Anyoned recommend a caravan alarm system?

CaptLimey · 09-11-2009, 21:59

I'm researching a 'reasonably priced' caravan alarm that has a tilt sensor, intruder sensor, possibly a de-couple/couple-up anti-theft capability and is armed/disarmed by a remote key (not a key pad).

I'm not seeking one that is tracker compatible, nor one that has a GSM phone capability, although both would be a possible advantage, IF they don't pump the price up.

Has anyone experience of such a beast? There are plenty on the market and I'm looking for a personal recommendation from someone who has used one 'in anger'.

Rgds CL

makeitfit · 09-11-2009, 23:10

Caravan alarms obviously dont work as I see the things all over the place

BigBlack · 09-11-2009, 23:19

Ive got one on mine with a tilt sensor, rear leg sensor, hitch sensor and internal PIR. Not sure of the make or model (it came with the 'van) and its on a key pad.

In all honesty though I would not get one with a tilt sensor... absolute pain in the arse when its stored and gets a gust of wind hitting it! Dont know if they are adjustable to be less sensative either! To be honest I dont bother setting mine (dont tell my insurance company)

tezzer · 09-11-2009, 23:23

i was informed by my caravan insurers that they only except makers fitted alarms, so i would'nt bother spending to much untill you check with your insurers

Adz · 09-11-2009, 23:25

Who'd wanna nick a caravan

Blow em up Top Gear style instead

Ramtech do them i think

they do a decent 1 for statics

CaptLimey · 10-11-2009, 09:45

Thanks for the info guys, especially Big Black re sensitivity of tilt alarms - good advice - I'll look into the options. Anyone else with experience/info on a good system?
Rgds CL.

zippy656 · 10-11-2009, 10:33

we have ours at home, wheel and hitch lock. also locked onto a buldog post set into the drive way.

BigBlack · 10-11-2009, 17:19

CaptLimey,

Try on here UKcampsite Web Site
Just looked in the message forums under caravans, searched alarms, and got 57 different threads come up.
Might be something of interest in there to you.

CaptLimey · 10-11-2009, 20:05

Thanks Big Black - visited the link you kindly provided - I now have data overload!! There are so many conflicting makes/specifications/costs/opinions, that I'm a little confused as to what to get. I'll have to refine my priorities and re-visit what is available. Thanks for your input.
Rgds CL

wildbri · 10-11-2009, 21:51

Hi capt'n, just let Oscar use the caravan as kennel....... when he is fully grown he will see off any thieving buggers, regards bri

CaptLimey · 16-11-2009, 20:42

Hi Bri

Oscar's getting' pretty big since you last saw him and his 'dark brown' bark is enough to frighten me, if I didn't know what a softee he is for a snack!

Re the caravan and stuff, I'm going to upgrade the tow electrics to 13 pin to provide power to the fridge and charge the 'van battery. Where did you connect your split charge relay to, at the battery or at another point close by?

Rgds 2 u both CL

zippy · 16-11-2009, 21:41

hi there

Autowatch 650 caravan alarms tick most of your boxes. They can be retrofitted and are available from good caravan dealers. Google them for prices before you go down to the dealer. From memory they are not that expensive but the dealers try to make them so!!!!

wildbri · 16-11-2009, 23:45

I put the relay beside the battery, so just a short lead with an in line fuse, in one of the pics i sent you, regards bri

TONUP · 17-11-2009, 12:44

When on the drive at home I have the following security items...

- Hitched to a locked bulldog post locked to the ground
- Alko hitchlock
- Rear steady locks
- Alko wheel lock
- Pyramid Wheel clamp on the other side
- A chain through the axle into the ground (made for motorbikes)
- And one of these locked on under the hitch... http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...&ModelID=24387

I also park my car right next to the van so that you can't get to the clamp and lock my garden gates.

My insurers didn't insist on a factory fitted alarm, but just one of those £14.99 PIR jobs from Argos. (Weird huh!!)

I figure that it takes me 30 minutes to unlock it with the keys, so without them they would have to make a bit of noise and take longer, which I hope would get them noticed or I would hear them... fingers crossed!

A policeman told me this is what they call target hardening i.e. they will pinch someone elses without so many devices on, but who knows for sure.

Regards

Alan

CaptLimey · 17-11-2009, 20:31

Hi Guys and thanks for the come backs.

Zippy - yes I'm in negotiations with Autowatch re buying one direct, thanks.

Bri - got the pics, thanks, but where did you make the connection for your live feed to the relay? Direct to the battery post or a bus somewhere? (Photos were OK but the schematic didn't come out too sharp).

Ton Up - that's what I call belt and braces!! And yes target hardening is the phrase 'in the trade'. For a really secure long term storage I'm going to take off both wheels and the tow hitch. Not too many tea leaves will carry those spares when they go on a caravan thieving jaunt.

