A Guide to Touring Caravan Alarms

There are many alarm systems out there on the vehicle security market, but how do you know which system will be suitable for your caravan?

If you need an alarm that will protect both the caravan itself from being moved and its contents from being taken, look for devices that have Passive Infra-Red (PIR) internal sensors. These will detect any motion within the caravan using heat sensors. If someone gains entry to your caravan, their body heat and movement will set off the alarm in the same way that security lights are triggered.

To protect your caravan whilst it is parked, fit an alarm with mounted sensors that will detect when the caravan is being moved. These will then set off the alarm should the thieves try to hitch up your caravan and tow it away.

Other features of caravan alarms include triggers on the door where a contact is broken that sets off the alarm. Plus a sensor which triggers the alarm if the caravan lights are connected up to a tow vehicle.

Another useful feature is an alarm that is remote controlled so you can set the alarm and deactivate it from a distance – handy if you accidently set it off whilst on site!

Some alarms come with a feature to set up a 'Geo Fence' - an area around the caravan which acts as a protected zone. If the caravan is moved out of this zone, the alarm will be triggered.

If you like to set your alarm at night whilst you are sleeping in the caravan, look for one that allows you to still activate the alarm without being able to set it off on the inside. This setting can also be used if you leave a pet in the caravan whilst you're away and is sometimes referred to as a 'Night’ or 'Pet' setting.

Of course if your budget is tight, you could consider a simple door alarm picked up from your local DIY store but remember these devices are unlikely to offer all the protection of the types of alarms already mentioned.

Buying and fitting an alarm for your caravan can be relatively inexpensive compared to the peace of mind it will bring and the discounts you could receive off your caravan insurance premium. Look for devices that have been tested and approved by organisations such as Sold Secure and don't forget to advertise that your caravan is fitted with an alarm by placing stickers in the windows - this alone could be enough to deter a would-be thief.

As a word of warning, if your caravan is stored away from home or if you leave your caravan at home alone for long periods, an audible alarm system may not be the best security solution for you as it could be that no-one is around to respond if the alarm is triggered. Therefore, it may be worth considering a monitored proactive tracking system. These systems combine an alarm system or motion sensor with a tracking system. When the alarm or motion sensor is triggered, the tracking device company is alerted immediately and they in turn will alert you to let you know your caravan has been disturbed. The added bonus then is that your caravan can be tracked if the thieves and drive off with it!