Motorhome security measures: 12 essential safety tips

Taking motorhome security measures is an essential part of owning such a valuable home on wheels. There are two main aspects to keeping your new home safe and secure – guarding against the theft of the motorhome itself, and preventing your belongings from being stolen from the motorhome.

The rise in motorhome and RV travelling in recent years has also seen a rise in motorhome theft, mostly by professional thieves; while opportunistic and petty thieves have always been around! But with the right devices and advice, you can minimise this risk.

Follow the below motorhome security tips in our guide to help keep you, your vehicle and your belongings safe wherever the adventure takes you.

When do you need motorhome security measures?

Your driveway, a campsite, parked overnight at a wild camping spot… all can be potential sources of theft or break-in for your motorhome.

At home, for example, a motorhome is vulnerable to theft because it’s there for a prolonged period of time, meaning a thief has plenty of time to come back for it. (For this reason, many motorhomers choose to store their vehicles at a dedicated motorhome storage unit, but these aren’t without risk either.)

On the road, camping overnight at a campsite is the safest option but still has its risks from people on the site or thieves coming onto the site. Unfortunately, motorhome stopover sites aren’t without risk either, as thieves have been known to keep watch for motorhomers leaving the vehicle.

And what if you rent out your motorhome – will it be safe while someone else is using it?

It can all seem a bit daunting but don’t worry. There are lots of motorhome safety measures you can take to keep your motorhome safe from theft and keep you safe once you’re inside. Implement as many as you can afford and as your motorhome can accommodate – even the most determined thief won’t get past all of these!

Our top 12 motorhome security measures

First, preventing the theft of the motorhome itself, whether on the road or parked at home:

1. Alarm system

Locks, steering wheel bars and the like will hopefully stop someone getting into your motorhome in the first place, or driving it away if they do gain access. Don’t even let them get close – stop thieves in their tracks by installing the loudest, most ear-piercing motorhome alarm you can find.

There are loads of motorhome alarm systems available, so check with your insurer if a particular model is needed or whether you can get a discount on your insurance for using their particular brand. Your insurer will probably require any system you install to be accredited by the insurance research centre Thatcham – check before buying.

The Phantom Sentinel, Sigma S37 and Van Bitz Strikeback are all leading brands for motorhome alarms.

2. Door lock

Assuming thieves do get close to your motorhome, the next step is to prevent them from getting in. Locks are the main way to do this, fitted at the doors and the windows. Both access points are the weakest part of your motorhome’s security, so it pays to be as robust here as possible.

One important point to consider is how the lock is fitted. If you need to drill/screw into the door or window frame, check that doing this doesn’t affect your motorhome warranty. (That said, don’t let the need for drilling put you off a particular lock; your local motorhome centre should be able to find someone to advise.)

As with alarms, there’s a wide range of motorhome door locks on the market. Fiamma is a leading brand, selling a Safe Door Frame lock that uses self-tapping screws to attach to the inside of the motorhome door. HEOSafe is another leading brand, where locks fit onto the exterior door locks, while the Milenco Caravan / Motorhome Door Frame Lock Inside & Out does just what it says in locking both sides of the motorhome door.

Or try something like a Milenco Security Handle, where a handle can be closed across the exterior door.

3. Window lock

Fit locks on the side as well as rear windows when leaving your motorhome for any length of time. These should include window catch locks, such as the steel Lock M Out device which slips over the existing window lock; and window restrictors, which “child lock” limit how far windows can be opened. You can also add individual alarms to each window.

Finally, add window security film on the outside of your motorhome windows; this will make them harder to break if someone attacks them with a hammer.

4. Wheel clamp

It's the worst-case scenario – thieves have got into your motorhome. That doesn’t mean they get to drive it away! Luckily, there are several ways to prevent this, including a clamp lock fitted over at least one of the motorhome wheels.

Look for something lightweight but sturdy that will fit a tyre width of up to 220mm. The Bulldog EuroClamp is a good pick, retailing for around £100.

5. Clutch claw

A clutch claw or clutch claw lock is a tough snap-style lock that fits over a vehicle’s brake and clutch pedals so neither can be used when the claw is locked. The best-known brand is Centinel, which comes in a bright yellow colour with flashing LED light as well as deterrent window stickers. Expect to pay around £125.

A more budget option is the Dengzhu Stainless-Steel Clutch Lock Car Brake Lock, a brake and clutch lock with adjustable height holes. This should cost you around or just under £20.

We also recommend using a chain lock or padlock to lock the driver and passenger seats together, especially if the seats can be swivelled inwards as above.

