RV FEATURE

IS YOUR VAN SAFE?

Years ago, my camper trailer was pinched from my driveway. It was one of the early Opus models, built before the company introduced the‘ air beams’ that give the canvas section its shape and keep it taught. Back then, the Opus used steel hoops that telescoped out like tent poles for erecting the canvas. In any case, it was my pride and joy. One day, after returning from a trip, I plonked the Opus in my driveway, exhaustedly unpacked … and forgot to fit my wheel clamp. Sure enough, the next morning, the camper was gone. It was devastating.

It was, I believe, a crime of opportunity. You see, I’ d made it especially easy for them to steal the camper – I’ d left the DO35 pin attached to my 80 Series’ towbar without using a lockable hitch pin. All the thieves had to do while I slept inside my house was remove the tongue with attached DO35 pin from the towbar, slide it into the hitch receiver of their own car, hitch up my poor Opus, and disappear into the night. I stuffed up – but I haven’ t done it since, and never will again. It was a lesson learned the hard way.

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