Caravans and motorhomes
Advice to help deter theft of, or damage to, leisure vehicles.
Usage of caravans and motorhomes – including campervans – is on the increase, fuelled by the appeal of hassle-free travel, rising costs of international trips, and environmental concerns.
However, many of these leisure vehicles may not be effectively protected with an array of security measures and can become a target for criminals, especially modern and expensive ones.
Here are some simple measures to keep your caravan and motorhome safe, whether you are parking at home or a campsite or stopping at a motorway services.
Safety at home
When you park your caravan, campervan or motorhome at home, make sure you:
- park the vehicle in nose first – this avoids it being towed off your driveway
- consider having the steering wheel on full lock – this makes the vehicle much harder to tow
- lock all windows, doors, roof lights, gas compartments and any external lockers
- take any personal or valuable items with you, including any documents or spare keys
- close any gates at the end of your driveway, if you have them
Tips to secure your leisure vehicle
Fit physical security
Try and make your caravan or motorhome less attractive to steal by fitting a combination of several products, such as:
- a hitch lock anti-theft device
- a steering wheel lock
- pedal locks
- wheel clamps
- locking wheel nuts
- a ground anchor
- a security post, if you have a driveway
- a hitch cover, to protect your vehicle’s make, model or age
Visit Secured by Design (SBD) for a list of approved vehicle security suppliers and recommended products.
Install an alarm and tracking system
Most motorhomes come with an immobiliser, but consider getting a Thatcham Category 1 alarm. This can include features such as perimeter and ignition detection, as well as movement, tilt, and glass break sensors.
Consider Thatcham-approved tracking devices, too. These are recommended for high-value leisure vehicles and designed to combat modern theft methods like relay attacks.
Secured by Design (SBD) has several members that can advise on the best security products for your caravan or motorhome.
Register, record and mark
Register
You could subscribe to an approved caravan and motorhome registration and identification scheme, such as the VIN chip.
This uses RFID technology and visible markings to deter theft and allow us to quickly identify and recover stolen leisure vehicles by linking the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to the national database.
Record
Keep a record of serial numbers, chassis and model numbers and take note of any custom marks on the leisure vehicle.
Take colour photographs from several angles and take videos with a smartphone if possible, including roof markings that give the year of manufacture and asset registration details.
Mark
Security marking your leisure vehicle is a highly effective, visible deterrent to thieves and an established method of reducing theft.
Unique and clear identification markings can greatly assist with recovery and provide us with vital information about your leisure vehicle.
Visit Secured by Design for a list of approved forensic asset marking suppliers.
Swivel the seat
If you have a swivelling driver’s seat in your motorhome or campervan, turn it to face the rear and lock it in position using a secure padlock or chain.
This creates a physical barrier, preventing a thief from easily reaching the controls and driving off with a motorhome, and serves as a simple, visible deterrent to opportunistic theft.
Visit Secured by Design for a list of approved padlock suppliers.
Selling your leisure vehicle
When selling your leisure vehicle, be wary of emails from abroad which may offer to buy the vehicle without seeing it or contain a bid to pay over the odds for it. If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.
If somebody wants to view your leisure vehicle:
- get their name, address and telephone number
- request proof of ID, such as their driving licence, when arranging a viewing
- agree to meet at your address
- have a friend or family member with you at all times
Should the buyer want to take your leisure vehicle for a test drive:
- never let them go on a test drive alone, there is a risk they will not come back
- check they have adequate insurance, otherwise you may be liable for any collisions or incidents
- do not give them the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or logbook, as they could use this information to create their own fake ‘cloned’ ad
Never hand over the motorhome until you have been paid. Make sure the funds have cleared and the money is in your bank account (electronic transfers are the best mechanism).