Campers and vans being stolen in Bayside/SE Melbourne

[Bird]

Be careful and dont leave em layin round... **** dont leave em hooked to your car in the street



A bizarre crime spree is surging across Melbourne's bayside suburbs as a demand for campervans and caravans grows.

Thieves have been targeting the mobile homes, purchased by holidaymakers hoping to hit the road instead of heading overseas.

CCTV footage showed how quickly they can be stolen, with one thief arriving at a Mordialloc home on foot and spending only minutes unhooking the campervan and driving away with it.



That caravan belonged to the Hopkins family who had only just taken it out of storage in preparation for a trip to South Australia.

They were asleep on New Year's Eve when it was stolen from outside their home.

"We got up in the morning, went out to walk the dog and it's gone," Katie Hopkins told 7NEWS.

"This has been our family holidays for years. We've travelled around half of Australia in it. We spent six months living out of it.

"It's got amazing memories for us and it's something we worked really hard to get."

Without the option of overseas holidays, Australians are buying caravans in droves.

The strong demand has caused a spike in thefts from Mordialloc, Hampton, Parkdale and Black Rock in the month of January alone.

Jayco National Sales Manager Scott Jones said they have seen a 35 per cent increase in new and used caravans, which took them "by surprise".

Anyone considering buying a campervan or caravan second hand are urged to check the VIN number.

If it is found to be stolen, the buyer could risk losing the vehicle and the money paid for it.

Jones recommended putting a padlock on the coupling of the vehicle or using wheel clamps.

https://7news.com.au/news/crime/melbourne-crime-spree-after-caravans-and-campervans-stolen-in-hampton-black-rock-and-mordialloc-c-2043484

[DrewXT]

It's farked... I've got the wheels chained, as well as the coupling, and it's behind a gate that has the 4wd in front of it...

But if they want it badly enough, I guess they'll still get it, given most of the germs carry portable angle grinders with them...

New shed will be done in a month, and she'll be inside again after that

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[Bird]

It's farked... I've got the wheels chained, as well as the coupling, and it's behind a gate that has the 4wd in front of it...

But if they want it badly enough, I guess they'll still get it, given most of the germs carry portable angle grinders with them...

I'd take the wheels off LOL

[DrewXT]

I'm already in the poo for 2 sets of wheels in the garage

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[Brisbane Puff]

Okay, for what it's worth I have fitted an alarm system (used a Mongoose). What you require is an onboard battery system and of course, electric brakes.. The alarm system must have a good shock sensor, (hence the Mongoose). Also you need a keyed switch.
How the system works is the usual switches are fitted to the boot lid, the tool box and the entry door. The (minimum of 1) shock sensor is fitted inside of the chassis rail as is the siren. The key switch is fitted (in my case) on the exterior near the entry door. Using two separate outputs from the alarm to control two separate normally open relays which in turn supply power to the brake circuit at two separate places provides two independent systems in case one is found. Once the key switch is on the alarm is activated and  triggers from one of the switches or if the van is moved or even receives a bump the alarm goes off and the brakes are activated..

[MrCruza]

Fitted a Witi system to my new van.

Witi

[Bird]

Fitted a Witi system to my new van.

Witi

Havent looked at the specs, but looks like a good price for that setup

[xcvator]

Fitted a Witi system to my new van.

Witi

Looking at that system myself, did you install it yourself or have it done for you ?

[gronk]

If you have to leave a van on the street, one or two wheel clamps and locks on your hitch and chains. And a simple tracking device.

Or move to the nice end of town !!

[GeoffA]

A simple tracker with geofencing, and adequate insurance...but keeping it out of sight helps a lot....

[Bird]

.but keeping it out of sight helps a lot....

Cheapest solution and probably the best

[DrewXT]

And if it's under cover, the fnarking cover doesn't leak like ours did yesterday.... And it's bloody raining in Melbourne just for something different

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[MrCruza]

I installed it myself. Not difficult. Instructions are good.
It's a 23 foot van. Bit hard to keep it out of sight. I also have a security chain on one wheel and a Kovix alarmed hitch lock, and it's parked down the side of our carport where it's a pain to get it out. Can't be too careful.

Kovix Hitch lock

Witi also sells a tracker that just plugs straight into the alarm system. Will get one when $$$ allow.

[DrewXT]

https://youtu.be/15BdNjLZbMY

Good video on the Witi here, plus a coupon code from memory

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[Bird]

And if it's under cover, the fnarking cover doesn't leak like ours did yesterday.... And it's bloody raining in Melbourne just for something different

lovely weather here

[DrewXT]

lovely weather here

Turned nice, so it's been dried and the garage pulled apart, so the camper is now locked in and dry

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[Fizzie]

Turned nice,

Ahh, so just a gentle sprinkle

[gronk]

Ahh, so just a gentle sprinkle

Melbournes the opposite of Queensland....raining one day, drizzle the next !!

[DrewXT]

Melbournes the opposite of Queensland....raining one day, drizzle the next !!

Pretty much, then a clear blue sky today

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[gronk]

Pretty much, then a clear blue sky today

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

You know they reckon Melbourne gets more sunshine than Sydney ?? Then I googled it....only in January !!