There has been a huge increase in the number of van-to-campervan conversions in the UK. However, motorhome theft is unfortunately still an issue in the UK. In 2022, a 14% increase in van thefts was reported in the UK. So, when it comes to converting your home on wheels, you might want to consider how you can keep it as safe as possible. This guide aims to show you the best ways to keep your converted campervan secure.
Campervan Security in Converted Vans
Although you might feel already safe in your converted van, it is important to take extra precautionary measures to avoid vehicle theft. While converting a van certainly has its advantages, it is often easy to forget to consider security measures when getting caught up in the aesthetic designs of your van. However, it is actually really easy to get hold of all the campervan security devices you need. Once your van is fully converted, it is more than likely that it will hold a much higher value than it originally did. With this in mind, the vehicle has now become a more attractive prospect for van thieves. From campervan security locks to immobilisers for your van, we will discuss some ways you can keep your van extra secure to protect your campervan from thieves.
Motorhome Alarms
To keep your campervan secure, you could install a high-quality campervan alarm. An alarm is designed to act as a visible and audible deterrent to potential thieves. They are also a good way to stay alert about any unauthorised vehicle entry. Newer alarm systems also have additional security features compared to standard fitted alarm systems such as GPS trackers, hands-free arming and disarming and even smartphone compatibility. Here at MotorGuard, we provide campervan security alarms from industry-leading brands such as Autowatch and Pandora to keep your vehicle safe and secure at all times.
As you will be converting a traditional motor vehicle, it is important to consider that you van might not actually even have an alarm fitted. Although since 1998 immobilisers have been mandatory for vehicles designed from this point onwards, the same cannot be said for car alarms. In fact, almost 75% of vehicles sold do not come with an alarm installed as standard. This is another reason why having an alarm system installed in your converted campervan could be so important to help keep it safe.
Some of the best Alarm Systems for Campervans:
Pandora Camper Motorhome Alarm & Immobiliser System:
- Bluetooth ID tags for proximity detection
- Real-time GPS/GLONASS tracking and vehicle location
- Smartphone control via Bluetooth and GSM (iOS & Android)
- Hands-free arming/disarming
- 120dB siren with tilt, shock, and motion sensors
- Stay-home mode for protection while inside
- Immobiliser and anti-hijack features with worldwide shutdown
- Ultra-low power consumption
- Optional remote engine start
Autowatch 650 Caravan Alarm System:
- Encrypted 4-button remote control
- Wireless PIR and leg sensors
- Instant alarm trigger with optional tilt and door sensors
- Backup battery for power loss protection
- Panic alarm feature
- Silent arming/disarming option
- Anti-tamper housing
- Courtesy light control
- Low battery warning
Thatcham Approved 2-1 Upgrade Canbus Alarm System:
- Arm/disarm using the vehicle’s original remote
- Ultrasonic sensor with exclusion facility
- Battery backup siren
- PIN code override
- Door, bonnet, and ignition trigger inputs
- Passive arming with central door locking
- False alarm prevention
- Pager/tracker trigger output
- Ignition anti-hotwire
- Expandable with wireless contacts/PIR sensors
It really does depend on the features you are looking for when deciding on which is the best alarm for campervans. Make sure you consider which features are most important on each alarm, or even speak to our expert team to help work out which model is most suitable for your needs.
Trackers For Campervans
Another consideration to make to keep your campervan extra secure is by installing a GPS campervan tracker. In the unfortunate event that your vehicle is stolen, a tracker provides the exact location of your campervan to help you share this information with the police. A tracker can also help reduce insurance premiums, given the increased likelihood of vehicle recovery. Please note, this depends on the insurance policy and provider. Many trackers are also fully transferable, meaning if you decide to purchase a new van or move the tracker to a new vehicle you can.
With GPS trackers, you can monitor the location of your vehicle location from your phone, giving you peace of mind when you are out exploring new locations. Another benefit of advanced campervan tracking devices is that they provide up-to-date battery level notifications, so if the device is disconnected you will get a call from the monitoring station. There are lots of options when it comes to tracking devices, with many industry-leading brands offering affordable and high-quality devices. Here are some of our recommendations for campervan tracking devices:
- Compatible with 12 and 24-volt vehicles
- GPS/GLONASS, GPRS, and GSM technology
- 24/7 stolen vehicle recovery monitoring
- Internal battery backup
- Movement sensor alerts
- Battery disconnect/low-level alerts
- Recognised by all UK insurance providers
- Thatcham-approved with European coverage
- Free mobile app for remote tracking
- 3-year warranty
- Bluetooth driver recognition cards
- GPS/GLONASS, GPRS, and GSM technology
- 12V and 24V compatibility
- Internal battery backup
- Monitored 24/7 by Global Telemetrics
- Movement and geofence alerts
- Speed and over-speed warnings
- Battery disconnect/low-level alerts
- IP67 waterproof device
- European coverage
- Free mobile app for real-time tracking
- Recognised by UK insurance companies
Campervan Immobilisiers
An immobiliser is a great way to prevent vehicle theft. So, you might be wondering, what exactly is an immobiliser? Essentially, an immobiliser is an anti-theft device installed on a vehicle that prevents thieves from starting the vehicle without the correct car fob or key. And now for the techy stuff. In technical terms, this is achieved by disabling critical systems in the car, such as the ignition or fuel system, via an Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The key fob and the car’s ECU communicate through encrypted signals to authenticate access. If the signal is deemed incorrect or not detected, the immobiliser prevents the engine from starting, rendering the car immovable even if it is unlocked.
