Having spent a great deal of time and effort finding your ideal motorhome, camper van or caravan, not to mention parting with a significant amount of cash it is imperative you do everything possible to protect your investment.
It is our strong advice that you have most, if not all of the following, in place from the minute you take ownership of your motorhome.
Motorhome crime thankfully is relatively low, though there is clear evidence to suggest it is very much on the increase. It is a sickening feeling when you realise you have been a victim of such a crime. We have broken the types of crime into two distinct categories:
- Theft of the motorhome
- Theft of items within the motorhome – or “break-ins”
Theft Of The Motorhome
Motorhomes are becoming popular targets and sadly a large number are stolen each year. To return to your motorhome and find it is no longer where you left it, is simply unthinkable. You are simply left with that horrible sickening feeling in your stomach, or at least that is how we would feel.
It is very difficult to sell on a stolen motorhome as a complete unit. However, motorhomes are usually stolen with the intention of quickly breaking them down for spare parts. This is how most motorhome thieves make their money.
With this in mind your motorhome is unlikely to be stolen by an opportunist thief. Motorhome thefts are carried out by the professional organised thief, usually working as part of small gang of individuals.
Thankfully, whole motorhome thefts are rarely carried out whilst you are out and about using your vehicle during the day. Whole motorhome thefts are far more likely to be stolen when they are left unattended overnight on you own driveway or at poorly secured storage facilities.
Theft From Break-Ins
The big difference here is that the thief is far more interested in what goodies you have left in your van when you are not there, and we are not talking about crisps and biscuits!
This thief is far more opportunistic. More smash and grab approach, nick it and scarper. Here they are looking for items of value. Items they can easily and quickly sell to make a few quick bucks.
This kind of thief is also far more likely to do a great deal more damage to your van as he gains entry and whilst inside having a good ferret around looking for what he can carry away.
Motorhome Security
There are roughly three types of motorhome security we need to be aware of:
- Security when the motorhome is unattended during our travels
- Security when we are actually in the motorhome i.e. when we are asleep!
- Security when we are not travelling and the motorhome is therefore sat on the drive way at home or in some kind of storage facility
Preventative Whole Van Theft Security
The degree of security that comes as part of your purchase is very unlikely to have enough ‘layers’ of security to prevent the motorhome from being physically stolen and driven away.
It is fair to say that most motorhomes, especially the more recent models, will have the following built in as standard:
- Intruder alarm system
- Engine immobiliser
- Tracker device
On the face of it this seems to be a fairly decent collection of security safeguards, which it is, but it is in our opinion nowhere near sufficient to prevent the professional thieves. The professional thief is fully aware of these types of security and more importantly he expects them to be there and how he can quickly deactivate them.
We therefore need to include far more visual layers of security. We want the thief to take a look at our motorhome and quickly come to the decision that it is going to be too difficult or take a lot of time before they are in the position to drive away with it. We want the thief to think it’s not worth taking the risk of being caught in the process.
So, what additional layers of security can we add, or at least consider? We have first listed below the additional layers we have actually added to our motorhome and in no particular order.
Door Pro-Plates
A large percentage of motorhome cab doors are vulnerable and fairly easy targets for thieves to first try and gain entry into your vehicle. Without exactly describing how they do it, they can quickly force entry via the actual cab door handle area in a matter of seconds!
We have fitted specifically-manufactured metal plates and internal door lock guards to both our cab door handles to combat such forced entry. These metal plates are commonly referred to as Pro-plates.
Pro-plates are a clever, innovative range of security products designed specifically to protect the vulnerable area surrounding the door handle(s) normally targeted by thieves. Made from stainless steel, no drilling is required as they are secured to the vehicle by slotting behind/around the existing handle. Using the silicon sealant supplied they are then firmly secured by sandwiching them between the door handle and the main door panel.
In most instances, there is no need to remove the manufactures internal door. They are favoured also by many commercial van/fleet operators; this is a very cost effective solution to a very common problem.
Pro-plates offer an ideal deterrent helping to prevent break-ins and are equally suited for re-securing a door(s) after a theft has been attempted.
They took a little over 1hr to fit per door on our motorhome as I had to remove all the internal door trim and the Remis type window blinds. Whilst a fairly straight forward DIY task I do recommend you use the plastic purpose made trim removal tools. They are not expensive and worth every penny as they help prevent damaging the trim if you decide to use metal screwdrivers and the like.
VIN CHIP™
Vin CHIP™ was already installed on our motorhome when we bought it. It was not pointed out to us during the purchasing process from the dealers, so it came as a pleasant surprise when we discovered what VIN CHIP™ actually is.
VIN CHIP™ is a theft deterrent and identification system for motorhomes (and campervans and caravans). designed to deter criminals looking to steal motorhomes and to help aid the identification and recovery process. If fitted, the VIN is the first thing the police look for to identify your motorhome.
