5 Great Security System Options for an RV (And what I’d pick)

It can be easy to get into a habit of trust when going camping with your RV. I mean, people don’t lock up their tents to avoid potential break-ins, so why should you worry about an RV? But you should.

Sure, it isn’t always too likely that someone or something will try to break into your RV, but you should always be prepared, and getting a security system for your RV is a good way to start. Certain security systems can even be advantageous for when you’re storing your RV in the off-season.

To make things a bit easier on you, I have provided five of the best security systems for RVs for you. If you read all the way through, you’ll even find out which one is my personal favorite.

Things to Look for in an RV Security System

Before I give you the list of five great security options for your RV, I’m going to give you a few tips on how to pick a good RV security system.

1. Make sure it’s easy to install: I don’t know about you, but my least favorite thing to do when adding new gadgets and devices to my RV is reading a very detailed and difficult instruction manual. I’m more of a figure it out on your own kind of person. There are plenty of security systems out there that require difficult installation processes and wiring hassles, but the best ones usually don’t require you to deal with all that mess.
2. Monitoring Options: You’ll find that a lot of the security system options that I have provided for you below include monitoring options, whether it can be done from your phone, computer, or both. This allows you to keep an eye on your RV even when you aren’t using it.
3. Detection alerts: Whether the security system only comes with a motion detector or a variety of sensors, you still want it to be easy for you to know when something is happening around or inside your RV that shouldn’t be. It’s important to make sure that the security system is able to notify you of these detections and alerts very quickly, if not immediately.

1. Tattletale

The Tattletale security system is a rather modern take on security systems that typically comes with a built-in motion detector and a battery back-up for when you don’t have the option for outside power. It’s wireless and portable, which makes it a relatively good choice for an RV.

This security system will come with extra features such as emergency monitoring and a panic alarm that can be easily set up and disarmed with a key fob. Along with this, Tattletale allows the option to set up notification texts and emails for every time there is any kind of alert or detection. These detection notifications can be sent to one to five people in order to make sure that the notification is seen.

One thing that people typically complain about with the Tattletale security system is that it does require connection with a base unit specially made to pair with Tattletale equipment in order to be installed.

Though this additional requirement for this security system can cause complaint from some customers, one neat fact is that the base unit uses military-grade HALO Advanced Technology that allows the base to connect with any other devices up to 300 feet away. Isn’t that so cool?

That means that your one Tattletale security system can keep track of any smoke detectors or motion, door, or glass-break sensors you have within 300 feet without leaving you anything to worry about on your own. I don’t know about you, but I see that as pretty convenient.

And, another cool part of the base is that it has a built-in motion sensor alarm, so, technically, it could protect your RV all on its own if you wanted. Yes, it might be some very basic protection and security compared to what you could have with the full system, but it is an option.

The only downside is that it needs to be plugged in outside of that 20-hour battery backup. But if you’re planning just a short stop and will have time to plug it in later, then that won’t be a problem.

Average Price: $700 (including the base unit and sensors)

2. SimpliSafe

The SimpliSafe security system is a self-monitoring system that will include security sensors, hazard sensors, and cameras. Similar to the Tattletale security system, it, too, comes with a base unit that requires it to be plugged in, but the battery back-up life is only 8-12 hours.

While the battery life may not be so great, SimpliSafe security systems do come with some great features like Cellular and Wi-Fi monitoring, smartphone access through an app available to certain plan users, and video surveillance.

As an additional bonus, it can also pair with other smart devices like Google Home and Alexa. So, really, it’s a Tattletale security system with more of a modern twist for those Millenials that like to connect everything to all of their smart gadgets.

Not that I disagree with any of that; smart devices can be pretty convenient when you know how to use them all to their full advantage, and connecting your security system to Alexa or Google Home could be one aspect you’d want to take full advantage of.

With the base properly linked, the SimpliSafe security system will serve you with entry sensors, motion sensors, glass break sensors, smoke detectors, temperature sensors, water sensors, and even a panic button.

Believe it or not, those temperature and water sensors can be pretty handy during the off-season as they will help you prevent your RV from any freezing and exploding pipes or leaks. Believe me, it will save you from future repairs that could have been pretty painfully expensive.

Average price: $450

3. Guardian Systems

The Guardian Systems security system brags that it puts up a virtual fence around your RV with the use of wireless sensors and a roof-mounted satellite antenna. This security system is especially great for those RV enthusiasts who like to go to more remote locations or tend to be on the go pretty constantly.

