Motorhome theft is on the rise

Any motorhome owner would agree that the sense of freedom and ability to explore that a motorhome provides is unmatched. And our motorhomes are more than just a means of transport or a hobby – we tend to get very attached to them! They are our home away from home, full of personal possessions and great memories. That is why the theft of a motorhome is so devastating and represents far more than just a financial loss. And why reports of increasing levels of motorhome and caravan theft are so worrying.

Stolen vehicle recovery company Tracker have urged owners to be extra vigilant in their latest press release. Tracker confirms that not only did caravan and motorhome thefts rise year-on-year in 2020, but they also increased by a staggering 50% in the weeks following periods of lockdown. As the latest lockdown formally comes to an end, Tracker is urging caravan owners to take extra precautions to safeguard their vehicles as thieves make up for lost time. Read the full press release here.

As scary as this all sounds it isn’t all doom and gloom. There are plenty of precautions you can take to protect your motorhome and give you peace of mind.

Lock up

It sounds obvious, but it can be so easy to forget to lock up your motorhome when it is left unattended. Check regularly that all your locks are working correctly and keep your keys in a safe place.

Alarm

An alarm could prove essential in the event of a break in attempt, it will draw attention to your motorhome and panic thieves. It is worth investing in an alarm that will alert you when triggered, this way you can take immediate action even if you are not present. Alarms are usually required as part your motorhome insurance policy.

Immobiliser

If a thief does manage to access the inside of your motorhome, an immobiliser will prevent the engine from starting if not activated with the correct key. This eliminates the chance of your motorhome being hot-wired, which is a common technique used by thieves.

Steering wheel lock

Visual deterrents such as a steering wheel lock are always a great way to frighten off thieves. The steering wheel cannot be turned unless the lock is removed, an extremely difficult task if you do not possess the wheel lock key.

Wheel clamp

Another visual obstacle sure to reduce the likelihood of your motorhome being targeted is a wheel clamp. Similar to the steering wheel lock, the clamp attaches to one of your tyres, and will render your motorhome immobile if not detached.

Tracking device

Let’s look at the worst possible scenario, a thief is able to enter your motorhome and drive it away. Installing a tracker could play a massive part in having your motorhome located and returned. Your motorhome will be immediately monitored, and this will assist the police towards recovery.

Insurance

And finally let’s talk about insurance – for your own peace of mind as well as the practical realities if you ever have to call on it, it pays to have the best possible insurance with a genuinely specialist provider. We can help you here – we have negotiated a great deal for you with Caravan Guard. You get 14 days free “drive away” insurance plus your first month’s premium for free. To find out more, click on motorhome insurance.

So there you have it, statistics say that theft on is on this rise, but you hold complete control over fortifying your motorhome and there are so many options available. For a more in depth guide and how to use some of the equipment listed, Caravan Guard have a great motorhome security guide video you can watch here.

Happy motorhoming, the Motorhome Depot team.