The Caravan Owners Club

[keith]

This morning sometime between 09.00 and 11.30 some thieving scroat tried to steal our Hobby 450UF but FAILED this was not due to the Bulldog Titan Wheelclamp which was removed without causing damage to the van . They took that with them probably for the scrap value (it weighed enough). What saved our pride and joy was the Winterhof Plus hitchlock, the hardened version that I purchased in Germany in July. They tried and failed to prise it off, it is severely damaged but still in place. Also I threw away the plastic ball they give you to put in the hitch as they are easily drilled out to enable the scroats to hitch on to a small tow ball without removing the hitchlock. I bought a tow ball and cut the ball off to insert into the hitch you would need a bl**dy good drill to get that out During the course of the day from my office window I have seen 3 new Hobbies go past being towed by classic lowlife types in 4x4's yesterday one went past behind a ford transit. Could be Hobby stealing season in the south so BE AWARE. The cold weather is on the way and they have to live in something make sure it isn't YOUR HOBBY. We are leaving in the morning for a week away culminating at the Hobby Rally LoL.

[jeepstar]

the other day whilst driving my hgv near birmingham a black transit overtook in heavy traffic with a twin axle avondale in tow , as he went passed i noticed the hitchlok still attached !!! i then rang the police ! what happened next i dont know as the police dont update the caller. shame really did they actually bother to stop it i wonder.

[Eric G]

I don't have a hitch lock... but isn't it possible to attach one after the van is hitched to the tow car? Makes sense since someone can take an unlocked hitch off a car and then attach it to their own.

the other day whilst driving my hgv near birmingham a black transit overtook in heavy traffic with a twin axle avondale in tow , as he went passed i noticed the hitchlok still attached !!! i then rang the police ! what happened next i dont know as the police dont update the caller. shame really did they actually bother to stop it i wonder.

[Ladyjan]

Hi Keith

Glad those scroats were foiled

See you next weekend....

Jan & Eug

[jeepstar]

You are correct Eric there are certain types of hitchlocks that can do this winterhoff included, But the one i spotted certainly was not . with all the caravan thefts going on , i will ring the police every time i see anything remotely suspicious with any caravan outfit.

And if we all keep a good eye out maybe we could reduce the occurance of the these thefts.

[MarkH]

Keith where can I get the Winterhof Plus Hitchlock in the U/K

[Doc]

Blimey Keith, glad the Robstop, and your excellent idea of a steel ball instead of plastic foiled the freckle-faced barstewards.

The Robstop (old horse-shoe type) foiled the theft of my 450, but they broke the hitch handle, so I got a new style Winterhoff hitch on the insurance.

They had also tried to jemmy off the SAS wheel clamp but failed; don't know whether they were disturbed or it resisted their attack.

I've since added 'leg' locks and a 'Doc' tilt alarm system with separate 7Ahr gel battery secreted on the chassis under the 'van!! They can cut every wire in the 'van and it won't switch off!

And I tow, in the UK, with the Hitchlock ON.

See you in sunny (I hope) Derbyshire!

[beejay]

Hi
Before you buy the Robstop make sure it IS the WS 3000 PLUS version. Some boxes I have seen here and in Germany contain the smaller version but the price is for the plus version. Measure the locking shaft, it should be 19mm diameter. You might consider the Stronghold hitchlock. This very similar to the Robstop but has a much heavier shaft and appears much stronger. Check their website www.stronghold-security.com. Both are difficult to find in caravan shops mainly because U.K. vans with Winterhoff hitches come with a Robstop as standard therefore there is no need for those dealers to hold stocks. Stronghold will advise you of local agents but they don't appear to know if they hold any stock. Out of 6 given to me none had even heard of the Winterhoff lock. As it turned out, my nearest caravan dealer, but not on the list, actually some in stock.

[n1cktd5]

Where mine is stored I have two loops concreted in the ground under the van. When I reverse in they line up with the axle. I then have a motorbike 2" think wire lock that loops through them and on to each axle (this will change when my 540 arrives as only one axle). This plus wheel clamp, leg locksm hitchlock, tilt alarm, IDM3, locked gates x2, irrate farmer with rock salt loaded shotgun should keep me covered.

Nick

[Doc]

Hi
. . . . You might consider the Stronghold hitchlock. This very similar to the Robstop but has a much heavier shaft and appears much stronger. Check their website www.stronghold-security.com. . . . . .

I agree with beejay about the Stronghold hitchlock. It looked an exceedingly well thought out, and strong device.

At the NEC Caravan show I had quite a chat with their chief guy and he explained the rationale about the security built in to his devices. I was impressed by the hitchlock and meant to go back to buy one after going to the Pyramid Sales stand to look at the Robstop. But I forgot, and only bought the leg locks!!

[jeepstar]

My last van had an idm 3 alarm . leg locks. wheel clamp. bulldog hitch lock and the scroats/barstewards still stole it there was sign that the van was ever there!!!!!.

The best bit was when the insurance guy asked how did i think they stole it ? i said if i knew the anwser to that maybe another type of security device could have bin used to foil them namely a bloody big hungry rottweiller.(as far as im concerned nothing is too good for these "people"???.

Its not nice having to start over again when you have lost everything.
and i feel for those in that position.

[keith]

Keith where can I get the Winterhof Plus Hitchlock in the U/K

Mark bought my Robstop from Germany, I am going to my local Caravan dealer today to see if I can get a replacement here, will let you know.

[MarkH]

Keith is this the robstop plus 19mm if so mine is coming with the new caravan, thks for the info.
Has anybody used the new milenco mega wheelclamp a bit expensive at £180
http://www.milenco.com/wheelclamps.html available in essex at East Coast Leisure.

[keith]

Keith is this the robstop plus 19mm if so mine is coming with the new caravan, thks for the info.
Has anybody used the new milenco mega wheelclamp a bit expensive at £180
http://www.milenco.com/wheelclamps.html available in essex at East Coast Leisure.

Mark it is the 19 mm PLUS and apparently (according to my local dealer ) not available in this country.

[beejay]

Hi
I think you will find that all WS 3000 plus Robstops supplied through BPW U.K. are now 19mm. If you ring BPW on 0116 2816100 they will update you.
The problem is with old stock not supplied through BPW (the official U.K. importer). and "grey" imports. Towsure were selling boxed Robstops marked 19 (the old style reference) but with 15 mm versions inside which accounts for the £62 price! Their Sheffield branch had run out of stock last week when I was there, don't know about their other two branches. My local Dealer has had 19mm Robstop WS 3000 plus but is currently awaiting new stock. I have had e-mail correspondence with Winterhoff about this problem but they don't seem to understand what I am trying to query. Even Hobbyland Hexel in Dortmund had Plus boxes with 15mm versions inside.