Motorhome security: a comprehensive guide to preventing theft
Unfortunately, motorhomes are being stolen with increasing frequency. In the Netherlands, motorhomes go missing every year, and a large proportion of them are never recovered. Good motorhome security is therefore more important than ever.
In this guide, you’ll learn how motorhome theft usually occurs and which measures really help to better protect your motorhome.
Why motorhome security is important
A motorhome is often a significant investment. But when a motorhome is stolen, it is not just about the financial loss.
Many motorhome owners also face other consequences:
- Holiday plans are ruined
- Personal belongings and equipment are lost
- You often have to pay an excess on your insurance
- A sense of security is lost
Even when a motorhome is recovered, the damage is often considerable. That is why more and more people are opting for extra motorhome security against theft.
When motorhomes are most at risk of theft
1. During winter storage
In winter, many motorhomes are left stationary for months in a storage facility or car park. This gives thieves time to strike.
2. During holidays
Motorhomes are often parked at campsites or car parks where there are many vehicles. As a result, suspicious situations are less likely to be noticed.
3. At your home
Many motorhome thefts simply take place outside people’s homes, often at night.
How motorhomes are usually stolen
Signal amplification from the car key
Thieves can amplify the signal from your car key whilst it is inside your home. This allows them to open and start the motorhome without causing any damage.
Forcing locks
Professional thieves can break or drill open locks relatively quickly.
Towing
A motorhome can also easily be towed away or loaded onto a recovery vehicle.
New identity
Sometimes a stolen motorhome is given a different registration number or chassis number and is resold, often abroad.
How can you better secure a motorhome?
The best security usually consists of a combination of different measures.
1. Mechanical security
- Steering lock or pedal lock
- Wheel clamp
- Extra locks on doors and hatches
These measures make it harder to drive off quickly in your motorhome.
2. Electronic security
An alarm system can help to attract attention, but does not always prevent a motorhome from being stolen. That is why many motorhome owners opt for a GPS tracker for their motorhome.
With a GPS tracker, you can:
- track the location of your motorhome
- receive alerts in the event of tampering or movement
- locate your motorhome more quickly in the event of theft
- track your vehicle throughout Europe
3. Smart behaviour
- Park in well-lit areas wherever possible
- Park your motorhome with the front facing an obstacle
- Avoid remote parking spaces
- Choose car parks with CCTV
GPS tracker or alarm system?
An alarm system can deter thieves, but usually does not help in locating a motorhome.
A motorhome GPS tracker, however, does provide insight into where your motorhome is located. That is why many motorhome owners opt for a combination of:
- mechanical security
- an alarm system or visible deterrent
- GPS tracking
What to do if your motorhome is stolen?
If your motorhome is stolen, it is important to act quickly.
- Call the police immediately
- Check the last known location via your GPS tracker
- Report the theft to your insurance company
- Share information in motorhome groups or on social media
Summary
Securing a motorhome properly usually means combining various measures. Think of a steering lock, extra locks and a GPS tracker.
With a GPS tracker, you can locate your motorhome if it is stolen and you always know where your vehicle is.