Secure touring caravan storage

Although you may get a lot of enjoyment out of your caravan, chances are that you won't be able to use it all year round, so you need to think about where you will keep it when you aren't touring.

Secure caravan storage is essential if your vehicle is going to be off the road for any length of time and there are several options open to you.

Of course, if you keep your caravan somewhere that is well-protected, you will not only have peace of mind - you may even find that your caravan insurance is cheaper, so you could decide it is worth spending some extra money on secure storage arrangements.

  • Caravan storage - what are the options?

    The first - and usually cheapest - option is to store your caravan at your home. While this may at first seem like a good idea, you will need to think carefully about where your tourer will be kept.

    If it is on your drive in full view of the road this may be unadvisable because it will be an obvious target for thieves. It is advisable to invest in wheel clamps and hitch locks, as well as an alarm.

    In addition, a security post that you can attach your caravan to will provide an extra deterrent to would-be thieves.

    Secure caravan storage sites are another choice you have - and this could work particularly well if you are limited on space at your home.

    There are both open-air and undercover storage sites and you will need to decide which is best for your needs.

    Undercover storage sites will not only protect your caravan from theft and damage, but also the weather. By their very nature, they tend to be more secure than open-air sites.

    Finally, if you always visit the same place on holiday, you may want to look into storing your caravan there. Many sites offer permanent pitches and it could be a cost-effective route to go down.

  • What to look for in a caravan storage site

    It is worth establishing if the secure site is a member of the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA). CaSSOA are a nationally recognised body, set up over 10 years ago to curb caravan theft. They have an official list of over 400 approved secure storage sites in the UK. Following assessment, the caravan storage site is accredited with a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award, with the CaSSOA Gold Award sites offering very high levels of caravan security. CaSSOA’s telephone number is 0115 934 9826.

    There are a few things you should look for when you check out any secure caravan storage site.

    Firstly, see what kind of perimeter security they have - whether it is a wall, fence or some other structure. Make sure there is CCTV and you may prefer a site with an onsite guard or warden.

    Check that access to the facility is controlled and that there is preferably only one entry/exit point. Security lighting is another feature that can make a site more secure.

    But you should not just consider the risk of theft, with so many caravans being stored in one place you should make sure that there is little chance of a fire breaking out.

  • Are you covered for caravan storage?

    It is important that you check that your insurance policy covers you for storage at a location away from your home - and make sure that your premiums are calculated correctly based on the amount of time your caravan will be on such a site.

    Talk to your insurer if you are in any doubt about whether your vehicle requires any additional cover.

    Finally, if you are a member of the Camping and Caravanning Club, you will have exclusive access to storage areas at its sites, which could be a cost-effective and safe choice.