The satellite antenna is used to communicate alarms and information to the Guardian System servers, so the message can then be passed onto you via text messages. This will allow you to be notified of any incident that may occur in or around your RV that could potentially be worrisome.

The wireless sensors will be able to detect unauthorized entries, smoke, heat, water levels, loss of power, and low battery voltage. Once again, a lot of these detections could be especially useful in the off-season or whenever you might spend a longer amount of time away from the RV.

I guess, that, in a way, you could say that a security system with wireless sensors is like having a personal babysitter or spy for your RV, but it can only send out alarms and sirens to scare away the intruder and tell you about the problem rather than actually fixing the problem for you. Maybe that will come with the next generation of security systems.

Average Price: $700 (includes entire system)

4. Guardzilla

As far as RV security systems go, the Guardzilla security system can be pretty basic, but it does come with a motion detector and a built-in video camera. The cool thing about the built-in camera is that it can stream live footage and capture pictures straight to your smartphone. I think it’s pretty neat at least.

The live streaming that you will be able to view through an app on your phone will allow you to keep a close eye on your RV even when you’re out on a quick fishing trip or have it stored away during the off-season.

This security system also includes a pretty loud siren to ward off intruders and an auto arm that will automatically arm the camera and alarm when you leave and disarm it when you return.

I know that I’ve mentioned it with a few of the other security systems, but this security system seems to be a better fit for use when you’re storing your RV in the off-season, as it requires a consistent wireless internet setup and AC power.

Also, if you haven’t already guessed it based on its simplicity, this security system is pretty affordable and typically a good fit for the RV enthusiasts that want a form of a security system for their RV, but don’t really want to deal with all of the extra bells and whistles of those wireless sensors.

Average Price: $150 per camera

5. Reolink

Reolink is typically a home security system, but it can also be used to protect your RV. The Reolink can be easily set up on the side or the roof of your RV, and you’ll be supplied with motion sensors as well as voice alerts.

This security system is portable, wireless, and can connect to Wi-Fi or your cellular network. This makes it pretty convenient because that means that you don’t always have to connect it directly to the internet.

Similar to the Guardzilla security system, the Reolink security system basically has a motion detector and camera(s) that will send the live video feed directly to your phone, so you’re never missing a single thing that’s going on around your RV.

Though the security system is more commonly used for homes than RVs, the cameras are completely weatherproof and pretty durable, so they can indeed handle and survive the life of an RV. Reolink security systems also come with a siren and alarm system as well as a mic and speaker to record and send audio. How neat is that, right?

Some of the Reolink security cameras even come with night vision and a rechargeable or solar-powered battery.

The Reolink security system is especially useful if you need simplicity and/or have a limited power supply. And, of course, it is roughly just as affordable as the Guardzilla security system just because it doesn’t come with all of the extra base units and sensors.

Average Price: $200 per camera

My Personal Favorite

Now that I have given you all of these great RV security system options along with all of their pros and cons, I’m going to let you in on a little secret: my personal pick of security systems for my RV.

Sure, every one of them is a fantastic option, and it really depends on your personal needs and expectations for the security system for your RV, but of course, I have a favorite. I personally like to use the Tattletale security system.

I don’t know about you, but I find the military-grade technology that the base unit uses pretty impressive in the way that it can connect to different devices within 300 feet. Along with that, the base unit, alone, can serve as its own basic security system with an alarm and motion detector.

In the way that it’s wireless, portable, and super easy to set up, the basic security measures of just the base unit make it very convenient for when I want to go on a quick trip, but still, want some of that extra security.

I also really enjoy the different sensors the security system provides. The list includes entry sensors, motion detectors, smoke detectors, glass break sensors, water level sensors, temperature sensors, and camera packs among others. All of the different sensor options make the security system great for use during the off-season or even when I just leave my RV at a campground while I go for a hike with my family.

The best part is that all of those sensors communicate with the base unit, so all of the alerts come to one place which then immediately sends the alert directly to my phone while also sounding an alarm and setting off a strobe light to ward off whatever type of intruder it might be.

Overall, I think that the Tattletale security system is my best pick, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be yours. Maybe you’re not into all of those extra sensors and want something a little more basic like the Guardzilla or Reolink security systems.

Or maybe you want something sort of in between with the SimpliSafe or Global Guardian security systems. Or perhaps you want something completely different from any of the options on my list altogether.

That’s fine. There are plenty of options out there; I just wanted to give you what I thought were five of the best RV security system options.

The most important thing is to give you an idea of what’s out there as far as RV security systems go and hopefully help you to know a little better about which options might be better for you.