Last updated on November 30th, 2021 at 11:11 pm
Your RV is easy to break into. Let’s start with this premise. In addition to the unsavory element of taking what is inside your unit, they can take your wheels or even the entire unit. Manufacturers do not usually build in security measures. It’s time to take action now. So, how do I secure my RV and make it safe now?
Start with reading our companion article on this blog site about where you store your RV, click here. Next, let’s get into what you want to or should want to accomplish. Two basic things, protect your family and protect your property. Both topics will be covered and there are some cross-overs.
This blog article was written after I purchased all of the items mentioned here with my own money. I have added information about the specific products that I have used with links to where to buy them. Yes, I could earn a few dollars if you buy the products.
Protect your family
Bad things can happen to good people. The last thing you need is for someone to attempt breaking into your RV while you are in it. So what can be done about people getting inside your unit? Start with how the RV is designed. Most have sliding windows with a simple latch. These can be opened with a screwdriver. Let’s start with the windows.
Window security
Buy a wooden dowel from a hardware store. Get a size that will fit the track of the window. Next, cut it to fit snug, not too tight but snug. Then use a saw to cut a channel down the dowel so that the dowel will sit on the window rail. The width of the saw blade should do the trick. Push the dowel down onto the track and it should stay there when the window is closed.
With the dowel in the track, even a screwdriver will not dislodge it and the window will not open. It can be broken but that’s another aspect we will cover. Do the same thing for all larger windows. Most thieves can not fit into the smaller windows. Label your dowels with a marker so you know how to set them in when you leave your unit. Use a piece of velcro to create a bundle and store them inside the unit.
Door security
Now that your windows are all secure, we can move on to the entrance door(s). Buy a keyless lock to replace the door lock on your RV. There are lots to choose from but be sure you select one that will fit the hole. Not all holes are the same size or depth. Take the existing one off first and measure the hole. It’s easy to take off our lock, all you need is a screwdriver.
Before I go further, why are you getting a keyless lock? The primary reason is that RV manufacturers buy locks in bulk. The same locks are used over and over again by most RV manufacturers. This means lots of keys out there including master keys used by dealers. Consider this like changing your house lock after you have purchased a new home.
Install the new lock and program it. Door locks are very easy to take off and put on. Sometimes you need a file to adjust the locking part but usually, the lock will fit perfectly if it is the right size. If you have a Class A motor home you may need to look harder, Class A units often have larger holes. Most of the locks on Amazon are for trailers. Also, some bright RV makers add their decals and paint after they install the lock.
The lock below is an example of an RV keyless entry door lock with keyfobs and keys.
Fortunately, when I removed the existing lock on my motorhome it was fully painted. Your lock should come with keys, perhaps key fobs and of course buttons. Some units are Bluetooth permitting your cell phone to open the door lock. You need to get close before the Bluetooth will be active. It may be as fast to just key in the number as to dig your phone out and find the app.
If you have a second door, you may be able to order two locks with the same keys, some offer this option. If you have a class C or B motorhome, you may want the option to have fewer keys since you need your unit key to open the driver’s and passenger doors. Using keyless locks permits you to leave the unit without keys to swim or walk etc. without the extra baggage.
Personal security
This part may not appeal to some people but many consider having a handgun in their motor home a necessity particularly in areas where there are few lights and few if any other RV’s. I am not necessarily talking about boondocking when you are miles away from anything but when you are near or in large cities, industrial sites, and places that may make your RV look like a target.
Some states require you to secure your handgun so you may want to consider a handgun safe. These safes are pushbutton and key opened, some have fingerprint IDs. They measure about 14.17″ x 10.62″ x 3.93″ deep, just an example of the space you will need to secure it. There are holes in the box for you to use lag bolts to secure it to the unit. Find a cabinet or wall with a stud or real wood or metal.
The handgun safe listed here is almost identical to the one that I purchased a few years ago. It has a fingerprint ID as well as a push-button number and key.
