Van security after theft

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slimsurf1

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Jun 27, 2024
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Kanus Boxlife 630
Hi

We have a Knaus box life ( it’s a panel van shape) sadly this was stolen last night )

We have a tracker and I’ve recovered the vehicle this morning but they have destroyed the ignition ( barrelled it). They have also damaged some of the trim in the cab presumably checking for a tracker

We live in London and worried this may happen again


Questions.
1. What are people using for van security I’m now considering deadlock fitting and a retrofit alarm and steering wheel lock and wheel clamp
2. Any suggestions of where /how to get the trim replaced
3. The guy from the tracking company suggested fitting a kill switch to the fuel pump and suggested this could be done for just a few quid

Any comments on the above and suggestions gratefully received. We love our van but also can’t splurge on every single security device going so would be grateful to the forum for advice
 
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slimsurf1 said:
lastly how does the forum feel about deadlocks and plates
Click to expand...

I have fitted both to our van, along with an OBD port lock and a few other visible devices to hopefully convince the scrots to move on, as it's more bother than it's worth trying to have our van away. (y)
 
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slimsurf1 said:
Hi

We have a Knaus box life ( it’s a panel van shape) sadly this was stolen last night )

We have a tracker and I’ve recovered the vehicle this morning but they have destroyed the ignition ( barrelled it). They have also damaged some of the trim in the cab presumably checking for a tracker

We live in London and worried this may happen again


Questions.
1. What are people using for van security I’m now considering deadlock fitting and a retrofit alarm and steering wheel lock and wheel clamp
2. Any suggestions of where /how to get the trim replaced
3. The guy from the tracking company suggested fitting a kill switch to the fuel pump and suggested this could be done for just a few quid

Any comments on the above and suggestions gratefully received. We love our van but also can’t splurge on every single security device going so would be grateful to the forum for advice
Click to expand...

A kill switch might stop them driving off but they might have damaged the ignition and trim before discovering it would not start. Something visible or noisy might deter them but sadly nothing is guaranteed.

Not a nice experience for you.
 
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If your driver's seat swivels, then turn it with back to steering wheel then pad lock the swivel plate with a strong motorcycle type padlock. This may involve drilling the swivel plate to accept the lock.

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Stoplock or disklock
Pedal lock
OBD LOCK
External deadlocks.
When in van and not using deadlocks 12mm stainless steel shoot bolts through B pillar into doorframe.
Van always deadlocked so even if windows broken only way in is climbing through them.
Rear doors shoot bolts top and bottom inside.
Side door inside top anti-peel bolt .
External stainless steel plate preventing cutting door panel to access central locking.
Both side and rear doors also have external milenco locks.
Side door has internal safety chain when in van
12v high voltage switch to disconnect power to dash and starter.
Tracker
& another
Being a Transit the only door with a lock is the drivers. To prevent the attack on the lock by rotating with water pump pliers a steel circular plate attached to key hoke and behind it.
 
Upvote 1
gus-lopez said:
Stoplock or disklock
Pedal lock
OBD LOCK
External deadlocks.
When in van and not using deadlocks 12mm stainless steel shoot bolts through B pillar into doorframe.
Van always deadlocked so even if windows broken only way in is climbing through them.
Rear doors shoot bolts top and bottom inside.
Side door inside top anti-peel bolt .
Both side and rear doors also have external milenco locks.
Side door has internal safety chain when in van
12v high voltage switch to disconnect power to dash and starter.
Tracker
& another
Click to expand...
I hope you don't have to drive off in a hurry 🤣
 
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We also live in London.

As others have said, although it's a 300mile round trip, get yourself booked into Van Bitz in Taunton ASAP.
We looked at security options, and then drove to VanBitz literally from the dealers forecourt.

The good news is VanBits is right next to a very nice campsite, so you can easily do a couple of nights there, so you are ready for them to start at 08.000h and probably finish the same day

You need to get them to fit
an alarm (Choice of two)
An immobiliser
and either get them them to fit a tracker, or keep the one you have.

(The advantage of getting Van Bitz to fit all three is it's then one subscription, one app on your phone, not two or three.)

VanBitz are (THE) experts in M/H security, so it's worth a call to see what other measures they would recommend

Personally I'm not on favour of bulky security items, as they are too much faff to fit every time you nip down to the shops.
(Fine for long term storage though)
So I'm against wheel clamps, clutch claws, and steering wheel discs.

But I'm in favour of 'baseball bat' steering bar locks, drivers seats that are locked (with motorbike brake disk locks) facing backwards, and easy to do fuel pump switches (make sure the switch used has a red lamp when off and is marked 'sewage pump' or something!)

VanBitz can also fit security loops, which is a simple plug in device where you can run a cable through bikes, deck chairs, and any other kit than either rides on the racks at the back, or is left outside in a campsite, which is the loop is broken/disconnected then the alarm goes off.

Note: Van Bitz alarms have used the mosh pit at a Spinal Tap gig as the baseline for volume.
Turn it up to 11!
 
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Northernraider said:
I hope all you groupies for vanbitz get an annual back hander lol. Or at least got a healthy discount.
Click to expand...
There is a member of motorhome fun discount.
Just make sure you tell them up front!

And Eddie supplies free beer to all Van Bitz promoters.
;)
(Subject to the T&C's)
 
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CAB96 said:
Bear lock. I don't know if they do them for Sevel vans but you can get them installed in a VW. Locks the gear lever.
Click to expand...
Have you got one fitted? have considered it for mine. Mine is definitely not in the £50k+ van bracket now, but I have spent a reasonable sum making it suit my purposes, and am about to spend some more. Which all makes replacing it should it be stolen or trashed a difficult thing, and not one which could be done anywhere near like for like, not matter how carefully I've insured it.
 
