Motorhome Safety- 15 important tricks to shield your camper from theft (2023 replace)

Involved about motorhome safety? Searching for methods to guard your campervan from theft? You’re not alone- it’s one of the crucial frequent questions we receive- the way to preserve a motorhome each secure at house and whereas on the street?

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Motorhome Safety Ideas

One of many greatest issues for anybody who owns a motorhome or campervan (together with us!) is the way to preserve themselves, their van and their possessions secure, each at house and while travelling.

Motorhome automobile thefts and break-ins are, sadly, changing into increasingly more commonplace. In the event you’re questioning if motorhomes get stolen, the reply is a particular YES. 

There are two major kinds of theft:

• complete automobile theft (the place the automobile is stolen and sometimes damaged down for elements) and
• break-ins, the place thieves are extra fascinated about your contents, as an alternative of taking the automobile itself.

It most likely doesn’t come as a lot of a shock that entire automobile thefts are usually carried out by skilled (ie: skilled) thieves, while thefts on the street are, broadly talking, principally opportunistic.

This submit is designed to tell you about potential dangers and enable you stop each kinds of theft by exhibiting you a number of the finest methods to make your camper as tough to steal as potential.

REMEMBER: The purpose is for would-be thieves to take a look at your automobile and make a split-second choice that it’s too tough & not well worth the threat.

In fact, following the recommendation on this information doesn’t imply you’re resistant to theft- however it can vastly enhance your odds.

Motorhome Safety

There are a number of kinds of motorhome safety we’re involved with:

• The way to preserve your motorhome secure at night time whilst you’re sleeping inside
• Van safety once you depart it for just a few hours to discover whereas travelling
• Safety of your van while NOT travelling- both at house or in storage

Let’s break down each beneath. 

Motorhome Security Whereas Travelling

It’s onerous to say whether or not vans are extra weak at house or whereas out and about on their motorhome holidays. Actually, most automobile thefts appear to occur at house, while most possession-based thefts occur whereas travelling. 

To start out, let’s have a look at methods to enhance security whereas out on the street, for every of the three major areas of concern.

Safety at night time

Staying secure at night time in a motorhome or campervan whilst you’re travelling can really feel like a problem. In the event you’re not used to it, it may really feel isolating and weak to spend the night time in a plastic/ tin field as an alternative of bricks and mortar. Additionally, all the things appears scarier at night- noises and passing vehicles could make you jumpy.

Let’s have a look at this logically.

If you keep in a motorhome in a single day, you’re usually going to be on one in all 3 locations:

We’ll have a look at bodily gadgets and methods a bit later, however let’s assess the ‘odds’ at every location. I ought to level out that we’ve been touring Europe in our motorhome for a number of years and have by no means been the sufferer of theft (contact wooden). I do know which may simply be luck, however we do our greatest to evaluate the percentages and act accordingly. 

Motorhome safety – stop RV and camper theft whereas travelling 

Most campsites we’ve stayed at have had some type of barrier stopping you from simply driving in. This makes it very tough (though not unattainable) for folks to stroll onto a web site and steal your van, as they usually want some type of code or key to exit. 

In fact, there are exceptions, however only a few automobile thefts occur from correct campsites. 

Ideas for camper safety in a single day at aires

Whether or not you’re utilizing a French Aire or staying on a C & L web site within the UK, the dangers are the identical. These areas are accepted for motorhome stopovers, however haven’t any boundaries or cameras for nighttime safety. 

The largest threat right here is opportunists- and the issue is that an aire is a identified place for motorhomes to cease at. So the native thieves can swing by every time they need to see who’s arrived. 

For my part, some locations are riskier than others. We keep away from stopping at motorway aires for longer than an hour or two, despite the fact that you’re allowed to remain in some in a single day free of charge in Europe. There are too many tales of robberies in these areas, primarily by passing truckers or hitch-hikers.

We additionally attempt to keep away from aires close to massive cities. Once more, you’re extra more likely to get opportunists or thieves in areas with extra people- that’s simply easy maths. I’m not saying we don’t go to cities, simply that we’ll use a campsite as an alternative of an aire wherever potential. 

Motorhome/ campervan security when wild tenting

I bear in mind, after we first began motorhome wild tenting within the UK, how terrifying it felt to sleep in a motorhome with out another safety (like a campsite) round us. 

