Anti-theft devices for motorhomes and caravans
Theft in the motorhome sector is on the rise and these growing numbers have repeatedly made headlines and caused heated discussions, especially in recent months. It is, therefore, important to take some precautions in this regard, as caravans and motorhomes have a number of critical areas that need additional protection.
One thing is clear: total safety is impossible to achieve. Even the most prudent of people with the best equipment are never 100 percent immune to thieves. Nevertheless, you can take various measures to make life more difficult for criminals, so they might abandon their attempt on your vehicle or not even try it in the first place.
"Camping vehicles have been very popular in recent years - not only with campers, but unfortunately also with thieves. That's why we at AL-KO are constantly developing our product range and always try to be one step ahead.
Of course, even we cannot guarantee 100 per cent protection. In practice, however, it has proven to be very effective to combine different anti-theft devices - because the longer it takes a criminal to get to or into a vehicle, the greater the chance that he will give up his plan!"
Lukas Schwehr, Senior Product Manager, AL-KO Vehicle Technology Group
General tips on safety
Something as simple as how you behave can help to protect your vehicle. For example, it is advisable to only park your camper van in places that are clearly visible and lit at night.
Doors, windows, roof hatches and tailgates should always be locked - both when you move away from your camper van and during the night. Ideally, you should hide your valuables and close windows or blinds so that thieves cannot tell whether your motorhome or caravan is occupied or not at first glance. Leaving the light on also helps to create the impression that the owners are currently in the vehicle. This is likely to deter most burglars, as they are usually after quick and easy prey.
When it comes to staying overnight, the police always urge people to avoid services and motorway car parks at all costs and seek out a safe campsite or at least an official motorhome site instead. This is because almost all the robberies reported in the media so far have taken place at these kinds of rest areas - and regardless of whether other campers or truck drivers had parked in the immediate vicinity or the victims themselves were standing nearby. Just because other people are around does not mean that you are protected!
Particularly vulnerable areas on classic leisure vehicles are windows, roof hatches, body doors and tailgates. They can be "cracked" with relatively little effort and the simplest of tools. In motorhomes and panel vans, there are also the vehicle doors, which are often opened mechanically or by so-called "replay attacks". Caravans, on the other hand, can simply be attached to a third-party towing vehicle or towed away without additional security systems.
Specialist dealers offer a range of mechanical and electronic equipment in different price categories, which can be installed individually or in combination at various points on and in the camper.
Anti-theft devices for caravans
High-security wheel clamp for caravans: AL-KO PROSAFE
Pretty to look at and a deterrent at the same time: the solid PROSAFE wheel claw sets new standards in terms of theft protection. Thanks to a complex structure made of various filling materials and the special locking cylinder, it really makes even experienced thieves sweat - "a quick crack" is a thing of the past!
But this security doesn't have to be complicated. On the contrary: handling the AL-KO PROSAFE is extremely simple. It can be fitted and removed in seconds with the right spanner, no matter where you are travelling. The integrated contact protection protects the rim of your caravan from damage. And with the sturdy, sustainable storage box made from recycled plastic, the wheel clamp is always neatly stowed away, even when travelling.
Security locks for the caravan as an anti-theft device
Drawbar locks: With a drawbar lock, the coupling mouth including the handle is surrounded by a solid metal casing and secured with a lockable bolt. This means that the caravan cannot be uncoupled from its own towing vehicle and coupled to another vehicle without authorisation. A small ball made of hard plastic, which is inserted into the coupling mouth, ensures that potential thieves cannot, for example, attach the caravan to a hook and pull it away. As a rule, these locks can also remain on the coupling while driving and at the same time offer protection against unintentional "jumping off" of the coupling jaw from the trailer coupling.
Socket locks for supports
Plug-in locks for supports: When the caravan supports are extended, they offer a certain degree of protection against quick "access". Because in this state, thieves cannot easily pull the caravan out. Support locks can also be fitted to prevent the supports from being cranked back.
Anti-theft devices especially for motorhomes/vans
Steering wheel locks: a steering wheel lock is a simple, inexpensive protective mechanical device that - as the name suggests - protects the steering wheel and thus makes it much more difficult for unauthorised parties to drive away with your vehicle.
Clamping bars for vehicle doors: to prevent burglars from entering through the doors of the base vehicle, a security bar can, where necessary, be used to hold the door handles firmly together.
Modules to prevent replay attacks: resourceful thieves like to exploit a security loophole in the base vehicle's remote control. Almost all common vehicles (Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer, Citroen Jumper and Iveco Daily produced in 2006 and later) are affected by this problem. The codes transmitted from the remote control to the central locking system can be recorded by special devices located in the immediate vicinity (up to approx. 50 m) and used by thieves later on to open the vehicle. If you don't want to manually unlock and lock your motorhome every time, you should think about purchasing a special security module that replaces your vehicle's central locking system and thus prevents codes from being copied.
Anti-theft devices for all leisure vehicles
Alarm systems: an alarm system protects the vehicle with noise. In the event of burglary or theft, an alarm sounds to warn campsite neighbours, passers-by or the rightful owner. The products on offer in this area range from simple radio devices for windows and doors to extremely complex systems with an anti-jamming function, motion detectors, GPS trackers, gas alarms and other additional sophisticated modules.
Tracking systems: a tracking system can be used to determine the current location and/or movement profiles of your vehicle. There is also a huge product range in this sector, with different technical designs, tracking options and price classes. It is often the case that ongoing monthly or annual service fees apply in addition to the cost of purchase. Since many criminals nowadays work with jammers, you should make sure that the system is equipped with what is known as an anti-jamming function.
Window profiles: reinforced window profiles can be fitted to make it more difficult to prise windows open. These are usually made of metal and are much more robust than standard plastic profiles.
Retrofittable door locks or strike plates: metal door locks or strike plates which can be easily retrofitted provide additional protection for the doors on the body of your vehicle. Breaking them open requires huge amounts of force - an effective deterrent for many thieves.
Safes: having a safe installed in your vehicle provides protection for your most important documents, credit cards or cash in the event 
of a burglary. When making your purchase, you should make sure that it is of high quality as some thieves use heavy tools nowadays.
Gas detectors: there are differing opinions on the much-discussed "gas attack". There is no conclusive evidence on whether and in what form this really takes place. The fact is, however, that campers repeatedly speak out and give credible confirmation that they have been the victim of such an act. As such, if you want to protect yourself from this, you can install a gas detector (or have one installed) that reacts to what are known as narcotic gases. The advantage for you: most devices also warn against any propane and butane leaks - for this reason alone, purchasing such a device can make perfect sense.
Don't panic!
Travel in ultimate safety with your motorhome or caravan
Even if the figures often read rather dramatically and those who have been robbed are naturally shocked by a break-in or the loss of their valuables and vehicle, it must be emphasised that travelling in a motorhome or caravan is very safe overall. Break-ins and thefts are - fortunately - still absolute exceptions which can, to a certain extent, be very effectively countered by implementing a selection of the options mentioned above.
We would like to wish you all the best and hope you enjoy plenty of worry-free adventures!