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Any other suggestions for alarms gratefully received Vanbitz might be difficult for us as its a bit of a distance and we are actually supposed to be leaving for France in a week or so - prior to last night I was happy enough with a tracker now I'm re-evaluating esp as we are planning to sleep in it and the children are starting to feel it may not be as safe as before the theft

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Is it practical to consider secure storage for the van, some where close by ?
 
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Tonks said:
Have you got one fitted? have considered it for mine. Mine is definitely not in the £50k+ van bracket now, but I have spent a reasonable sum making it suit my purposes, and am about to spend some more. Which all makes replacing it should it be stolen or trashed a difficult thing, and not one which could be done anywhere near like for like, not matter how carefully I've insured it.
Click to expand...
I haven't, but I have considered it. The installers get very good reviews on the T6 forum.
 
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Like you I too live in London.

Amongst the many layers of security for my van I recently bought one of these for when it’s laid up in our driveway and we are away.

Pros
Cheap, cost effective
Very difficult to remove.
Very conspicuous.
Very heavy duty, a big lump.

Cons
A big lump
Can be awkward to fit


Mine is identical and cost me £30 plus padlock


IMG_6691.png
 
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slimsurf1 said:
I am London based so vanbitz might be tricky for me

thanks all any further suggestions /for devices or auto locksmiths appreciated
Click to expand...
Can’t emphasis enough Vanbits is THE alarm to get I’m based in Essex and would have a vanbitz alarm every time. It’s robust well thought through and your get great support. If you visit they have thier own MoHo camping site so no worries where you stay overnight even the shower block has underfloor heating! They are worth visiting, when I replaced the keys for yhe MoHo including locks etc Vanbits provided me with a new fob and how to sync hit with the alarm system to replace the existing fobs.

Also my neighbours parked thier cars close to the front and rear of the MoHo in case the burglars came back, the following day I got the van to a Fiat professional for safe haven until locks etc where changed.

Also have a Nemisis full stop
 
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slimsurf1 said:
Any other suggestions for alarms gratefully received Vanbitz might be difficult for us as its a bit of a distance and we are actually supposed to be leaving for France in a week or so - prior to last night I was happy enough with a tracker now I'm re-evaluating esp as we are planning to sleep in it and the children are starting to feel it may not be as safe as before the theft
Click to expand...

That's the beauty of the Vanbits growler alarm you can turn off the internal sensors so the alarm doesn't go off when your sleeping in the van but soon as someone opens a door it will go off. Well worth the trip to get it fitted and you get 10% discount as a forum member !

Personally on my van I have -:
Tracker with a yearly subscription
A hidden Apple Airtag
Vanbits Growler
Steering Disklock
ATE Pedel Lock
Deadlocks on all doors
OBD Lock

If the thieving scum want it I'm not making it easy for them

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Upvote 0
slimsurf1 said:
Any other suggestions for alarms gratefully received Vanbitz might be difficult for us as its a bit of a distance and we are actually supposed to be leaving for France in a week or so - prior to last night I was happy enough with a tracker now I'm re-evaluating esp as we are planning to sleep in it and the children are starting to feel it may not be as safe as before the theft
Click to expand...
I live in London and parked on the road too as the bl£&@do have tried to gain entry to my fiat on a few occasions. They have tried to open my cab doors with various devices ( going to get Proplates installed to cover the indentations) but due to the internal Herocab locks they open open about 2 mils before the cat 1 alarm starts blaring . I have Thule external locks on all other doors and a steering lock. My alarm has a sensor that will just alarm external doors for evening time when you sleep.
 
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Also Disklock & Autowatch 695 highly recommended. That Kill Switch looks like a great idea even though the Smartrack has the Card Start/Kill.
 
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Oldrat said:
Like you I too live in London.

Amongst the many layers of security for my van I recently bought one of these for when it’s laid up in our driveway and we are away.

Pros
Cheap, cost effective
Very difficult to remove.
Very conspicuous.
Very heavy duty, a big lump.

Cons
A big lump
Can be awkward to fit


Mine is identical and cost me £30 plus padlock


View attachment 923577
Click to expand...


I have said it on here before, a friend of mine had a disclock on the steering wheel and a wheel clamp on the front, the scrotes simply winched it up with a tow truck, popped the front drivers window took the handbrake of and drove away, never to be seen again. Also a work colleague had the bar type steering lock fitted but the thieves simply sawed through the steering wheel either side of the lock and stole the van, it was recovered but with extensive damage.
 
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Diabalo said:
I have said it on here before, a friend of mine had a disclock on the steering wheel and a wheel clamp on the front, the scrotes simply winched it up with a tow truck, popped the front drivers window took the handbrake of and drove away, never to be seen again. Also a work colleague had the bar type steering lock fitted but the thieves simply sawed through the steering wheel either side of the lock and stole the van, it was recovered but with extensive damage.
Click to expand...
Anything can be stollen you just make someone else’s more attractive by adding physical and electronic security.

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Northernraider said:
I guarantee that's simply down to luck and the law of averages.


Only when there have been a few attempts and fails can you put it down to the security.


I've never had a vehicle stolen either.
Click to expand...
Truly pleased for you as it is not a pleasant experience, plus it’s costly if the insurance company can’t recover thier costs your insurance goes through the roof as whilst it isn’t your fault the insurance co will mark your file as a fault claim. My insurance from AIB went from around £350 to over £3,000 so it’s worth putting on as much security as possible.
 
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chrisandbev said:
we have a ghost system fitted so even with the keys and alarm you can not get the van started.
Click to expand...
Looks like we might as well not bother at all then looking at Post #52 just keep the Tracker
 
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