Sleeping safe in the van: Life in a van provides pleasure in everyday life and therefore brings its share of advantages. Van travel is also synonymous with freedom. But, in the majority of cases, freedom does not necessarily go hand in hand with security. If you are alone, with your family, in the middle of a thick forest or a dark service area, panic can invade your mind. So, during the van trip, you must learn to manage certain constraints, in particular “security”. In this sense, here is everything you need to remember to sleep safely in the van.
The best tips for sleeping safely in the van
Here are some useful and practical tips to reduce the potential risk of theft and break-ins. These help you sleep safely in the van.
Evaluate your environment to sleep safely in the van
First of all, it is advisable to arrive at a spot before it gets dark to easily assess its surroundings. By doing so, if the spot does not suit you, you will have time to look for another one. If you arrive there late in the evening, you will not be able to observe all the suspicious elements or the strange dwellings in the surroundings.
Hide valuables to sleep safely in the van
We advise you to hide valuables such as the drone, camera, computers, etc. In case you travel in a camper van full time, use a compact or code time safe to hide important papers such as the emergency fund in the form of cash, vehicle papers… In practice, you hide this type of furniture used to protect valuables from theft so that it cannot be seen from the outside.
Lock the doors to sleep safely in the van
You should think about investing in different locks, especially in sliding latches or in locks designed for sliding doors or rear leaves. You can also reinforce security on board the van with metal or wooden wedges fixed to the foot of the doors. Some ranges are equipped with alarms.

An alarm system: an effective device for sleeping safely in the van
With an alarm system, you will have time to protect yourself more or prepare to go out. The alarms take up little space and do not block the openings of the camper van. Practically, it is easy to modify a van into a rolling siren with the volumetric detector or using a shock detector on the windows or even with a simple door alarm.
Find the ideal spot to sleep safely in the van
Many solutions exist to find the right spot. However, it is necessary to take into account the regulations in force in the country of destination. Indeed, in France, these allow wild camping, but within a very restricted framework. For example, it is forbidden to pose at a distance not exceeding 500 m from a listed historic monument, in listed wooded areas or on the shores of the sea.
If you live in France, you can sleep safely in the van:
In a campsite: where you can benefit from many facilities such as showers, toilets… Its quality and the protests offered depend in particular on its classification, expressed in stars. In addition, rates vary depending on the season. It should be noted that motorhomes are more expensive in July-August;
in a service and parking area: Generally, service and parking areas are located in a peaceful environment. They are close to shops and a town;
at a campsite at the farm/at the winegrowers:
- you can stop at a campsite at the farm, at a winegrower… You can converse there with the local people, buy products… This solution offers the possibility of discovering the sumptuous culinary and local as well as French terroirs;
- on public roads: parking along the road and in town is allowed with a van. In some cities, you will find signs limiting and prohibiting parking (especially for motorhomes). During your van trip, you can sleep, eat… provided you do not do any act of camping. Do not forget that the use of chairs, tables, clothesline outside the van is abused and you risk a fine for this act. The parking period is generally limited to one week;
- based on information from a mobile application: the Park4night application helps to find the ideal motorhome sites. It is available in a free version and a paid version. The latter makes it possible to take advantage of the application even disconnected from an Internet network. This application is participatory. It allows you to see the opinions of other users on the different spots.
If you want to go on vacation with your family members, count on the services offered by VAN-IT. Since 2008, we have been suggesting various types of well-appointed vans to our customers. They are pleasant to live in and dedicated to the transport and accommodation of two to five people. From now on, to spend a memorable vacation, there is nothing better than renting a campervan. We offer many options: chemical toilets, solar shower, bikes and bike racks… Other options dedicated to road trips that combine comfort, serenity and adventure are also available. They all adapt to your desires and needs. In fact, our campervans have all the essential elements for your comfort. They are practical and inexpensive.
Vous pouvez réserver en ligne, facilement et rapidement, de fourgons aménagés, de combis ou de vans. La réservation en ligne avec VAN-IT est sécurisée. Réservez dès maintenant celui qui vous convient, et profitez de votre voyage en toute sécurité. Cette liste de véhicules en vente est actualisée régulièrement. Nos agences sont présentes partout en France, et désormais en Espagne et au Portugal. Si vous voulez plus d’informations, découvrez nos tutos et des expériences de voyages déjà effectuées sur notre chaine YouTube.