RV Security 101: How to Improve Safety in Your Motorhome
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There’s nothing like hopping in your motorhome and setting off on a new adventure. Although the US has countless sights and thousands of camping grounds, maintaining high safety levels is essential to ensuring a great trip.
With this in mind, many owners assume their RV already comes with enough security features – but this may not always be the case. In this article, we’ll go over the reasons why you need to focus on improving RV security and give you a few tips to maintain a safe environment, regardless of where you go.
Does Your RV Really Need Protection?
RV safety should be a priority, regardless of the location or crew size. If not, you run the risk of running into trouble, for instance:
Break-Ins
While RV crime statistics are hard to come by, there’s always the lingering chance of a break-in. These can be minor, with criminals taking a few valuables from your motorhome. In other cases, you may get your whole motorhome is stolen, which can cost a hefty amount of money.
Road Accidents
Besides lowering the chance of a break-in, some safety best-practices also reduce the odds of being involved in a road accident. Keeping your wheels, headlights, windscreen wipers, and other features in good condition and having a good emergency kit on hand will help you stay safe while you enjoy your trip.
9 Tips to Improve RV Security and Safety
There are many parts to planning a fun road trip. Choosing the right destination is important, but you also need to create a safe environment in the campsite as well as on the road.
Here are 9 RV safety tips to increase security during your road trip.
1. Keep Valuables Out of Sight
Though it may seem obvious, you should never leave valuables in plain sight and unattended. Laptops, smartphones, and other personal belongings should be stored when they are not in use.
Likewise, avoid wearing jewelry and bringing passports or other items that may be hard to replace or recover.
It may seem like a bit much, but petty theft is the most common type of crime in camping grounds. And, even though it may seem minor, losing a smartphone or tablet will only add a negative side effect on your vacation.
2. Set Up Your Camp Ground with Security in Mind
From the moment you park your motorhome, you should start thinking about security. For instance, most RVers reverse into their parking spot, but this means that your rig is more accessible.
Also, take a good look at your surroundings and follow your gut feeling. If something about the spot can become a security risk, you’re better off finding a space that feels safer.
If you’re bringing your furry friends with you, you’ll also need to think about their well-being. Therefore, you’ll need to follow RV pet safety best-practices like sweeping for choking hazards and making sure you’re far from a busy road.
3. Always Lock Up Before You Leave Your RV
You should never leave your campsite unattended unless you’ve locked everything away, including chairs and basic equipment. You should also make sure that all pull-out features like awnings and shades are slid back into position. Aside from preventing theft, it will also minimize the chances of unexpected damage while you’re away.
4. Assess All Safety Features You Already Have
All motorhomes come with basic safety features that increase security in general. From locks to mechanical components like the wheels, wipers, and suspension, you should run a full assessment of all the parts that impact safety. This includes the electric system and lights; plus you can always consider purchasing a hitch for the steering wheel to ensure extra RV security.
5. Install Motion-Detection Lights
Some RVs come with motion-detection lights on the exterior, which are extremely useful from a security and practicality point of view. This feature can help warn you whenever someone is approaching your motorhome and allow you to see who it is. Additionally, it can help prevent accidents as you won’t have to walk in the dark or rely on flashlights of any kind.
If your RV is not equipped with this feature, you should consider adding a few lights that turn on when someone approaches your campsite.
6. Consider an RV Security System
Today, you can choose from a wide range of sophisticated security systems for your RV. Some are basic and only include an alarm, while others feature security cameras, motion-detection capacities, and a loud alarm to help deter criminals. That said, you should choose an RV security system that is compatible with your motorhome and won’t cost a small fortune.
7. Purchase a Boot
Coming back to your RV and finding it has a wheel lock, sometimes referred to as a boot, is not a good thing. Unless you put it there yourself.
Some motorhomes cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, so many owners are starting to purchase wheel locks for their RVs. These basically eliminate the chance of a hijacking and allow you to go for long walks in remote areas without worrying too much. That said, it may take some time to place and remove this device, so patience is very important.
8. Get Quality Locks and Research RV Safes
If the locks on your RV are original (off the lot), you can always upgrade and find an option you’re more comfortable with. You can even research RV safes to see what alternatives you have available. Some safes are portable, while others are installed directly into your motorhome and can’t be moved easily.
9. Choose a Campsite with Other People
Even though this may not relate directly to your RV security features, you should always find a campsite with other people. While crowded grounds may not be the best, you always want to be close to others in case you run into trouble.
Finding the Best Motorhome for Your Family
Finding the best destinations should be a priority, but you also need to ensure that your RV security features will keep your family safe. The best practices above should help you create a safe environment for your family in the campsite and while you’re on the road.
If you want to learn more about the best security features or you’re looking for a specific motorhome, contact us today and our team will be happy to help.
