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quoteTheft and break-ins are a cause for concern for any caravanner or motorhome owner so it’s always worth looking at some extra security locks to make them more secure and add another layer of protection to your prized leisure vehicle.
It’s common sense – the more security devices you fit to your caravan or motorhome, the harder you’ll make it for thieves to break-in and they might just move on by when faced with extra locks to overcome.
The weakest entry points to a caravan or motorhome are of course the windows and doors. So, here we take a look at some extra locks you could fit to your tourer or motorhome to provide an extra line of defence.
Some of these devices can only be fitted by screwing into the door or side panel, so always check that this won’t affect your caravan or motorhome warranty, before you carry out any work.
Star Player 1 – Lock M Out window locks
According to husband-and-wife team at Lock M Out, Polyplastic and Dometic or Seitz Windows make up 90 per cent of all motorhome and caravan windows. Not impressed by the plastic window catches, they designed and produced the steel Lock M Out device which slides on to the window catch, reinforcing it and jamming it in place, therefore making it less vulnerable if someone tries to force open the caravan or motorhome window.
Their devices fit all Polyplastic catches, both bottom opening and sliding, and approximately 75 per cent fit Dometic or Seitz catches.
Lock M Out Director, Carol, says: “All of our bottom opening window devices jam the catch by means of a fulcrum effect. They encapsulate the flimsy, plastic catches, reinforcing the vulnerable parts which are susceptible to breaking when the window is forced. We suggest that our devices are fitted to all horizontal catches.”
Prices from: £9 for top opening window catches, reduced to £8 each when ordering four or more. Their sliding window devices are £18 each.
Key features: Easy to fit, needing no keys, tools or codes. Made in the UK from steel and powder coated in black to match the window catches.
For more info: www.lock-m-out.co.uk
Star Player 2 – Fiamma Safe Door Frame Lock
Fiamma have both the Safe Door Frame and Safe Door Magnum Frame security locks which are essentially an anti-theft safety block for your caravan or motorhome door. Using self tapping screws the locks can be attached to the inside frame of your habitation door or to the garage compartment, making it more difficult for thieves to get in.
Once fitted the Safe Door Frame lock rotates on a pivot to block the door from opening and is then locked into place with a key. To release it, use the key to unlock and then rotate the opposite way so the door can be opened again.
Key features: Made of sturdy anodized aluminium. Two keys provided. Choice of white or black.
Prices from: £38.00
For more info: www.fiammastore.com
Star Player 3 – Milenco Security Handle and hand rail
This sturdy hand rail will not only help you get in and out of your caravan or motorhome it also provides an extra layer of security. The handle can be locked into three positions – left across the side of your vehicle; outwards, acting as a grab handle to help with access; or closed across your vehicle door to make it more secure and help prevent a potential break-in.
The handrail is fastened onto the side wall of the caravan or motorhome next to the door frame, using 8 x 6mm bolts. Internally the bolt heads are hidden by a clip on cover for a good finish.
Key features: Available in different sizes, sturdy, double locking and dual purpose design.
Prices from: £73.94
More info: www.towsure.com
Star Player 4 – HEOSafe door locks
Germany company, HEOSafe, has a number of different locks for a motorhome driver’s cab doors, sliding doors, rear doors as well as caravan and motorhome habitation doors.
HEOSafe have a range of anti-theft security locks which fit onto the exterior handle locks of many caravans and motorhomes. These locks mount between the door and the door handle without the need to drill or screw into your vehicle. The zinc casting makes them very robust and includes a lock cylinder with lock cover for that extra line of defence.
The HEOSafe motorhome driver’s cabin door lock is mounted on the inside of the vehicle – in some cases uses the existing manufacturer fixings – and is designed to increase the security of this point of entry by providing a deadlock on the door.
There are then a range of other locks for the habitation doors of different motorhome base vehicles, which will mean the drilling of holes on the inside of your vehicle, but will add an extra layer of security.
Key features: Robust, fairly easy to fit, visible deterrent.
Prices from: £54.00
For more info: www.heosolution.de
Star Player 5 – Torpedo leg lock
Caravanners can make life more difficult for would-be thieves by locking their corner steadies in place. The Torpedo Caravan leg lock from Purple Line fits over the winding points of your corner steady legs, securely locking them into place. When used in the down position this locks the corner steadies to the floor, immobilising your caravan. Torpedo Caravan Leg Locks are also highly visible to attract attention , acting as an extra deterrent to potential thieves.
