If you’re looking for a new RV security system then look no further than this post to guide you toward knowing everything you need to know before you buy!
Aside from receiving “the knock,” the only thing standing in the way of you and a good night’s sleep on the road is the slight fear of trouble. Car break-ins are never okay. But the worry is magnified when you live in your campervan or RV full-time.
RVs are glaring targets for petty theft, as criminals can take one look at your rig and assume there is something valuable in there.
While there are plenty of preventive measures you can take, making sure any valuables are not in clear view of your RV’s windows and parking in well-lit, populated areas, it’s a good idea to take your protection a step further with a security system.
RV security systems don’t usually make the top of the list of most essential gear. But we think they are well worth their investment in your peace of mind as you travel.
Sure, the chances of a break-in are statistically low, but it only takes one smashed window to ruin your trip. If your RV doubles as your home, there is no point in risking the helpless feeling that comes with coming back to your parking spot and finding your house vanished.
Before you have to deal with the worst-case scenario, secure your vehicle with a proper RV security system to sleep easily no matter where you’ve parked and spend more time enjoying your adventures.
We’ve found some modern RV security system options that you can easily have installed in an afternoon and bring an extra layer of safety to your RV lifestyle.
Hopefully, you’ll never experience the chaos of car theft, but these systems will still help you feel peace of mind sleeping on the city limits or if you have to leave your rig parked somewhere for a few days.
Continue to check out our five favorite RV security systems and determine which protection is best for your rig.
EDITOR’S CHOICE:
Arlo Ultra 2
Arlo has best-in-class monitoring options, battery power, and a simple wireless installation to rank highly in every category.
In addition to stopping would-be thieves in their tracks thanks to motion detection and one-button remote assistance, this alarm system allows RV owners to customize all sorts of security measures and run a complex system from the palm of their hands.
The Best RV Security Systems
To rank on our list and earn the right to protect your rig, these RV security systems are battery-powered, can work over your cellular network, include bonus features, and come with everything you’d expect out-of-home security systems to qualify for our list.
Whether you want complete control from your mobile device or security cameras across every corner of your RV, trust in these alarm systems to bring outdoor security into remote locations.
PRODUCT | WHAT WE LIKE | THINGS TO CONSIDER | |
NAME EDITOR'S CHOICE |
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  TattleTale |
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  Simplisafe Security System |
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  ReoLink Go |
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  WSDcam Door Alarm |
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Arlo Ultra 2
See it all in crystal clear night vision with this 4KHD option built to work with smart devices.
Wireless sensors built into this alarm will alert cell phones of any funny business, even if you’re miles away from the RV park.
An incredibly user-friendly app works with Alexa, google assistant or any other operating system to provide up-to-date alerts on your schedule.
You can even map out a field of vision for your security camera and its starlight sensor to lessen unnecessary panic alarm triggers.
What really makes this product stand out is the 6-month battery life! One 3.5 hour charge provides two-way audio, window sensors, and detection notifications for months on end.
The battery life depends on how often the motion sensor is activated, but you can rest easy knowing your RV alarm system will power through the night.
We recommend buying a battery backup, so you can switch out your batteries with ease while you let your camera recharge.
Either way, with normal usage, you’ll only go through two batteries a year, and your wireless system comes with everything you need to stay safe and alert while stopping would-be intruders in their tracks before break-ins occur.
PROS
- 6-month battery life
- Customizable range of motion detection
- 4K HD day and night
CONS
- No video storage without a subscription
- Needs WiFi to function
TattleTale
We aren’t in grade school anymore. If someone is attempting to break into your vehicle, door and window alarms that come with this home security system will alert anyone within earshot of foul play.
This motion-activated strobe light alarm is all powered by a key fob, so you can quickly switch off the alert if it is triggered accidentally.
The tattletale gets its name from the bright lights and sounds the security system emits, but the RV security system doesn’t stop there.
The ring system can notify up to 5 devices when the built-in motion detector is tripped to make sure you always have a backup.
Once you have the base station installed, you can set up as many extra sensors as you’d like, but each covers a 30′ to 50′ area, so you won’t need too many other devices to keep everything nice and secure.
PROS
- The instant panic alarm stops break-ins before they start
- Sends notifications to up to 5 people
- Comes with a remote key fob
CONS
- Not the best battery life
- Needs a base system
SimpliSafe Security System
SimpliSafe home security systems have burst onto the scene and quickly established themselves as one of the best RV security systems in the market.
They may be built for home use first, but the 8-piece completely wireless motion sensors and alarm system have everything you need to take a complete security system into your RV.
The camera system comes with optional 24-hour professional monitoring from a security company without a contract, meaning any alarm triggers will immediately begin two-way audio communication with assistance teams.
SimpliSafe takes RV security seriously, and they also put control in your hands. The completely wireless SimpliSafe system requires no professional installation, and you can customize RV alarm systems to fit your rig.
You can hook up glass break sensors, a motion detector, smoke detectors, and even carbon monoxide monitoring to make your security system a one-stop shop for protecting your RV lifestyle.
SimpliSafe security systems go well beyond the call of duty, and it works with a cellular connection to ensure the GPS locator gets the job done no matter where the road takes you.
PROS
- Completely wireless system
- Optional 24/7 emergency monitoring
- Works with cell service
CONS
- Needs a base system
- Not the most significant battery life
ReoLink Go
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more complex system than the Reolink Go that is ready to make an RV secure no matter where your home happens to be this week.
Immediately, we saw the fit between this home security system and the RV lifestyle, as the entire system can be solar-powered.
