How to buy the best in security for your caravan or trailer

There’s no better way to experience everything this land has to offer than by hitching up a caravan or trailer and setting out by road to see it all up close and personal. Australia’s unique sights and sounds are waiting for you to discover them right now! Whether you wish to take the grand Eyre Highway alongside the Great Australian Bite or drive via Central Arnham Road through the Northern Territory, taking a trailer for the ride is one of the best ways to do it.

But before you hitch up the trailer, turn on the ignition and chase the horizon down the endless highway, you need to make sure that you have safety front of mind at all times. We’ve all heard about ensuring you have plenty of water, fuel and a freshly stocked first aid kit, but what about your caravan? It’s vital that your home on the road remain secure and theft-free so that you can enjoy your adventure with peace of mind. That’s why we’ve compiled this ultimate guide to trailer and caravan security. Here’s what you need to know:

Caravan Door Locks

Given the limitations of weight and the need for flexibility to handle the rigours of driving in all kinds of weather and road conditions, it’s simple to see why the typical caravan door is significantly more vulnerable than the door to your home. While nobody is taking the family silverware out on the road with them, that doesn’t mean that you won’t have items of value and precious human (or animal) cargo that you wish to protect. Further note: weight restrictions can vary between states, so you will need to do the research before you leave to make sure you comply.

Reinforcing the entrance with a high-quality caravan door lock is a simple, yet effective way to ward off any attempted break-in. The Whitco Caravan Door Lock is a fantastic option here. Like all Whitco products, it is tough, durable and dependable. Suitable for both left and right opening doors, it is simple to install and is key lockable from both inside and outside the caravan. Another well known and trusted brand in caravan security is Camec. They have come up with a world first keyless entry system specially designed for families and adventurers. It is the Camec Keyless Entry. Although it can't be operated through a smartphone, it can be accessed with either a waterproof key fob or wristband. This is perfect as it means you no longer have to worry about who has the key to the caravan or worse, come to the realisation that you left them behind 100km ago...

Floor Anchors for Caravans and Trailers

It’s all well and good to ensure that your caravan is safe and secure when you’re on the road, however, none of that is much help if you don’t get it out of the driveway in the first place. Except for those few people that choose a life on the road, for most of us, our caravans are going to spend the vast majority of time cooling their wheels at home. The simplest, cheapest and most effective way to avoid having your pride and joy snatched is with a sturdy floor anchor. A good floor anchor will be tough enough to keep your caravan or trailer firmly leashed to the ground while sufficiently discrete to ensure that you can drive over it without damaging your tires or suspension. In this regard, our Abus Floor Anchor is a beast. It’s an absolute cinch to install, is highly weather-resistant so you can use it indoors or out, and boasts a formidable 16mm hardened steel shackle that takes no nonsense from anyone. Once installed, firmly secure your caravan to this bad boy with a heavy chain and padlock and nobody will be messing with you any time soon.

Alternatively, the Xtratec Anchor has the distinct advantage of lying flat when not in use. Nevertheless, its zinc-treated steel construction means that it provides all the security you need. As with any floor mount, you’ll need a thick and heavy chain and weatherproof padlock to go with it. Spending a couple of hundred dollars on these are a small price to pay for the assurance that comes from knowing that your precious $30,000 (or more!) caravan is safe and well guarded.

Coupling and Hitch Locks for Caravans

The location at which your caravan connects with your vehicle is another vulnerable point that requires additional attention. This is where the Kovix KVH-96 Alarmed Trailer Lock comes in. As the name suggests it comes with an ear-splitting 120db alarm. This alarm is set off when anyone attempts to tamper with the lock. The Kovix Alarmed Trailer Lock can be secured over the hitch connecting the trailer and the car or used solely on the trailer if you wish to park it on its own. But what about if you are wanting to take the trailer out on the road to your next destination? Wouldn’t this cause the alarm to constantly ring out? Well, the good news is that you can choose to activate or disengage the alarm with its key, depending on what you wish to do. Made from 304 stainless steel, you know it's made for the harsh Australian environment and can handle anything that gets thrown at it.

That’s all well and good for when you have the caravan or trailer attached to the vehicle. What about those times when you leave it at the caravan park and head off to explore with just your car? Well, if they can’t couple your caravan to their car, they can’t steal it. If you are looking for a less conspicuous look, then another great option is the Trailer Cop Coupling Lock. This is an ingeniously simple product that will prevent anyone from towing your baby away while you’re off soaking up the sights.

Caravan GPS Tracker

Irrespective of what precautions we take, there is always a chance that something can go wrong. Whether the devious crook has outsmarted all your safety precautions, or despite your best efforts you’ve managed to get yourself stranded in the geographical centre of nowhere; you need a plan B that can either help you locate your caravan, or help others find you in an emergency. In our opinion, that plan B has got to be the outstanding RhinoCo Technology 3G GPS Vehicle Tracker. This amazing system really does have it all. As the name suggests, the unit utilises the 3G network but can also run on 2G as a backup if required. It is compatible with a broad range of vehicles with the ability to operate on anywhere from 11V to 36V DC, and at only 190g and 10.5cm x 6.5cm x 2.6cm in dimensions, is small and light enough to be fit snugly into even the smallest spaces.

Don’t let the diminutive size fool you, however; this device is as tough as they come. Encased in hardened aluminium, the internal components are exceptionally well protected from the elements and extreme heat. The system is fitted with an SOS button that can alert designated contacts or relevant authorities that you’re in a bind and communicate your exact location accurate to within 10m. In an environment as harsh and desolate as much of Australia, this feature can literally save your life.

Other Caravan Security Tips

Now that you’re pretty much sorted with all the essential security gear, there are numerous boxes that you need to tick to enjoy safe and trouble-free travels. Here are a few of them: