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Are Mobile Homes Safe? How to Protect Your Camper from Burglars

Are Mobile Homes Safe? How to Protect Your Camper from Burglars

Ann Monticello |

Home burglary is one of the most traumatic events you can experience. From the level of fear to the property loss, it can take some time to recover from feeling violated. While you can never guarantee criminals won’t target your home, you can put security measures in place to reduce the likelihood of a home invasion. 

Are mobile homes safe? By design, mobile homes aren’t the most secure dwellings. They are built from penetrable materials burglars could easily get through. The windows are generally easy to break, the doors can be pried open, and the occupants can be tracked to and from the home. Considering there are over a million home burglaries in the U.S. every year, adding security to your mobile home is essential.

Fortunately, some excellent security devices and measures can bolster the safety of your camper. From installing door blocker security to establishing a safe community group, here are some effective approaches to protect your camper from burglars.

Install Security Cameras

Security cameras are a burglar’s nightmare. Camera footage of someone committing a crime is one of the most incriminating pieces of evidence you can have against an intruder. By installing surveillance cameras around your camper, you not only ward off potential burglars but also capture proof of a crime if it happens. 

Modern security cameras are capable of capturing video in 4K. Many of them can be integrated with smart technology, allowing you to monitor your camper remotely from your smartphone. A motion-activated spy camera is the best option for a mobile home, as it kicks into action once motion is detected, ensuring your device has sufficient battery power and storage space when you need it most.

Comprehensive Lighting System

Fit a Comprehensive Lighting System

Outdoor lighting is one of the most underutilized security measures used by campers. Home security lights brighten an area, giving burglars fewer areas to lurk. Motion-detecting lights are particularly effective, as they provide a warning if movement is sensed in the area. This allows you or your neighbors to become aware of a potential burglary.

The combination of lighting and a camera system is a major deterrent to burglars. It means, even at night, they can be identified.  

Reinforce Doors

There are a number of great ways to reinforce your camper door. Some of the most vulnerable places on your mobile home door are the hinges. Upgrade your hinges to heavy-duty materials to give them more strength.

Another great approach is to use a security bar. These are placed at the foot of the door and block it from being opened. They are controllable by remote control or a smartphone app. Security bars can withstand several kicks from an intruder. This not only protects your property but increases the likelihood of someone noticing a break-in occurring.  

A tried-and-tested method of reinforcing a door is through a deadbolt. It is a cost-effective way of securing an entryway and preventing your camper from being burgled. 

Purchase a Self-Defense Weapon

Depending on what state you live in, the type of self-defense weapon you’re entitled to carry will vary. While some people may be comfortable using a firearm to defend their home, others will be more comfortable with a non-lethal weapon. 

Self-Defense Weapons

A practical and easy-to-use self-defense weapon is often the most effective one. Having confidence in your ability to wield it is key. A stun gun, a baton, or pepper spray would all be excellent options. 

Research stun gun laws by state before purchasing to ensure there are no restrictions where you live. Pepper spray is legal in all 50 states, but some of them implement maximum strength regulations. Both these weapons are effective at rendering an assailant temporarily incapacitated. 

Use Home Security Lights to Keep Your Mobile Home Lit at All Times

Use Timers

In most cases, burglars aim to avoid confrontation during a break-in. If an intruder gets a sense someone is home as they approach a property, they may decide to abort their plan. Where possible, mobile home dwellers should give the impression someone is home. 

Equipment that uses integrated timers is useful in creating the illusion a house is occupied. Set televisions, radios, lights, and other audiovisual equipment to timers, ensuring they switch on at regular intervals. 

This might contribute to higher utility costs, but it can be worth it if you spend a lot of time away from your mobile home.  

Create a Safe Community Group

Establishing relationships with your neighbors and the extended community can have significant security benefits. Consider creating a safe community group or neighborhood watch type organization to heighten your area’s security profile. 

By collaborating with your neighbors and local law enforcement, you can learn how to improve your area’s security. Sharing security resources and looking out for one another helps shape a safer environment, further protecting your mobile home. 

Strategic Gardening and Landscaping

Your gardening and landscaping options may be limited as a mobile homeowner. However, if your camper spends most of its time in the same position, you can utilize strategic gardening and landscaping to your advantage to alert you of an intruder or deter them from entering. 

protection plants

Place thorny and prickly plants around entryways and windows. The risk of injury can deter a burglar from trying to break into a certain area. Gravel is virtually impossible to walk across silently, alerting people someone is near. 

Some of the best plants to use for home security include agave, barberry, cactus, and blackthorn.

Invest in Strong Locks

Locks are proven security devices that make your mobile home a lot more difficult to gain access to. Quality deadbolts and padlocks require heavy-duty tools and machinery to break. Investing in strong locks is essential for mobile homeowners. 

installing door locks

Smart locks are growing in popularity, as they require digital access to open. These locks can’t be picked, and entry codes can be changed easily. However, there are reports of intruders hacking them.

