Best Campervan Security? - Effective Vanlife Security System Advice
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- Best Campervan Security - Effective Vanlife Security System Advice
Campervan theft is on the increase. You need to know the best way to secure your van from thieves.
I will share ideas of different products to be utilised, with different options for your vehicle, whether it be a full camper or even a car.
In this video, we're going to explore some of the best campervan security systems out there. By the end of the video, you'll have the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about which security system is right for you and your van.
If you're looking for tips on how to make your van as secure as possible, then this video is for you! We'll discuss different security systems, their benefits and how to choose the right one for your van. By the end of the video, you'll have a good idea of what you should be using on your van, camper van or motorhome
Best way to secure your campervan from theft?
Some of the products discussed
Disklok - amzn.to/3wnUYmt
Scally Stopper from Transporter HQ - transporterhq....
Intellipost as seen on TGETV - intellipost.co.uk
Autowatch Ghost II (Ghost 2 Immobiliser) - www.autowatch....
Pandora Alarms - www.pandoracar...
Scorpion Tracker S7, S5 or S5 Plus can be bought and fitted at tamarcaravance...
Apple AirTags - 4 for £99 (at todays date 23/01/2023) - amzn.to/3XCnkpm
Paddleboards and Kayaks - Sandbanks Style - bit.ly/3xsP4UX
Dock and Bay - Towels, Ponchos and swim wear - tidd.ly/3TH6jcO
Ann's Cottage - tidd.ly/3xvLGcb - Surf Shop, Clothing
Portable Coffee Machine - outin.com/STAY...
Use Code STAYCATIONLIFESTYLE for discount
There are many varieties of CCTV and Lighting that can be used.
I aim to answer lots of your questions, such as:
How to stop my campervan being stolen?
What is the best security for my VW Transporter Campervan?
Is it easy to steal a VW Transporter?
Can my van be stolen?
My insurance company want me to have a tracker fitted, which one?
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Some ESSENTIAL items for you to have to keep safe in your van
Firexo 7 in 1 Extinguisher - amzn.to/3yqmBft
5 in 1 Fire Extinguisher - amzn.to/3uvm8Ym
Fire Angel Smoke Alarm - amzn.to/3yg1Q64
Fire Angel Carbon Monoxide Alarm - amzn.to/3ACgGqf
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Whether you have a T5, VW T5.1, T6, T6.1 or even an older T2, T2.5, T4, the VW Vanlife scene is amazing, with so much help and assistance available for whatever project you wish to attempt. Panel van, Kombi, Converted Camper or VW California Beach or Ocean, enjoy the freedom van life brings.
The @Staycation Lifestyle van conversion is coming along nicely.
I bought a VW Transporter T6 Kombi Highline van 140bhp diesel SWB with tailgate.
Slowly turning it into a camper van / day van with bed. I will also need something for cooking, cooling, sleeping, drinking ?? Choices to be made.
I have lots more to do though, I have a new electrical system, using Victron components and a Lithium LIFEPO4 battery, so I obviously need to install some power devices. I have a new sound system, with Focal speakers and ibus 2.1 amp, Playstation PS4, which will be removable, TV's on headrests.
Lots for me to look forward too and it would be nice to take you on the journey.
Please do let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions.
Vanlife for me is just beginning, it's a great adventure and I'm loving it. 😍
There are many great camper adventures to come
Thanks must go to the following:
titantransport... - Sourcing my van, providing advice and soon a paint correction and detail
tamarcaravance... - Advising me with many of my leisure equipment purchases, including my Thetford toilet
www.dream-ice.... - Quality advise on my sound system upgrade
plyworxuk.co.uk - Suppliers of my Halo roof and ply products
www.batteriesa... - 1st class advice and guidance on my electrical system install
stitchesandste... - Seat covers, carpet, roof straps, changing mat
Transporter HQ for my tailgate struts
Kiravans for my Swivel Seats
Carista is available from Amazon amzn.to/3Ln58tu
If you click on my Amazon affiliate links, I may receive a commission. I will only link products I use and believe in.
Im a member of Devon & Cornwall Transporters. Have a look at the Facebook group and come along to meet the other friendly members
#vanlife #vanlifeuk #campervan #transporter #vwbus #adventure #rv #rvlife #camper #vwcamper #camper #staycation #wildcamping #offgrid #travel
Hmm, back In October 2018, I was driving through Blackpool Illuminations with my two sons in our VW T6, traffic ground to a halt due to the crowds of people by Blackpool Tower.