Rgds to all CL

09-11-2009, 21:59	#1
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	Anyoned recommend a caravan alarm system? I'm researching a 'reasonably priced' caravan alarm that has a tilt sensor, intruder sensor, possibly a de-couple/couple-up anti-theft capability and is armed/disarmed by a remote key (not a key pad). I'm not seeking one that is tracker compatible, nor one that has a GSM phone capability, although both would be a possible advantage, IF they don't pump the price up. Has anyone experience of such a beast? There are plenty on the market and I'm looking for a personal recommendation from someone who has used one 'in anger'. Rgds CL

09-11-2009, 23:10	#2
makeitfit Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on the beach WEST WALES Vehicle: Maverick TDi BLACK mmm Posts: 15,136	Caravan alarms obviously dont work as I see the things all over the place

09-11-2009, 23:19	#3
BigBlack Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Vehicle: 2005 Terrano II 2.7tdi SE Posts: 568	Ive got one on mine with a tilt sensor, rear leg sensor, hitch sensor and internal PIR. Not sure of the make or model (it came with the 'van) and its on a key pad. In all honesty though I would not get one with a tilt sensor... absolute pain in the arse when its stored and gets a gust of wind hitting it! Dont know if they are adjustable to be less sensative either! To be honest I dont bother setting mine (dont tell my insurance company)

09-11-2009, 23:23	#4
tezzer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: basildon essex Vehicle: transit camper van 1987 Posts: 2,829	i was informed by my caravan insurers that they only except makers fitted alarms, so i would'nt bother spending to much untill you check with your insurers

09-11-2009, 23:25	#5
Adz Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Roaming Nomad Vehicle: 1995 SWB Terrano Posts: 5,370	Who'd wanna nick a caravan Blow em up Top Gear style instead Ramtech do them i think they do a decent 1 for statics

10-11-2009, 09:45	#6
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	Thanks for the info guys, especially Big Black re sensitivity of tilt alarms - good advice - I'll look into the options. Anyone else with experience/info on a good system? Rgds CL.

10-11-2009, 10:33	#7
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,137	we have ours at home, wheel and hitch lock. also locked onto a buldog post set into the drive way.

10-11-2009, 17:19	#8
BigBlack Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Vehicle: 2005 Terrano II 2.7tdi SE Posts: 568	CaptLimey, Try on here UKcampsite Web Site Just looked in the message forums under caravans, searched alarms, and got 57 different threads come up. Might be something of interest in there to you.

10-11-2009, 20:05	#9
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	Thanks Big Black - visited the link you kindly provided - I now have data overload!! There are so many conflicting makes/specifications/costs/opinions, that I'm a little confused as to what to get. I'll have to refine my priorities and re-visit what is available. Thanks for your input. Rgds CL

10-11-2009, 21:51	#10
wildbri Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: south lakeland Vehicle: terrano 1997 tdi Posts: 940	Hi capt'n, just let Oscar use the caravan as kennel....... when he is fully grown he will see off any thieving buggers, regards bri

16-11-2009, 20:42	#11
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	Hi Bri Oscar's getting' pretty big since you last saw him and his 'dark brown' bark is enough to frighten me, if I didn't know what a softee he is for a snack! Re the caravan and stuff, I'm going to upgrade the tow electrics to 13 pin to provide power to the fridge and charge the 'van battery. Where did you connect your split charge relay to, at the battery or at another point close by? Rgds 2 u both CL

16-11-2009, 21:41	#12
zippy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NI Vehicle: 01 terrano 2.7 lwb Posts: 210	hi there Autowatch 650 caravan alarms tick most of your boxes. They can be retrofitted and are available from good caravan dealers. Google them for prices before you go down to the dealer. From memory they are not that expensive but the dealers try to make them so!!!!

16-11-2009, 23:45	#13
wildbri Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: south lakeland Vehicle: terrano 1997 tdi Posts: 940	I put the relay beside the battery, so just a short lead with an in line fuse, in one of the pics i sent you, regards bri

17-11-2009, 12:44	#14
TONUP Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: England Posts: 755	When on the drive at home I have the following security items... - Hitched to a locked bulldog post locked to the ground - Alko hitchlock - Rear steady locks - Alko wheel lock - Pyramid Wheel clamp on the other side - A chain through the axle into the ground (made for motorbikes) - And one of these locked on under the hitch... http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...&ModelID=24387 I also park my car right next to the van so that you can't get to the clamp and lock my garden gates. My insurers didn't insist on a factory fitted alarm, but just one of those £14.99 PIR jobs from Argos. (Weird huh!!) I figure that it takes me 30 minutes to unlock it with the keys, so without them they would have to make a bit of noise and take longer, which I hope would get them noticed or I would hear them... fingers crossed! A policeman told me this is what they call target hardening i.e. they will pinch someone elses without so many devices on, but who knows for sure. Regards Alan

17-11-2009, 20:31	#15
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	Hi Guys and thanks for the come backs. Zippy - yes I'm in negotiations with Autowatch re buying one direct, thanks. Bri - got the pics, thanks, but where did you make the connection for your live feed to the relay? Direct to the battery post or a bus somewhere? (Photos were OK but the schematic didn't come out too sharp). Ton Up - that's what I call belt and braces!! And yes target hardening is the phrase 'in the trade'. For a really secure long term storage I'm going to take off both wheels and the tow hitch. Not too many tea leaves will carry those spares when they go on a caravan thieving jaunt. Rgds to all CL