RV Security
While most of your camping experience should be filled with carefree fun, there are a few subjects that you’ll want to approach with a little more gravitas. Protecting your RV should be just as important as protecting your day-to-day vehicle and you’ll definitely want to make it a priority. Not only is it possible for someone to break in and steal items that belong to you, it’s fairly common for thieves to steal the entire rig. Luckily, there are many simple and cheap ways to prevent this and Sumner RV has listed a few of them here. If you’d like additional tips, or if you need help installing a particular security device, visit us and talk to one of our enthusiastic staff. We proudly serve Seattle, Silverdale, Bremerton, Port Orchard, and Port Angeles, Washington.
Parking your RV
One of the easiest, simplest ways to protect your RV is to proactively think about where and how you park it. At home, you’ll want to make sure it’s as out of sight as possible. Ideally, you’d have your own covered area for storage, like a large barn. This would not only keep your RV hidden, but it would also protect it from the elements. However, not everyone has the space or resources for such an endeavor, so there are some alternatives. You can rent out a storage unit so you don’t have to build one yourself. Or you can pull it into your backyard if it’s big enough and accessible. No matter what, you’ll want to get your RV off the street. Not only will this be important for deterring thieves, but there are areas where parking a vehicle on a public road for an extended period of time is illegal.
When you’re out camping--if at all possible--try to find a site that is both away from easy access points and still around lots of people. The longer a thief has to look for your RV, the less likely they are to steal it. And while you may want some peace and quiet and be tempted to get an isolated spot, campsite neighbors are more likely to notice if something suspicious is going on.
Securing your RV
Speaking of things to do while camping, there are certain locks you can invest in to make it harder to drive off with your RV. For towable RVs, look into hitch locks to make it harder for thieves to hook up their own tow vehicle and haul your RV away. If you drive a motorhome, then a wheel lock will keep unwanted guests from taking advantage of the driver’s seat. And all RV types could benefit from tire boots.
Reducing Temptations
When you’re protecting your car from theft, one of the most common pieces of advice you’ll hear is to reduce temptations. This means hiding any valuable items that might make the risk worth it. This is just as important with an RV. While you hopefully already lock all doors and windows when you leave the vehicle and at night, you’ll also want to draw the blinds to keep people from peaking in. Then locate some of your more valuable items, like laptops and jewelry, and tuck them away, out of sight. For certain high-ticket items like firearms and ownership documents, you may even want to look into getting a safe.
Other Security Measures
There are a myriad of other security measures you can take in order to protect yourself and your RV. Hands down, the most effective way to protect your RV is to invest in a security system, although this can also be fairly expensive. You can also look into methods of recovery if the worst should happen. This can include GPS tracking devices and tags.
If you’re looking for more advice on securing your RV, stop by Sumner RV and ask our staff some of their personal tips for keeping your family and belongings safe. If you still need the RV itself, then also take the time to tour some of the great models we have on the lot right now. We welcome all current and future RV owners from Seattle, Silverdale, Bremerton, Port Orchard, and Port Angeles, Washington.