Then out of nowhere a bloke appeared and tapped on my window to say that I had a headlight bulb out, “come out and I will show you “ he said, then I glanced in the rear view mirror and saw another person loitering at the back of my van…..
Needless to say, I then locked the doors and didn’t interact with the bloke any further, despite his insistence…
After traffic eased, and we moved on, pulled over just to check, guess what, all the headlights etc where fine.
Lucky escape there, I still believe it was a hijack attempt, be careful everyone, theft can happen anywhere, anytime…
I have a pandora system on my t6 totally recommend. It is expensive but well worth it. I was about half a mile away from the van when the keys register an attack. I ran back to the van to find an old lady had banged her door against the van. Luckily no damage but i will never forget her face when i came flying around the corner gasping lol.
Fantastic system, but well worth it to protect your pride and joy. Lucky it was an old lady and not a real attack. I can imagine she was a little frightened 😂
Disklok, peddle lock and Ghost 2 immobiliser will do for me 💪🏽😉
Some good layers there 👍
The easiest, and cheapest (I.E. FREE) way of preventing theft of your VW T5/6 is to remove fuse 23 out of the dashboard fuse box, it will never start without that fuse in place, but thieves don’t really have the time to figure that out!!!!
I think that's a pretty unique and original idea. 👍🏻
Put a blown fuse back in it's place and they won't even see that it is missing.
my dad always used to fit a fuel cutoff switch, which would be hidden in the cabin somewhere... i also had cars that were easy to nick years ago-used to remove the HT lead off the dizzy cap to prevent theft aswell...
umm a HDR 50 gun can be good for self defence, basically a compressed air revolver, UK legal...
another youtuber (autoalex) tried ways to get through all the steering loccks, and the only one that lasted more than 2 minutes was the disk lock, couldn't actually get it off, all the other one you could generally prybar off...
company i work for can fit a device to your steering wheel that is conneccted to your house alarm(pyronix cardefender-we)...basically like a tilt switch. it triggers if any attempt to remove it, if alarm in house is set.
I was 24 when my ford granada Scorpio cosworth was stolen. It was only 4 years old at the time and I was gutted. I lost my no claims bonus and my insurance went through the roof. Since then I've gone up and beyond what is deemed necessary for vehicle security. I have 3 anti ram pull up security posts on the driveway. I have a wheel clamp .a disk lock and a dub lock pedal box lock fitted to my van .a Clifford g5 concept alarm system with proximity sensors. My door handles also have sensors so just touching them will activate the alarm. 3 separate electronic immobilisers and a telematics tracking system. 14 PIA motion sensor lights around the house ,and 10 5 k cctv cameras with motion detection and 24hour surveillance. Plus the house is belled up to the eye balls .nothing is infallible but if the get past that my two furry house guests will be waiting for them 🐶🐶
I used to always want a Scorpio Cosworth, loved them. Slightly less than the Sierra Cosworth though. Wow, that’s impressive security. Should keep them away from yours 👍
I have had 3 Scorpio cosworths over the years plus 2 cossie sapphires. A silver one and a rare Galaxy blue one .I also built a sierra cosworth estate F20YBT. I did a you tube video last year with Adam Smith on his channel. It's well worth a watch 👍
That is awesome. Just watched it. Have you sold it for a fourth time? 😂 Always wanted a Sapphire in Magenta. I see 2 driving quite regular locally, plus a Mallard green Escort Cos. Clearly enjoying them, not locked away in a garage
Unfortunately yes I sold the sierra estate, those van haven vans don't pay for themselves lol. I sold my 2018 skoda superb 2.0 190 tdi sel executive estate, I sold my mk 5 escort ghia and my 2008 fiesta st150 track car too .I couldn't justify taxing and insuring so many vehicles when if I was going to pay so much for a van I really needed to be using it as much as possible. I only work 3 miles from where I live so I have a new skoda citigo for daily duties which is cheap as chips to run ,saving me money for diesel lol . I certainly miss the sierra as I built it from a standard sierra ghia .but I've got my swamper now so at least I don't have to worry about why I raced that Lamborgini when I got home lol. Mind you I did take the van to Germany last August, nurburgring that was entertaining in the van but proper impressive how it handled 👏 👍
@@SimonLloydGuitar No matter what levels, there is always a way if they really want something. What car was that? (If you don’t mind me asking)
Haven't got a lot of security in my van, just an immobiliser, a steering wheel disc lock, bear lock gear lock mechanism inside plastic facia , clutch lock, driveway alarm sending signal to wherever I am in the house, by having the base unit sat next to me either sat during the day or next to my bed, if movement is detected on a pir in the van, cctv on house, well lit and tracker. Must get it secured properly !
