Preventing RV Theft

When people think about vehicle theft, they often think of cars and trucks, everyday vehicles that are a dime a dozen on the road. But there are other vehicles a thief can take, and your RV is one of them. It’s not as common as car theft or nearly as talked about in everyday life, but it happens occasionally, and there’s a lot to lose when it’s your RV: not only is it more expensive than a car, but you’ve no doubt spent a great deal of time making memories in your RV. Protecting yourself from theft will help save you grief later on. Herold Trailer Sales, located in Indianola, IA, near Des Moines, wants to help you keep your RV for as long as you want it, so we’ve compiled some tips for preventing RV theft.

Parking Your RV

The easiest way to deter thieves is to park your RV in the right spot. For the times of year when you’re storing your RV, you may not have many options, but try to find a spot off the street and out of sight from others. An ideal place to park your RV when it is not in use is if you have a large backyard, garage, or barn which you can access. Additionally, having somewhere to store your RV inside would also protect it from the elements.

For added protection, if you have a smaller RV, you can get a jockey wheel to help you park it without a truck. This means you can position the hitch away from the road and make driving away with it more difficult.

Securing Your RV

Take securing your RV as seriously as you secure your home. Lock your doors and windows every time you leave your RV. A cracked window can give thieves a way in to steal your valuables or, in the case of a motorhome, drive away altogether.

You can also invest in a tire boot or two and a lock that slides over your tow hitch to stop someone else from hitching it to their vehicle. Or you can also consider removing the hitch altogether when it’s not in use and storing it somewhere safe.

Reducing Temptations

When protecting your car, you may have heard some people say to either hide expensive items, like laptops and purses, or take them with you to avoid attracting attention. This is a little harder with RVs as they’re built to store your valuables, so instead, you’ll want to make sure your blinds are closed when you leave it and you stow as many valuable items as you can. You can even get a safe for ownership documents and other valuables. Consider parking near groups of people as suspicious activity is less likely to go unnoticed.

Further Measures

You can also have a security system installed. It’s more costly than simply locking the door, but it may be worth it in comparison to buying a new RV altogether. You can also personalize your RV so it’s easier to identify in the case of theft. As an added measure of security, talk to your local police department on how to tag your RV so they can locate it if it is stolen. Finally, it is generally a good idea to insure your RV. It’s usually cheaper than car insurance and protects you not only from theft, but also accidents.

Protecting yourself from RV theft doesn’t have to be expensive. There are simple measures you can take or more technologically advanced methods. No matter what you do, you should make theft prevention a priority when owning an RV, whether it’s in storage or parked for camping. If you’d like more information or supplies, stop by Herold Trailer Sales in Indianola, Iowa, near Des Moines, serving Clive and Ankeny.