to a motor cycle shop and buy a good quality motor cycle lock and chain which is about 1m long and put it through the wheel spokes (tandem axle van) and around the suspension." I took his advice and $200 later I chained my van. It fitted perfectly This type of lock is the same as used by the environmentalists to chain themselves to bulldozers in the forests during logging demonstrations. Bolt cutters and hydraulic shears don't make a dent. No, I wasn't a demonstrator but I was in an occupation whose job it was to cut these people free. It wasn't easy. Special shears had to be imported. By the way, I had fully insured the van before I went to bed. Don't ever think it can't happen to you.
brickies said
10:17 PM Dec 28, 2008
Great story i think you should kept watching australia funniest vidios just in case someone setting you up , or the caravan wanted to show it off to the rest of the street . good idea to chain it to the suspension has well has the wheels has a mate of mine year ago chained his motor bike to a light post by the front wheel and when he came back the front wheel was still there but the rest of the bike was gone
dave06 said
11:02 PM Dec 28, 2008
impatient caravans are everywhere, I suggest you take it out quick smart or it may venture out by itself forever, they are designed to travel and they know it
Wombat 280 said
08:56 AM Dec 29, 2008
brickies wrote:
Great story i think you should kept watching australia funniest vidios just in case someone setting you up , or the caravan wanted to show it off to the rest of the street . good idea to chain it to the suspension has well has the wheels has a mate of mine year ago chained his motor bike to a light post by the front wheel and when he came back the front wheel was still there but the rest of the bike was gone
So they have move from boats to caravans . Boats are always a prime target, left my trailer at a public ramp in Sydney some years back chained, clamped the whole lot only to come back to find both wheels with clamp and chain in place in the carpark . The low life just fitted his own wheels and drove off . At home I have security lighting and a motion detector camera so at least I can get a clear picture of them driving off , nothing will deter those prepared to take it, "Who Dares Wins" , I believe it goes
dave06 said
10:45 AM Dec 29, 2008
I would suggest that at this time of year it was pranksters just out for a laugh!! whack that cable on it and dont worry too much, probably never happen again
Cupie said
03:07 PM Dec 29, 2008
Hi ..
U R Lucky to get the van back.
I have heard of thieves using the safety chains to tow a van with a lock on the ball. I loop the chains thru the locking device on mine.
Fortunately, it was located about 200 metres from home, with draw bar/tow hitch lock still in place. Attempted theft or prank - who knows?
Naturally, I wanted better security so I tried a local supplier for a good quality wheel clamp. They had one around $90. "Don't waste your money," was the reply, and this was from the bloke who sells them. "Go to a motor cycle shop and buy a good quality motor cycle lock and chain which is about 1m long and put it through the wheel spokes (tandem axle van) and around the suspension."
I took his advice and $200 later I chained my van. It fitted perfectly This type of lock is the same as used by the environmentalists to chain themselves to bulldozers in the forests during logging demonstrations. Bolt cutters and hydraulic shears don't make a dent. No, I wasn't a demonstrator but I was in an occupation whose job it was to cut these people free. It wasn't easy. Special shears had to be imported.
By the way, I had fully insured the van before I went to bed. Don't ever think it can't happen to you.
U R Lucky to get the van back.
I have heard of thieves using the safety chains to tow a van with a lock on the ball. I loop the chains thru the locking device on mine.