The Caravan Owners Club

[John_C]

Anybody got any guide lines/tips about registering your van?

I have just contacted CRis (Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme) about logging my van with them. (tele 01722 411430)

They told me that most imported vans are not pre registered and that for just £34.50 they would send me a kit so that I can mark my new caravan windows etc with the vin number also electronic chips to hide in the vans construction somewhere.

Also they told me that in the event of a claim on my insurance one of the first things the insurance company would ask for is my CRis registration number....but they did not ask for it when I took out the insurance....?

[Doc]

Hi John,

Not bothered with CRIS registration or its useless tagging system.

I've posted on this to uk.rec.caravanning some years ago; do a google-search for the old postings under electronic tagging or CRIS, or doc, etc.

Why? Because the CRIS system uses rather old fashioned technology, incompatible with systems used elsewhere. The Police don't really bother with it, because their detectors (all 30!) have to get so close to the 'van to read the tags. I've been led to understand that they don't even bother to keep the readers on charge.

I use a tagging and registration system (http://www.stoptheft.co.uk) which is far more widely applicable (on the continent as well). The UK Police have well over 1000 readers, and they can read tags without going so close to the 'van. I think the insurance people, CaravanGuard use this system and maybe Barrons.

It uses a well-proven system by Trovan ( http://www.rfidnews.com/stoptheft.html), which is used in industry and the Health Service etc., to help in prevention & recovery of stolen/mislaid items.

My Hobby is fitted with 2 credit card tags and a 'pill' tag, plus numerous warning notices.

My 'van is also fitted with a large roof notice which reads:
"If NOT towed by a
... . .Silver
Skoda Octavia Estate
{Car's reg No.}
Phone POLICE"

I've just changed the car, so I went to the sign maker guy to get the ammended parts of the notice; it cost £18. Got to fit them on before I tow the 'van!!

Police have said it's a good idea. It aids recovery, but obviously is not a deterrent. Total prevention of theft is an illusory goal; if they want it they'll get it. All you can do is make it difficult to steal and add in something which will aid recovery AND conviction of the thieves.

There is a fancy recovery/anti-theft? gadget (not Tracker) ,which uses a GSM phone and GPS location technology, and 'phones you up if your 'van moves beyond about 5m from a specified static location. I've been told you can even get software, to see, on an on-screen map, where the 'van is!!! A friend is trying to find out where you can get it and, importantly, how much it costs! The advantage over Tracker is that there is no annual charge; just a one-off purchase price.

Cheers, Doc.

[John_C]

Hi Doc...once more you come up with a mound of info...I am looking into all of it, most of which I was not even aware of...give me a little time and I will make further post on this subject.

Thanks a mega

[apg]

I have not bothered previously but my insurers for my last van-they do not "do" Hobby!-put details of the Trovan system in with the renewal notice and I bought it for the new van.I have had a wheelclamp attacked so thought this may help,if only to make them go elsewhere.

[John_C]

Hi...as promised a follow-up on this subject.

Having shopped around we have decided to go for the Trovan system.

The thing that convinced us most was the response from the police, they told us that not only are there well over 4000 detector guns now, distributed within the UK but that many other organisations and companies are also using them too. Plus some caravan manufactures have been fitting this system since 2002.

The police can scan a van when they pull it over for a road side check or on a site where they suspect it could be a stolen van...some stolen vans have already been recovered this way.

I have asked about the possibility of a crook obtaining a detector, finding the tag and removing it. Trovan said the detector would not locate the device precisely and even if it did there are more than one to find. Since each hiding place is a choice of your own and it could be dropped inside a cavity anywhere in such a way as to mean removal would result in extensive disruption to the structure of the van. They claim the tag can even be read through a metal surface.

On top of all this the kit comes with about 1000 micro dots that can be affixed to not only the van but every thing in it.

Warning signs should have the effect of making the crock think twice..if he's got half a brain!

Still think our dog is the best alarm and deterrent...he's not out of a job yet! He looks a bit like this a mean little devil!