5 Top RV Security Precautions

RV Security Compromised

Campers are significant investments. RV security is a priority. Unfortunately, camper safety is somewhat questionable. Each day, campers and/or camper components are targets of theft. Luckily, there are several precautions that you can take to help ensure that your camper and its belongings are secure.

Replace The Door Lock to Ensure Camper Security

Most camper manufacturers (i.e., Forest River, Heartland) use camper keys and locks made by Global Link. If you examine your keys, you will most likely read a letter on your key beginning with G, followed by a number, such as G325. There are limited numbers of different keys, and you can easily order replacement keys rather than having copies made. You can purchase these keys from almost any camper supply store.

Unfortunately, for camper security concerns, if you hypothetically checked all the campers at your campground, you would find that your keys will open many of those campers. It is important to note that duplicate keys are just part of the problem. The standard locks on your camper are relatively simple and can often be unlocked with the wrong key with just a little jiggle. On top of that are master keys that open all Global link locks. Many RV dealer/repair shop employees and former employees have these keys.

The best alternative for camper door locks is the RVLock (Check it out on Amazon). RVLocks have many advantages over the factory locks that come standard on most campers. Not only can an RVLock secure your camper with a unique key, but it also has a digital keypad and key fob to lock and unlock your camper. RVLocks can be installed within ten minutes by a typical camper owner. They come in right- and left-handed models, whereas factory locks are righthanded by default. RVLocks provide both convenience and added security to your campers, travel trailers, RVs, and/or fifth wheels.

Replace the Storage Compartment Locks

It is estimated that 75% of all campers require the key mold CH751 for their storage compartments. If your camper storage uses CH751, most camper owners have access to everything in your storage compartment. With under-bed access, this also means that the inside of your camper is accessible. To combat theft in storage compartments, a tubular cam lock (Check it out on Amazon) is recommended.

Campers and Campfires believe that most campers are good and do not want to steal others’ personal belongings. However, all campers should be aware that most compartment keys are identical, and theft does occur.

Add Video Cameras to Improve Camper Security

Since anyone with the right key can unlock your camper or storage compartments, owners should be educated on possible situations in which campers can potentially be burglarized. Truck hitches are another area for campers to gain awareness. If you own a pull-behind camper, it will quickly hook to any truck with a hitch, making your trailer susceptible to theft. Fortunately, there are several precautions that you can take to help ensure that your investment remains safe.

Blink cameras (Check them out on Amazon) are excellent for RV security while parked at home. The cameras connect to your home Wi-Fi network and operate via motion detection. Every time motion is detected within the range of the camera, the camera begins filming, and the footage is saved to cloud storage. There is a small subscription fee to save video clips to cloud storage.

Cameras can easily be self-mounted. Blink advertises that the batteries in the cameras last for two years. However, Campers and Campfires has found that the realistic expectation of battery life is six months in high-traffic areas. If the camera is mounted in a location with light traffic, the battery life will last longer.

Depending upon the strength and location of your Wi-Fi signal, your network may require an inexpensive Wi-Fi extender (Check it out on Amazon) to boost the signal. You will want to ensure the Wi-Fi signal can reach all the cameras on your property.  

In addition to video cameras, security stickers (Check them out on Amazon) are available to place on campers, propane tanks, and batteries. These stickers are available for purchase on Amazon. Security stickers notify people that the premises are under video surveillance. They are significant theft deterrents, even if your camera has not yet arrived.

Lock Up Your Hitch

A significant number of campers use the stock hitch pin that comes from the factory with their truck. Using the stock hitch pin leaves nothing but a cotter pin to prevent thieves from stealing the hitch. It takes less than a minute for a thief to disconnect a hitch from a truck and disappear. Luckily, this problem is solved by purchasing a hitch lock (Check it out on Amazon). A good quality hitch lock typically costs less than $20.00. If researching or purchasing hitch locks, be sure to buy one made of stainless steel to prevent rust and damage from the weather. 

Since campers hook up to most truck hitches, a lock for the coupler on your trailer can be one of the most important rv security purchases that you make. Several coupler locks are used to secure your camper. Simple to advanced padlocks are available for purchase, ranging from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. Remember, any deterrent is better than none.

For a minimal cost, Campers and Campfires recommends this coupler lock made by Master Lock (Check it out on Amazon). The lock slides where the ball would go, costing approximately $30. There are numerous locks similar to this that can be purchased for less than $50. Most locks can be broken quickly with a large hammer, but the more time a lock takes to break, the less likely a thief will try to break it.

Proven Industries Coupler Locks (Check it out on Amazon) enclose the entire coupler. They are the most effective hitch theft deterrent because they are difficult to remove. However, these locks can cost hundreds of dollars.

For those towing a fifth wheel, a kingpin lock (Check it out on Amazon) can be used to ensure that your camper cannot be easily stolen.

GPS Tracking

No matter how many RV security precautions you take, there is no guarantee that your camper will be safe from thieves. We recommend placing a GPS tracker on your camper just in case it is stolen. A GPS tracker will allow you to track it down if stolen. The Trak4 (Check it out on Amazon) is one of the most affordable, effective GPS trackers on the market.

Read our article on GPS trackers for more information.

Secure Components Such as Battery and Propane Tanks

A battery can easily be stolen if left in an unsecured battery box. At home, it is possible to take the battery out of the box and store it in a garage or other secured location. However, when traveling, the best protection is a Battery Shackle RV Battery Lock (Check it out on Amazon). The battery lock clamps across your battery both horizontally and vertically, then locks the battery in place with three padlocks. A Batteryshackle RV Battery Lock will serve as a deterrent for most thieves. The price of the lock is about the same as a new battery, but this is better than buying a new battery at an inconvenient time. 

Propane tanks are at risk for theft on your camper. Two full propane tanks are worth $100+ and can be removed from your camper in less than five minutes. A propane lock (Check it out on Amazon) can be easily purchased and installed to ensure that you have propane when you need it.

If you are interested in learning about RV/Camper security systems, click here.

Campers and Campfires also recommends a battery quick disconnect (Check it out on Amazon). The battery disconnect does not necessarily improve security. However, if you install the Batteryshackle, the battery will be more challenging to access, making a disconnect a must. This device makes it easy to disconnect and reconnect the battery when it is stationary in the box. A battery quick disconnect will prevent the battery from draining while at home yet make it easy to regain power if you need to access lights, slides, or other camper features that run on battery power.

Campers are a significant investment, and unfortunately, they are not very secure. RV security should be a priority. Although we wish that everyone was of good nature in the world, the truth is that camper theft happens every day. Campers and Campfires hopes to educate owners so that theft does not occur. At the end of the day, it is up to the unit owner to keep his/her camper secure. Nothing ruins a vacation quicker than the violation of someone stealing a camper or any of its components.

Do you have any safety tips for camper owners? We would love to hear from you. Please drop us a line in the comment section below.