Caravan Security Devices - Hitchlocks Reviewed

After my last post about caravan security it got me thinking about what was readily available and what different types there are.

I've just looked at physical security, you know something that you bolt on to your hitch or wheel to act as a deterrent 


So with that in mind lets look at hitch lock type security.


Sunncamp Trail Safe - Trailer/Caravan Hitchlock


The cheapest I came across was this one: SunnCamp Trail Safe - Trailer/Caravan Hitchlock bright yellow, a visible deterrent, with a metal shroud, a padlock and two keys. For the price its a cheap option, coming in at under £12.00

Personally I think these are perfect for your small car trailers, especially at that price!

Nimbus Heavy Duty Trailer Caravan Hitchlock

The next type actually clamps into your coupling with a bar looping over the top of the hitch handle, like this one: Heavy Duty Trailer Caravan Hitchlock

Again, a cheap solution with no padlock to fail so may be better. This one costs under £15.00

Milenco Super Heavy D Sold Secure AKS3004 Hitch Lock

The next one looks a little more like it should do, Sold Secure which is good and of a heavy looking construction being drill and cutter resistant. It can be fitted either hitched up or unhitched which is a good idea, especially when touring and stopping off at service stations. The  Milenco Super Heavy D Sold Secure AKS3004 Hitch Lock is priced just under £55.00 a bit of a jump from the last two but in my opinion a better buy for your pride and joy. Milenco also do a version for a Winterhoff hitch as well.

1285810 - AL-KO 2004/3004 Safety Device

The best and most expensive one is the AL-KO as you would probably expect if you have an AL-KO coupling its probably best to fit a lock made by the same company. It can be fitted either when hitched up or unhitched. I really like the idea of having it hitched on, on our travels last year to South Wales I didn't much like the idea of leaving the caravan whilst we went and had a cuppa. This would of put my mind at rest. The AL-KO 2004/3004 Safety Device is certainly not the cheapest at just under £80.00 but we all know how good the AL-KO stabaliser is, so I reckon this should do the job perfectly.

There are many other different types available, but I've just picked out a few which 

I would seriously consider.

I've given rough prices, as with everything these days, they can go up and they can go down, so please check. If you click on the links for each product you will get far more information and an up to date price.

I'll do a similar report on wheel clamps later.........

Security On Site?

I've got to be totally honest, we do not take security on site seriously at all!


Ever since I first researched living in a caravan full time I have been following a blog of George who with his RV lives full time on the South Western side of the USA. His name is George and you can find his blog HERE. An interesting chap who documents his life in a similar fashion to us.


Recently though, and this is all within the space of a couple of days, his RV or motor home has been broken into, both times whilst he has been in it!


It got me thinking about the security that we take here, and how lucky we are!


We have only stayed on one site where we felt uncomfortable, and we didn't stay there long, the rest of the places we have always felt very secure.


Where we are at the moment, we are very lucky that it is tucked right out of the way,  with no passing traffic, as we are almost 1/4 mile off a B road down a track!


So what security do we take. Well our caravan is alarmed, it has the standard door lock plus an after fit secure lock as well. It wouldn't stop anyone from getting into the awning though.


You hear of caravans being stolen, it happens on a regular basis, but I've never heard of one being stolen off of a site whilst it is being used. Has anyone else?


We tend to keep the blinds down when we go out, so if anyone does snoop around they cant see anything.


But, lets be honest, its probably harder to open a tin of beans than to break into a caravan!


So what could manufacturers do to make it harder?


I would personally like to see doors which lock at the top and bottom like your normal uPVC doors. As a caravan door is very flimsy and wouldn't take much of a yank to lever open.


So has anyone else got any bright ideas, please share as a couple of manufacturers do read this blog so you never know, your idea may be incorporated into 2013 designs!


Till later................

Survived The Storm With No Damage

The wind really picked up here in East Dorset last night, you could hear the wind building up and roaring as it came through the tree's!

Thankfully we took no damage to the caravan or the awning, but the ground is like porridge!


With further storms predicted for later on in the week I just hope the ground will dry out enough to hold the pegs..


We have three storm straps on our awning, one each end and a centre strap to the apex of the awning using a ratchet strap and dog spike.


I was a little reluctant to go to bed last night, I had my wellies and barbour at the door ready to jump into if the awning did collapse.


Today, we have had a mixture of showers and sunshine, and at 2317 its getting chilly but not freezing.


I've been doing some research on the Landrover, and I have to replace the whole master/slave cylinder and pipe work as it is a sealed system. So not sure when that will be done as every penny is allocated at the minute!


I hate being skint!


