Protect Your Campervan: Security Tips
Life on the road can be carefree... until something bad happens. Maybe you realise the door is ajar, or the window is open. Perhaps there is a dearth of vans in the area where you parked. It is typically only now that you will consider what you could have done to avert this disaster. What is the solution?
It is far easier to prevent damage or theft than it is to find a cure. Before you take your life on the road, make sure your rolling house is as secure as your non-rolling home. Your campervan should be safer; after all, it is significantly easier to steal than a three-bedroom townhouse.
With that in mind, you must look for the best camper van for sale by Oaktree Motorhomes that ensure your vehicle and your possessions are secure on the road.
Campervan Security Tips and Ideas
Vehicle-related theft (also known as “theft of a vehicle” or “theft from vehicles”) currently accounts for one in every seven reported crimes in the United Kingdom, and according to the Association of British Insurers, 152,541 vehicles were stolen in 2018/19 fiscal year, which is one vehicle every three and a half minutes! While police only recover 43.3% of vehicles without a tracker, vehicles with a tracker fitted as part of their campervan protection have recovery rates as high as 98%!
After you’ve invested so much time and money in your construction, it’s a good idea to think about a few campervan security measures, both visible and hidden, to deter burglars from considering breaking into your van in the first place, and to reclaim it if the worst happens.
This article will provide you with some tips and ideas for campervan security that you can use to keep your camper safe.
Insurance
Sure, it’s a dull place to begin, but what else could we possibly do with the most important item on this list? No matter how many security features your vehicle has, there is still a slight chance that it may be broken into, damaged, or stolen.
Before you even start down the road, get a comprehensive policy that protects you against the most likely concerns and, ideally, covers you for everything, including anything important in your van. As a bonus, insurance will cover you against self-inflicted accidents.
Trackers
A tracking device, like locked storage, should be viewed as a last line of defence, this time against vehicle theft. These aren’t anti-theft devices in the traditional sense (though putting a sticker on your van that says ‘this vehicle has a tracker’ will help), but a way to locate your vehicle if it is stolen.
Trackers include a GPS that may send the van’s whereabouts to an app via an internal SIM card. Basic trackers will just notify you of your van’s location at regular intervals, whilst more complex trackers will provide a real-time feed and may even allow you to remotely turn off your engine.
Locks for doors
Locks have existed for as long as there have been thieves. While your van (should) comes with basic locks, it may be prudent to strengthen your defences.
Van door locks are classified into three types:
Deadlocks: A keyed lock, such as the one on your front door, adds extra security against burglars.
Slam locks: These locks snap into place when you close the door, ensuring that your van is always locked. However, there is an increased risk of locking your keys inside.
Van Locks: Bolt-on locks that are regularly seen on work vans are inexpensive and intimidating, but they aren’t particularly effective or aesthetically pleasing.
Immobilizer
An immobiliser is an electrical device that prevents your van’s engine from starting if the correct key is not detected. Immobilisers are standard on new vans and can be changed for older models.
Locks for gears
Gear locks, like steering wheel locks, should prevent potential thieves from shifting your vehicle out of neutral or ‘park.’ They are a cheap but very efficient anti-theft gadget that normally attaches to your gear stick and handbrake.
Locks on the steering wheel
Steering wheel locks, a classic anti-theft mechanism, give a secondary - and highly visible - level of security. A steering wheel lock will put most thieves off, but if they decide to try, they’ll require an angle grinder to make any progress.
Steering wheel locks are available in both standard bar and more subtle circular cases that seal off the steering wheel.
Clamps for wheels
Wheel clamps, which are more often linked with bad parking, are possibly the most effective kind of visual deterrent, as a potential thief can detect them from a mile away! Rather than the heavy, solid steel ones seen clamped on unlucky city cars, there are several lights and simple-to-install alternatives that are just as effective.
Secure Storage
Despite your locks and alarms, someone has got access to your van. But you’ve still got one more layer of defence: you’ve secured all your valuables away.
Lockable storage is essential for your campervan, ensuring that valuables such as cash, cards, IDs, and devices are kept safe while you’re on the road. If you’re building your campervan, add locks into the cupboards. You can also adapt safes and lockers to prefabricated campervans; just make sure they’re bolted in.
Window and door alarms
Sometimes all it takes is to scare a potential thief. If you can bring attention to your vehicle at the correct time, it will almost certainly stop. Alarms should do exactly that.
There are a variety of retrofit alarms available, each designed for a specific purpose. You can place alarms on the windows, on the doors, or even ones that arm the entire vehicle, going off when they feel that someone is attempting to gain entry by force.
These alerts are often magnetic or motion activated. Magnetic alarms are usually a better choice than motion alarms given the amount of activity in and around a campervan.
A dog
The last component of the campervan security puzzle is the cutest. While it will be an addition to your van life crew, dogs provide van security with a bite!
Finally, there are a few low-cost/no-cost strategies to avoid the worst aspects of van life while still enjoying the best.
- Park in secure areas (well-lit in the city, established boondocking locations.)
- Stick security decals on your back window (beware dog, a van is alarmed, this van has a tracker.)
- Keep your valuables hidden and your curtains/blinds closed.
By taking any or all of the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your van and the exciting, adventurous, and enjoyable life that comes with it can be enjoyed for many years to come.
Final Words
Unfortunately, securing your campervan from thieves and opportunists is a reality that no campervan or motorhome owner should disregard.
You may dramatically lower your risks of campervan theft by assessing your needs and employing a layered approach, conducting extensive research when purchasing security products, and taking common-sense precautions.
