The best ways to keep valuables safe in your caravan

Perhaps, like us, you’ve been reading that caravan thefts are on the rise - which means we all need to think carefully about how to keep our valuables secure. Whether you’re parked up or regularly on the move, taking a few actions to keep your belongings safe inside your caravan really can help to defeat any opportunistic thieves. 

Here’s our guide to some innovative and effective storage solutions you could use to keep your items safe on the road…

Install a hidden safe

Using a safe is probably one of the most reliable ways to secure valuable items like passports, cash and jewellery. When choosing a safe, consider whether you’d need to be able to remove it or if it can stay in situ - a bolted-down safe could be fixed to the floor, inside a cupboard or under a seat to prevent it from being removed. You can get some decent ones online from about £40 upwards.

Many safes these days are digital, meaning you’d just need to remember the code to use it. Some are fire-rated and/or waterproof. When you first get it, always change the factory default code, as this may be known by thieves and tried first during a robbery. If you’re taking cash with you on your travels, check with your insurance company what you are covered for, as many safes come with a specified insurance rating (for example £1000). 

Use some secret stash spaces

Oooh, we’re going a bit ‘Q’ from James Bond now. Next it’ll be ejector seats… 

Caravans often have plenty of nooks and crannies that can be repurposed for some hidden storage. Here are some ideas you could consider:

Under-seat compartments

Many caravans have storage under the benches or beds. Use these areas for items you don’t need immediate access to.

Behind false panels

Without damaging the fabric of the caravan, you could create a secret compartment behind an interior panel or cupboard back, or underneath the fixed furniture such as a table top. You can get magnetic boxes which will stay fixed in position very nicely under a table, as well.

Behind wall-mounted items

You can install mirrors, clocks, or picture frames with concealed storage behind or within them.

Inside the furniture

Small items could be hidden inside seat cushions if they have covers with zips. In some caravans, table legs or furniture supports can be modified to hide smaller items like cash or keys. The curtains might also be another option, especially near the tabs - you can sew pockets on to the backs of them.

Use some decoys!

Often, a clever tactic is to use decoys to distract potential thieves…

You could have a 'fake' wallet or purse, and place this inexpensive decoy item in an obvious location to draw attention away from your real valuables. 

Some ‘camouflage' safes are designed to look like everyday items (for example, books or food tins), which makes them less obvious to thieves.

Sometimes the best hiding spots are the most ordinary ones. Some ideas for this include using old books with hollowed-out centres, which are great for concealing small items, and washing powder or cardboard food packaging.

Additionally, you could use some old tins, bottles or containers - just make sure they don’t get thrown away accidentally!

Which leads us nicely on to the next point…

Get organised!

Keeping track of your valuables is just as important as hiding them - you need to stay organised, which should prevent you forgetting where you’ve hidden everything, as that could pose a problem later on down the line…

To avoid this, be sure to assign specific hiding spots for each item so you always know where they are. It’s a good idea to maintain a list of your valuable items and their hiding spots, for quick reference, but keep this protected on your phone, or printed out at home so that you have a record. It’s also a good idea to keep files or photos of important documents on your phone, too, while you are away, such as insurance documents and banking info.

Additionally, if you want to learn some of the best ways to stop the actual caravan from being stolen, then have a read of our article here which includes information on using trackers, alarms, locks and clamps.

Preventing theft is a serious business, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be stressful. With a bit of creativity and some careful planning, you can protect your belongings easily and without spending a huge amount of money. Sounds like it’s a job worth doing!