The Torpedo is a robust, strong, leg lock constructed using heavy-duty composite metals that have been specially chosen to be resistant to cutting, drilling and gas freezing.
Purple Line says: “Our customers love the Torpedo Caravan Leg Lock, because it’s so easy to fit and remove. We pride ourselves in the quality of our products, making sure they’re robust, strong and a successful deterrent.”
Key features: Quick and easy to fit; highly visible; resistant to cutting, drilling and gas freezing.
Prices from: £29.95
More info: www.purpleline.co.uk
What’s the insurance benefit?
Whilst none of these devices will get you a discount on your caravan or motorhome insurance they will act as a visible deterrent and perhaps make thieves think twice about trying to break into your caravan or motorhome, or worse still, steal it! So they could help to keep your no claims discount intact. What’s more the window and inner door locks give you extra peace of mind when you are staying in your caravan.
Over to you…
Got any advice on security locks for your caravan or motorhome to pass on to others? Do you use any of the products we’ve featured? Feel free to add your comments below.
What’s the point of window security covers??!
With a simple rechargeable electronic tool, I and others can gain access to the interior of your caravan in seconds!!!
The Manufacturers have never seen or tried to secure this major defect!!
does your company endorse security marking of windows headlights/all glass ??
also your comments on fitting a dashcam
clive ballinger
We don’t offer a discount for security marking on windows and headlights/glass for motorhomes at the moment Clive. We’ll speak to our underwriters about dashcams.
Hi To All,
With security in mind why are manufactures not fitting the 3 Point locking system on the doors that are available for French windows in a home environment.
Plus why can’t all manufacture’s of caravans & Motorhomes all be fitted with alarms as Standard.
After all most new cars now have alarms fitted.
So it might cost a few Bob more but your fit one anyway.
Other peoples thoughts please!
The caravan that we have is a forever one, as we are in our 70s, and will be our last, so I fitted Endliegh garage dead lock bolts to top and bottom doors, they cant be opened from inside without the key, so if any one is getting in it will only be through the windows, and will have to go out the same way, which hopefully some one see and report, at home the van is parked on the driveway which has locked post’s and chains all the way around plus all the other things like wheel clamp, hitchlock, the only downside is when we go away the caravan is gone, which lett’s people know the house is empty,That’s another thing I do, I have two plug in dummy tv’s which come on at dusk and flash all different colour’s plus time switches on lights that come on at random times, I dont want to tempt fate and say any thing more, all the best for the comng year to you all, Alan.
Thanks for sharing Alan.
I am concerned about the combined door lock/grab rail. Surely any burglar has a lot of mechanical advantage when trying to pull the frame from its locked position, this could easily tear apart the flimsy motorhome or caravan sidewall. A large spreader plate of metal would be needed, heavy and not too attractive. The small pivoting door locks give a good place for a burglar to place a crowbar, again ripping apart the sidewall.
New to motor homing, found the advise very helpful.
We were broken into on Sunday night whilst on an Aire on the A7. The thief/thieves easily screwdrivered the front door of our Bailey Unicorn. Fortunately on climbing into the van progress was slowed, but whilst shining a torch my partner awoke and shouted at me. At this they made off with my shorts and wallet,cash,cards etc which was on the settee. The Police declined to attend etc.
Has anyone fitted extra security to the inside of their door to prevent it being opened from the outside ? I have made a temporary fix with a piece of reo bar which reaches across the entire door frame whilst at the same time is bent behind the door lock.
Sorry to hear about the break-in Kevin, that must have been very frightening. A door alarm could be a good deterrent: https://www.leisureoutlet.com/other-security/caravan-and-motorhome-security/caravans-and-motorhomes/34869-milenco-sleep-safe-window-alarm-six-pack
In response to Andy Culley’s comment “nightmare getting a new passport when yours is stolen in Europe” – readers should be reassured that -YOU DON’T HAVE TO! As long as you report to the local police station AND get a crime sheet / number, that becomes your “new” passport. You produce that as your passport as necessary, at customs they will arrange a telephone call to the UK Customs and a few questions to check your “authenticity” and you can then get a proper replacement at home. Otherwise you will pay for a “TEMPORARY” passport while abroad and STILL have to arrange a replacement on your return.