You can connect the RV security system to your smart devices and hook up the security camera and motion detector anywhere on the roof of your RV to equip your vehicle with door alarms and entry sensors.
Store the data in the included SD card or access it from your smart device for up to 7 days in a cloud storage system. This technology allows you to monitor the motion sensor or door alarm from across the parking lot or on the other side of the state.
The Reolink doesn’t come stacked with extra bells and whistles like many of the best RV security systems. Still, this completely weatherproof wireless system with excellent night vision has helped countless RV owners protect their homes on the road.
PROS
- It can be completely solar-powered
- Works with cell service
- Encrypted cloud storage included
CONS
- Expensive
- Doesn’t ship with any extra sensors
WSDcam Door Alarm
Not everyone needs night vision goggles to stop petty theft. For less than 15 bucks, packing tape, and a magnet, you can hook up a loud alarm and remote control to your RV doors and windows that will wake up the neighborhood if anyone tries any funny business.
You can arm, disarm, and activate a panic button for the WSDCAM Door Alarm from the included remote which can hook onto any keychain.
Not only can you prevent any unwanted intruders, but you can also easily find your rig at the opposite end of a Walmart parking lot.
The unit screeches at 105 decibels the moment anyone opens up a protected door. That’s roughly the sound of a helicopter flying overhead!
While it won’t do you much good if you’re miles away from your RV, this loud sound could be enough to scare off potential intruders, and it would certainly wake you up in time to handle the situation.
This low-budget security system doesn’t record any video, and it’s certainly not as high-tech as the other options on our list, but it will get the job done, and save you a few bucks while it’s at it!
Installing three or four alarms around the windows and doors of your rig will spook off criminals and alert you to any troubles before anyone makes off with your valuables.
PROS
- Incredibly Affordable security system
- 100% wireless
- One solar panel can power your security
CONS
- Not many extra features
- It’s not much more than a loud noise
Choosing the Best RV Security System
To be honest, you can’t go wrong with any of the RV security systems we’ve highlighted on this list. Every one of those options has proven to protect rigs of all shapes and sizes and given countless owners the confidence to take their adventures an extra step.
However, there is no point in hooking up five separate systems at once, so eventually, we’ll all have to decide which security system we want to trust when our finger is on the panic button.
It all comes down to personal preference, but each separate security system has a few perks and pitfalls. Let’s take a look at some features that make up different options.
Ease of Install
Most security systems won’t ship to your door ready to protect your vehicle. Whether your camera kit is completely wireless or full of separate plugs, you’ll have to make sure everything is communicating well before you can start to trust your equipment.
If your security system of choice comes from this list, you can surely hook it up yourself. Be wary of any security system that requires a base system, as these options will be slightly more challenging to co-opt for the van life.
The most difficult part of most installation processes will be mounting your camera to the exterior of a moving vehicle. Look for kits to come with double-sided tape, magnetic mounts, or other assembly parts that make sure you can hook up your camera without a few trips to the hardware store or professional help.
Connectivity
Unless you have a wifi kit in your RV, you should make sure your camera can communicate through 4g or LTE cell phone towers. Without this communication, your security camera won’t provide much protection.
While a camera that only records data to an SD card will help monitor petty theft, it won’t do you much good if someone steals your entire rig.
The other aspect of connectivity that is important to monitor is communication with your cell phone. Most of the security cameras on our list can work directly with your smartphone, mainly with an accompanying app that provides varying degrees of benefits.
We love security systems that allow you to monitor everything, even if you are a few hundred miles from your rig.
It all depends on what you need your cameras to protect. If you only plan on having your cameras on while you are in your rig, then a Bluetooth connection will be all you need. If you want complete protection, look for a camera that communicates with cell phone towers.
Perks
To truly stand out in the modern market, you’ve got to have a few extras. While there are thousands of different RV security systems that will bring a camera set-up on the roof or rear of your rig, the best companies have taken their protection pledge a step further by offering these additional features.
Motion detectors
Smart RV security systems will trigger only when motion is detected, saving battery life and instantly triggering alerts if someone is poking around where they shouldn’t be.
The most ingenious motion detection options allow you to define your field of vision and control exactly when you are notified, while other possibilities simply start recording whenever something moves in the field of view.
Night Vision
Speaking of rumbling after dark, your cameras won’t do you much good if they can’t function in low light. The best RV security systems come equipped with starlight sensor night vision which allows the camera to work just as well in the black of night as it would in the light of day.
GPS location
GPS location may be the most important extra feature in RV security systems. Consider this: you’ve done everything right, hooked up the camera, activated the motion sensor, triggered the door alarm, and still the worst happens. Someone smashes a window, hotwires your vehicle and takes off before you can get to the scene of the crime.
If your RV security comes with GPS, it’s just a matter of time before you track down your rig. There are all sorts of benefits of GPS location, so spend the extra money or even pair your security system with something like Lojac for increased protection.
Panic Button
Ninety percent of the time, panic buttons are triggered by hapless owners who pressed the wrong button, But security systems protect against the other 10 percent. Loud noises and lights can often spook anyone halfway into your rig and have them immediately take off in the other direction.
Keyless Entry
You can set up your rig to work with your smartphone and allow you to lock and unlock the doors with the push of a button. Keyless entry will let you quickly turn off any panic alarms or alerts if motion sensors are accidentally triggered.
Conclusion
Put safety in your hands with one of the top options for RV security. These high-tech cameras are the closest thing to guaranteed protection on the market, and they can go well further than simple monitoring to provide complete control of the safety of your rig.
Our favorite option, the Arlo Ultra 2, does it all for six months on a 3-hour battery charge to help protect rigs regardless of the power supply.
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