Yea I think you need to rethink that, you definitely need to add more. Your making it too easy for them 👏
@@StaycationLifestyle take all keys to bed with me every night as well religiously. A neighbour across the road ( who didn't like me having cctv ) had his golf r stolen from his drive after jumping over his side fence, breaking through his patio door and taking the keys from his kitchen table at 5.00 a.m. in the morning.
He later came to me asking if the police could use my cctv footage to see what went on, I laughed inside and said of course you can ( after he previously complained to me about cctv causing him reduced privacy. This was before the law was changed not allowing your cctv to show anybody else's property, unless they permit you to do so. My cameras only point at my property now and the path in front .) I had the whole event on cctv, they arrived in stolen golfs with masks on, there were three of them and they could be seen going around his back and making off with his car, which he never ever got back. The police interviewed me for the cctv footage and said that the gang was believed to be from West Yorkshire and his stolen car with stolen number plates was seen on camera going down the A19, shortly after it was stolen. I had a Nissan Leaf outside my house, funny how they left that behind ?
Tricky one with physical devices, it is fine for on the driveway but when actually camping in a van especially as females potentially even travelling solo, yeh we want to make it as hard as possible for the van to be driven away but also want to make it as easy as possible to drive away ourselves from an attacker (who may not be after the van itself but after the person inside). Sad that we have to think like that!
You are absolutely right. Very sad that has to be considered.
However whilst occupied a lot don’t utilise the physical security, just reliant on the hope the fact they occupy the vehicle, in itself should be a deterrent
immigration has changed the country sadly
I`m getting my first campervan in the next month and security is one of the things I am now looking into. Very well timed video.
Certainly not to be overlooked. 👍
I purchased a disk lock when I had a reasonably expensive vehicle and it was brilliant as on a cold wet miserably morning I could start the engine outside and clear the windows, lock the door and leave the disc lock on, normally thieves wouldn't hesitate smashing a window as the spare key was in the car engine running but luckily nothing ever happened, don't know if anyone was ever deterred or but it never got stolen.
When you asked about the stickers the best idea came to my mind (sure somebody else has also come up with that) - use stickers, at least a few different ones from "top security products", but none of the ones you actually have installed. This will provide deterence informing thievs that there are security systems to be dealt with, whist misguiding and confusing the ones that will prepare for the "listed systems" to later find out that there are actually others installed :D I think this idea is brilliant - I'll certainly do this for my van :)
Iv always said LAYERING I have 5 various types of security including SCORPIAN,when I tell people what I do to keep my motor home safe I get called paranoid, I’d rather spend money on security and be called paranoid than lose a 50grand motorhome,I also have an invisible beam that’s directed at the drivers door cross or break the beam and an alarm goes off inside the house!
Very thought provoking video - thank you for sharing it. Lots of common sense as well as some good suggestions and ideas.
All the best, David 👍
Hopefully it will help someone 😁
crossbow behind the drivers seat with a trip wire gets my vote.
It certainly would be the last attempted theft they did
It sounds very dangerous to you and you could get into much worse trouble than having your car stolen. Now it is that I have accidentally broken off an ax handle and therefore bought one in reserve of good hickory. I happen to have it lying near the driver's seat because it was convenient to put it there when I got back to the car. Nothing illegal in that! It has a narrow edge at the bottom which concentrates the power, but is still wide at the height so it holds. The back where you hold has a turn so you get a very good grip when you hit and don't lose it. Not so nice to get hit by it on the soft parts of the thighs, arms and body. You should probably watch out for the head, it can make the thief pass over to the other side. I have a bit of a hard time that any policeman or customs officer would complain that I bought a piece of wood to be able to repair my ax when I get home. It might not be for everyone but suits me.
Years ago when I had a soft top Triumph Spitfire, I put a hidden switch in the LT lead. Cost a few bob and worked. There must be something on a modern diesel like the lights, keeping them off so it cannot be driven at night.
