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Involved about motorhome safety? In search of methods to guard your campervan from theft? You’re not alone- it’s probably the most frequent questions we receive- the right way to preserve a motorhome each protected at house and whereas on the street?
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Motorhome Safety Ideas
One of many largest considerations for anybody who owns a motorhome or campervan (together with us!) is the right way to preserve themselves, their van and their possessions protected, each at house and while travelling.
Motorhome automobile thefts and break-ins are, sadly, turning into increasingly commonplace. Should you’re questioning if motorhomes get stolen, the reply is a particular YES.
There are two important forms of theft:
- complete automobile theft (the place the automobile is stolen and sometimes damaged down for components) and
- break-ins, the place thieves are extra focused on your contents, as an alternative of taking the automobile itself.
It in all probability doesn’t come as a lot of a shock that entire automobile thefts are typically 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 make it easier to stop each forms of theft by exhibiting you a number of the finest methods to make your camper as troublesome to steal as potential.
REMEMBER: The intention is for would-be thieves to take a look at your automobile and make a split-second determination that it’s too troublesome & not well worth the danger.
Not obtained time to learn the entire submit?
Right here’s the important motorhome & camper van safety equipment we suggest:
In fact, following the recommendation on this information doesn’t imply you’re proof against theft- however it can vastly enhance your odds.
Motorhome Safety
There are a number of forms of motorhome safety we’re involved with:
- Tips on how to preserve your motorhome protected at evening when you’re sleeping inside
- Van safety while you go away 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 under.
Motorhome Security Whereas Travelling
It’s laborious to say whether or not vans are extra susceptible 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 take a look at methods to enhance security whereas out on the street, for every of the three important areas of concern.
Safety at evening
Staying protected at evening in a motorhome or campervan when you’re travelling can really feel like a problem. Should you’re not used to it, it could possibly really feel isolating and susceptible to spend the evening in a plastic/ tin field as an alternative of bricks and mortar. Additionally, every thing appears scarier at night- noises and passing automobiles could make you jumpy.
Let’s take a look at this logically.
Whenever you keep in a motorhome in a single day, you’re typically going to be on one in all 3 locations:
We’ll take a look at bodily units and methods a little 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 that may simply be luck, however we do our greatest to evaluate the chances and act accordingly.
Should you’re new to motorhoming, you could be focused on these posts:
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 troublesome (though not unimaginable) 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 places are accepted for motorhome stopovers, however haven’t any limitations or cameras for nighttime safety.
The most important danger 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 at any time when 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 at no cost in Europe. There are too many tales of robberies in these places, primarily by passing truckers or hitch-hikers.
We additionally attempt to keep away from aires close to huge 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 keep in mind, once we first began motorhome wild tenting within the UK, how terrifying it felt to sleep in a motorhome with out every other 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.
When 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 unimaginable for anybody to PLAN any type of theft prematurely.
So that you’re dealing solely with passing opportunists. Which implies your job is to make your van seem like a troublesome 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 once we arrive we typically get a ‘feeling’.
We now have ignored these emotions twice- and each occasions we’ve regretted it. Nothing occurred to our van, however we spent the evening on edge and never sleeping nicely, 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 programs or instruments you should utilize when leaving your campervan or motorhome unattended in the course of 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 under.
Greatest Wheel Clamps for motorhomes & caravans
Motorhome or campervan wheel clamps are precisely what they sound like- a clamp which matches across the outdoors of your wheel and stops the automobile being moved.
We use one in all these on the trailer each evening and at any time when 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 gained’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!) tougher to take away than wheel clamps, and have been confirmed to discourage automobile thieves, so it stands to cause they need to work in opposition to motorhome theft.
Get the most important, meanest one you can- or the one with the best safety scores, like this one. We significantly like that it doesn’t take up an excessive amount of house 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. This may cease anybody trying to drive the motorhome- they will barely attain the wheel, not to mention the pedals!
The opposite choice is to make use of a Clutch Claw. These unbelievable 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 thought, as is becoming a tracker or immobiliser. If you’re shopping for one to be able to cut back your motorhome insurance coverage premium, verify together with your insurer first as they might insist on a selected mannequin or Thatcham degree earlier than they’ll approve a reduction.
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 vital to have additional safety measures fitted.
Motorhome RV security- No-one can steal it if they will’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 extra motorhome habitation door lock– as you possibly can lock it from the within in addition to the skin. It’s pointless having one which solely works from the skin while you need it when you’re sleeping- and it’s harmful to have one you possibly can’t unlock from inside!
NOTE: We fitted the Milenco model, which appears to be discontinued, however this one from Thule is strictly the identical.
In case you have a campervan with a sliding door, this deadbolt lock comes extremely advisable.