We had ours stolen while cycling through France and after a very helpful phone call to the Bordeaux embassy were assured we didn’t have to detour into Bordeaux and WASTE money on a temporary passport…..and they were right. We produced it all over France with no problems apart from apologetic campsite owners – that THIS had happened in their country!!!
Thanks for your newsletter.
Keen cyclist AND campervan owner! Ric
Thanks for sharing Ric.
As someone else said, if they want to get in they will. Our VW van conversion was broken into in Spain last year and valuables stolen. We were away from it for only 15 minutes! How did they get in you ask? Because the converter had used the bog standard top hung plastic windows with plastic window catches, they just got their fingers under the bottom and pulled, snapping the catches. Not content with that they did the same to the other side window and then proceeded to rip out the concertina blinds!
These same windows, made by Seitz are fitted to many caravans and motorhomes.
So fitting extra locks will not keep them out.
A Dutchman we met in Spain told us he has 2 safes in his camper van, a cheap in full view that he keeps copies of insurance papers etc in, and a better safe, hidden from view for passports etc.
Might be worth a thought?
Sorry to hear about your break-in Peter. A safe is a sensible idea for valuables.
What a useful and informative article! What a pity I could not read it BEFORE Santa delivered my Xmas presents. Ho hum
It really annoys me, after spending 50K+ on a new MH. Why should we have to buy extra locks. When we spend that sort of money is it not time manufacturers fitted decent locks on all their MHs
Get a dog! Variable starting costs, ongoing companionship, transferable between van changes. Only downsides is potentially expensive visits to the vet, some more difficult to train than others.
Good idea Dave!
Additional locks inan attempt to prevent unauthorised access are pretty much a waste of time.
Just think of how strong the standard window locks are! They are made of plastic and are fitted to plastic windows. One good pull on the bottom of the window and they fail!
A FAR better option is to fit a decent safe in which to store your valuables in. it WONT prevent unauthorised access but it WILL keep your valuables safe. Trying to get a passport replaced whilst abroad is a real nightmare.
Additional exterior security devices such as steady locks etc do offer additional protection against theft OF the caravan but not FROM it.
Good review on locks, better to be able to know where your caravan is, than was, parked, security is always a well sought after topicto take care of your possessions, but having said that if they want it they’ll take it, and having seen what protections you put on you van they’ll move on to one that hasn’t.
An excellent article which clearly explains the options available complete with costs and fitting details. If fitting is to be undertaken by a dealer or workshop there will of course be additional costs which are likely to exceed the cost of actual devices.
Overall though very helpful
What about corner steady locks for trailer tents with 17mm steady screws? Nobody seems to make them!
Hello can not understand why you are promoting these products if they are not saving us anything on ou r already too high insurance policies I joined the club thinking I would get out of the grips of Ryanair and all the other rip off air travel companies , but I have found that all the rip off agents have descended on the caravanners
Here at Caravan Guard we already offer many discounts for axle wheel locks, alarms, tracking devices, as well as devices which improve safety such as reversing cameras and tyre pressure monitors. The article simply aimed to highlight other devices which you can fit to your vehicle to improve security to make life more difficult to potential thieves and give you that extra peace of mind.
Having had just had our quad stolen in the last week I was wondering about additional security for my motor home. At the moment it only has a wheel lock which I find difficult to use having abad hip and getting down to fix it onto the wheel is not easy. Ihave been thinking about a tracker which you don’t menttion but it’s not qite the same.
The article was specifically about window and door locks. A tracking device will get you the biggest insurance discount. You can find out more here.
Since I’m new to Motorhomes I found the article very helpful.
I find that a Fiamma Duo Safe Security bar is us useful (visible) additional deterrent to potential thieves of motorhomes.
The bar (consisting of two telescopic sliding pieces) that fit inside the cab of your motorhome, and slide down on each side between the door glass and the inner door moulding, preventing the doors from opening from outside. Once in place the sliding component of the bar is locked into place making the bar very rigid.
Like any other security/ deterrent it can be overcome by a thief, in this case by breaking a side window and removing the bar, but in our case I have alarmed the bar with a vibration/ alarm sensor which will make things that bit more noisy and difficult for a potential thief.
Thanks for sharing Rod.
I can vouch for the Lock-Me-Out devices. I have no connection with the supplier but bought some when at a Motorhome show. They are not cheap but as they are manufactured to a high standard and therefore very sturdy, I would highly recommend them.