Involved about motorhome safety? In search of methods to guard your motorhome, caravan or campervan from theft? You’re not alone- it’s one of the crucial frequent questions I obtain. Right here’s the right way to hold a motorhome protected at residence and whereas on the street.
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Motorhome Safety Suggestions
One of many greatest issues for anybody who owns a motorhome or campervan is the right way to hold themselves, their van and their possessions protected, each at residence and while travelling.
Motorhome automobile thefts and break-ins are, sadly, turning into an increasing number of commonplace. When you’re questioning if motorhomes get stolen, the reply is a particular YES.
There are two essential forms of theft:
- complete automobile theft (the place the automobile is stolen and infrequently damaged down for components) and
- break-ins, the place thieves are extra excited by your contents, as a substitute of taking the automobile itself.
It in all probability doesn’t come as a lot of a shock that complete automobile thefts are usually carried out by skilled (ie: skilled) thieves, while thefts on the street are, broadly talking, principally opportunistic.
This publish is designed to tell you about potential dangers and enable you stop each forms of theft by exhibiting you a number of the greatest methods to make your camper as troublesome 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 troublesome & not definitely worth the threat.
Not received time to learn the entire publish?
Right here’s the important motorhome & camper van safety package we advocate:
In fact, following the recommendation on this information doesn’t imply you’re proof against theft- however it can undoubtedly enhance your odds.
Motorhome Safety
There are a number of forms of motorhome safety we’re involved with:
- Tips on how to hold your motorhome protected at evening whilst you’re sleeping inside
- Van safety once you go away it for a number of hours to discover whereas travelling
- Safety of your van while NOT travelling- both at residence or in storage
Let’s break down every one beneath.
Motorhome Security Whereas Travelling
It’s exhausting to say whether or not vans are extra susceptible at residence or whereas out and about on their motorhome holidays. Definitely, most automobile thefts appear to occur at residence, 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 essential areas of concern.
Safety at evening
Staying protected at evening in a motorhome or campervan whilst you’re travelling can really feel like a problem. When you’re not used to it, it will probably really feel isolating and susceptible to spend the evening in a plastic/ tin field as a substitute of bricks and mortar. Additionally, all the things appears scarier at night- noises and passing automobiles could make you jumpy.
Let’s have a look at this logically.
Whenever you keep in a motorhome in a single day, you’re usually going to be on considered one of 3 locations:
We’ll have a look at bodily units and tips a little bit later, however let’s assess the ‘odds’ at every location. I ought to level out that I’ve been touring Europe in my motorhome for a number of years and have by no means been the sufferer of theft (contact wooden). I do know that may simply be luck, however I do my greatest to evaluate the chances and act accordingly.
When you’re new to motorhoming, you is likely to be excited by these posts:
Motorhome safety – stop RV and camper theft whereas travelling
Most campsites I’ve stayed at have had some type of barrier stopping you from simply driving in. This makes it very troublesome (though not inconceivable) for folks to stroll onto a website 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.
Suggestions for camper safety in a single day at aires
Whether or not you’re utilizing a French Aire or staying on a CL website within the UK, the dangers are the identical. These areas are accepted for motorhome stopovers, however don’t have any limitations or cameras for nighttime safety.
The largest threat right here is opportunists- and the issue is that an aire is a recognized 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. I keep away from stopping at motorway aires for longer than an hour or two, although you’re allowed to remain in some in a single day without spending a dime in Europe. There are too many tales of robberies in these areas, primarily by passing truckers or hitch-hikers.
I additionally attempt to keep away from aires close to massive cities. Once more, you’re extra prone to get opportunists or thieves in areas with extra people- that’s simply easy maths. I’m not saying I don’t go to cities, simply that I’ll use a campsite as a substitute of an aire wherever potential.
Motorhome/ campervan security when wild parking
I bear in mind, once I first began motorhome wild parking within the UK, how terrifying it felt to sleep in a motorhome with out some other safety (like a campsite) round.
Partly, I used to be anxious about being arrested, however principally I used to be anxious about being murdered in my sleep. Or robbed.
So, right here’s the factor.
If you end up wild parking- NO ONE KNOWS WHERE YOU ARE.
So long as you haven’t posted it on Fb (significantly, please don’t try this till you’re leaving), then it’s inconceivable for anybody to PLAN any type of theft upfront.
So that you’re dealing solely with passing opportunists. Which implies your activity is to make your van appear like a troublesome goal to steal.