At least there is light at the end of the tunnel, we just have to scrape by till then!


I'm not a great lover of Christmas at the best of times, I've worked many a Christmas day whilst I was in the Army, I would volunteer for it so I could be sure of getting New Year's Eve off. But being short on money sure does make life difficult.


Mind you, we could be stressing over how we would keep a roof over our heads if we still lived in a house. So I cant complain really. In fact I feel sorry for those who are struggling to hold everything together, it cant be easy at all especially if you have young kids.


So be thankful for what you have got, I will wake up tomorrow, to open fields, and little noise other than the wind/rain and possibly a bird tweeting  which when all things considered isn't too bad is it?


Till later.............

Portable Caravan Twin Tub Washing Machine

We have often been asked how we get on with doing our washing whilst full timing.


There are a number of options open to us:


1. Use a launderette
2. Where clothes once then discard
3. Where clothes and don't discard!
4. Buy a portable washing machine.


We have used option 1 and 4, these we consider to be the best, but each to their own!


Anyway, the washing machine we bought just over a year ago is a Portable Twin Tub type.


We have found that it works extremely well, and great for doing all items, obviously you cant do a duvet cover in it, but I have managed to wash one of my fleece's which is a good size!


To be honest it actually washes better than the launderette! The spinner on it is wicked!


Whilst surfing around I came across the same one as we have, and at such a good price. I thought I would point you in the direction.

Caravan Twin Tub Washing Machine That's the link and its up for £65.99 we paid over £80 for ours so get it whilst you can!


Till later..............

Dorset Review

Being a Dorset lad, I was born in Shaftesbury, steeped in history and famous for many things but recognisable from the Hovis advert on TV of the boy riding down the cobbled hill on his bike.


One thing is for sure, after having attempted that very same journey, you need to gave a good set of brakes  on your bike as at the bottom of the hill is a "T" junction and opposite is a brick wall!

I can also tell you that the walk down is easy, but after a few pints in the pub at the bottom "Ye Olde Two Brewers" its a struggle to get back up to the top. Oxygen being required upon reaching the summit! and on a number of occasions a taxi has been required!


So being a Dorset lad I set up a Twitter Account "Twitter - Dorset Review"  and another website where I promote mainly books related to this fabulous County of Dorset "Dorset Review"

Hope you get chance to take a look!


Till later.................

Top Selling Items This Christmas? Stuck For Ideas?

If your anything like me and refuse to confirm to trends and fashions then this next post may be a bit of an eye opener for you!


According to Amazon, these are the things that are selling the best - I've put them into categories so that you can go straight to the section that interests you the most, but feel free to enlighten yourself in areas where you would normally be afraid to go (such as baby department)!


So just in case you are stuck for idea's these suggestions just may save you from any last minute shopping you may need to do!


 Baby: 


1. Tomy Octopals Bath Toy
2. One Individual Nano Hexbug Robot With Online Code
3. Lamaze Play And Grow Sir Prance-a-lot
4. Lamaze Freddie The Firefly
5. Tomy Hide "N" Squeak Eggs

Beauty


1. Bomb Cosmetics Luxury Ballotin Assortment Bath Gift Set
2. Bomb Cosmetics Sweet Heart Gift Set
3. Bio-Oil Specialist Skincare Oil - 200ml
4. Burt's Bees Head To Toe Starter Kit
5. Armani Code Cologne For Men By Giorgio Armani


Books


1. The Dogs Of Rome: An Alec Blume Novel Kindle Edition
2. Frozen Planet
3. River Cottage Veg Every Day by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
4. Jamie's Great Britain by Jamie Oliver
5. Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography


Car And Motorcycle


1. AA Emergency Snow Shovel
2. RAC600 12v Digital Air Compressor Inc Storage Bag
3. Bulldog Snow Shovel
4. Draper Folding Steel Boot Shovel
5. Car Windscreen Frost Cover


What is with the obsession with shovels?

Clothing


1. Hunter Fleece Welly Socks By Hunter
2. Etouch touchscreen Gloves for iPhone iPad Blackberry etc
3. Slanket - Fleece type climb in blank thingamybob!
4. Yaktrax Pro Traction Device
5. Hunter Unisex Original Gloss Wellies

DIY And Tools


1. Rolson 3 Piece LED Torch Set With Batteries
2. Huntsman Swiss Army Pocket Tool By Victorinox
3. Bosch PSR 18 Volt Drill Driver 2 x Nicad Batteries
4. Pathfinder 21 LED Headlamp Torch I use one of these and its great!
5. 24 LED Magnetic Lamp With Hook Also have one of these and again brilliant!


