Involved about motorhome safety? On the lookout for methods to guard your campervan from theft? You’re not alone- it’s one of the widespread questions we receive- easy methods to maintain 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 easy methods to maintain themselves, their van and their possessions secure, each at house and while travelling.
Motorhome car thefts and break-ins are, sadly, changing into an increasing number of commonplace. If you happen to’re questioning if motorhomes get stolen, the reply is a particular YES.Â
There are two primary forms of theft:
- whole car theft (the place the car is stolen and sometimes damaged down for elements) and
- break-ins, the place thieves are extra fascinated with your contents, as an alternative of taking the car itself.
It most likely doesn’t come as a lot of a shock that complete car thefts are typically carried out by skilled (ie: skilled) thieves, while thefts on the street are, broadly talking, largely opportunistic.
This publish is designed to tell you about potential dangers and aid you forestall each forms of theft by displaying you a number of the greatest methods to make your camper as tough to steal as potential.
REMEMBER: The goal is for would-be thieves to take a look at your car and make a split-second choice that it’s too tough & not well worth the danger.
Not bought time to learn the entire publish?
Right here’s the important motorhome & camper van safety equipment we suggest:
After all, following the recommendation on this information doesn’t imply you’re proof against theft- however it is going to vastly enhance your odds.
Motorhome Safety
There are a number of forms of motorhome safety we’re involved with:
- Methods to maintain your motorhome secure at night time whilst you’re sleeping inside
- Van safety if you go away it for a couple of 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.Â
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 car thefts appear to occur at house, while most possession-based thefts occur whereas travelling.Â
To begin, let’s have a look at methods to enhance security whereas out on the street, for every of the three primary 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. If you happen to’re not used to it, it could possibly 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.
Whenever you keep in a motorhome in a single day, you’re typically going to be on one in all 3 locations:
We’ll have a look at bodily gadgets and tips 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 that may simply be luck, however we do our greatest to evaluate the chances and act accordingly.Â
If you happen to’re new to motorhoming, you could be fascinated with these posts:
Motorhome safety – forestall RV and camper theft whereas travellingÂ
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 inconceivable) for individuals to stroll onto a website and steal your van, as they usually want some type of code or key to exit.Â
After all, there are exceptions, however only a few car thefts occur from correct campsites.Â
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 website within the UK, the dangers are the identical. These places are accredited for motorhome stopovers, however don’t have any boundaries or cameras for nighttime safety.Â
The largest 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 every time they wish to see who’s arrived.Â
For my part, some locations are riskier than others. We 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 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 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.Â
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.Â
Partly, I used to be frightened about being arrested, however largely I used to be frightened about being murdered in my sleep. Or robbed.Â
So, right here’s the factor.
If you find yourself wild parking- NO ONE KNOWS WHERE YOU ARE.
So long as you haven’t posted it on Fb (severely, 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 suggests your process is to make your van appear 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 considering it’s going to be dodgy, however after we arrive we typically get a ‘feeling’.
We have now 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 effectively, alert to any drawback which could happen. Not one of the best ways to spend a night, so hearken to your intestine!
Motorhome Safety Gadgets for Travelling – Making Your Car Motionless
There are some nice techniques 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.
Finest 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 car being moved.Â
We use one in all these on the trailer each night time and every time we’re not planning to maneuver for a couple of hours. It’s pretty simple to uncouple a trailer, connect it to a different car and drive off with it, so a clamp helps deter that.Â
You will get one to make use of in your motorhome- it gained’t cease individuals breaking in, however it is going to cease the van being stolen.
Steering locks for motorhomes
One other nice security gadget to cease the car 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 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 series. This may cease anybody trying to drive the motorhome- they’ll barely attain the wheel, not to mention the pedals!
The opposite possibility is to make use of a Clutch Claw. These incredible 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!Â
Motorhome Alarms, Trackers and Immobiliers
A motorhome alarm system is a wonderful thought, as is becoming a tracker or immobiliser. If you’re shopping for one with the intention to scale back your motorhome insurance coverage premium, test together with your insurer first as they could insist on a selected mannequin or Thatcham stage earlier than they’ll approve a reduction.Â
Additionally, a phrase about immobilisers. Many thieves now carry know-how which over-rides factory-fitted immobilisers and permits them to steal a car 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 individuals getting entry into your car. The three details of entry are the cab doorways, habitation door and van home windows.
You may match further locks to all three.