Don’t screw it to the paneling where you can tear it off. Consider the bottom of a cabinet where you can get to it but it is not visible to anyone without looking for it. Remember, depending upon where you are and cell phone coverage, your handgun maybe your 911 service. By the way, the handgun safe doubles as a safe for your valuables such as wallet, mobile phone, etc. while you are out jogging.
Protect your property
What I mean by the property is of course your RV itself and everything inside and attached to it. You own it and you have a right to prevent someone from taking what is yours. We will start with your outside storage cabinets.
Outside storage
Most RV’s have outside storage compartments where the owners store everything they need to be comfortable during their journey. The biggest problem with these door locks is the fact that everyone seems to be using the same keys. Not only your RV manufacturer but all of the others as well. It has always interested me how people can put very valuable items inside their storage units and think they are secure.
There are two types of locking mechanisms. The standard cabinet key lock and the latch locks. You should start by counting the number of locks you need and then order that number of identical keyed locks in one order. I needed 10 locks so I ordered from a company that had 10 keyed alike. My doors use standard cabinet locks so replacing those with barrel locks was the best thing to do.
Barrel locks are almost impossible to open without a key, they can not be easily picked with tools. You are doing two things when you replace the other locks. These barrel locks can not be picked by amateurs and the keys are unique to you. Of course there are others with the same keys but the changes someone will have one are slim.
When you count locks do not count the propane cabinet. You should notice that there is no key lock on the door. There is a reason for this, to get that door opened fast if you need to shut off the gas in the event of a leak or fire. To secure your single bottles, buy separate locks or use chains and locks for this purpose.
Buy the locks in a pack so that all keys are the same. The package above that I bought has 10, the exact number that I needed. Some have five or two in a package or even a single lock. All 10 in my pack are keyed alike. They come with way more keys than you need but that’s ok.
To replace the lock all you need is a crescent wrench. You may need a screwdriver for the old one and a crescent wrench as well. Be sure to measure, I bought the wrong size the first time. The locks I bought the second time (pictured here), had explained the sizing and they offer three sizes.
If you have latch locks that you lift, there are lock mechanisms in the latch that can be replaced as well.
Most RV’s that have the regular locks have another latch at the top which along with the key lock keeps the door secured. I suggest that for your large bay, the one that you can almost drive a car into, you consider using two-barrel locks. Repace the thumb turn lock with another barrel lock. These large doors provide more leverage for someone trying to break in so make it harder.
Spare tire/tires
Do you want to keep your spare tire? buy a chain and lock it to the unit. If you are concerned about your wheels and tires, you can buy a nut lock. A nut lock replaces one lug bolt and makes it nearly impossible to steal a tire without a key for that single lock.
Catalytic converter
Mine was stolen from a storage lot. The article on this blog about where to store is important, you should read it. As part of the security system discussion below, you need to place a motion detector close to the catalytic converter. Your catalytic converter is worth hundreds of dollars to the individuals who choose to ply their talents to relieve other people of their worldly goods. Some call it sharing the wealth. Regardless, your motorhome is a target for those no-good ……….
Please read on about how to protect your converter and read the article mentioned that will help you avoid that loud noise upon startup.
Security system
Time to cover the security system. It surprises me how few people have worked out how easy it is to install a security system in an RV. I do not mean the type on your car when it rocks the alarm goes off. This section covers how to use a completely wireless system made for a brick and mortar house in your rolling home.
Purchase one of the several kits that contain a hub, door sensors, and motion detectors. The set that I purchased has a hub that runs on 120v because it’s made for a house. The hub-like most things electronic don’t need 120v and use an insignificant amp draw. This system will run on self-contained batteries and the hub will run on your house batteries.
The Ring kit below is the one that I bought.
My motorhome has three solar panels which provide far more power than I need to maintain the batteries. I connected the hub to the 12-volt system and it works great. There are a few steps first. The unit will usually have a large plastic block at the end that plugs into a 120 v outlet. The power that runs from that block to the unit, in this case, is 5v.
