The camping boom is unstoppable, but with increasing interest comes the risk of break-ins and theft. Many RV owners are concerned about the security of their mobile homes, as they are a popular target for specialist burglars. But what can you do to protect yourself?
In this article you will learn everything about the different ways to protect your motorhome from burglaryWe refer specifically to Motorhomes based on the Fiat Ducato built from 2006 and on identical vehicles. Identical vehicles are the Peugeot Boxer, Citroen Jumper and Opel Movano from year of construction 2021.
From mechanical fuses such as Prick Stop locking plates and rear door locks to electronic security measures such as alarm systems and motion detectors to additional measures such as steering wheel locks, Pedal locks and tire claw – we present you the best methods to increase the safety of your motorhome.
The combination of proven products and practical tips you can Significantly reduce the risk of a break-in and enjoy your trip more relaxed. Read on to learn more about the most effective RV security solutions and how to make the most of them.
Experts differentiate between opportunistic criminals and targeted vehicle thieves. Both groups use different methods to get hold of valuables or the vehicle itself.
Opportunity thieves prefer to strike in supermarket parking lots, tourist attractions or rest areas. They choose easy targets to quickly get to valuables. One of the most common methods for the Fiat Ducato is the so-called "prick attack": A sharp object is used to pierce the door below the lock, which unlocks the central locking system. Protection solutions such as the Prick stop can help here.
The door locks themselves also offer little security. The locks can be quickly cracked with a “vehicle power key”.
Another entry point is the windows, especially the triangular window, which is often broken. Mechanical locks such as door latches or chains with locks can prevent thieves from entering the vehicle through windows or doors. Opportunist thieves usually give up when they realize that the vehicle is too well secured and look for an easier target.
Professional vehicle thieves act in a targeted and organized manner. They often observe the vehicle for several days to find the best time to steal it. A popular method is to intercept or amplify the signal from a keyless entry system. Since there are no signs of a break-in, those affected often have difficulty obtaining compensation from the insurance company.
Another trick is the use of jammersthat block the signals from central locking systems. The vehicle owner believes the vehicle is locked, while in fact it remains open. Such devices are cheap and easily available, which makes the method particularly popular.
However, there are also cases of brazen thefts where thieves simply use battery-powered saws to break through the locks and gain access to the vehicle. The vehicle itself is not taken into consideration. Steering wheel locks, for example, are simply removed by cutting through the steering wheel. There are also reports of thieves who have simply cut open the outer wall of a mobile home.
Particularly striking but effective is the use of wrecker, which is used to simply transport the vehicle away. The thieves often disguise themselves as roadside assistance in order to appear inconspicuous. Con thieves sometimes also create a distraction by faking an accident, for example, and then simply stealing the vehicle the next moment.
In addition to the technical and mechanical security measures, there are some basic rules of conduct that you should follow to increase the safety of your motorhome. These tips are well known, but they cannot be repeated often enough.
Many RV safety features require regular use or installation, which is often overlooked in fast-paced or hectic situations. To increase the basic safety of your RV, it is important to take preventative measures that provide constant protection, without having to constantly think about it.
The doors and windows of an RV are the primary entry points for burglars and should therefore be particularly secured. However, before deciding on specific security measures, consider how you plan to exit the vehicle once all the doors are locked. Here are some effective measures to secure your doors and windows:
All these measures are reduce your recruitment costs and with a little skill be installed by yourselfIn addition, our own products installation partner is available for storage, management and analysis.
These additional security measures significantly increase the protection of your motorhome and reduce the likelihood of a successful break-in.
To secure the hinged windows, Womo-Sicherheit.de special metal security profiles. These profiles reinforce the window frames and effectively prevent the windows from being forced open.
Anti-burglary films provide additional protection for securing the side windows of the driver's cab. These films make it much more difficult to break the windows. However, please note that these films are often not approved for use in vehicles and can also make access more difficult in the event of an accident.