However the BIGGEST factor I do when wild parking is to make use of my frequent sense and belief my intestine. Clearly, I don’t decide a wild parking spot pondering it’s going to be dodgy, however once I arrive I usually get a ‘feeling’.
I’ve ignored these emotions twice- and each occasions regretted it. Nothing occurred to the van, however I spent the evening on edge and never sleeping effectively, alert to any downside which could happen. Not one of the best ways to spend a night, so take heed to your intestine!
Motorhome Safety Units for Travelling – Making Your Automobile Motionless
There are some nice methods 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 matches across the exterior of your wheel and stops the automobile being moved.
After I was touring with bikes, I used considered one of these on the trailer each evening and every time I wasn’t planning to maneuver for a number of 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 gadget 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 cause they need to work towards motorhome theft.
Get the most important, meanest one you can- or the one with the very best safety rankings, like this one. I significantly 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 my motorhome, each of my entrance seats swivel. When leaving the motorhome, I may 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! (I ought to level out that I very hardly ever do that, however the possibility is there).
The opposite possibility is to make use of a Pedal lock/ Clutch Claw. These implausible units 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. In case you are shopping for one so as to cut back your motorhome insurance coverage premium, examine together with your insurer first as they could insist on a selected mannequin or Thatcham stage earlier than they’ll approve a reduction.
I’ve a Shifting Intelligence tracker system fitted. It’s excellent – I’ve even been referred to as while getting on a ferry simply to make certain it’s actually me within the van!
Additionally, a phrase about immobilisers. Many thieves now carry expertise which over-rides factory-fitted immobilisers and permits them to steal a automobile with out having the keys. Which makes it much more necessary to have additional 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 may match extra locks to all three.
Motorhome safety door locks
That is the BEST motorhome habitation door lock– as you may 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 may’t unlock from inside!
NOTE: In case you have a campervan with a sliding door, this deadbolt lock comes extremely really helpful.
Motorhome Cab Door safety
You can even get extra cab door locks, though please do measure your doorways fastidiously as they don’t match all sorts. Moreover, you may carry a locking cab bar, which successfully locks the 2 cab doorways collectively to allow them to’t be opened.
PLEASE NOTE: I don’t advocate utilizing a cab locking bar or wrapping your seat belt round your seats if you happen to’re wild parking. Your most secure possibility within the occasion of a difficulty is to drive out, so making your automobile able to drive earlier than mattress is necessary.
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, during which case you really want to make additional certain it’s safe.
Listed below are some motorhome storage door lock choices which come extremely really helpful, however you may after all use the Fiamma door lock above too. Simply do not forget 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 kind of window to have in your van is a sliding one- however, truthfully, most of us don’t have these. You may get numerous window sensors, however only a few sensible units to cease a window being opened outwards. This is likely one of the greatest motorhome window lock units we’ve discovered.
Motorhome security- tricks to shield possessions whereas travelling
Okay, let’s have a look at the right 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 greatest for you.
Suggestions towards theft at campsites
The doorway barrier at campsites can also 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 almost all thefts on a campsite happen from different folks already sharing the positioning with you. These are folks on the lookout for likelihood alternatives, resembling garments or package omitted in a single day. The best strategy to stop towards this isn’t to depart something out overnight- together with kayaks, wetsuits, towels and so on.
I try to fight this by placing a moist kayak & paddleboard on the motorhome roof overnight- which is nice so long as it’s not windy!!
In case you have an exterior storage field to your motorhome or campervan, be certain it’s locked up securely every evening.
Suggestions towards theft of contents at aires
This can be a robust one- as most individuals know that you may be leaving your automobile to go to the native city or attraction at some point- in any case, that’s why you’re there. And, sadly, they do hold watch.
There isn’t any simple resolution to stop towards this. I really use a variety of strategies to try to cease my possessions being stolen or the van being vandalised while I’m not with it- we’ll get to these shortly. All you are able to do is guarantee your automobile seems at troublesome to get into as potential.
These additional locks talked about above and a few well-placed stickers like these are greater than most individuals have, which makes your van look not definitely worth the effort. I’ve met folks with ‘German Shepherd on board’ stickers- after they don’t have a canine in any respect, not to mention a German Shepherd!
I’ve stickers warning folks that the motorhome is beneath digicam surveillance in any respect time (it’s!)