Motorhome safety door locks
That is the BEST further 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 if 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.
If in case you have a campervan with a sliding door, this deadbolt lock comes extremely really useful.
Motorhome Cab Door safety
You may also get further cab door locks, though please do measure your doorways rigorously as they don’t match every type. 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.Â
Motorhome storage door locks
One other weak level is probably your motorhome, campervan or caravan storage door(s). Typically, thieves might even acquire entry into your car this fashion, during which case you really want to make further certain it’s safe.
Listed here are some motorhome storage door lock choices which come extremely really useful, however you’ll be able to 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 will get numerous window sensors, however only a few sensible gadgets to cease a window being opened outwards. This is without doubt 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.Â
Ideas towards theft at campsites
The doorway barrier at campsites can also 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 truth is that almost all thefts on a campsite happen from different individuals already sharing the positioning with you. These are individuals in search of probability alternatives, reminiscent of garments or equipment overlooked in a single day. The best technique to forestall towards this isn’t to depart something out overnight- together with kayaks, wetsuits, towels and many others.
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!!Â
If in case you have an exterior storage field on your motorhome or campervan, make sure that it’s locked up securely every night time.
Ideas towards theft of contents at aires
This can be a powerful one- as most individuals know that you can be leaving your car to go to the native city or attraction at some point- in any case, that’s why you’re there. And, sadly, they do maintain watch.Â
There is no such thing as a simple answer to forestall towards this. We truly use a spread 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 car seems to be 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 individuals with ‘German Shepherd on board’ stickers- after they don’t have a canine in any respect, not to mention a German Shepherd!
We have now stickers warning those that the motorhome is underneath digicam surveillance in any respect time (it’s!)Â
Motorhome safety whereas wild parking
We very VERY hardly ever go away our van unattended for longer than about half an hour whereas wild parking- and by no means at night time. We’d go for a brief stroll, but when we wish to trip our motorbikes or go to a neighborhood attraction we’ll take the motorhome to an aire or accredited parking place the place it is going to be somewhat extra safe- primarily as a result of different individuals are round.
The one exception to this was in whereas we had been touring Norway in our motorhome. That nation is the most secure nation we have now EVER visited, and we merrily left our van along side a street and went off on the motorbikes for a day with out concern. I want all over the place was like that!Â
RELATED: 5 necessities you NEED for wild parking- and a couple of you don’t!
Caravan & Motorhome safety gadgets to guard possessions
Motorhome Safety Digicam- 12v safety
That is our favorite possibility 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 underneath 24hr surveillance, so perhaps it does!), it WILL permit us to see who the thief was.
We have now 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 all the things 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.Â
(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 cellphone signal- they’re so easy to arrange and excellent for shielding your property whilst you’re away.Â
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 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 reducing your odds significantly when you make it onerous for them to search out the objects shortly.
You may truly purchase a devoted secure like this and set up it in a locker somewhere- however please keep in mind the burden of those things- you could take that under consideration in your motorhome payload.Â
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 when you REALLY can’t take them with you.Â
Don’t go away 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 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 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 on your keys (though some could ask on your passport!)Â
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. If you’re travelling in a scorching nation, please keep in mind how shortly a car can warmth up within the sunshine. However in any other case, shut all the things up tight.Â
Take away issues from sight
If in case you have a motorhome television or a devoted motorhome sat-nav, take away it from view and conceal it someplace secure. Similar recommendation for iPads, laptops, telephones and different digital gadgets.
Methods 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 (when you’re dwelling in a motorhome, this part isn’t for you! 🙂 )
Sadly, that is most likely the time of greatest danger.
The statistics for stolen automobiles are rising- and motorhome are a straightforward goal as they’re typically 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 wish to shield the VEHICLE from being stolen by skilled thieves- not opportunistic
passing.
Use Safe Motorhome Parking
We have now 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 in search of a straightforward goal.
You wish 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 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 a much bigger motorhome than you thought because it doesn’t want to suit on a driveway!)
Securing your motorhome at house
If you happen to don’t wish to or can’t use storage, you could 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 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 if you report it stolen.Â
Driveway publish
Lastly, if in case you have a motorhome or caravan which sits in your driveway, you would possibly wish to think about 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 very good possibility.
I do know no-one likes to consider the potential for motorhome or camper theft, however somewhat forethought and planning might cease quite a lot of potential heartache.Â
I hope you’ve discovered the following pointers helpful. If 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 suggestions and concepts
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