When you travel by campervan you carry valuable things with you: cash, documents, phones, cameras, laptops, jewellery. And unfortunately, the camper is a target for theft, especially when you leave it to go sightseeing. A safe and a few security habits give you peace of mind to enjoy the trip. Here's how to protect what matters.
Why have a safe
Most thefts from campers are quick and opportunistic: they're after cash, documents and small, easy-to-resell gadgets. A well-anchored safe means those items can't be grabbed in a quick smash-and-grab, and it acts as a deterrent. For documents and cash, it's the best protection inside the vehicle.
How to choose and install it
- Suitable size: big enough for documents, cash, keys and small gadgets; but not oversized (space is precious).
- Well anchored: what matters isn't the safe itself, but that it's firmly fixed to the structure (not to a cupboard that can be ripped out). A loose safe can be carried off whole.
- Hidden: install it somewhere discreet (the back of a cupboard, under a seat), not in plain sight.
- Easy to open (key or code) for daily use.
Additional security tricks
- Nothing valuable in sight: when leaving the camper, put everything away and out of sight (a visible gadget through the window is tempting).
- Spread your cash and don't keep it all in one place.
- Digital copies of your documents (in the cloud and on your phone) in case the originals are stolen.
- Reinforce doors and the rear door (see security and theft prevention and locks).
- Choose carefully where you park and stay overnight: safe, well-lit spots greatly reduce the risk.
If you're robbed
Keep copies of your documents to hand, your card numbers to block them, and the IMEIs of your phones. And insurance that covers theft of contents (see insurance and what to do if you're robbed).
In summary
A well-anchored, hidden safe protects documents, cash and small gadgets from quick thefts, backed up by not leaving anything in sight and reinforcing doors. The step you can take today: fit a safe firmly anchored to the structure in a discreet spot for your most valuable items, keep digital copies of your documents, and don't leave anything valuable in sight when you leave the camper. Combine it with security and theft prevention.