Partly, I used to be frightened about being arrested, however principally I used to be frightened about being murdered in my sleep. Or robbed. 

So, right here’s the factor.

If you find yourself wild camping- NO ONE KNOWS WHERE YOU ARE.

So long as you haven’t posted it on Fb (significantly, please don’t do this till you’re leaving), then it’s unattainable for anybody to PLAN any type of theft upfront.

So that you’re dealing solely with passing opportunists. Which implies your process is to make your van appear like a tough goal to steal.

However the BIGGEST factor we do when wild tenting is to make use of our frequent sense and our intestine. Clearly, we don’t choose a wild tenting spot pondering it’s going to be dodgy, however after we arrive we usually get a ‘feeling’.

Now we have ignored these emotions twice- and each instances we’ve regretted it. Nothing occurred to our van, however we spent the night time on edge and never sleeping nicely, alert to any downside which could happen. Not the easiest way to spend a night, so take heed to your intestine!

Need to learn the way we discover secure locations for wild tenting and free in a single day motorhome parking spots- and keep secure? Right here’s a step-by-step information to assist

Motorhome Safety Gadgets for Travelling – Making Your Car Motionless

There are some nice techniques or instruments you need to use when leaving your campervan or motorhome unattended through the day:

• Wheel clamps for motorhomes or caravans
• Steering locks for motorhomes
• Make van undriveable
• Motorhome or camper alarm
• Motorhome safety digicam
• Trackers & Immobilisers
• Enhance Motorhome safety door locks

Let’s look into every of those in additional element beneath.

Greatest Wheel Clamps for motorhomes & caravans

Motorhome or campervan wheel clamps are precisely what they sound like- a clamp which works across the outdoors of your wheel and stops the automobile being moved. 

We use one of these on the trailer each night time and every time we’re not planning to maneuver for just a few hours. It’s pretty simple to uncouple a trailer, connect it to a different automobile and drive off with it, so a clamp helps deter that. 

You may get one to make use of in your motorhome- it received’t cease folks breaking in, however it can cease the van being stolen.

Steering locks for motorhomes

One other nice security machine to cease the automobile being moved. These are (apparently!) more durable to take away than wheel clamps, and have been confirmed to discourage automobile thieves, so it stands to motive they need to work towards motorhome theft.

Get the most important, meanest one you can- or the one with the very best safety scores, like this one. We notably like that it doesn’t take up an excessive amount of area when not in use- important in a motorhome or campervan.

Make your camper van undrivable

On our new motorhome, each of our entrance seats swivel. After we are leaving the motorhome, we flip each seats round and lock them along with a series. It will cease anybody seeking to drive the motorhome- they’ll barely attain the wheel, not to mention the pedals!

The opposite choice is to make use of a Clutch Claw. These implausible gadgets lock the pedals collectively, so the motorhome can’t be pushed. Once more, it doesn’t cease the preliminary break-in, however one step at a time! 

Motorhome Alarms, Trackers and Immobiliers

A motorhome alarm system is a superb concept, as is becoming a tracker or immobiliser. If you’re shopping for one to be able to scale back your motorhome insurance coverage premium, test together with your insurer first as they could insist on a selected mannequin or Thatcham degree earlier than they’ll approve a reduction. 

Additionally, a phrase about immobilisers. Many thieves now carry know-how which over-rides factory-fitted immobilisers and permits them to steal a automobile with out having the keys. Which makes it much more essential to have further safety measures fitted.

Motorhome RV security- No-one can steal it if they’ll’t get INTO it

Your first job is to cease folks getting entry into your automobile. The three details of entry are the cab doorways, habitation door and van home windows.

You possibly can match extra locks to all three.

Motorhome safety door locks

This is the BEST additional motorhome habitation door lock– as you’ll be able to lock it from the within in addition to the skin. It’s pointless having one which solely works from the skin once you need it whilst you’re sleeping- and it’s harmful to have one you’ll be able to’t unlock from inside!

NOTE: We fitted the Milenco model, which appears to be discontinued, however this one from Thule is precisely the identical.

When you have a campervan with a sliding door, this deadbolt lock comes extremely advisable.

