RV security cameras are essential for a safer life on the road.
Compared to a house or apartment, an RV is subject to different security risks. Hence, RV security cameras need to handle a bunch of different features to effectively monitor the vehicle.
Discover our picks for the best dedicated RV security cameras, as well as the essential features to look out for to protect your mobile home or converted van.
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What Security Do I Need For My RV? RV Security Camera Features Checklist
Whether you’re a van life convert or about to hit the road for a few months in an RV, living in a mobile home presents unique security risks.
Security cameras in an RV or van need certain features to actually be useful to you. Below, discover the essential RV security camera features you need.
1. Wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Mobile Data)
A wired security camera with no internet connectivity is useless for someone living on the road.
IP cameras connect to the user’s phone, providing access to a live feed and push notifications that keep them in the know when they are outside the vehicle.
Wi-Fi cameras are common and more than sufficient in most places, like campsites, cities and towns. For those traveling far from the beaten path, consider an RV security camera that supports 4G/5G data with a SIM card. Mobile data overcomes the lack of public Wi-Fi in more remote locations.
2. Reliable weather resistance & operating threshold
With an RV security camera, consider operating temperature more than you might for a security camera in the home.
The environment an RV security camera experiences is more prone to dramatic increases and decreases of temperature, especially if you venture into extreme environments, like mountains or deserts.
Likewise, choose security cameras with an IP rating. IP ratings indicate a degree of water and dust resistance, which means they are suitable for outdoor use. Place outdoor security cameras under eaves if there are any—RVs usually have a pull out awning.
Even if a security camera is marketed as ‘weatherproof’, it doesn’t make it completely immune to water ingress. Steam might accumulate in a small environment like a van or RV and damage the camera as it condenses.
3. Deterrence (loud siren)
When living on the road, you might encounter vandals or thieves. Hence, RV security cameras need a loud siren feature.
If parked in a busy place, like a city or a campsite, loud sirens attract attention from the people nearby, which might suffice in deterring criminals.
The more remote the location, the less useful a siren is. By attracting as much attention as possible, the user is less likely to be targeted.
The more remote the location, the less useful a siren is. If the attention of as many people as possible is attracted, the user is less likely to be targeted.
Speaking of which…
There’s a number of clear signs that burglars use on regular and alternative homes to ‘mark’ targeted properties. Knowing what the signs are ensures effective preparation: discover the signs of being targeted by criminals.
4. Ease of installation and maintenance
A security camera that’s difficult to install and set up is a hard sell in any context, let alone when the space is small like in an RV or van.
That’s why fast setup and easy use are essential features for an RV security camera. Some people hit the road on a whim before realizing they aren’t prepared. Swiftness is especially important in such situations in order to stay safe and secure.
Budget security cameras like AlfredCam are designed with ease of use in mind, making them a perfect solution for monitoring small spaces like RVs and converted vans.
5. Mobility
Permanent positions for RV security cameras aren’t usually beneficial. More than likely, users need to move the device around as they change locations.
For example, if the vehicle is parked against a wall on one side, a camera permanently positioned to observe through the window on that side becomes pointless.
Instead, it’s more worthwhile to move the camera to new positions when needed. The ability to dismount the camera with ease when on the move is also important, since it could fall and break as the vehicle moves.
5 Best RV Security Cameras and Alarms
By far the most important security measure you can take to protect an RV, converted van, or mobile home is to introduce security cameras to the space.
In alternative living, there’s an emphasis on being outdoors as much as possible, meaning the ‘home’ isn’t occupied nearly as much as a conventional house is.
Don’t leave the space unattended. Check out our picks for the best motorhome camera systems and alarms that help keep vehicles and tiny homes safe and secure.
- Best RV Security Camera – AlfredCam
- Best Motorhome Alarm System – Wsdcam Door and Window Alarm
- Best RV Security Camera without Wi-Fi – Arlo Go 2 3G/4G
- Best Solar Wireless RV Security Camera – Reolink Solar Panel for Argus, Go, Go PT
- Best Outdoor Security Camera for RV – AlfredCam Plus
Looking for Dash Cams for RV’s, converted vans, and other mobile homes? Head here!
AlfredCam
Best RV Security Camera
Available within the AlfredCamera App. From $34.99.
Pros
- Super affordable
- Wide angle lens for maximum observation
- Loud built in siren and two-way talk for deterrence
Cons
- Sudden light shifts can falsely trigger motion detection
- No third party voice assistants
AlfredCam’s built around simplicity and seamlessness, making it the perfect RV security camera for indoor monitoring.
AlfredCam’s thoughtful design is appropriately small for mobile home, boasting all the features mobile home owners need, like motion detection (with the option for person detection via a subscription), two-way talk, and a loud siren.