Only got a converted Transit Custom about a month ago. Started small with the "not standard fit" security by putting a sticker on the drivers window "Warning this vehicle is fitted with a GPS tracking device". Next on the shopping list is the Disklock and the peddle plate. Luckily my next job is behind the wire in a gated community with 24hr security. When I'm out and about travelling the "Dog on board" sticker might make someone think twice about trying the door in the middle of the night and my dog, whilst not the scariest attack dog type, likes to make a lot of noise if he detects anyone nearby. Your video has made me think very carefully about the steps I take to secure my camper but truthfully if someone is gonna steal it, and they are dead set on it, they will usually succeed and then it's down to the insurance. If they're an opportunist, they may well be put off by the tracker sticker?
Nice video
👍
Thank you 👍
Excellent video, thank you. You mentioned the risk of getting the van towed away. That's my biggest worry. I know the Pandora system detects tilting. Any comments? Cheers
If they want to tow, they really want your vehicle.
Parked with your wheels turned, with a steering lock on.
A Bear lock which is the device that locks your gearbox in gear.
Park in a manner that would make access to your vehicle harder to tow. Other vehicles blocking it etc.
Air ride and have it as low as possible 🤣
Some Torah tried to steal my Peugeot boxer campervan last week.they got into the van but could not take it as they couldn’t get the disklok off.they destroyed it but couldn’t get it off so I’d recommend a disklok.ive bought another one.and im getting van locks fitted.
My car sticker now reads : Carthieves will be shot, any survivors will be shot again. Car and truckmanufacturers could make it much more difficult but it would mean they sell roughly 30.000 Vehicles less per year. Justice isn't tough enough either. Cartheft is an industry and highly profitable.
That is very true, the organised gangs are making a fortune, with as you alluded too, little risk of serious punishment
What i do is remove the O B D connector, hide it behind the front dash, or the back of a front heater vent, replace it with a dummy O B D connector that has the battery 12volts on the correct pins, so when the scallywags plug in the cloning device they will be baffled, because there are no can signals present, but it lights-up, they will be stuffed, ha ha ha.
Just subscribed enjoy your content
Thank you. Lots more to come 😀
The more obvious a physical theft measure is from the outside the better. The more DIY the theft measure (i.e. non standard / not available in shops for the goons to study) the better.
Keep in mind no anti theft measure is able to stop theft or damage but it's presence (i.e. it's visibility) is the only way to make thieves think twice whether or not the target of their choice is worth the trouble...
Spot on. Make them look elsewhere. They would rather not make any noise and have an easier job
Correct me if I'm wrong but you did not mention the old and trusted wheel clamp.
Yes, you can remove them, but most of the time (for the good ones) need a grinder.
cut the OBD cable and solder a plug and socket in between .take the OBD home .socket of your choice
That’s certainly an option that people take
There are several ways to make the car more irresistible to the thief. One way is to etch the registration number on all glass windows in the corner. I don't know how it is in the UK but in Sweden the car gets a registration number that will follow the car for the whole life of the car. Replacing all the windows in the car will be expensive for the thief. Then there is DNA marking that you can also mark your loose things with (must be renewed with certain melan rooms because the marking breaks down). Then you can mark different things and panels yourself. Where you really should punch the car's registration number in is the Catalyst. Many times they crawl under the car and cut off the catalytic converter and then disappear, so it's just the expensive catalytic converter on the exhaust system they're after.
In the past there was a box you put on the ignition system separately and let the car start for 30 seconds for them to drive out on the road, then the finn breaks for a few seconds to turn on again and break again. It gave the impression that the engine is broken and a car hacking its way down the road creates a lot of attention. Not an attractive car for thieves. there was a variant that was put on the fuel system also for diesel cars. It is a completely separate thing that you put on yourself and not so easy for someone knowledgeable about cars to quickly find out on the road.
www.stoldskyddsforeningen.se/butik/privat/stoldskyddsmarkningar/ssf-bilrutemarkning/
I have a remote ignition cutoff switch. No possiblity of theft.
