Motorhome security: 6 top tips with Motorhome Matt

Owning a motorhome can be a big investment, which is why motorhome security should be a key consideration for motorhome owners. If you’re getting ready to head out on your next adventure, the last thing you want is to find your motorhome has been tampered with or gone missing altogether.

To mitigate this risk, there are various motorhome security steps you can take to ensure your motorhome is as safe as possible.

Motorhome Matt knows a thing or two about motorhome security. We recently caught up with him to get his expert advice on motorhome security, and find out what you can do to keep your vehicle safe both on and off the road.

 

Motorhome security: 6 top tips with Motorhome Matt

 

Matt Sims (or Motorhome Matt) runs the Motorhome Matt Podcast, which provides advice and guidance to motorhome, campervan, and caravan owners. Matt has been working in the motorhome industry for nearly 20 years and has been travelling in motorhomes his entire life.

With several motorhome businesses, Matt has an excellent knowledge of the industry and the importance of motorhome security. With Matt’s help, we’ve come up with 6 motorhome security tips to help you keep your vehicle safe and sound at all times. Check them out below.

 

1.  Choose where you store your motorhome carefully

There are multiple options available to you when it comes to  storing your motorhome when it’s not in use, with varying levels of security. Some of these options might include your driveway or garage, in self-storage, at a campsite, or at a specialist storage facility.

The important thing to consider, wherever you store your motorhome, is the amount of security available on site. If you’re storing your motorhome away from home, it’s a good idea to find out what’s available on site such as CCTV, security personnel, or perimeter fencing.

Where you choose to store your motorhome largely comes down to what suits you best depending on your location and budget. In addition to the security available on site, you can also install some of your own security measures on your vehicle for an extra layer of protection.

Remember, it’s always worth checking with your insurance provider on where you should be storing your motorhome to ensure your policy is valid.

Matt says:

“We’re lucky enough to own our own secure facility for our motorhomes, campervans, and caravans which is a CASSOA registered site. We have over 200 vehicles stored there which is monitored via CCTV. When we’re heading out in our motorhome on holiday, I’ll usually have it stored on our drive ready for when we leave.”

 

2.  Make use of multiple security measures at once

It may sound obvious, but the more the merrier when it comes to motorhome security measures. There’s a wide range of security products on the market, from deadlocks to keep people out of your living area, to steering wheel locks to stop anyone from being able to drive away with your vehicle.

The products you decide to use depend entirely on what works best for you, your budget, and your insurance policy. It’s a good idea to do your own research on the products that are available and find a solution that suits you.

Matt says:

“Motorhomes are a big investment so you’ll want to protect yours in  any way you can. After all, you’ll have a big claim on your hands if it gets stolen. The high value of motorhomes also makes them attractive to thieves, and many are easily stolen if the right security steps aren’t taken. Basically, the more security, the better!

“When in storage, I always use a wheel clamp, steering wheel lock, and tracker. The tracker we use has a remote disable function so wherever we go, even if we’re just stopped at a petrol station, I can just click a button and the motorhome can’t be started. You can also get a motorcycle disc lock which you can use to rotate your front seats so they’re facing backwards and lock them in place.”

Related: 35 motorhome essentials to enhance your adventures

 

 

3.  Use some visible security measures to deter thieves

Having visible security measures installed on your vehicle can help deter thieves from even attempting to break into or steal your vehicle. If your vehicle looks like too much of a risk to even try, they’re more likely to look elsewhere.

Visible security measures could include steering wheel locks, wheel clamps, or any other devices that are visible from outside of your motorhome. You can also add warning stickers to the outside of your vehicle to show that your motorhome has a tracker and alarm.

In addition to this, it’s also worth checking that all of your valuables are out of sight to not tempt potential thieves to break in.

Matt says:

“Generally, with security features, I think the more visible the better. You want to make sure security devices are as visible as possible, because even if someone just attempts to steal your motorhome and is unsuccessful, you may still incur a cost. So, you want to discourage them right from the start.”

 

                                                                                                                         

4.  Make use of security measures even when travelling in your motorhome

If you’re travelling in your motorhome and you decide to leave it at a campsite whilst you explore, it’s always worth making sure you have your security measures set up just in case—especially if you’re wild camping.

Matt says:

“We’re never really away from the motorhome when we’re travelling in it, but we’ll still have the steering wheel lock and the tracker with us if needed, which has the remote disable feature we mentioned earlier.”

 

5.  Research the brands of each security product you buy

When looking at different security brands, you’ll find that many have grading  or  accreditation systems that indicate how well they work or how secure they are.

For example, Thatcham-Approved Trackers come in 2 different categories (S5 and S7) which both come with motion detectors, GPS, and 24/7 monitoring—but only the S5 comes with a driver ID tag for further security.

Sold Secure also offers a grading system for a wide range of security products, including steering wheel locks, disc locks, and wheel clamps.  The higher the grade, the more time and advanced tools it will take to break them.

Matt says:

“We use Stronghold wheel clamps which are really good and they’re a Sold Secure recognised product which means they take at least 20 minutes to cut through with an angle grinder—so they’re pretty secure.”

 

6.  Double check your insurance requirements

Before you buy any security products, speak to your insurer or check your policy documents to make sure you’re aware of the security requirements of your policy.

Your insurance policy may state that you need a particular type of tracker, alarm, or immobiliser for your policy to be valid, so it’s always worth checking before you buy. Having additional security measures may even make your insurance policy cheaper.

Matt says:

“I think as a consumer, you should always make sure you’re aware of your insurance requirements. Clarify with your insurer when wheel clamps need to be fitted for your insurance to be valid, as people often don’t realise that they can be required even if you’re storing your motorhome on a campsite, for example.”

 

 

Specialist motorhome insurance through Ripe

Whatever security measures you choose to use for your motorhome, having insurance can help provide financial protection and peace of mind should the worst happen.

Specialist motorhome and campervan insurance through Ripe allows you to build your policy so you can tailor your cover to suit you and protect your motorhome against things like theft, fire, flood, and accidental damage.

Motorhome insurance through Ripe also offers optional add-ons, including enhanced windscreen cover, personal accident cover, continental Europe cover, legal expenses cover, and key cover.

Find out more about specialist motorhome and campervan insurance through Ripe and get a free online quote today.