Motorhome Cab Door safety

You can even get additional cab door locks, though please do measure your doorways rigorously as they don’t match all sorts. Moreover, you’ll be able to carry a locking cab bar, which successfully locks the 2 cab doorways collectively to allow them to’t be opened. 

Motorhome storage door locks

One other weak level is doubtlessly your motorhome, campervan or caravan storage door(s). Generally, thieves may even acquire entry into your automobile this fashion, by which case you actually need to make further positive it’s safe.

Listed here are some motorhome garage door lock options which come extremely advisable, however you’ll be able to in fact use the Fiamma door lock above too. Simply keep in mind that you don’t want to purchase the costly model which opens from the within.

Motorhome window safety

Motorhome window safety is a problem. By far the BEST sort of window to have in your van is a sliding one- however, actually, most of us don’t have these. You may get a lot of window sensors, however only a few sensible gadgets to cease a window being opened outwards. This is likely one of the finest motorhome window lock gadgets we’ve discovered.

Motorhome security- tricks to shield possessions whereas travelling

Okay, let’s have a look at the way to shield your CONTENTS (and your self!) from theft whereas travelling. Once more, your location and place you select to cease will have an effect on which technique will work finest for you. 

Ideas towards theft at campsites

The doorway barrier at campsites can be good towards theft of possessions- anybody seeking to rob something has to hold it again to their van on the entrance. The place there are usually cameras.

Nevertheless, the unhappy reality is that the majority thefts on a campsite happen from different folks already sharing the positioning with you. These are folks on the lookout for probability alternatives, akin to garments or equipment not noted in a single day. The best approach to stop towards this isn’t to depart something out overnight- together with kayaks, wetsuits, towels and so forth.

We try to fight this by placing our moist kayak & paddleboard on the motorhome roof overnight- which is nice so long as it’s not windy!! 

When you have an exterior storage field to your motorhome or campervan, make sure that it’s locked up securely every night time.

Ideas towards theft of contents at aires

It is a robust one- as most individuals know that you can be leaving your automobile to go to the native city or attraction at some point- in spite of everything, that’s why you’re there. And, sadly, they do preserve watch. 

There is no such thing as a simple answer to forestall towards this. We really use a variety of strategies to try to cease our possessions being stolen or the van being vandalised while we’re not with it- we’ll get to these shortly. All you are able to do is guarantee your automobile seems at tough to get into as potential.

These further locks talked about above and a few well-placed stickers like these are greater than most individuals have, which makes your van look not well worth the effort. We’ve met folks with ‘German Shepherd on board’ stickers- once they don’t have a canine in any respect, not to mention a German Shepherd!

Now we have stickers warning people who the motorhome is below digicam surveillance in any respect time (it’s!) 

Motorhome safety whereas wild tenting

We very VERY not often depart our van unattended for longer than about half an hour whereas wild camping- and by no means at night time. We would go for a brief stroll, but when we need to journey our motorbikes or go to a neighborhood attraction we’ll take the motorhome to an aire or accepted parking place the place it is going to be a bit extra safe- primarily as a result of different individuals are round.

The one exception to this was in whereas we have been touring Norway in our motorhome. That nation is the most secure nation we have now EVER visited, and we merrily left our van in conjunction with a street and went off on the motorbikes for a day with out concern. I want all over the place was like that! 

RELATED: 5 necessities you NEED for wild camping- and a couple of you don’t!

Caravan & Motorhome safety gadgets to guard possessions

Motorhome Safety Digicam- 12v safety

That is our favorite choice for peace of thoughts. Though the safety digicam received’t cease anybody from breaking in (though we do have indicators within the window saying the van is below 24hr surveillance, so perhaps it does!), it WILL enable us to see who the thief was.

Now we have tried a few completely different motorhome safety cameras and are utterly sold on this one. We use it EVERY SINGLE TIME we depart the van. It permits us to visually see all the things is accurately. It’s additionally a good way to watch our canine if we’ve left him for a few hours- we like to verify he’s okay. 

(We additionally use these cameras on the boat for safety after we’re leaving it for lengthy durations and we’ve by no means had an issue. All you want is energy, the bottom station and a telephone signal- they’re so easy to arrange and ideal for shielding your property whilst you’re away. 

Wi-fi motorhome alarm system (or caravan alarm system)

That is frequent observe for a reason- it really works! Discover the loudest, meanest, noisiest wireless alarm system you’ll be able to and match it in your motorhome. You need the whole neighbourhood to know one thing isn’t proper and scare the bejeezus out of would-be thieves.

