Having your vehicle broken into is one of the worst feelings in the world. And if your vehicle is also your home—or even just your vacation home—a break-in is not only upsetting, it can also be dangerous. The last thing you want is for someone to break into your van while you and your family are sleeping. A solid campervan security system is a must.
In this article, we’ll talk all things campervan security: from the basic security your van comes with, to DIY hacks you can do cheaply and easily that will make your van more secure, to aftermarket security systems you can install yourself or with the help of a professional.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Campervan Security System Basics
When people think of a vehicle break-in, one of the first things they worry about is the vehicle being stolen. However, this concern is actually much lower on the list than many people realize. Nearly all vehicles these days come with an engine immobilizer, which will prevent the vehicle from being driven away if it’s hotwired.
Your main concern when it comes to your campervan security system should be theft. For campers especially, theft is a real concern because you probably have a lot of valuables in your van, as opposed to what you might carry in your car. If you live in your camper full-time, your whole life is in that vehicle. So it pays to adhere to a few basic security measures.
Park in Secure Locations
We recommend you stick to designated campsites or boondocking on public land as much as possible while traveling, as these will be the most secure places for your vehicle. But sometimes you have no choice but to park in an urban center, or at a camping spot without much protection.
If you are more of a city dweller in your campervan, you may be surprised how much parking in a well-lit area and having a few other vehicles around can do for your van security. Thieves are deterred by difficulty, so the more difficult you can make their job, the safer your van will be. Parking in a well-lit spot with a few other people around to keep an eye on things is always better than parking out of sight somewhere dark or shady.
Don’t Leave Valuables In Plain View
If you leave your van, or even when you lock up to go to sleep for the night, make sure everything is securely tucked away and out of sight. Again: make it difficult for potential thieves. Don’t advertise what they’re going to be getting if they take it upon themselves to target your camper.
Always Lock Up
This should be a no-brainer, but people often let it slide. If you’re in the campervan overnight, or if you’re only stepping away for a few minutes, you might be tempted to leave it unlocked. Don’t!
Always, always lock up your van. It just isn’t worth the risk—particularly if you live in it full-time and have lots of valuables inside. Not only will it be a real problem to lose your laptop, your insurance won’t cover it if the van was unlocked when the break-in occurred.
How Do I Make My Campervan More Secure? DIY Methods
Once you’ve covered the basics, you might want to consider some additional methods for securing your van. The good news is that there’s a lot you can do on your own (and for quite cheap) to improve your built-in campervan security system.
Steering Wheel Lock
We mentioned before that worrying about your van actually being driven away is relatively low on the list of concerns. However, if your van doesn’t have an engine immobilizer, a steering wheel lock is a must.
A steering wheel lock also acts as a deterrent—thieves see it and assume there may be more security measures in place. Again: you’re making their job more difficult. Give them a reason to think twice about trying to get into your vehicle.
Deadbolt
A deadbolt is one of the best locks you can install on your van. They are basically bullet-proof, reasonably-priced, and you can install them yourself. There are two types of deadbolt locks for vans: interior and exterior. Interior locks (also called mortise locks) are trickier to install, and may require the help of a locksmith. However, it is possible to install one yourself. (Check out this video to see how.)
Exterior deadbolt locks are extremely popular with van lifers, because they are relatively cheap to buy, and easy to install on your own. Of all the additional security measures you could install on your van, an exterior deadlock is probably the best place to start.
Sliding Door Lock
If your van has sliding doors, then a sliding door lock is a must. Like an exterior deadlock, they are incredibly easy to install: just drill a hole through the sliding door rail and put a padlock through it. The only weak point in this system is the lock itself—make sure you buy a very sturdy padlock that can’t be easily cut with lock cutters.
Cab Door Chain
To secure the doors of your cab (aka, where the driver sits, you can stretch a chain across the interior of it, from one door to the other. Pull the chain tight and padlock it, and it will prevent the doors from opening.
Curtains
These are great for preventing people from peeking through your windows to see what you have in your van. They also keep valuables hidden without too much effort.
Can I Add An Aftermarket Security System to a Campervan?
Once you’ve got a few DIY hacks set up, you might want to bolster security with a proper, aftermarket security system. This could include things like door alarms, motion sensors, GPS trackers, dash cams, and lock boxes.
Of course you can go to Car Toys or a dealership and have a robust automotive car alarm system installed, but there are some less expensive options for aftermarket campervan alarm systems.
Alarms
Although these alarms are better known for actual houses, the CPVAN motion sensor alarm and the SimpliSafe glass break detector can work in a campervan just the same.. Combined, these two alarms will give your van a degree of protection beyond just locking it up and hoping for the best.
Mount the CPVAN camera inside the van, with a good view of the doors (you may want to get two so you can monitor the front and the back.) If any motion is detected—such as a door opening or someone coming in through the window—the alarm will sound.
The SimpliSafe glass break alarm monitors for the sound of breaking glass from up to 20 feet away and sounds an alarm if it detects that a window has broken. It monitors very specific frequencies and sound patterns, so the likelihood that it will go off on a false alarm is low.
GPS Tracker
If your van is stolen, having a GPS tracker attached to it somewhere can help you quickly recover the vehicle. The best trackers—like WhereSafe—can alert you when your car is started or if the tracker detects that the van is moving at a certain speed.
There is typically a subscription fee with GPS trackers, so ensure you have the budget to sustain this safety feature after the initial investment.
Lock Box
Keeping your valuables in a lock box when you leave your vehicle in a parking lot or at a trailhead is a great idea—particularly if you carry cash, expensive electronics, or camera gear. Keep the lock box somewhere hidden so that it’s less likely to be found by thieves if they do happen to get into your vehicle.
You can also get a fireproof safe that can be bolted to the frame of your campervan in a cabinet or under your bed.
Creating Your Own Campervan Security System
Armed with the knowledge in this article, you should now be able to arm your van against intruders. Your personal campervan security system will depend on your own level of comfort with DIY solutions and your desired level of security.
Lots of people get by with just a steering lock, sliding door lock, and deadlock—others want a full-on alarm setup and GPS tracking. It’s up to you! Just make sure you’re following basic safety measures, and always lock your van!
