Top Tips to Protect Your Stuff: Choose an RV Security System

Traveling and or living in a Motorhome or RV makes a person a potential target of burglars, thieves, and vandals. Many people consider people who own coaches to be wealthy, and many coaches are ridiculously easy to break into. The front doors and cargo doors often use the same keys. Plus, many trailers and RVs use the exact same keys as others. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to protect yourself and secure your home and belongings.

Pick Where You Park Wisely

Begin by choosing a safe campground or RV park rather than boondocking. Research sites like AllStays and Yelp. Read the reviews for any campground or RV resort you are considering staying at to determine how safe they are reputed to be. Choose places with good reviews, and then try to find a site in a well-lit area. Although remote, dark, and secluded areas are great for sleeping in, more populated spots are much safer. In other words, there's safety in numbers.

Related Read: Is Boondocking Safe?

Store Your RV in a Secure Location

Those of you who don't live in your motorhome or trailer full-time should always make sure to park it somewhere safe. Don't assume that leaving it in your driveway is the safest location. Most burglars start with the easiest location to break into, which would be your home-on-wheels.

Before parking in RV storage, however, research the location carefully. Read reviews and visit a few different locations. Verify what sort of security they use. Although typically more expensive, enclosed individual units are often more thoroughly protected than open lots are. Examine the locks, look for cameras, and determine whether there is a video recording system in place.

Change Your RV's Locks

One of the first things you can do to improve the security of your RV or trailer is to change the locks to sturdier versions with different keys. Many companies use the same lock-style and duplicate keys, which means the doors and cargo areas are accessible by the trailer or motorhome keys of other people.

Using wheel locks or a chain through the tires helps prevent wheels from turning keeping your travel trailer from being stolen. A steering wheel lock bar like The Club can also assist in keeping your motorhome from being stolen while you're away.

Related Read: Camping Safe and Sound

Use a Good Security Camera
There is a range of high-quality security systems and cameras on the market. Many; however, require a landline or at least reliable Internet to be effective. For a modest monthly payment, you can install a standard security system like one of the following:

• Reolink Cellular Security Camera is powered by rechargeable batteries. It is waterproof and is easily mounted to the top or side of the exterior of your RV, and allows residents to be alerted to what is going on outside. Since there are several different models, it's easy to choose one that is right for your situation.

• RV Guardian alerts you if someone enters whatever your designated boundaries are. The outdoor motion detector lights and hydraulic locks will keep most intruders and even predatory animals away.

• Simplisafe doesn't require a landline or a long-term contract. With four different methods of protection, you get entry and motion sensors, as well as video security. It doesn't require any tools to set it up.

• Tattletale RV Alarm is advertised as a tamperproof, easy to install system. It plugs into a traditional outlet and lasts around 20 hours on one charge. When something is amiss, the company sends a text or email. Then, a special key fob allows you to trigger the alarm remotely.

If your goal is merely to deter burglars, sometimes a home-security sticker on the front door is all it takes to do the trick. Usually, vandals prefer to get the job done quickly and quietly to minimize their risk, and anything that indicates the task will be difficult or dangerous is enough to dissuade them.
Get a Dog, any Dog

A dog can be your best alarm and first defense in an RV. Even a tiny—usually noisy—dog can alert you to someone in close proximity to your home-on-wheels. In truth, a barking dog also alerts your neighbors that someone is nearby. This is often enough to dissuade would-be burglars from any further attempts at entering your motorhome or trailer.

However, different states—and even certain municipalities—have varying laws regarding dogs left alone in vehicles of any kind, even RVs. You should definitely check out the regulations of any state you enter. Perhaps, also consider using a temperature regulating monitor or security system like the RV Nanny if you plan to leave your dog in the RV as a deterrent. This ensures that the pet is safe, in a climate-controlled condition, and that no one has attempted to enter.

Get a Gun, If You're So Inclined

Many RVers feel more secure if they're packing a firearm, and in some states, it is an almost guaranteed practice. If that is your choice and you remain in a state that has lenient carry laws, you should be fine. If you move around a lot; however, it's important to research the requirements for crossing state lines. It's often best to keep your permits readily available and your guns locked in a safe or gun cabinet while traveling. It's also advised to either look up the areas online or purchase a concealed carry map.

In Conclusion

Regardless of what security method you choose to use, it's a good idea to avoid leaving expensive items, such as computers, tablets, or smart phones in plain sight from doors or windows while you're gone or sleeping. Plus, for part-timers and vacationers, it's best to leave most of those items at home.

Keep an interior light on when you leave the RV, as well as the front door or patio light to deter burglars and vandals. This also aids you when you return. Lastly, consider increasing your RV and/or property insurance when you are bringing more expensive items, just in case.