19 Motorhome Safety Tips: Is A Campervan Safe & How to Keep Safe on The Road
Is Van Life Safe? Living full-time in a motorhome is an amazing lifestyle choice that requires careful consideration of safety on the road. Whether you're concerned about being broken into on the coast of Spain or heckled by a group of youngers causing trouble while parking off-grid, we'll dive into all of the motorhome safety tips that will keep you safe on the road. Choosing to live in a campervan is extremely fulfilling, being closer to nature and meeting like-minded people every week, however having your whole life packed into a vehicle comes with its risks and taking all of the security measures you can is a necessity. Here are our top tips for motorhome safety:
Contents
The Basics to Living Safely in a Motorhome
Vehicle Maintenance
Although simple, regular maintenance is a must-do for a safe motorhome, making sure to regularly check the engine, brakes, tires, and fluid levels to prevent breakdowns on the road.
Every van needs an emergency kit as you never know what situation you'll be in, unlike in a house. Include first aid supplies, tools for minor repairs, a torch, spare batteries, and a multipurpose tool, such as a Leatherman. Being self-sufficient in emergencies is crucial when you're constantly on the move.
Navigation and Communication
Staying connected and navigating safely is essential, and a reliable GPS system helps you achieve this, a two-way radio or a satellite phone are great examples of how you can always reach people. This ensures you can reach help in case of emergencies, especially when venturing into remote areas. We made sure to carry Starlink on the road so we would always be able to put it up and get signal no matter how remote we were.
Weather Preparedness
Stay informed about weather conditions along your route, especially if off-roading in your campervan. Depending on where you are visiting, being prepared for extreme weather can be important: appropriate clothing, blankets, and extra supplies as well as any recovery gear needed for the motorhome. We also made sure to check weather forecasts regularly in Norway due to snowstorms and adjusted our plans accordingly to avoid dangerous situations.
Insurance and Breakdown Coverage
Another simple yet essential tip is ensuring your motorhome is insured for both the vehicle itself and your belongings inside, don't make the same mistake we did and only insure the vehicle. Research and choose insurance plans that provide coverage for accidents, theft, and damage, giving you peace of mind on the road. Make sure you also have breakdown cover in all the countries you plan to drive in, this was a life saver for us a couple of times when we broke down in Scotland and a 3.5t recovery would've cost a fortune.
Motorhome Safety Tips | Essentials When Living in a Campervan?
Common sense - a fire extinguisher is a must-have for a quick response to potential fire. We found some small lightweight ones off Amazon and we spread them out throughout the van, luckily we haven't had to use them!
Protect your van against electrical fires by adding fireballs to your electrical area/bench. These self-activating devices provide an extra layer of defence, especially in confined spaces like electric cupboards. It also means if you're away from the van you could prevent a larger fire, we have seen multiple videos of people returning to their van with black smoke billowing out of the garage.
A great Tool for minor fixes in the van but also important if you need to fix something bigger... like a door. We had to fix our sliding door as it wouldn't lock, not great when wild camping but luckily our Leatherman Wave came to the rescue
Another simple yet necessary safety practice, carbon monoxide alarms. These devices monitor gas levels, alerting you to potential threats, and ensuring a safe space inside your motorhome. We had two in our van, one at the front and one by our gas, just make sure to check the batteries every few months.
The most common way to break into a vehicle is by smashing the window, ensure security with blast proof window film. This will prevent people from smashing the windows of your van and can be applied cheaply by yourself but it is fiddly and frustrating so we recommend you get this done professionally.
As well as the factory locks you can also strengthen your camper van's security with deadlocks on all of the doors. These additional locks provide an extra layer of defence, deterring unauthorized access to your living space, they also act as a visual deterrent.
Another suggestion is to invest in a modern security solution like CCTV cameras and alarms, although not necessary, it is a nice luxury to have. These technologies offer real-time monitoring and alerts, ensuring your campervan remains protected whether you're on the road or parked, giving you peace of mind when you park it and spend a day walking around the city as you can see the van on the app on your phone.
Make sure to keep the most expensive valuables hidden away with a secure safe inside your campervan. Choose a compact yet sturdy option to store important documents, electronics, and personal belongings, we also tried to hide it out of the way.
A necessity if you're planning on stealth camping, these blackout curtains will keep your motorhome private and create a secure environment. Not only do they provide insulation, but they also shield your campervans interior.
Keep tabs on your camper van's location with a GPS tracker. In case of theft, a tracker becomes a crucial tool for finding and recovering your motorhome, we've also heard of people using an apple tag for this purpose which is a cheaper and simpler alternative.
By adding a steering wheel lock you get an immediate and obvious visual deterrent. This simple device adds an extra layer of security to your parked campervan, especially when around cities or other areas prone to small break-ins.
Other Motorhome Safety Tips
Park Before Dark
While on the road, we always tried to prioritise safety by parking before dark. This not only helps in finding secure locations to park for the night but also ensures you have time to assess your surroundings and settle in without unwanted disturbances.
Insurance
Get comprehensive insurance coverage to protect your investment and ensure financial security in case of unforeseen events. We know it is tricky to insure the contents of a self-converted van so look for insuring important technology instead. Head over to Sterling Insurance to help with insuring your self conversion.
Be Able to Get to Your Cab
A must-have for us, maintaining easy access to your cab for a swift exit if needed. Organise your living space to ensure a clear path, meaning you can get away quick and unobstructed during emergencies. If you have a bulk head consider creating a hatch that you can use to jump through to the cab in emergencies.
Carry Breakdown Essentials | Breakdown Cover
Make sure to pack a breakdown kit with essentials like tools, first aid supplies, and emergency provisions. We also recommend recovery gear in order to be prepared for unexpected situations meaning you can handle challenges confidently while on the road.
Tools To Make Your Trip Stress Free
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Van Life adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
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