Campervan Security

Campervan Security: How to Keep Your Home on Wheels Safe

Your campervan isn’t just a vehicle.

It’s your home, your freedom, your investment — and often everything you own is inside it.

While most nights on the road are peaceful and trouble-free, campervans can be attractive targets for thieves.

Understanding who you’re protecting against, and how they operate, is the first step to staying one step ahead.

Let’s break it down.

Understanding the Threat: Who Steals Campervans?

Not all thieves are the same. They fall broadly into two categories — and they behave very differently.

1️⃣ Opportunist Thieves

Who are they?

Opportunist thieves are NOT targeting you specifically. They’re looking for:

• Easy access

• Poor security

• Visible valuables

• Quick wins

They often operate on foot, bikes, or in small vehicles and will move on quickly if something looks difficult.

What are they after?

• Laptops, phones, cameras

• Wallets, handbags, passports, cash

• Power banks and tech

• Tools

• Loose items visible through windows

How they operate

• Trying unlocked doors

• Peering through windows

• Checking vans parked overnight in towns, car parks, lay-bys

• Striking while you’re asleep or away

How to stop them

Opportunist thieves hate attention, noise, and effort.

Simple measures are incredibly effective:

• Always lock doors — even “just for a minute”

• Close curtains or blinds at night

• Keep valuables out of sight

• Use internal deadlocks or door bars

• Park in well-lit or visible areas

• Leave a light on inside

👉 If your van looks occupied and difficult, they’ll usually move on.

2️⃣ Professional Thieves

Who are they?

Professional thieves target campervans specifically — often certain makes and models.

They may:

• Follow vans

• Use scanners or relay attacks

• Strip vehicles for parts

• Export them

• Steal entire vans to order

This is far rarer than opportunist theft, but the impact is much bigger.

What are they after?

• The van itself

• Expensive upgrades (batteries, solar, diesel heaters)

• Tools

• Bikes

• High-value conversions

How they operate

• OBD port access

• Key cloning or relay attacks

• Towing the van away

• Cutting locks quickly and quietly

• Targeting vans left for long periods

How to slow or stop them

You’re unlikely to stop a determined professional entirely — but you can make your van a less attractive target than the one next to it.

Professional thieves work on time and risk.

Physical Security: Your First Line of Defence

🚪 Additional Door Locks

• Deadlocks on cab and habitation doors

• Slam locks for side doors

• Internal door bars

These dramatically increase the time needed to gain access.

🔩 Steering Wheel Locks

Old-school but effective:

• Highly visible deterrent

• Forces noise and time to remove

• Often enough to make thieves walk away

🚲 Bike & External Storage Security

• High-quality hardened chains

• Sold Secure rated locks

• Lock bikes to the van, not just themselves

• Cover bikes to keep them out of sight

Electronic Security & Smart Devices

🚨 Alarms

• Factory alarms upgraded with volumetric sensors

• Aftermarket alarms with tilt and motion detection

• Alerts if doors are forced or the van is jacked up

📍 GPS Trackers

One of the best investments you can make:

• Real-time location tracking

• Alerts if the van moves

• Recovery chance dramatically improved

Some offer:

• Geofencing

• Battery backup

• Smartphone alerts

🔌 OBD Port Protection

• OBD port locks

• Port relocation

• Port disconnection when parked long-term

This prevents key programming and ECU access

Internal CCTV cameras

You can get CCTV cameras to protect the inside of your campervan. Some come with data chips so that you can view the cameras wherever you are.

Others will record and can be viewed later or can be recorded to the cloud

Low-Tech Tricks That Work Surprisingly Well

Not everything needs a price tag.

🧠 Psychological Deterrents

• Stickers: “GPS Tracked”, “Alarmed Vehicle”

• Dog bowls or leads visible

• Hi-vis jackets on seats

• Muddy boots by the door

🛑 Parking Smart

• Nose-in to walls or hedges

• Wheels turned toward kerbs

• Reverse into spaces to block door access

• Park with doors facing obstacles

🤫 Don’t Advertise What You Have

• Avoid leaving expensive gear visible

• Be careful what you show on social media in real time

• Don’t post locations until after you’ve moved on

Security When Wild Camping

Wild camping is one of the joys of campervan life — but it requires awareness.

Best practices:

• Trust your instincts

• Avoid obvious party spots

• Don’t stay if something feels off

• Keep keys in the same place every night

• Know your exits

• Sleep with doors locked

Most people wild camping experience zero issues, but preparation gives peace of mind.

Layered Security: The Golden Rule

There’s no single solution.

The most effective approach is layered security:

1. Visual deterrents

2. Physical barriers

3. Electronic protection

4. Smart habits

Each layer adds time, noise, and risk — exactly what thieves want to avoid.

Final Thoughts

Campervan security isn’t about paranoia — it’s about preparedness.

Most thefts are preventable with:

• Good habits

• Simple upgrades

• Awareness of your surroundings

Some people say that they leave “dummy” items out on display hoping that if a thief breaks in they’ll take the “dummy” item and leave everything else.

Personally I do NOT believe this is sensible or will work.

It’s far better to leave NOTHING on display at all.

Why tempt anyone to break in?

Your van carries your memories, adventures, and future plans.

Protecting it means you can relax, sleep soundly, and enjoy the road ahead.

Because freedom feels even better when it’s safe.