Motorhome safety whereas wild parking
I very VERY hardly ever go away my motorhome unattended for longer than about half an hour whereas wild parking- and by no means at evening. I would go for a brief stroll, but when I needed to go to an area attraction I’d use an aire or accepted parking place the place it is going to be a little bit extra protected.
The one exception to this was whereas touring Norway within the motorhome. That nation is the most secure nation I’ve EVER visited, and I merrily left the van together with a street and went off on the motorbikes for a day with out concern. I want in every single place was like that!
RELATED: 5 necessities you NEED for wild parking (and a pair of you don’t!)
Caravan & Motorhome safety units to guard possessions
Motorhome Safety Digital camera
This can be a nice possibility for peace of thoughts. Though the safety digicam received’t cease anybody from breaking in, it does permit me to see who the thief was.
I’ve tried a few totally different motorhome safety cameras and am bought on this one. It permits me to visually see all the things is okay, plus monitor my canine Mac if I’ve left him for a few hours- I like to verify he’s okay.
Wi-fi motorhome alarm system (or caravan alarm system)
That is frequent observe for a reason- it really works! Discover the loudest, meanest, noisiest wi-fi alarm system you may and match it in your motorhome. You need your entire 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 protected
Sadly, to a decided thief, nothing is foolproof- however you’re reducing your odds significantly if you happen to make it exhausting for them to seek out the gadgets rapidly.
You may really purchase a devoted protected like this and set up it in a locker somewhere- however please keep in mind the burden of those things- you want to take that into consideration in your motorhome payload.
An alternative choice is to purchase ‘decoy’ tins like these or books the place you may conceal valuables. There are many choices available on the market and it’s a good way to cover jewelry or passports if you happen to REALLY can’t take them with you.
Don’t go away a decoy
I do know a number of individuals who journey with a ‘decoy merchandise’- an outdated laptop computer or iPad which has no worth to them.
They go away this out on show, or someplace simple to seek out, and hope that the thief will take that and go away, feeling like they’ve ‘received’.
Personally, I by no means go away 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 permit
The plain exception to that is in case you are leaving a canine behind within the motorhome- you MUST go away them some air. In case you are 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
In case you have a motorhome television or a devoted motorhome sat-nav, take away it from view and conceal it someplace protected. Similar recommendation for iPads, laptops, telephones and different digital units.
Tips on how to Safe your motorhome or caravan at residence
Okay, now onto the right way to shield your motorhome or camper while you’re NOT travelling in it (if you happen to’re dwelling in a motorhome, this part isn’t for you! 🙂 )
Sadly, that is in all probability 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 due to this fact their components promote for extra.
Nonetheless, there ARE some issues you are able to do to assist shield your self. I at all times advocate eradicating any valuables from the van and storing them in your house.
Keep in mind, at residence you primarily need to shield the VEHICLE from being stolen by skilled thieves- not opportunistic passing.
Use Safe Motorhome Parking
I’ve at all times most well-liked to maintain my 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). I extremely advocate someplace with 24hr entry so you may get it everytime you need!
Anticipate to pay round £80-£100/ month for storage- however for me it’s definitely worth the peace of thoughts. (Additionally, it would imply you should purchase an even bigger motorhome than you thought because it doesn’t want to suit on a driveway!)
Securing your motorhome at residence
When you don’t need to or can’t use storage, you want to discover methods to make your motorhome look as protected as potential in your drive or on the street.
Some choices for this embrace issues we’ve already talked about above, resembling:
- CCTV stickers
- steering wheel-locks
- wheel clamps
- Further door locks, particularly on the habitation door
- Window locks
- Gear stage locks
Principally, the extra the merrier!
One other good possibility is to purchase a sticker together with your registration quantity on the roof, like this, in order that it may be simply noticed by ANPR cameras once you report it stolen.
Driveway publish
Lastly, you probably have a motorhome or caravan which sits in your driveway, you may need to take into account a driveway publish like this, which is bolted into your drive, stopping a straightforward getaway. Becoming safe gates to your drive can also be a great possibility.
I do know no-one likes to consider the potential for motorhome or camper theft, however a little bit forethought and planning may cease quite a lot of potential heartache.
I hope you’ve discovered the following pointers helpful. In case you have, please share this text with your folks on social media to allow them to profit too.
Head to the motorhome recommendation web page for extra ideas and concepts
Final replace on 2025-07-26 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photographs from Amazon Product Promoting API
