Locking your keys inside (or outside) your campervan is a nightmare. Here is how to keep a spare key accessible and secure.
Verdict
A £12 magnetic key box on the chassis rail, with a non-transponder door key inside. It will not start the engine (the immobiliser needs the fob), but it will get you back inside the van so you can find your main fob.
The Problem
Modern vans (Transit 2020+, Crafter, Sprinter) have keyless entry and push-button start. The key fob costs £200-500 to replace. If you lock the keys inside the van, you are looking at:
- AA/RAC lockout service: £50-150 (or included in your breakdown cover)
- A locksmith: £80-150
- Breaking a window: £100-400
- Time wasted: 2-4 hours
Best Options
1. Key Lock Box (Combination)
A magnetic lock box with a 4-digit combination. Attach it underneath the chassis rail, inside the wheel arch, or under a body panel. The combination gives you access to the spare key. Best: Master Lock 5401D. £12. Magnetic, weatherproof, 4-digit code. Installation: Clean the chassis rail with a degreaser. Stick the magnetic box. It will hold for months of UK driving. Check it every 6 months (magnet can weaken over time). Downside: A thief who knows vans will check under the chassis. Do not use obvious locations.
2. Disguised Geocache
Buy a fake rock, a drainpipe cover, or a magnetic "spare key" container that looks like a screw. Hide it in the bumper, inside the towbar receiver, or clipped to the underside of the wheel arch liner. Best: Magnetic key holder that looks like a bolt. £6, Amazon. Stick it to the underside of the van near the rear bumper. It looks like a random cosmetic screw.
3. In a Sealed Tube Under the Van
A plastic tube (25mm PVC pipe with a screw cap, £3 from Screwfix) sealed with electrical tape, zip-tied to the chassis. The key stays dry and secure. Installation: Drill a small hole in the chassis rail, pass a zip-tie through, secure the tube. The tube is invisible from a cursory look underneath.
4. Lockbox on the Towbar
A combination lockbox designed for a towbar receiver. Insert it into the towbar when not towing. The spare key lives inside. £20 from Halfords.
5. With a Friend Who Is Also on the Road
If you travel with another van lifer, swap spare keys. You hold their spare, they hold yours. It also builds community.
Where NOT to Hide a Key
- Under the wheel arch (first place thieves look)
- Taped inside the fuel cap (second most common)
- In a magnetic box under the bumper (thief will spot the magnet bulge)
- Under a floor mat inside the van (if you lock yourself out, this is useless)
The "Fake Loss" Strategy
Keep your house keys separate from your van keys. If you lock yourself out:
- Walk to the nearest pub (always have your phone and wallet in your pocket — they should never be with the keys)
- Call the person holding your spare key
- Wait for rescue If you always carry your phone in your pocket (not clipped to your keys), you can always call for help.
My Setup
A Master Lock 5401D magnetic box stuck to the chassis rail near the rear crossmember. The code is the last 4 digits of my VIN (easy to remember, hard for a thief to guess). Inside: a bare metal key that opens the side door (no transponder — the ignition needs the fob, but the door lock is mechanical).
