Security

[Charlie57]

I've been looking at Heosafe door locks for a Ducato and a Heosafe lock for the hab door and a thought has just occured whe dont we disable the door locks and leave them permanantly locked and just use the hab door then there is only one door to secure? As the do with A Class although admittedly acces to the hab area is usually a bit less toght in an A Class, just a thought.

Going for a lie dowm now my brain hurts

 

[Abacist]

I fitted both to my old van and it was an easy thing to do. Better in case you ever want to sell and potential buyers will not be put off by door locks not working!

 

[IRHP]

Any point in all these extra locks when we have plastic windows held closed with plastic catches? Don't get me started on roof lights

 

[Charlie57]

Well I'm going to fit them they look easy and an additional lock on the hab door, a BIG disclok (the big circular one) wheel clamp and a disclok locking the drivers chair facing the hab area, hopefully that will be enough.

 

[Charlie57]

Any point in all these extra locks when we have plastic windows held closed with plastic catches? Don't get me started on roof lights

Buy it you swapped them for glass what would that do to your payload?

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[Abacist]

Even though there are plastic windows, the door locks are regularly reported to have been drilled or punched open through the door skin so it was worth it to me!

 

[Charlie57]

Great to hear

 

[DDJC]

Installed HEO safe door locks in May. Took 5 minutes a side and I bow to no one in my lack of DIY ability.

There are two types. Both have a thumb turn, but the more expensive type has a key lock option. The key locks the thumb turn, open or closed.

The only issue was that the deadbolt part of the lock presses up against part of the plastic door mount. You will see what I mean when you fit them. I cut out a small piece of the plastic and it works fine now. You can't see the cut out.

 

[eddie]

Sadly if someone is prepared to used force to gain entry it just means more damage.

My argument when I was in the trade was let then get in with as little damage as possible and sound a really deafening security system (not a piddling standard alarm) rather than come back and find the door on the floor as they’d cut the door hinges off with a Lithium Multi Tool

The first scenario allows me to continue my trip, and the incident soon becomes a campfire anecdote, the second scenario is the trip over and possibly recovery.

The majority of European motorhomes are polystyrene (variants) sandwiched between a thin bit of Aluminium and a equally thin bit of decorative board with a few bits of aluminium structural sections. Great to maintain the massive payload everyone enjoys, but frankly useless for mounting deadbolts, flap handles, security handles and the like.

Try to imagine a screw! now imaging that screw being pulled out of a block of butter!

The fact is that not every thief goes out equipped to steal, prep to use force to enter, but trust me, if they are prepared to use force, they won’t be Lilly livered about causing damage.

 

[berni109]

I think visible deterrence is all you can hope to achieve. This 'one' is too much hassle let's try that one instead.
If they want to get in they will whatever you do.

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[DDJC]

Sadly if someone is prepared to used force to gain entry it just means more damage.

My argument when I was in the trade was let then get in with as little damage as possible and sound a really deafening security system (not a piddling standard alarm) rather than come back and find the door on the floor as they’d cut the door hinges off with a Lithium Multi Tool

The first scenario allows me to continue my trip, and the incident soon becomes a campfire anecdote, the second scenario is the trip over and possibly recovery.

The majority of European motorhomes are polystyrene (variants) sandwiched between a thin bit of Aluminium and a equally thin bit of decorative board with a few bits of aluminium structural sections. Great to maintain the massive payload everyone enjoys, but frankly useless for mounting deadbolts, flap handles, security handles and the like.

Try to imagine a screw! now imaging that screw being pulled out of a block of butter!

The fact is that not every thief goes out equipped to steal, prep to use force to enter, but trust me, if they are prepared to use force, they won’t be Lilly livered about causing damage.

One would think that you installed big loud alarms for a living Eddie

 

[eddie]

One would think that you installed big loud alarms for a living Eddie

It’s why we refused to screw security handles to Polystyrene

 

[TheMachMan]

Recent advice I had from a van security expert was to get a good steering wheel lock. He recommended Milenco steering wheel or disc lok. We got the former as easier to store. He reckons the plates around the door locks are a waste of time and can still be tampered with. Deadlocks were his preference.

 

[eddie]

I think visible deterrence is all you can hope to achieve. This 'one' is too much hassle let's try that one instead.
If they want to get in they will whatever you do.