A specific 17-digit VIN is as unique as your fingerprint and VIN CHIP™ uses both visible and invisible markings using three key elements:
1 – Electronic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Chip
Hidden inside the motorhome making it more secure and easier for the police to detect and identify your property.
2 – Highly Visible Tamper Evident Lozenges
The lozenges contain the motorhomes unique 17-digit VIN and demonstrates to potential thieves that the caravan is protected by VIN CHIP™ security.
3 – Scanable QR Codes
Two tamper evident labels featuring QR codes and all the CRiS details including your unique VIN, one for the master window and one for inside the gas bottle locker. No other security system is quicker in establishing the identity of a motorhome.
Though we are not sure for certain but we are led to believe that VIN CHIP™ comes as standard on all UK motorhome and caravan models manufactured after 2016 by NCC members. Each unique VIN is recorded on the CRiS registration database meaning that if your motorhome is stolen and either the police or a future buyer uses the VIN to conduct a CRiS Check, it will be flagged on the CRiS database as stolen. It is important to make sure your CRiS registration is up to date.
There are three packages to select from:
- VIN CHIP™ Pack – suitable for pre-2016 motorhomes and caravans, all you need to add to your vehicle to ensure it is protected by the VIN Chip police traceable scheme.
- VIN CHIP™ Plus – suitable for all models, for added identification VIN CHIP™ Plus offers a unique VIN marking for internal and removable items.
- Bundle Package – keep your motorhome and its removable items protected with both VIN CHIP™ and VIN CHIP™ Plus.
Wheel Clamps
The wheel clamp we elected to buy was one from Milenco, UK. In reviews it is said to have won every attack test for the past decade, with exceptional and unsurpassed attack resistance (quite a claim!). It’s a single clamp that goes around one of the rear axle wheels and designed to prevent theft and drive-away when parked in a car park, on your drive, left at the campsite or when in storage.
We think the Milenco’s Wheel Clamp is an exceptional theft deterrent with its Sold Secure Gold rating and approved to the world’s highest accredited International Security Standard SCM MP03.
With its pick-proof locking mechanism, it offers ultra-high security, steel construction to resist from sawing and freezing this wheel clamp offers exceptional protection. The latest locking mechanism has been re-engineered making it far easier to line-up and ultimately much easier to fit without comprising on protection.
The Milenco Wheel Clamp comes complete with three keys and fits both steel and alloy wheels. To prevent the clamp from marking and chipping the alloy wheels, the clamp has a protective foam backing.
Steering Wheel Lock
We selected this version of Milenco’s high security steering wheel lock which has been specifically designed for commercial vehicles such as vans, HGVs, tractors, industrial plant and motorhomes.
The lock is identical to the car version but is 150mm longer, to ensure a perfect barrier to turning the steering wheel. The locking bar on this version is 670mm overall; it is 520mm on the car version.
Milenco have taken their classically designed high security steering wheel lock, which was originally approved to the Thatcham standard, and completely re-engineered it to enhance its security so that it would pass and exceed the Sold Secure Gold Automotive standard. The Sold Secure standard was jointly developed by the Master Locksmiths Association and Police to promote the use of good quality, secure anti-theft devices. Their definition of their Gold rating is “offers the highest level of security” and is two and half times tougher than the old Thatcham standard were.
This Milenco high security steering wheel lock is quality engineered in the UK. It is a highly visible and powerful theft deterrent. Milenco are confident that this is the strongest and most secure steering wheel lock ever made. It has a unique, innovative design that allows for fast and easy fitment in just a few seconds. It comes with three high security keys which are both durable and highly reliable.
It’s an effective solution to the theft of vehicles that have modern keyless entry proximity key fobs. These vehicles are often electronically compromised by criminals, resulting in consequential vehicle theft. The steering wheel lock acts as both a strong visual deterrent and a significant barrier to driving the vehicle away.
Driver’s Seat Lock
We selected this version of Milenco’s high security steering wheel lock which has been specifically designed for commercial vehicles such as vans, HGVs, tractors, industrial plant and motorhomes.
The lock is identical to the car version but is 150mm longer, to ensure a perfect barrier to turning the steering wheel. The locking bar on this version is 670mm overall; it is 520mm on the car version.
Milenco have taken their classically designed high security steering wheel lock, which was originally approved to the Thatcham standard, and completely re-engineered it to enhance its security so that it would pass and exceed the Sold Secure Gold Automotive standard. The Sold Secure standard was jointly developed by the Master Locksmiths Association and Police to promote the use of good quality, secure anti-theft devices. Their definition of their Gold rating is “offers the highest level of security” and is two and half times tougher than the old Thatcham standard were.
