How can I create a lockable cabinet?

[chenderson1965]

Hi.

I want to create a lockable cabinet inside our new motorhome to keep electronics, passports et cetera. Our van is protected by a high-quality alarm so any intruder wont be spending a lot of time inside with the alarm going off.

Ours is a Fiat and there is a plastic key operated locker in the centre console but it looks pretty flimsy.

I’ve looked into buying a safe and fitting this inside one of the storage areas (probably one under the seats) but it’s hard to find one that fits well, they are heavy and it’s also going to be difficult to access easily.

Our overhead bins are the push to open kind, with a front that is slightly convex from top to bottom (see pic), and I’m wondering if there’s some way I could fit a lock/s to one of them to create a secure compartment. If we can do this in a way that places the lock face where you put the key underneath (i.e. out of sight) that would be better than attracting attention to it by having the locks on the front face.

I realise it won’t be as strong as a safe but it’s better than nothing.

I’m pretty sure I could do this myself but can’t picture quite how the lock would work or what kind of lock I need. Has anybody else done something similar or could give me a bit of guidance?

Thanks
Chris

 

[Mr porky]

We use the cheap keypad safes next to our tills just to store extra change. After the battery’s went flat and the master key had gone missing it took all of 10 seconds to open it with a hammer.

 

[The Wino]

And in more trouble now thieves know you have one and where it is, may as well bolt it to the outside to save them breaking in.

Only if you think theives search over MHF to find threads involving security then find the posters address then wait until they go away then follow them and wait until they are out then......etc etc. When we had a business and talked to the police about security they pointed out most theives aren't really that clever!

 

[tonyidle]

As its all over you tube......
Bang repeatedly hard on top with your fist while turning the open knob.... It'll open.

My keypad safe has a motorised lock. It can be opened with a nominated credit or debit card swipe or by using the card PIN. There is a key in case the internal battery fails. I don't think it can be beaten into submission.

 

[vicdicdoc]

Our over cab bed tilts up for daytime travel etc and we stow all valuables at the fwd end, under the mattress. This hiding place is out of the way and nobody would think of searching there. ????

- they will now you’ve told everyone ?

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[Zigisla]

- they will now you’ve told everyone ?

But I’ve now moved them to the sides. ??

 

[tacr2man]

I had my safe in the RV in a secret cupboard where I stored my coke . or transported the immigrants , Oh OH ! , how do you remove forum posts ?

 

[Lenny HB]

We use the cheap keypad safes next to our tills just to store extra change. After the battery’s went flat and the master key had gone missing it took all of 10 seconds to open it with a hammer.

A magnet would have done it in 2 seconds & without damage.

 

[Lenny HB]

I had my safe in the RV in a secret cupboard where I stored my coke . or transported the immigrants , Oh OH ! , how do you remove forum posts ?

Can't stand Coke or Pepsi.

 

[peterc10]

Can't stand Coke or Pepsi.

Wrong type of Coke Lenny ........................

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[Minxy]

Wrong type of Coke Lenny ........................

Oh, you mean the MH was steam powered with smokeless coal, eg coke!

 

[Lenny HB]

Wrong type of Coke Lenny ........................

I may be dumb but not that dumb.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I may be dumb but not that dumb.

What's not being able to speak got to do with it?

?

Sorry.
I'll get me coat.

 

[Lenny HB]

What's not being able to speak got to do with it?

?

Sorry.
I'll get me coat.

Please

 

[Jev88]

False bottoms in drawers are not too hard to make for laptop. There is often a hidden void under sinks or to the side of sinks wherever worktops curve around an angle.
I have even seen a Truma fireplace disconnected and utilised for security.

No point detailing any more here as the best hiding places and solutions are best invented yourself?

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[Minxy]

I may be dumb but not that dumb.

... ah but how do you know you're not dumber than you are if you' are that dumb?

 

[Northernraider]

I said crowbarring the doors off lockers... the OP initially asked for info on putting a lock on an overhead locker.

To be honest if you’ve got your safe at the bottom of a wardrobe then it’ll take no time to find it - shoes or no shoes. I’d also think that having a safe suggests that you do have valuables in it... why else would you have installed it?

I have a safe bolted inside my van , the time they spend finding it then trying to open it while the alarm is going off stops them from finding anything of value that isn't actually in the safe but hidden elsewhere.

Stuff I only need actually crossing borders etc like passports are so well hidden I had to spend 10 minutes retrieving it for the irate English policeman in Gibraltar ?

 

[Spriddler]

I've seen some very imaginative hiding places in T.V. programmes, so listen very carefully, I shall say this only once............

 

[pandas]

Assuming they can break in and then they are happy to search around - solution make the alarm a 'sound bomb' so there is no way they would want to. If you were thinking of a safe for insurances purposes in my experience they will not except a locked compartment/cupboard as they want it to be an actual bolted down safe of safe box. Again that is what my insurance company told me.