These include steering wheel locks (This fits for motorhomes and connects the steering wheel and clutch pedal), pedal locks (e.g. from Schoellock® for Fiat Ducato for approx. 135€)(advertising link) and wheel clamps (here is a suitable model for most motorhomes) that prevent the vehicle from being easily started or moved. These devices are easy to install and increase safety by blocking access to the vehicle's controls and making driving more difficult.
Mechanical immobilizers are often more effective than electronic onesbecause they usually cannot be removed without making a noise. Of course, there are now very powerful cordless saws that can overcome these barriers.
In addition to mechanical solutions, there are electrical immobilizers that prevent a vehicle from starting.
Modern motorhomes have an electronic immobilizer, but this can be bypassed via the OBD interface (on-board diagnostics). To close this security gap, additional mechanical locks can be installed that block access to the OBD interface.
Another effective measure is to cut off the power supply to critical components such as the fuel pump using a hidden switch. This makes it much more difficult for thieves to start the vehicle as they would have to spend time searching for the switch.
Alarm systems for motorhomes are available in numerous variants, from simple window contacts to complex systems with app connections. These systems monitor movements both inside and outside the vehicle and immediately sound the alarm if there is any suspicious activity. Complex systems can easily cost up to €1.000 without installation and are usually only available from workshops. Simple window contact alarm systems can also be found online.
motion detector
Motion detectors can be installed both inside and outside the motorhome. These devices detect any movement in the vehicle and immediately trigger an alarm. However, they often lead to false alarms.
GPS tracking systems
GPS trackers provide an additional layer of security by allowing you to monitor the RV's location in real time. In the event of theft, you can track the vehicle's location and notify the police, increasing the chances of quickly recovering the vehicle. However, simple trackers can also be bypassed by savvy thieves.
emergency switch
An emergency switch can be installed inside the motorhome to immediately trigger an alarm in the event of a break-in or theft. This switch can be positioned so that it is only easily accessible in an emergency, increasing safety by triggering an immediate alarm in the event of an emergency.
gas monitor
There are reports, particularly from France, that campers are being attacked by the introduction of anesthetic gas. Gas monitors can be used to protect against such dangers. These devices detect dangerous gas concentrations in the air and immediately sound the alarm if anesthetic gas or other dangerous gases are detected. There is a lot of debate about this type of attack. There are legitimate doubts as to whether the stories about it are true. Ultimately, everyone has to judge for themselves and if they make them feel safer, these devices serve their purpose.
The optimal protection for a motorhome depends on the value of the vehicle, its intended use, personal preference and, of course, the budget. With older motorhomes, the priority is to protect the contents, while with expensive motorhomes, the priority is to protect the motorhome itself from theft.
Here are some recommendations for basic configurations with increasing budget:
A basic security measure for motorhomes based on the Fiat Ducato and similar models, which deters opportunistic thieves and quick “pickers” in parking lots, should consist of the following components:
These measures cost around 50 – 100€ if installed yourself and are easy to implement.
Cost-effective and simple protective measures against vehicle theft are:
Individually, these measures are certainly not an impossible obstacle for professional thieves, but taken together they are quite difficult to circumvent. Especially if the vehicle is left unattended for a long time (e.g. in winter), we recommend combining these relatively inexpensive measures.
Depending on the quality of the individual components, the costs are around €250 - €500. The mechanical locks are easy to install. Installing a circuit breaker requires expertise or a specialist company.
Now come the measures that require a little more budget, but are definitely recommended in relation to the high purchase costs of some mobile homes. There are no budget limits here, so there is no total cost estimate:
There is no such thing as 100% protection against break-ins or theft in a motorhome. Even if insurance can help to compensate for material damage, a break-in or theft is always an unpleasant experience when camping. Nevertheless, the security level of your motorhome can be significantly increased with inexpensive and simple measures. Depending on the type of motorhome and your personal security needs, there are hardly any limits. It is important that you make individual considerations and find out which security precautions make the most sense for your situation.
