One of the most discussed topics on motorhome owners’ social media sites is that of vehicle security.
Having invested life savings into your motorhome it is challenging to contemplate that it might be stolen, or perhaps worse, that someone will break in whilst you are sleeping.
The fear of theft is greater than the reality. Since 2002 all new motorhomes have been factory fitted with Thatcham-approved electronic immobilisers. As with other vehicles, this has led to a reduction in vehicle vulnerability. That said, Comfort Insurance has reported a spikes in thefts of motorhomes, especially in the CM, CO, RM, SS, SO and BH postal districts with the summer months of June, July and August apparently being most at risk. The target base vehicles tend to be Ford and Fiat as over-the-counter technology has made it possible to override manufacturers’ standard security.
Recognising that no single security measure will defeat the determined thief, the question is how to handle the risk proportionately?
The first, yet sometimes neglected, is insurance. Third party insurance is compulsory, but policies differ widely, some with significantly high excess charges. Whilst not within the remit of this blog, the art is to buy your insurance through a specialist motorhome insurer, getting a standard policy tailor-made for your leisure vehicle.
Second is storage. Although detailed statistics are not published, vehicles seem to be at particular risk when unattended, in out-of-season unsecured commercial storage, or in-season forecourt parking. The principal risk appears to be from steal-to-order professional teams with lists of vehicles and their known location. They arrive with the technology to overcome locks and manufacturer’s standard security, together with some lever and bolt cutting equipment.
Here the answer is to risk-assess your options for storage. If you are parking at your home, can you form an environmentally secure compound with the use of electric gates, security posts or other barriers? Bear in mind that speed is a priority for commercial thieves and anything that may delay them will act as a deterrent. For this reason a simple wheel clamp can be an effective measure. Contributors to this blog suggest that you also consider visible outside technology, such as floodlight camera motion sensors, especially those that link remotely to via an app to your smartphone. Such devices give forewarning of attempted interference, some even providing a two-way voice connection allowing you to communicate with the suspect.
Supposing that the thief has circumnavigated your outside security measures, the third line of defence is from within the vehicle. Here the obvious steps are steering wheel and pedal locks, door-strapping (a locked chain or cable between the cab door armrests), swivel cab seat locks, and the obvious addition of extra cab and habitation external and internal door locks.
Depending on location, additional features such as internal sounding alarms and visible remote video connection may dissuade the thief. Other systems may be sophisticated, for example mains wiring disconnection alarm, or a simple baby monitor connected to a phone. These measures provide a chance of detection, rather than an evident prevention precaution. Bear in mind that the commercial thief will note measures such as Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) window etching as a deterrent factor when selecting a vehicle to steal.
The final line of defence is of course the vehicle tracker. As well as reducing your insurance premium, a Thatcham approved tracker may offer the best chance of recovery in the few hours between theft and export. One contributor suggested that you add a fake tracker too, so that the thief may believe that by disabling this following entry, the vehicle could no longer be traced.
Turning to occupational security, some of the features mentioned above offer distinct advantages when your motorhome is in use. Correspondents consider that improved door and window locks to be the most favoured precautions, offering security both when occupying the motorhome or away from it. Visual deterrents such as door strapping and steering and pedal locks are next. Clearly, leaving valuables on show is inviting theft. One correspondent said that a simple passenger side cab window sign indicating that there were no valuables in the vehicle had de-prioritised his motorhome when parked with others that had been entered. Another stated that the presence of their pet dogs had saved them from intruders whilst wild-camping abroad.
From all of the contributors, the security steps that were most pertinent were those that delayed the intruder, and therefore deterred theft. It seems that by delay, and advertising that fact that you have employed security measures, you are more likely to protect your investment.
Finally, don’t forget to photograph your motorhome, both inside and out. Should it be stolen, photos on social media platforms could provide your best chance of recovering your vehicle.