This Milenco high security steering wheel lock is quality engineered in the UK. It is a highly visible and powerful theft deterrent. Milenco are confident that this is the strongest and most secure steering wheel lock ever made. It has a unique, innovative design that allows for fast and easy fitment in just a few seconds. It comes with three high security keys which are both durable and highly reliable.
This device is an effective solution to the theft of vehicles that have modern keyless entry proximity key fobs. These vehicles are often electronically compromised by criminals, resulting in consequential vehicle theft. The steering wheel lock acts as both a strong visual deterrent and a significant barrier to driving the vehicle away. One device we have added to our van security is really intended for motor cycles. It is jaw type lock that is intended for locking the motorcycle wheel disc.
I have fitted it to the base plate of the revolving seat in the cab of the motorhome. I thought if I can lock the seat facing backwards it would be impossible for anyone to drive it away. To fit it I simply swivelled the driver’s seat round so that it faced into the motorhome. I then drilled a hole in the swivel base plate of the seat which provided a close fitting hole for the location pin of the JDC Disc Lock.
It is a great addition to our security layers. It is very brightly coloured so the thief can easily see it, even from the outside looking in. It is also very solid and well-made item.
It has a sensitive alarm that is activated once it senses any movement. The alarm, at 110 dbA, is enough to tell the intruder that it may be better to go elsewhere!
In addition to all the security mentioned above we also ensure that we try and park the motorhome in clear sight to the general public as the thief is unlikely to want to try and break in to steal the motorhome. We also, where possible, use official campsites and avoid the amount of wild camping where we would possibly leave the motorhome unattended and possibly tucked away and out of general view. The vast majority of campsites have their own layers of security, especially security gates/barriers, night time lighting and CCTV surveillance.
In a way we see our site fees as partly paying for that additional security to add to our own security layers.
Prevention From The More Opportunistic Thief
All the layers above should, in theory, be sufficient to deter any thief. However, we have added even more security specifically aimed at the more opportunistic thief who, rather than looking to steal the motorhome, is looking to steal loose items from within the motorhome as quickly as possible then leg it!
Entry points to the motorhome are where we concentrated our efforts for the extra security:
Door Chains
The main cab doors are again the main entry point so we installed an additional layer of security. Here we added security door chains from Womo Tuning. They are a clever device that utilises existing fixing points in the door and the seat belt anchor points. If the thief is successful in gaining entry having navigating their way through the entry alarm and central locking systems, then they will find it almost impossible to gain any further entry as a result of the door chains.
Habitation Door Lock
Failure to gain entry via the cab door put our focus on the habitation door. Here we fitted a Milenco security door lock. This is fitted externally and the body of the lock is fitted to the motorhome side wall. It has a swivel arm that then slides over the habitation door.
A lot of these types of locks can only locked from the outside. The lock we chose can be opened and locked from inside the motorhome as well. This we feel is a great additional feature of this type of lock and well worth paying the little extra.
Window Locks
The windows were next on the list. Here we installed some excellent items manufactured by Lock M Out. Made in the UK from mild steel and powder coated in black to match the window catches they are sleeve/shroud like product that slide over the individual window latches.
The design prevents the window latches from being lifted with them in place. This also prevents them being lifted by the thief from the outside with a ‘bent nail’!
We all know that motorhome and caravan windows are essentially plastic and therefore if a thief is determined to enter your motorhome then they could simply smash the window. Clearly no amount of security will prevent this but we think an opportunist thief will not break the windows unless he is desperate to get in and has plenty of time where he will not be detected breaking in.
Night Time Security
Sadly break-ins do happen when we are actually in our vehicles. This I think you will agree is a really scary prospect.
Thankfully we have a large number of security devices fitted to our vehicle, as detailed above. Collectively it makes it extremely difficult to gain access to our vehicle, day or night.
We also mentioned earlier that we have a security door lock on our habitation door. By paying that little bit more we have a security lock that can be opened and closed and locked from the inside. This is a major security addition for any time of the day protection.
We also set the alarm on our motorhome at night. It will be activated if anyone opens either of the cab doors and it also has motion sensors in the cab area. As long as we don’t go near the cab area then we won’t activate the alarm ourselves during the night.
Additional Security
Some would, and do, argue that it is almost pointless and actually a waste of money by adding large amounts of extra security layers to your motorhome? They believe that if a thief is committed enough they will get through amount of security.
We certainly do not support this thought. Rather we feel that the more security you have the more it deters the thief and they will simply move on and look for more less secure targets.
For us the amount it costs for all our security, and possibly more items yet to be added, far outweighs the feeling of loss be it our belongings, valuables or the motorhome itself.
The list below is additional security we would recommend to also be considered as part of your motorhome security layers:
- Cab door deadlocks
- Safe
- CCTV
- Clutch claw
- Roof registration plate sticker
- Sky light alarms (this will be our next layer of security)
