Essential Campervan Security Tips and Anti-Theft Devices

With vehicle theft continuing to rise in the UK, it’s more important than ever to take the right campervan security precautions.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about protecting your campervan against theft, from the basic security measures you should take every time you leave your vehicle to additional anti-theft devices you may want to invest in.

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Campervan security checklist: The basics

According to the Office for National Statistics, vehicle theft increased by a staggering 48% between September 2022 and September 2023 – and as campervans continue to grow in popularity, it’s hardly surprising that they’ve become a target.

To ensure your campervan doesn’t fall victim to this surge in vehicle theft, there are some simple security measures you can take:

1. Keep your campervan keys with you at all times: Never leave your keys inside your campervan when you go out – this would make it incredibly easy for a criminal to steal your vehicle!
2. Keep your doors locked when you’re not using them: It can be tempting to leave your campervan doors unlocked if you’re only popping out briefly, but this could prove to be a huge mistake if criminals have their eye on your vehicle.
3. Ensure all windows are locked when not in use: This will prevent criminals from being able to climb through the windows of your campervan when you’re out.
4. Close curtains and blinds when you’re not in: If criminals can’t tell whether the campervan is empty, they’re much less likely to attempt a robbery.
5. Always hide valuables out of sight: Thieves are less likely to target your vehicle if they can’t see anything worth stealing from the windows.

What anti-theft devices should you invest in to improve campervan security?

Although the basic measures listed above will help to deter thieves from breaking in, there are additional precautions you can take to increase the security of your campervan.

You may want to consider investing in some of the following anti-theft devices to keep your vehicle safe:

1. Alarms and cameras

Installing a motion sensor alarm somewhere in your van is a great way to deter criminals. When activated, the alarm will sound if any motion is detected inside the vehicle.

For added peace of mind, you could also install a security camera in your van. This will allow you to see the inside of your campervan via your mobile phone, and many camera systems will also alert you if any movements are detected.

2. Steering wheel, pedal, and wheel locks

Adding physical locks to the main driving components of your campervan will prevent thieves from driving the vehicle away. These are difficult to remove, so even if a thief does have the right tools, they risk drawing attention to themselves by trying to do so.

Steering wheel locks are a great campervan security option because they’re easy to remove when you return to your vehicle and also act as a visual deterrent.

3. Deadlocks/slamlocks

A deadlock is a second lock that can be added to your campervan to make it harder for thieves to break in. Instead of simply unlocking the van by pressing a button, they would also have to physically insert a key to open the door.

A slamlock is similar to a deadlock, except it locks automatically when the door is slammed shut. This saves you from having to lock up every time you leave the van, but you’ll need to take care not to accidentally lock your keys inside!

4. Safe/security box

It’s a good idea to invest in a safe if you’re leaving valuables such as laptops, jewellery, or cash in your campervan. This means thieves won’t be able to access your belongings if they do manage to break in.

However, make sure you bolt the safe to the chassis of your van so that it can’t be easily removed.

5. Visual deterrents

Even something as simple as displaying stickers that show you have a GPS tracker and/or an alarm installed can be enough to deter criminals from breaking into your campervan.

Some alarms come with flashing LEDs to warn potential thieves that there is some kind of campervan security device installed inside.

6. Trackers and immobilisers

If the worst should happen and a thief does manage to drive away with your vehicle, having a tracker and/or immobiliser installed will help increase the chances of retrieving it.

Although you can choose to install a very basic tracker yourself, these can be unreliable. It’s best to invest in a high-range tracker that is installed professionally and monitored 24/7 via an operating centre, as this gives you the best chance of getting your vehicle back if it is stolen.

Security tips for hiring out your campervan

If you plan on hiring out your campervan to other holidaymakers, there are some additional security precautions you should take:

1. Vet potential renters: Carry out background checks on any potential renters you don’t already know before agreeing to let them stay in your van. It’s always best to hire out your campervan through a third-party website, as they will do all of this for you.
2. Talk renters through your security features: When you meet renters to hand over the keys, be sure to give them a thorough explanation of all the campervan security features they need to know about. It’s worth giving them a physical list of these so they don’t forget anything!

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Start your campervan finance application today, or get in touch to find out more about securing your dream vehicle with Auto Finance Online.