Involved about motorhome safety? Searching for methods to guard your campervan from theft? You’re not alone- it’s some of the widespread questions we receive- easy methods to preserve a motorhome each secure at house and whereas on the highway?
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Motorhome Safety Suggestions
One of many largest issues for anybody who owns a motorhome or campervan (together with us!) is easy methods 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. When you’re questioning if motorhomes get stolen, the reply is a particular YES.
There are two important sorts of theft:
- complete automobile theft (the place the automobile is stolen and infrequently damaged down for elements) and
- break-ins, the place thieves are extra enthusiastic about your contents, as a substitute of taking the automobile itself.
It most likely 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 highway are, broadly talking, principally opportunistic.
This put up is designed to tell you about potential dangers and provide help to forestall each sorts of theft by exhibiting you a number of the greatest methods to make your camper as tough to steal as doable.
REMEMBER: The goal is for would-be thieves to take a look at your automobile and make a split-second resolution that it’s too tough & not definitely worth the threat.
Not bought time to learn the entire put up?
Right here’s the important motorhome & camper van safety equipment we suggest:
After all, following the recommendation on this information doesn’t imply you might be resistant to theft- however it should vastly enhance your odds.
Motorhome Safety
There are a number of sorts of motorhome safety we’re involved with:
- The best 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 every one under.
Motorhome Security Whereas Travelling
It’s laborious to say whether or not vans are extra weak at house or whereas out and about on their motorhome holidays. Definitely, most automobile thefts appear to occur at house, while most possession-based thefts occur whereas travelling.
To begin, let’s have a look at methods to enhance security whereas out on the highway, for every of the three important 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. When you’re not used to it, it may possibly really feel isolating and weak to spend the night time in a plastic/ tin field as a substitute of bricks and mortar. Additionally, all the pieces appears scarier at night- noises and passing automobiles could make you jumpy.
Let’s have a look at this logically.
While you keep in a motorhome in a single day, you’re usually going to be on one among 3 locations:
We’ll have a look at bodily gadgets and methods somewhat 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 chances and act accordingly.
When you’re new to motorhoming, you may be enthusiastic about these posts:
Motorhome safety – forestall 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 website and steal your van, as they usually want some type of code or key to exit.
After all, 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 C & L website within the UK, the dangers are the identical. These areas are accredited for motorhome stopovers, however don’t have any boundaries 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.
In my view, 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 might be allowed to remain in some in a single day at no cost 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 prone 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 a substitute of an aire wherever doable.
Motorhome/ campervan security when wild parking
I keep in mind, after we first began motorhome wild parking 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 nervous about being arrested, however principally I used to be nervous about being murdered in my sleep. Or robbed.
So, right here’s the factor.
When you’re wild parking- NO ONE KNOWS WHERE YOU ARE.
So long as you haven’t posted it on Fb (critically, please don’t do this till you’re leaving), then it’s unattainable 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 tough goal to steal.
However the BIGGEST factor we do when wild parking is to make use of our widespread sense and our intestine. Clearly, we don’t choose a wild parking spot pondering it’s going to be dodgy, however after we arrive we usually get a ‘feeling’.
We now 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 hearken 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 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 under.
Greatest Wheel Clamps for motorhomes & caravans
Motorhome or campervan wheel clamps are precisely what they sound like- a clamp which fits across the exterior of your wheel and stops the automobile being moved.
We use one among 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 will get one to make use of in your motorhome- it received’t cease folks breaking in, however it should 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 automotive 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 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 sequence. This can cease anybody trying to drive the motorhome- they will barely attain the wheel, not to mention the pedals!
The opposite possibility is to make use of a Clutch Claw. These unbelievable 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 thought, as is becoming a tracker or immobiliser. In case you are shopping for one as a way to scale back your motorhome insurance coverage premium, verify together with your insurer first as they might insist on a selected mannequin or Thatcham stage 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 essential 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 possibly can match extra locks to all three.
Motorhome safety door locks
That is the BEST extra 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’ve got a campervan with a sliding door, this deadbolt lock comes extremely advisable.
Motorhome Cab Door safety
You may as well get extra cab door locks, though please do measure your doorways fastidiously as they don’t match all kinds. 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 might even acquire entry into your automobile this manner, wherein case you actually need to make additional positive it’s safe.