Remember that Mr Bean clip, where he hides his steering wheel? Just seen, you can actually buy that system. Would love the look on the thief's face when he realises there's no steering wheel
Remove the O B D connector, connect an extension loom put it behind the dash board, or anyware else. fit a a dummy in its place with 12 volts connected to pins 1 negative, pin 16 to positive, so when the dandy boys try to clone a key, they are stuffed, also the cigaret lighter socket on the dash is live on the ignition, if back fed with 12 volts, the ignition comes on, remove the feed, and connect direct to 12 volts, a good start for the theives, dont forget to expose the real O B D for the mot test
Mine had security but it didn't stop the spec lifter. Towed it off never to be seen again.
i use a steering wheel iock on my vw mark 1 cabrio and after 30 years i still have it
Wow, that’s great. Lucky it survived the 90’s, but now probably less likely to be nicked and it doesn’t need computer tech to nick it 👏🏼
I have a hidden kill switch - good luck to find itv
Great idea 👍🏼 make sure you don’t forget 😁
Ive seen motorcycle disc locks used on swivel seat based to seats cant be put into driving position.
Never heard of that one. That would make it quite difficult to drive 😄
Yes, I use my motorbike disc lock on the revolving seat in our Peugeot boxer camper van.
Thanks for the video. Very interesting.
Yep , we have that one 😉
I was advised not to have the bearlock stickers because it lets those pieces of sh*t know what kind of security you have.
Also, the steering disk lock can be defeated in 10-20 seconds. But, I still have mine fitted just as a signal that it's unlikely I've just got a steering lock on my brand new camper. It's also Thatcham tracked and I'm going to have a ghost immobiliser fitted.
It’s a balanced argument whether to have stickers or not.
Having anything physical that would cause a thief a delay or to make noise could deter them, so worth having
I have Datatag ID forensic marking and an OBD safe.
Both good options for different purposes 👍
Are deadlocks any good?
They can help but there are many doors to put them on. They are common on work vans to try to secure goods in the rear.
Some of the more basic transporters are very limited to buttons that can be used on ghost.
Yes, that’s true. Pandora would be a better option for those
plaats een verborgen schakelaar in de auto of motorhome , die de brandstofpomp onderbreekt ., dan wil ik eens zien hoe ze kunnen wegrijden
Leave a bottle of brandy laced with arsenic on the dash
They certainly wouldn’t do it again 🤔
Where do I get arsenic? 😂
You think you've got problems try getting a Transit Custom.
Transits have for many years been a target, an easy target. It’s been high on the most stolen list for years. Remember it being a problem in the 90’s
They havn't moved forward I'm afraid a real problem.
Crazy that these aren't fitted as standered the motorhomes
I know some dealers offer the trackers at point of sale. Some brands like Swift I believe will include on some models as an option.
WHAT ABOUT A QUICK RELEASE STEERING WHEEL WHEN HOME TAKE IT TO BED WITH YOU ?
People do this. There is now another method now, which means you remove a connector. Meaning you only take a small part with you and the steering wheel can be left in the van. Im not sure what it’s called
Unfortunately there’s away around most things we can do to stop these scum bags . The invention of the battery angle grinder is a big worry especially when they find a free one in the back of someone’s van! Not saying don’t take precautions but when you no what your up against! A tired slightly rusty old van gets less attention 😊
That's reassuring as I just bought a tired looking van to convert into a camper. It's not actually rusty but the paintwork is so dull it doesn't just look tired it looks exhausted 😅
Wouldn’t they have an immobiliser??
They have a factory immobiliser, but these are far too easily bypassed
Some little shit stole my motorbike and a guys car plus some other bits got caught and taken to court and had his hands smacked and didn't go to prison
Show the devices. Too wordy.
l say we should have a mobiliser fitted in our cars and our motor homes keep your back doors locked put a sign of a guard dog tuning free in side have a heavy door bolt fitted to your motor home back does and transit vans which have been converted into camper vans have CCTV put up on your home and in your motor homes and get a proper yard which has heavy gates and very very bright security lights Bring in a security company with guard dogs and security officers
😀 That’s how it seems to be. So many thefts occurring and maybe the security officers might be the best solution
I know one person who has put a sign on the car that says "The dog is fine and the A/C is on. So don't break into the car to save the dog, he is fine." in several European languages. No threat or warning, just for people to understand that there is a dog in the car. Similarly, if he stops at a place where there are some shady types when he goes shopping, he talks into the car before he leaves it like "stop, master will be back soon" or "I'm going to buy milk and sausage for tonight". Then he drives around alone and has never owned a dog.