That’s why a decent motorhome alarm has internal and external LED’s that are bright enough to be seen in Sunlight

They shouldn’t only be a deterrent at night when the blinds are open

 

[DDJC]

That’s why a decent motorhome alarm has internal and external LED’s that are bright enough to be seen in Sunlight

They shouldn’t only be a deterrent at night when the blinds are open

I imagine that your alarms have bright internal and external LEDs ?

Hope Jim charges you for advertising

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[eddie]

Recent advice I had from a van security expert was to get a good steering wheel lock. He recommended Milenco steering wheel or disc lok. We got the former as easier to store. He reckons the plates around the door locks are a waste of time and can still be tampered with. Deadlocks were his preference.

I disagree, the best non electronic security device is a removable steering wheel.

 

[TheMachMan]

I d

I disagree, the best non electronic security device is a removable steering wheel.

On a PVC, didn’t know you could buy such a thing.

 

[eddie]

I imagine that your alarms have bright internal and external LEDs ?

Multiple ones, dimmable actually

Hope Jim charges you for advertising

I‘m retired, this is just an opinion based on 33 years of experience talking to people who’d had their van stolen or broken into, or didn’t want that to happen

 

[DDJC]

Recent advice I had from a van security expert was to get a good steering wheel lock. He recommended Milenco steering wheel or disc lok. We got the former as easier to store. He reckons the plates around the door locks are a waste of time and can still be tampered with. Deadlocks were his preference.

I am coming to this conclusion, but it depends who you are guarding against.

If you want to stop scrotes driving off in your motorhome, then its immobiliser and steering lock. But if you want to stop scrotes rifling through your van for money and passports, then an alarm is probably best.

I've got two immobilisers, tracker, HEOsafe deadlocks. Fiamma doorfame locks, window locks and Faraday pouches for the keys. And we nearly always use proper camp sites. A steering wheel lock that covers the wheel is next.

But, I do agree with Eddie. To prevent/slow down contents robbers, an alarm is necessary, because the bastards can get past locks.

 

[eddie]

On a PVC, didn’t know you could buy such a thing.

Yes, years ago a bloke used to sell them at all the shows, now people buy them on Amazon and eBay

Imagine you screwdriver the lock, thus unlocking the van, and if your dealer is lazy enough to plug you car alarm into the OBDP turning off you aftermarket alarm as well! (It’s better this way Sir, your Central Locking button turns the alarm on and off (and it’s much easier for us to install) and your faced with no steering wheel!

Pretty hard to drive away then, even with you Fiat software and laptop

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[Landy Andy]

You can’t have a removable steering in a vehicle that has an airbag.

 

[Orion]

I disagree, the best non electronic security device is a removable steering wheel.

Dunno about that, a well trained one of these might do - sitting quietly in the bedroom until after entry has been effected, then ………

 

[eddie]

You can’t have a removable steering in a vehicle that has an airbag.

I think it can be done Professionally, but of course security is more of a problem with older vehicles and not all vehicles have air bags.

 

[eddie]

Dunno about that, a well trained one of these might do - sitting quietly in the bedroom until after entry has been effected, then ………

View attachment 777734

Doesn’t the van smell of shit? Or would a thief wait till the owner took the dog out?

 

[Orion]

Doesn’t the van smell of shit?

It might do after the event - but it wouldn’t be from the Malinois!

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[ontheroadagain]

On a recent trip through France, Belgium, Germany and Luxemburg I noticed the lack of security on foreign vans.
They just don't appear to be that concerned about it.
For example - motorhomes left for the day with the windows partially open.
Once or twice I did hear an alarm being set, but when I looked, it was always a British motorhome.
Is motorhome theft rare abroad or are they just more relaxed about it?

 

[ontheroadagain]

a well trained one of these might do

Is that a "Growler"?

 

[Alsatian]

Dunno about that, a well trained one of these might do - sitting quietly in the bedroom until after entry has been effected, then ………

View attachment 777734

I have to disagree there - we had one of these models (see username) and she slept through some scrotes climbing over our wall and into next doors garden to nick the bikes from there shed.

Having said that, perhaps newer models are more effective!

 

[Charlie57]

You should have been feeding it raw liver

 

[berni109]

eddievanbitz where do you put the steering wheel when detached?
Ware it as a neckless, bracelet or carry it like a handbag.