Caravan & Motorhome Security: Protecting a Stored Van Over Winter

Caravan and motorhome theft climbs every autumn as vans come off the road and sit unattended for months. Thieves know a stored van is an easy, unwatched target — but a few well-chosen security measures make yours far more trouble than it’s worth. Here’s how to protect a laid-up caravan or motorhome through winter.

Start with a hitchlock

A hitchlock over the coupling head stops a thief simply hooking up and towing your caravan away. It’s the first thing an opportunist checks, and a solid Sold Secure-rated hitchlock is often enough on its own to send them looking for an easier target.

Add a wheel clamp or wheel lock

A visible wheel clamp is one of the strongest deterrents there is: it physically stops the van moving and signals an owner who takes security seriously. A full wheel lock that shrouds the nuts is better still. Fit it to the same wheel each time so it’s quick to put on and take off.

Protect a motorhome’s cab

Motorhomes carry the extra risk of simply being driven away. A steering wheel lock, a pedal box, or additional cab and habitation-door locks protect the driving position — Fiat Ducato-based vans in particular are a known target. Deadlocks on the habitation door add a valuable second layer.

Alarms, trackers and ground anchors

A tracker won’t prevent a theft but hugely improves the odds of recovery, and many insurers reward one with a lower premium. An alarm draws attention, while a ground anchor or security post stops a van being moved at all when it’s parked at home.

Where and how you store it

Where you keep it matters as much as the locks. A CaSSOA-accredited storage site — gated, monitored and usually CCTV-covered — is the gold standard and can cut your insurance too. Storing at home? Keep the van out of sight, well lit, and consider a driveway post.

Check your insurance small print

Insurers increasingly specify Sold Secure devices and approved storage. Read your policy before you lay up — fitting the right locks isn’t only about deterrence, it’s often what keeps you covered if the worst happens.

A hitchlock, a wheel clamp and sensible storage cover the vast majority of thefts. Fit them before winter and you can enjoy the off-season without worrying about your pride and joy.

Secure your stored caravan or motorhome

Hitchlocks, clamps and locks to protect a laid-up van.

Hitchlocks

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Wheel Clamps

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Steering Wheel Locks

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Alarms & Trackers

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