Aside from that, super easy mounting (use the provided 3m sticker instead of drilling) and setup make it well suited for fast indoor surveillance in mobile homes of all kinds. At night, infrared night vision kicks in to keep a watch over things.
Key Specifications
- 1080p HD video
- 130-degree field of view
- Two-way audio
- MicroSD card support
- Powered by USB
- Infrared night vision
- Built-in siren
- 7 days cloud storage
- Unlimited devices per account
Wsdcam Door and Window Alarm
Best Motorhome Alarm System
Available on Amazon. From $11.99.
Pros
- Super loud 105 dB alarm
- Suitable for windows and doors
- Peel and stick install is fuss free and fast
Cons
- Uses a remote instead of an app, which feels a little outdated
- Batteries not included
Although a security camera should be prioritized, it’s also worth kitting out RVs and other alternative living spaces with door and window alarms. An alarm system for RV use is handy, since there are more entry points than a car.
Dedicated alarms are a loud way to get attention and deter crime. Wsdcam’s super affordable alarm works a charm, with an extremely loud 105 dB alarm sound triggered when the surface (door or window) is opened.
Arming it when leaving the vehicle or home unattended is a wise way to improve security.
Key Specifications
- 105dB alarm
- Arm/Disarm
- Panic Mode
- Doorbell
- Magnetic trigger for windows and doors
- 2 x AAA battery powered
Arlo Go 2 3G/4G
Best RV Security Camera without Wi-Fi
Available on Arlo, Walmart, From $272.39.
Pros
- Mobile Data via SIM card (not included)
- Battery-powered, so it’s super mobile
- Voice assistant integration
Cons
- Expensive
- 1080p HD is a low resolution given the price
Sure, Arlo Go has Wi-Fi, but its principle selling point is that it also supports mobile LTE data to function.
Mobile data is a useful feature for many people living on the road, particularly if they favor locations sorely lacking in Wi-Fi.
Arlo Go 2 is certainly expensive, but it’s versatile for alternative living situations thanks to it being 100% wire free with battery charging. It’s also got an IP65 rating, meaning it’s suitable for outdoor use.
Key Specifications
- 1080p HD video
- Battery/solar powered
- Night vision
- Alexa and Google Assistant
- Motion detection
- 130 degree field of view
- Spotlight
- SIM card slot
- microSD
Reolink Solar Panel for Argus, Go, Go PT
Best Solar Wireless RV Security Camera
Available on Amazon. From $32.99.
Pros
- Affordable
- Convenient way to avoid camera down time
- Eco friendly
Cons
- May be impossible to mount to some vehicles, so better suited for tiny homes
Solar panels are an investment to consider in any kind of alternative living space, especially if it’s built from the ground up. They are most useful for stationary mobile homes and tiny homes.
Attaching a dedicated solar panel to a security camera is a convenient and environmentally friendly way to charge it for those with an outdoorsy lifestyle.
Reolink’s solar panel is among the more affordable ones. It’s designed for use with the Argus line (2, Pro, Eco, PT) and the Go line (Go, Go PT), which are all solid cameras.
Key Specifications
- Compatible with Reolink battery cameras
- 4m long power cable
- Adjustable mounting bracket
- Weather resistant
AlfredCam Plus
Best Outdoor Security Camera for RV
Available on AlfredCamera and Amazon. From $39.99.
Pros
- Super affordable
- Wide range of mounting options included
- IP65 weatherproof
Cons
- Person, pet, vehicle detection require subscription
- No voice assistant support
AlfredCam Plus is an ideal RV security camera, combining affordability and more advanced features for those that need them. It’s a breeze to set up, with desktop, magnetic, sticker, and zip tie mounting all possible in addition to typical screw mounting.
2K video, motion detection, and infrared night vision are all here. Plus, if you’re doing van life with a furry friend, Premium users can take advantage of all new pet detection to check in on them throughout the day.
Key Specifications
- 2K QHD video
- 130-degree field of view
- Two-way audio
- 64 GB microSD card included
- Infrared night vision
- Built-in siren
- IP65 weatherproof
- Unlimited devices per account
New to nomadic life?
A life on the road promises adventures every day, but it’s not without its risks. Get acquainted with the security risks unique to living in an RV, van, or mobile home.
Get started now with AlfredCamera for free.
Conclusion
The security risks that van life poses are different to living in a conventional home. That’s why it’s important to seek out security devices with the features you need for a safe alternative lifestyle.
Living on the road, or in unique accommodation, doesn’t mean you have to just grin and bear a lack of security. Like conventional homes, there are plenty of things you can do to help you feel safer—starting with introducing RV security cameras to the space.
Recommended reading: Get RV Security FAST with Free Mobile Home Security