Install Wheel Clamps

Wheel clamps are affordable physical security measures for mobile homes. They render the vehicle immobile, even if someone has access to your keys and attempts to drive. Wheel clamps also prevent someone from towing away your mobile home. 

One of the most critical factors of an effective wheel clamp is the installation. It must be the correct size and shape for the wheel. Upon installation, you must ensure it is secured tightly. A loose clamp might be easy to remove. 

Have Adequate Storage for Valuables

If your mobile home’s exterior is compromised, you should ensure all valuables are locked away in secure containers, such as a safe. Many burglars spend days or even weeks watching a property, deciphering whether there are valuable items inside. 

When not in use, expensive or treasured goods should not be on display. If you own jewelry, weapons, or regularly hold large amounts of cash, ensure you have a security safe for storage. 

Avoid flaunting luxury items on social media, as this has become a common way for thieves to find potential burglary opportunities. Don’t become a target by needlessly showing off high-value materials.

Use GPS Tracking on Your Vehicle

The worst outcome of a mobile home break-in is for the entire vehicle to be stolen. To help safeguard your mobile home, it can be equipped with GPS tracking devices to trace its whereabouts. 

gps tracking

Some GPS security systems are very comprehensive and require you to regularly submit information to the police and security firm. There are usually flexible payment options, meaning you don’t have to sign up for expensive long-term contracts. 

A GPS tracker could be the most vital security component to have in a worst-case scenario. Some GPS apps even track the number of miles a vehicle has been driven and the amount of fuel used. 

Park in a Safe Area for Campers

Some mobile homes are rarely moved. They spend years in the same position, in a campsite or trailer park. These locations are generally built for a purpose. There is ample space, and there are often amenities on-site to make your stay more comfortable. 

Perhaps the biggest draw to a dedicated campsite is safety. Reputable sites are generally occupied, giving you safety in numbers. Safety perimeters and entryway barricades are commonplace, making sure no one can enter or leave without being checked by security. 

Whether you’re parking permanently or you’re continually on the move, look for safe areas to park. Online reviews and mobile homeowner forums are useful resources when deciding where to park. 

Record Possible Intruders with a Motion-Activated Spy Camera

Don’t Let Trash Pile Up

With limited space inside your camper, it’s easy to let trash pile up outside it. Visible trash can make you a burglary target. It signifies you’re frequently purchasing things, suggesting there may be valuables inside. If you purchase a TV or electronic device, leaving the box outside is almost an invitation for burglars. Recycle it right away.

It is essential not to let mail or newspapers gather while you are away. This is one of the most obvious signs there is nobody home. Arrange for a neighbor or friend to take away your mail and deliveries. 

Use “Beware of Dog” Signage

A simple but effective security measure is to display a “Beware of Dog” sign. While it isn’t foolproof, it can be a deterrent to spontaneous crimes and casual burglars. Dog barks are like alarm sirens, particularly in a condensed living environment like a campsite. Even if the chances of a dog being present are low, it is enough of a risk to deter a robber.

Security Alarm

Install a Security Alarm

Alarm systems can be installed in a mobile home as well as a brick-and-mortar house. From cheap door alarms to sophisticated motion detecting security systems, alarms can be as simple or elaborate as you can afford. 

DIY systems are cheap to install, and they are monitored by you. Professional alarm systems have a direct line with a security company and the police but cost a lot more.

Use a Steering Wheel Lock

As your last line of defense, a steering wheel lock can be the ultimate security tool to protect your vehicle from theft. If a burglar has gained entry to your mobile home, a steering wheel lock will make it virtually impossible to drive away. 

A steering wheel lock is essentially a metal barrier held in place by a lock that prevents a steering wheel from being moved. Even if a thief starts to drive with the lock in place, they will not be able to turn. 

There are three different types of steering wheel locks: an enclosed lock, a traditional lock, and a wheel-to-pedal lock. An enclosed lock consists of a hardened steel shell that covers the wheel. A traditional lock uses extendable arms and hooks to secure the wheel, while a wheel-to-pedal lock attaches the wheel to a pedal, preventing the use of either control point. 

Depending on your budget and needs, any of these devices may be suitable.

 protect your mobile home

Make Your Mobile Home a Difficult Target

Whether your mobile home is on the move or stationary, it could be deemed an easy target for burglars. As they aren’t as naturally secure as houses, weak access points need reinforcement and extra vigilance should be taken.

To protect your camper, you must improve the standard safety features and implement reliable security measures. Visit The Home Security Superstore and explore our self-defense and security supplies to help protect your mobile home from burglars. 


FAQs

Is it safe to live in a mobile home year-round?

Reinforce the doors and windows using locks or security bars, and install security cameras and lighting to deter burglars to ensure your mobile home is safe. 

What are the most serious security challenges facing mobile homeowners?

It is relatively easy for burglars to survey the entire vehicle, establishing weak points, and confirming whether anyone is home. 

Are there telltale signs a burglar is casing your mobile home?

If you notice a strange vehicle or person lurking near your home frequently, it could be a criminal casing the area. 


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