DVD's


1. The Inbetweeners Move DVD
2. Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 DVD
3. Harry Potter - The Complete 8 Film Collection DVD
4. The Hangover Part II DVD
5. Frozen Planet - The Complete Series DVD

Electronics


1. Kindle Wi-Fi 6" E Ink Display
2. Kindle Keyboard 3G Free 3G + Wi-Fi 3G Works Globally 6" E Ink Display
3. Kindle UK Type G Power Adapter
4. Wired -up v1.3A HDMI To HDMI Gold Plated Connectors 1.8m Cable
5. SanDisk 4GB SDHC Secure Digital Card

Home And Garden


1. Mighty Bright Miniflex Clip-On Reading Light For Kindle
2. Philips Imageo LED Rechargeable Candle Lights
3. Funky Veg Kit By Planet Theatre
4. PT Photo Frame Clock Family Time Brushed Aluminium Silver
5. Brita Maxtra Water Filter Cartridge 4 pack

Jewellery


1. Silver-Tone Beaded Multistrand Flex Bracelet (Purple) by Avalaya
2. Silver Ladies Abalone Dopper Earrings
3. UK Ring Sizer /Measure For Women Sizes A-Z
4. Silver Swarovski Crystal Earrings
5. Ladies Silver Open Twisted Drop Earrings With Hanging Pink Quartz Stone

Music


1. Christmas By Michael Buble
2. Wherever You Are By Military Wives
3. Now That's What I Call Music! 80 By Various Artists
4. Lioness: Hidden Treasures By Amy Winehouse
5. 21 By Adele

Sports And Leisure


1. Zumba Fitness DVD Exercise Kit Includes Toning Sticks Ive got this (only joking)!
2. Powerball Neon White Pro Signature
3. Zippo Handwarmer - High Polished Chrome
4. Winterwise 10-stud Ice Traction Universal Slip On Snow Ice Spikes
5. York Cast Iron Kit In A Case 20Kg

Pet Supplies


1. SnuggelSafe Microwave Wireless Heatpad With Fleece Cover
2. Bee Hotel And Flower Seeds for Bees
3. Christmas Dog Stocking
4. Copper Finish Illuminating Solar Powered Bird Feeder
5. Garden Bird Feeding Feeder Station/Feed/Water Table

Well I don't know about you but I'm shopped out! Hope all of that helps, personally I'm none the wiser, so with time running out, back to surf around a bit more!


Till later..............

Sunday Evening, Beef Stew In The Slow Cooker - All Is Quiet!

Today being Sunday we had a lie in, which is unusual for us, when I say lie in, it was till just after 9am.


I woke with a banging headache, I wouldn't of minded but I only had a single can of Carlsberg last night!


We had nothing planned for this morning, "M" was off to a 2 yr olds birthday party this afternoon, but call me old fashioned but screaming, shouting, tears and tantrums are not my thing, and that's just the adults! So I stayed here to keep China dog company and do some washing.


Its been a wet old day today, started off dry, but the site is very water logged at this moment in time.


Thankfully we are on a very gentle slope so the water drains away from the caravan, and out past the awning, we have a thick hedge which shields us from the elements on the caravan side.


Tucked away in here we don't get the buffeting from the wind another good thing!


Those winds up North were grim recently, I remember when I worked in Glasgow, I thought someone was throwing bricks/slates into the road but what was happening was the wind was ripping them from the roofs! Luckily I didn't get hit, but not sure how as they were crashing all around me!


 The antiques dealer who I do a bit of work for is heading over to Ireland as we speak. I wouldn't fancy that ferry crossing! That will be one rough voyage.


Before "M" left this morning she put together a beef stew to slowly cook in the slow cooker, I've just had a taste and I'm not sure what she put in it, but it sure is chilli hot! Great for me but "M" is a bit of a light weight when it comes to eating extremely hot food! Personally I like it the hotter the better. "M" may be going hungry later!


She will probably be full of jelly and ice cream and come back bouncing and full of "E" numbers from all the sugar and additives!


I wonder if they still play traditional party games? or is the Wii brought out and the kids just get on with it!


Christmas is approaching fast, hope everyone has done their shopping? According to the news the spend is 10% down on last year, well, not really a surprise is it? I guess in some ways we are lucky as we don't have the outgoings that most have, I dread to think what would of happened if we still lived in bricks and mortar!


I've got my medical date through, it's Tuesday the 20th December. Another box ticked off, just got to wait now for that so that I can send off for my provisional license. 


I seemed to have jumped about in this post a bit, so will finish off for now, hope you all have a great week!


Till later............