Listed below are some motorhome storage door lock choices which come extremely advisable, however you’ll be able to in fact 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 sort of window to have in your van is a sliding one- however, truthfully, most of us don’t have these. You will get a number of window sensors, however only a few sensible gadgets to cease a window being opened outwards. This is likely one of the greatest motorhome window lock gadgets we’ve discovered.
Motorhome security- tricks to shield possessions whereas travelling
Okay, let’s have a look at easy methods 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 be good towards 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.
Nevertheless, the unhappy reality is that almost all thefts on a campsite happen from different folks already sharing the location with you. These are folks on the lookout for probability alternatives, corresponding to garments or equipment overlooked in a single day. The best method to forestall towards this isn’t to go away something out overnight- together with kayaks, wetsuits, towels and so on.
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!!
When you’ve got an exterior storage field to your motorhome or campervan, make sure that it’s locked up securely every night time.
Suggestions towards 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 any case, that’s why you’re there. And, sadly, they do preserve watch.
There isn’t a simple answer to stop towards this. We really use a spread 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 appears at tough to get into as doable.
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. We’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!
We now have stickers warning those that the motorhome is beneath digicam surveillance in any respect time (it’s!)
Motorhome safety whereas wild parking
We very VERY not often depart our van unattended for longer than about half an hour whereas wild parking- and by no means at night time. 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 accredited parking place the place will probably be somewhat 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 now have EVER visited, and we merrily left our van in conjunction with a highway 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 parking- and a couple of you don’t!
Caravan & Motorhome safety gadgets to guard possessions
Motorhome Safety Digital camera- 12v safety
That is our favorite possibility 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 beneath 24hr surveillance, so perhaps it does!), it WILL permit 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 depart the van. It permits us to visually see all the pieces is appropriately. It’s additionally an effective way to observe our canine if we’ve left him for a few hours- we like to ensure he’s okay.
(We additionally use these cameras on the boat for safety after we’re leaving it for lengthy intervals 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 ideal for shielding your property whilst you’re away.
Wi-fi motorhome alarm system (or caravan alarm system)
That is widespread follow for a reason- it really works! Discover the loudest, meanest, noisiest wi-fi alarm system you’ll be able to 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 secure
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 possibly can really purchase a devoted secure 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 into consideration in your motorhome payload.
Another 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 an effective 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 search 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 goal 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 might 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 depart them some air. In case you are 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 all the pieces up tight.
Take away issues from sight
When you’ve got 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 best way to Safe your motorhome or caravan at house
Okay, now onto easy methods to shield your motorhome or camper while you’re NOT travelling in it (should you’re residing in a motorhome, this part isn’t for you! 🙂 )
Sadly, that is most likely the time of largest threat.
The statistics for stolen automobiles are rising- and motorhome are a simple goal as they’re usually newer, decrease mileage and due to this fact their elements promote for extra.
Nonetheless, there ARE some issues you are able to do to assist shield your self. We at all times 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 at all times most popular 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 simple 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’ll be able to depart everytime you need!
Count on to pay round £60-80/ month for storage- however for us it’s definitely worth the peace of thoughts. (Additionally, it would imply you should purchase a much bigger motorhome than you thought because it doesn’t want to suit on a driveway!)
Securing your motorhome at house
When you don’t need to or can’t use storage, it is advisable discover methods to make your motorhome look as protected as doable in your drive or on the highway.
Some choices for this embrace:
- CCTV stickers
- steering wheel-locks
- wheel clamps
- Additional door locks, particularly on the habitation door
- Window locks
- Gear stage locks
Mainly, 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 put up
Lastly, if in case you have a motorhome or caravan which sits in your driveway, you may need to contemplate a driveway put up like this, which is bolted into your drive, stopping a simple getaway. Becoming safe gates to your drive can be an excellent possibility.
I do know no-one likes to consider the potential for motorhome or camper theft, however somewhat forethought and planning might cease plenty of potential heartache.
I hope you’ve discovered the following tips helpful. When you’ve got, please share this text with your folks on social media to allow them to profit too.
Head to our motorhome recommendation web page for extra suggestions and concepts
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