Since 1998, all cars manufactured have been required by law to have an immobiliser installed within them. Therefore, if you are converting an older van, it is an essential piece of campervan security equipment that you should probably decide to install. However, immobilisers are not just for older vehicles. With newer immobilisers from brands like Pandora and Meta, they have additional features to make them even more secure and user-friendly than traditional immobiliser devices. This includes features such as emergency touch key override, Bluetooth connection and even smartphone compatibility on some models. Here are some of our recommendations for immobilisers to improve your campervan security:
Meta BLE 42 Bluetooth Immobiliser:
- Passive Arming: Automatically arms the system when the ignition is switched off and you walk away from the car.
- Driver Recognition Fob: Includes 1 Driver Recognition fob for arming and disarming.
- Emergency Override Touch Key: Comes with an Emergency Override Touch Key for manual access.
- Automatic Disarming: Disarms itself when the driver fob is within range of the vehicle.
- Protection Against Key & Relay Theft: Helps prevent unauthorised use of your vehicle from key and relay theft.
- Ideal for Relay Theft Prevention: Effective in preventing theft even if car keys are stolen (as long as the fob is not attached to the keys).
Pandora Camper Alarm & Immobiliser System:
- Dual-Function System: Combines both camper alarm and immobiliser functions for comprehensive protection.
- Mobile App Control: Manage and control the system using a dedicated mobile app.
- GPS Tracking: Includes GPS tracking for real-time location monitoring of the vehicle.
- Remote Access: Allows remote monitoring and management via smartphone.
- Security Sensors: Equipped with multiple sensors for enhanced security, including motion and impact sensors.
- Shock Sensor: Detects vibrations or impacts to prevent unauthorised entry.
- Door Locking Control: Can control vehicle locking and unlocking through the app.
- Panic Mode: Includes a panic mode feature to alert if a situation arises.
- Vehicle Status Monitoring: Provides updates on the vehicle’s status and security.
- Customisable Alerts: Configurable alert settings for various security events.
- Integrated Immobiliser: Immobilises the vehicle to prevent theft.
- Wide Compatibility: Suitable for various vehicle types, including campers.
- Easy Installation: Designed for straightforward installation in a range of vehicles
Additional Security for Campervans
If you want to keep your converted camper even safer, there are some additional products and decisions you might want to consider. To add an extra layer of protection, installing a steering lock is a great idea. This is a cost-effective, visible theft deterrent which comes in useful when leaving your vehicle unattended. Steering locks are relatively cheap, so if you are packing up your home in a busy city where campervan theft is common, it is definitely worth having.
Another simple addition you can make is purchasing an additional locker door contact. This campervan security lock gives you extra lock protection on both your front doors, your rear cab door and one additional external locker. However, these additional locks are mainly designed for traditional campervans so bear in mind it might not be compatible with your converted van depending on how much change you have made to the vehicle.
To protect your motorhome, you could also add a motion sensor for an additional layer of security. This way, if you’re worried about someone towing away your converted van, then any movement can be detected by the unique tilt sensor. We also offer interior sensors to detect any movement inside your vehicle. One final suggestion is to purchase a steering wheel lock. With this low-cost security solution, it allows you to prevent thieves from towing away your vehicle and acts as a visual deterrent for vehicle theft.
The Importance of Motorhome Security
Hopefully, this guide has helped you gain a better understanding of how to find the right alar, immobiliser, tracker or any other extra security for campervans. Perhaps now you might even be considering exploring our campervan security collection or other motorhome products like the best campervan sat navs and campervan security cameras. At MotorGuard, we offer alarms and immobilisers to keep your motorhome safe from industry-leading brands like Pandora, Meta and ESA.
We are also proud to be the only Platinum Approved Pandora Car Alarm dealer in the midlands, so you can be sure that your campervan security system will be fitted to the highest standards. As the Midland’s leading car alarm fitting specialists, we know exactly how important vehicle safety is to our customers. Our team can guarantee a service that you will be more than xsatisfied with, just take a look at our excellent reviews! If you want to find out more about campervan security systems or our other vehicle security products, please do not hesitate to contact us.