Keeping it Secure: How to Keep Your Teardrop from “Traveling”

Camper security is two-fold: you want to generate less interest in what you have, and you also want to make the trailer and your possessions more difficult to take.

A big part of enhancing camper security comes down to common sense strategies, starting with what you’re bringing. Your camper may be your home-away-from-home, but that doesn’t mean it has to have everything your house does. Follow the advice from Thoreau and simplify. Skip the expensive jewelry, electronics and cooking gear and pack only what is essential to make camping an enjoyable experience.

Before you leave

To secure the high-value must-haves you are bringing, consider installing a small safe in the camper, said Nikki Cleveland —one with heavy-duty anchors in the rear and bottom so it can be bolted down. Nikki also suggested updating your entry door lock to a model that features a .

Speaking of keys and locks, did you know that many storage compartments use a common key? They are also easy to break into, so don’t store anything valuable inside those compartments.

Bringing an auxiliary generator? Pack an extra lock and once you’ve parked, secure it to a permanent fixture.

And to make sure your camper stays where you parked it, GPS Tracking for Travel Trailers recommends installing a kingpin lock or tongue lock on your trailer and booting your camper to make it less appealing to thieves who want an easy target.

Add GPS tracking so, even if your camper “rolls away,” you can learn where it’s now hanging out via satellite and send the law to bring it home.

Finally, consider placing your own special identification somewhere on the trailer, preferably in a hidden area. Or decorate the tongue part of your trailer in stripes or polka dots—anything to make it distinctive and different, and less attractive to thieves.

At the campground

Once you get to the campground, don’t just back into the spot to make it easy to leave. That also makes it easy for the camper to depart without you. Instead, said Hillary Johnston in How to Keep Your RV Safe From Theft, use a jockey wheel or tongue wheel so you can turn your camper around and put the hitch away from the standard access.

When you’re not “at home,” close your blinds and windows and lock your door. If you’ll be gone after dark, leave a light or two on inside and perhaps even a radio, so it’s less obvious that the camper is unoccupied.

You can also install motion sensor lights and/or wireless alarm systems to further discourage intruders. Hillary’s tips include placing the lights six to 10 feet above the ground and aim them at dark spaces. Then add some behind the camper, at the door, and on any corners.

These recommendations can also keep your camper safe from unauthorized “visitors” even when you’re back home!