The RV battery is 12v so I bought a step-down unit that is wired to the 12v battery then it goes to the hub as 5v. I bought the step-down piece for about $8 and it took about 3 minutes to set it up. Now the hub runs on my 12v system. The item I purchased is below. The plug on one end fits the Ring hub. All you need to do is wire the other end to a 12-volt source.
It’s not necessary to have solar panels. The amp draw is very small for the hub, you can always plug in your unit at the RV park or where you store it and that will supply power to the unit through the battery. You could always buy a stand-up solar panel and connect it to the battery. This is what I did with my 5th wheel. The large solar panel which I secured with a cable to my RV kept my batteries charged.
The security system will work without a wifi connection. It will set off an audible alarm that should frighten anyone off if they attempt entry. Of course, if you have wifi available you will see what is happening on your mobile phone. I suggest that if you are away from your unit for a long time or want to store it, buy a hotspot or use an old cell phone as a teacher. This way your system will notify you if there is a problem.
Now for that catalytic converter. I installed velcro on a motion detector and when my unit is parked unattended, I stick it on the side closest to the converter. If anyone tries to crawl under the alarm will go off. The next question someone will ask is what about animals. Unfortunately, an animal may set off the motion detector, it has not happened to me yet. You can set your system to alert you instead of setting off the alarm.
Lighting
Lights can deter would-be criminals. You can turn on your inside lights and outside lights at any time depending upon your power system. I decided to buy an inexpensive battery-operated led light system that I have mounted high on the motorhome above the entrance door. The system has motion detection and is not connected to the security system. It’s very bright, just another layer of protection.
When I am going to move the motorhome, I lift the light off the bracket and put it inside. I decided not to make it a permanent fixture because I did not want it flying off during driving or if a tree hits it. You may want to consider putting one on the other side of your unit as well. The best thing is no wiring to mess with.
A tip. When you put screws outside of your unit, use clear calling around the hole and screws to prevent moisture from entering. Use stainless steel screws if possible to avoid rust. Rusty screws can cause rust stains down from the hole.
Camera
When it came to cameras, I did not want to start wiring my motorhome. I picked a well-known brand of wireless wifi camera. This camera has an audible siren, I can talk through it and I can listen as well. It is set off by motion but I can turn it on live at any time. The camera has a three-month rechargeable battery which is great. I mounted it too high for anyone to take it.
In this case, I made it a permanent mount because it’s small and will not be a wind magnet. While I do not have it connected to my basic security system, it essentially takes care of the exterior and the other system takes care of the interior plus the undercarriage. I can set off the alarm at any time or program it to come on when it detects movement. The camera is wifi based which means that it will work without wifi but I would not be alerted if there was no wifi available.
The camera I mounted did not come with a solar panel, the link to Amazon above shows a light with a panel for those of you who do not have solar panels on their RV.
Wifi
As mentioned above, it was important for me that the system works without wifi for those times where wifi is not available even to a cell phone. It happens in national parks and elsewhere. Some campgrounds have wifi which is sufficient to manage the security system and when on the road away from anywhere, we can use an extra mobile phone hotspot. The draw on a hotspot should be minimal.
If you are in an RV park with lots of traffic around your unit, you can consider turning off the outside camera and/or light and not placing the motion detector under your unit.
Fuel cap
Invest in a locking gas or diesel cap. Considering that your tank is like a gas station for a would-be thief and the cost to refill 45-100 gallons of fuel, it’s probably worth buying a locking cap. Be sure to get the correct cap for your vehicle.
All of the suggestions provided above can be performed by the RV owner. There is no need to take your unit to a shop to have any of this work done. All you need is a saw, screwdriver, and a crescent wrench and you can do it all. A few hours of work and a trip to a hardware store for screws and dowels and your RV will be about as secure as possible.
I have not listed the products that I have used here at the time I published this article. Please return later, I want to gather all of the information along with photos of the products and how I used them.
Please read other articles on similar topics such as Motor home vs 5th Wheel. Please leave comments.
