10 RV Theft Statistics and Facts – 2023 Update
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Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
RVs can be big expenses since they offer you the convenience of both a home and car rolled into one. Despite the amount of money that goes into these vehicles, RV theft is surprisingly low. Even now that RV theft has hit an all-time high, it’s still considered rare for an RV to be stolen.
To learn more about RV theft, keep reading. This article provides 10 key RV theft statistics and facts for this year. In the end, we answer some FAQs and provide tips for keeping your RV safe.
Click below to jump ahead:
The 10 RV Theft Statistics
- It’s hard to track exactly how many RVs are stolen.
- About 6% of all stolen vehicles are RVs and other similar vehicles…
- … but RV theft is not very common.
- RV theft increased by 867% in 2020.
- Still, motor vehicle theft is on the downhill.
- Kentucky, West Virginia, and Florida have the most RV thefts.
- California, Illinois, and Tennessee are other states to look out for in terms of RV theft.
- Most RV thefts do not happen at campgrounds.
- Summer is the most common time for RVs to be stolen.
- RVs with broken and faulty parts are more likely to be broken into than those in perfect condition.
Frequency of RV Theft
Even though RVs are all over the road, RV theft is actually low. However, RV theft is increasing, even though vehicle theft is decreasing.
1. It’s hard to track exactly how many RVs are stolen.
Before diving into the statistics about RV theft, it’s important to understand that it’s incredibly difficult to track how many RVs are stolen every year.
For starters, there aren’t individual statistics reported related to RVs specifically. Instead, most districts report vehicle theft based on motor class type. So, there aren’t many statistics about RVs specifically.
In addition, not all RV thefts are reported in the first place. Since campgrounds and RV parks have become a hotspot for drug use and other illegal activity, RVs associated with these illegal activities are not reported when stolen.
We say all of this just to point out how difficult it is to make any assertions about RV theft. Although we know that RV theft is relatively rare, it’s complicated to give an exact number or percentage of its occurrence.
(My Camper Friend)
2. About 6% of all stolen vehicles are RVs and other similar vehicles…
When you compare how many RVs and other similar vehicles are stolen to the number of all vehicles stolen, RV theft only makes up at most 6%. This makes RVs the 4th most common type of vehicle stolen.
It makes sense that there are fewer RVs stolen since there are fewer RVs on the road. Still, this 6% is incredibly low, even considering how many RVs are out there.
(Construction Theft Recovery Report)
3. RV theft is not very common.
RV theft is not very common. Even though it is not impossible, it certainly is not a phenomenon that most RV owners have to deal with. This explains why there is such a low percentage of RVs stolen.
It may be predicted that the reason there are so few RVs stolen is that they are difficult to steal. The thief would have to know how to break into the RV and hotwire the RV. From there, they would have to hide the RV so that it wouldn’t be found after being reported stolen.
To show just how many RVs are stolen, between 2013 and 2019, 2016 had the highest number of reported stolen RVs. Only three RVs were reported as stolen this year, which is next to nothing.
(National RV Dealers Association)
4. RV theft increased by 867% in 2020.
In 2020, the RV world was rocked by an 867% increase in RV theft. During this year, there were 26 RVs stolen. This shows that RV theft is at an all-time high.
It may make sense that RV theft was so high during this year. Because of the pandemic, more people were on the road, and others were looking for ways to make money, resulting in more RV theft.
(National RV Dealers Association)
5. Still, motor vehicle theft is on the downhill.
Even though RV theft is at a high, vehicle theft as a whole is decreasing. This largely has to do with how easy it is to track RV thieves, vehicle thieves, and other related thieves.
(Statista)
When To Be on The Lookout for RV Theft
Even though RV theft is not common, there are times to be on the lookout for it. For example, some states see more RV theft than others, and certain times of year are more prone to theft as well.
6. Kentucky, West Virginia, and Florida have the most RV thefts.
RV theft is more common in some places than in others. Kentucky, West Virginia, and Florida are the three top states for the most reported stolen RVs.
This is largely because RVs are very popular in these areas, and there’s more poverty too. Put these two factors together, and these three states are hotspots for RV theft.
(National RV Dealers Association)
7. California, Illinois, and Tennessee are other states to look out for in terms of RV theft.
The three states above may be the most common for RV theft, but you shouldn’t put your guard down just because you are in another state. California, Illinois, and Tennessee also have a lot of vehicle theft. Because of how much vehicle theft happens in these states, it wouldn’t be unheard of for an RV to be stolen.
(Insurance Information Institute)
8. Most RV thefts do not happen at campgrounds.
Most RV thefts do not happen at campgrounds. Instead, most thefts happen whenever RVs are parked outside homes, restaurants, and other unattended areas. These destinations make RV theft a little easier than at a campsite when other people are around and paying attention.
(Insurance Information Institute)
9. Summer is the most common time for RVs to be stolen.
The most common time for an RV to be stolen is during the summer months. This makes sense given that more RVs are in use during these months due to camping and other summer activities. In comparison, December through March see the fewest number of stolen RVs.
(Insurance Information Institute)
10. RVs with broken and faulty parts are more likely to be broken into than those in perfect condition.
RVs that are broken into are often the RVs that have some sort of defect or foundational issue. These issues make it easier for the thief to break in and steal the RV.
For example, insufficient security measures, weak camper jacks, and moving chases are the most common problems associated with RV theft.
(Crow Survival)
Frequently Asked Questions About RV Theft
What classifies as an RV?
An RV is short for a recreational vehicle. An RV is any vehicle or trailer that includes living quarters used for any form of accommodation. Motor homes, coaches, camper vans, travel trailers, camper trailers, fifth wheels, pop-up campers, and truck campers are all RVs.
RVs’ classification gets more complicated because RVs can either be classified as Class A or Class B vehicles.
(TJ Wood Insurance Agency, Inc.)
Do I need to worry about RV theft?
You shouldn’t be thinking about RV theft every day, but you should equip your RV with security measures to help prevent RV theft in the case of a break in.
(Crow Survival)
How many RVs are stolen each year?
There are typically only between 1-10 RVs stolen every year. Over the last two years, there have been as many as 20 RV thefts each year.
(National RV Dealers Association)
How do you prevent RV theft?
The best way to prevent RV theft is to place locks around your wheels, doors, windows, and steering wheels. Don’t leave your RV unattended, and make sure that you follow correct storage precautions when you are not using the RV.
(VEHQ)
Where can I track RV thefts?
The only place to track RV thefts is through the National RV Dealers Association. This is the only group with statistics specifically dedicated to RV theft and no other types of vehicle theft.
Every year, the organization releases a list of stolen RVs. You can also look at other online sites and forums to see other individuals who post about stolen RVs, but these locations will almost always site the NRDA.
(RV Travel)
Related Read: 9 RV Accident Statistics and Facts
Conclusion
As these statistics show, RV theft is not super common, but it is common enough that you should equip your RV in the case of a theft.
For example, don’t leave your vehicle accounted for and ensure that all its parts are up-to-date and in working order. In addition, keep track of the National RV Dealers Association site to keep an eye out for any areas that frequently see RV theft.
If you perform these few preventative measures, the chances of your RV getting stolen are incredibly low.
You might also be interested in: 8 Best Camping Saws – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Andrey Armyagov, Shutterstock
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