Tow hitch locks?

[crankedup]

Had a quick look around online auction site for a decent hitch lock. Most seem to cost around the 8/12 quid mark. Are these really up to the job of deterring or at least slowing for more than one minute our light fingered friends?
The next up the price bracket seems to be a 320 quid monster which includes a stabiliser.
Any recommendations / comments please.

[shovelheadrob]

They will slow down the thief by approximately 10 seconds. A shotgun will delay them indefinitely but may cause problems down the line.
Some of the quality wheel clamps are probably a better option, but unless your keeping it in a secure storage facility you won't stop them.

[crankedup]

Thanks for response, albeit a very depressing post, but no doubt reality. I will have a look at wheel clamps.

[shovelheadrob]

Yeah sorry to sound so bad but that is the reality of it, I had one stolen earlier this year & it was all on cctv, I thought the hitchlock, cctv & a remote controlled barrier was sufficient, wrong!

[crankedup]

Well at least I now know the reality, that's a good thing. Local storage comes in at £80 month, basically a modern steel barn by looks of it. No doubt some decent security functions included for that monthly rent.

[ALY77]

At £80 a month you might want to have a look at www.cassoa.co.uk

Mine is in a Gold rated (albeit outdoors) yard for £300 per annum, keep the insurance company happy and gives me as much peace of mind as I've accepted I'm ever likely to get.

[crankedup]

^^^^^^^^^
Thank you, that looks a great solution, I have a site just six or seven miles down the road! Thanks again.

[Lynch91]

Have heard of caravans being haiabed out over a 6ft wall! Need to literally chain them down or indoors!

[ALY77]

Some of the places I looked at had dug trenches around their perimeters to stop anything big getting close and to make dragging anything through a cut out fence harder!

As it is, the owner lives on site at the place I use and its flanked by trees and a railway line which helps too. I'm under no illusion though, if someone really wants to steal a van, they'll find a way!

[crankedup]

What is the deal with CRIS? Also some years back I read something about smartwater. Guess the problem is a lack of authorities available to track and test suspect caravans.

[Rosscow]

I have one of these:

http://www.towsure.com/milenco-super-heavy-duty-30...

With one of these:

http://www.towsure.com/hitchlock-security-ball

And some of these:

http://www.milenco.com/products/corner-steady-lock...

I also put my old motorcycle chain around the wheels on one side (twin axle) and take the jockey wheel out as well.

[ALY77]

crankedup said:

What is the deal with CRIS? Also some years back I read something about smartwater. Guess the problem is a lack of authorities available to track and test suspect caravans.

CRIS is ok for legitimate sellers backing up their claim of owning a 'van they are now selling.

As with cars, anything that looks like ID markings have been tampered with, walk away.
Likewise, if yours has went missing you can pretty much be certain its gone for good.

[crankedup]

Strewth! make sure my insurance is solid.
Thanks to all contributing posters.