6. Steering wheel lock

Steering wheel locks are one of the most obvious visual deterrents you can have in your motorhome. They’re usually a bright red or yellow and will be easily seen with just a casual glance through the driver or passenger window. As they’re relatively affordable too, we reckon they’re a motorhome security must-have.

Your steering wheel lock can be a bar lock across the wheel, a steel shell enclosing the entire wheel, or a steering wheel to brake pedal lock. Remember to keep the key separately from your motorhome keyring!

Disklok makes among the sturdiest wheel locks on the market, covering the full wheel and retailing at around £120. A bar version and a more budget option is the Stoplock Original HG 134-59, at about £25.

7. Gear lock

Just as clutch claws lock the brake pedal and clutch, gear locks lock the handbrake and gear lever together so the vehicle can’t be driven until it’s unlocked. These are really handy bits of kit because of their small size and easy storage – just chuck yours into the glove box when not using it. They’re very affordable too, from about £20 by brands including TK, Favomoto and Vicasky.

As with all parts of installable motorhome locks, double-check the model you pick is suitable for motorhomes/campervans.

8. CCTV/security camera

Seeing a security camera on a motorhome will stop all but the most determined thieves. And if you set the camera feed up to stream to your phone, you’ll have footage of the theft to show insurers and police if the worst happens.

There’s lots to pick from with home security cameras, so we recommend going for a model designed specifically for motorhomes and other RVs. Look for smart capability, night vision and a motion sensor in any camera you’re considering, plus consider how easy it’ll be to attach to your motorhome. Something like the Reolink Go (£170-240) is a great all-rounder as it’s solar-powered; it can also send an alert to your phone if it detects motion outside the motorhome when you’re not there.

9. Stickers

Don’t knock the simplest way to help keep your motorhome secure – using warning stickers!

Window stickers stating the vehicle is under 24-hour surveillance are a good deterrent against casual thieves, as are signs like “Beware of the dog” and of course a prominent one to show you have a camera installed.

Stickers are inexpensive, quick and easy to include in your motorhome security system – we’re big fans of doing absolutely everything possible to keep vehicles safe!

10. Tracking device

A tracking device or tracker can help with locating a motorhome if it’s been stolen, and having one installed can get you a discount with some motorhome insurance companies. As with alarm systems, trackers are assessed via accreditation through Thatcham.

Thatcham’s highest rating is S7, awarded to only a handful of motorhome tracking devices on the market. One is the HAL-Locate, which UK- and Europe-wide monitoring claims a 100% recovery success rate. Tracker Monitor is another S7, this time with VHF (Very High Frequency) technology supported by the police. Both are subscription-based and cost from £180 a year.

11. Security post

A security post or hitch post locked into your driveway is obviously one you’ll only use when your motorhome is parked where you live. But they’re such a simple and sturdy method to use that we think they’re a great pick. Both telescopic and folding security posts work in the same way, by locking into the ground to provide a theft-free barrier for your motorhome to park behind.

Bulldog, Sentinel, Autolock and Towsure are the main manufacturers for motorhome security posts, with prices ranging from £50 up.

12. Keep valuables out of sight

It’s just as important to keep safe while on your motorhome holiday as it is when your motorhome’s parked at home. Never leave any valuables visible in the motorhome where they can be seen from a window, and pull curtains/draw blinds as well. It’s worth taking essential items like keys with you any time you leave the motorhome, and of course lock up securely every time you go out, even if just to the campsite shop.

You should also bring bigger items like bikes or surfboards inside at night unless you can secure them to the motorhome. Finally, as we advise in ourbest motorhome sat nav guide, don’t leave dash-mounted sat navs in place while you’re not in your vehicle.

A motorhome safe is something to consider for extra peace of mind; the most secure types bolt to the vehicle chassis. Learn how to fit a safe in a motorhome.

Learn some more motorhome security tips

The 12 pieces of advice above will help keep you and your vehicle safe… but the more, the better! If you’re still unsure what security measures to go for in your own vehicle, ask fellow travellers in motorhome groups on or offline – they’re generally a friendly bunch and should be happy to share tips.

Another good option is to rent out a motorhome for your own holiday. Not only will you get to see how the security measures work and try them for yourself while on the road, but you’ll also be able to ask the motorhome owner for tips and tricks too. Have a look at motorhomes for hire in the UK to get started – you’ll be on your way in no time… and can rent out your own motorhome when you have it to recoup your security costs!

Don’t forget to check out ourtips on motorhome conversions too, an expert guide crammed with info and advice for new motorhomers.

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