Don’t put it on a delay- any potential thief is out and in in a few minutes tops. You need that factor to be singing
inside seconds of being activated.

Motorhome secure

Sadly, to a decided thief, nothing is foolproof- however you’re decreasing your odds significantly should you make it onerous for them to seek out the objects rapidly.

You possibly can really purchase a dedicated safe like this and set up it in a locker somewhere- however please keep in mind the burden of those things- it is advisable take that into consideration in your motorhome payload. 

An alternative choice is to purchase ‘decoy’ tins like these or books the place you’ll be able to disguise valuables. There are many choices in the marketplace and it’s a good way to cover jewelry or passports should you REALLY can’t take them with you. 

Don’t depart a decoy

We all know a number of individuals who journey with a ‘decoy merchandise’- an previous laptop computer or iPad which has no worth to them.

They depart this out on show, or someplace simple to seek out, and hope that the thief will take that and depart, feeling like they’ve ‘received’.

Personally, we by no means depart ANYTHING out on show- the purpose is to not get damaged into in any respect, not trick somebody to interrupt in to steal a
dummy.

Different tricks to safe your motorhome whereas travelling

Don’t ever hand over your keys!

No campsite ought to ever ask to your keys (though some could ask to your passport!) 

Shut doorways, home windows & vents earlier than you allow

The plain exception to that is if you’re leaving a canine behind within the motorhome- you MUST depart them some air. If you’re travelling in a sizzling nation, please bear in mind how rapidly a automobile can warmth up within the sunshine. However in any other case, shut all the things up tight. 

Take away issues from sight

When you have a motorhome television or a devoted motorhome sat-nav, take away it from view and conceal it someplace secure. Identical recommendation for iPads, laptops, telephones and different digital gadgets.

The way to Safe your motorhome or caravan at house

Okay, now onto the way to shield your motorhome or camper while you’re NOT travelling in it (should you’re dwelling in a motorhome, this part isn’t for you! 🙂 )

Sadly, that is most likely the time of greatest threat.

The statistics for stolen automobiles are rising- and motorhome are a straightforward goal as they’re usually newer, decrease mileage and subsequently their elements promote for extra.

Nonetheless, there ARE some issues you are able to do to assist shield your self. We at all times advocate eradicating any valuables from the van and storing them in your house.

Keep in mind, at house you primarily need to shield the VEHICLE from being stolen by skilled thieves- not opportunistic
passing.

Use Safe Motorhome Parking

Now we have at all times most well-liked to maintain our motorhome in a specialist motorhome and caravan storage yard. It’s a lot safer for it to be away from anybody on the lookout for a straightforward goal.

You need to retailer it someplace with 24hr CCTV, locked gates and restricted entry (utilizing a keyfob or code) We extremely
advocate someplace with 24hr entry so you’ll be able to depart everytime you need!

Count on to pay round £60-80/ month for storage- however for us it’s well worth the peace of thoughts. (Additionally, it’d imply you should buy an even bigger motorhome than you thought because it doesn’t want to suit on a driveway!)

Securing your motorhome at house

In the event you don’t need to or can’t use storage, it is advisable discover methods to make your motorhome look as protected as potential in your drive or on the street.

Some choices for this embody:

• CCTV stickers
• steering wheel-locks
• wheel clamps
• Additional door locks, particularly on the habitation door
• Window locks
• Gear degree locks

Principally, the extra the merrier!

One other good choice is to purchase a sticker together with your registration number on the roof, like this, in order that it may be simply noticed by ANPR cameras once you report it stolen. 

Driveway submit

Lastly, when you have a motorhome or caravan which sits in your driveway, you would possibly need to take into account a driveway post like this, which is bolted into your drive, stopping a straightforward getaway. Becoming safe gates to your drive can be a great choice.

I do know no-one likes to consider the potential for motorhome or camper theft, however a bit forethought and planning may cease quite a lot of potential heartache. 

I hope you’ve discovered the following tips helpful. When you have, please share this text with your mates on social media to allow them to profit too.

Head to our motorhome recommendation web page for extra suggestions and concepts

Final replace on 2023-09-14 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photos from Amazon Product Promoting API

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