Motorhome Cab Door safety
You may also get extra cab door locks, though please do measure your doorways rigorously as they don’t match all sorts. Moreover, you possibly can 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 might even achieve entry into your automobile this fashion, through which case you really want to make additional certain it’s safe.
Listed below are some motorhome storage door lock choices which come extremely advisable, however you possibly can 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, 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 without doubt one of the finest motorhome window lock units we’ve discovered.
Motorhome security- tricks to shield possessions whereas travelling
Okay, let’s take 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 finest for you.
Ideas in opposition to theft at campsites
The doorway barrier at campsites can be good in opposition to theft of possessions- anybody trying to rob something has to hold it again to their van on the entrance. The place there are usually cameras.
Nonetheless, the unhappy reality is that almost all thefts on a campsite happen from different folks already sharing the positioning with you. These are folks in search of probability alternatives, comparable to garments or equipment ignored in a single day. The best solution to stop in opposition to this isn’t to depart something out overnight- together with kayaks, wetsuits, towels and many others.
We attempt to fight this by placing our 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 on your motorhome or campervan, make certain it’s locked up securely every evening.
Ideas in opposition to theft of contents at aires
This can be a robust one- as most individuals know that you’ll 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 isn’t a simple answer to stop in opposition to this. We truly use a variety of strategies to attempt 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 to be 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 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!
We now have stickers warning those who the motorhome is beneath digicam surveillance in any respect time (it’s!)
Motorhome safety whereas wild tenting
We very VERY hardly ever go away our van unattended for longer than about half an hour whereas wild camping- and by no means at evening. We would go for a brief stroll, but when we need to trip our motorbikes or go to a neighborhood attraction we’ll take the motorhome to an aire or accepted parking place the place it will likely be a little 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 in every single place was like that!
RELATED: 5 necessities you NEED for wild camping- and a couple of you don’t!
Caravan & Motorhome safety units to guard possessions
Motorhome Safety Digital camera- 12v safety
That is our favorite choice for peace of thoughts. Though the safety digicam gained’t cease anybody from breaking in (though we do have indicators within the window saying the van is beneath 24hr surveillance, so possibly it does!), it WILL enable us to see who the thief was.
We now have tried a few totally different motorhome safety cameras and are totally offered on this one. We use it EVERY SINGLE TIME we go away the van. It permits us to visually see every thing is appropriately. It’s additionally an effective way to observe 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 once 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 cellphone signal- they’re so easy to arrange and excellent for safeguarding your private home when 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 wi-fi alarm system you possibly can 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 should you make it laborious for them to search out the gadgets rapidly.
You may truly purchase a devoted protected like this and set up it in a locker somewhere- however please keep in mind the load of those things- it is advisable take that under consideration in your motorhome payload.
An alternative choice is to purchase ‘decoy’ tins like these or books the place you possibly can cover valuables. There are many choices in the marketplace and it’s an effective way to cover jewelry or passports should you REALLY can’t take them with you.
Don’t go away a decoy
We all 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 search out, and hope that the thief will take that and go away, feeling like they’ve ‘gained’.
Personally, we by no means go away ANYTHING out on show- the intention 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 on your keys (though some might ask on your passport!)
Shut doorways, home windows & vents earlier than you allow
The apparent exception to that is if you’re leaving a canine behind within the motorhome- you MUST go away them some air. If you’re travelling in a scorching nation, please keep in mind how rapidly a automobile can warmth up within the sunshine. However in any other case, shut every thing 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. Identical recommendation for iPads, laptops, telephones and different digital units.
Tips on how to Safe your motorhome or caravan at house
Okay, now onto the right 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 in all probability the time of largest danger.
The statistics for stolen autos are rising- and motorhome are a straightforward goal as they’re usually newer, decrease mileage and subsequently their components promote for extra.
Nonetheless, there ARE some issues you are able to do to assist shield your self. We all the time suggest 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
We now have all the time 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 in search of a straightforward goal.
You need to retailer it someplace with 24hr CCTV, locked gates and restricted entry (utilizing a keyfob or code) We extremely
suggest someplace with 24hr entry so you possibly can go away everytime you need!
Anticipate to pay round £60-80/ month for storage- however for us it’s well worth the peace of thoughts. (Additionally, it would 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
Should 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 quantity on the roof, like this, in order that it may be simply noticed by ANPR cameras while you report it stolen.
Driveway submit
Lastly, you probably have a motorhome or caravan which sits in your driveway, you may need to think about a driveway submit like this, which is bolted into your drive, stopping a straightforward getaway. Becoming safe gates to your drive can be a superb choice.
I do know no-one likes to consider the potential of motorhome or camper theft, however a little bit forethought and planning might cease loads of potential heartache.
I hope you’ve discovered the following tips helpful. In case 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 ideas and concepts
Final replace on 2023-09-14 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photographs from Amazon Product Promoting API
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