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I use the round van type locks on the rear and side doors, but also have plung switches on all doors. This means as soon as get you fingers or a bar and start pulling the door the switch makes a circuit and the alarm goes off. I dont even have to pull the door just getting your fingers behind the lip sets the alarm off. I also have a microwave alarm theat makes a bubble in the van and when this is interrupted, for instance breaking a window the alarm goes off.
Where did you get the plunge switches and microwave alarm from - - I'm interested in doing similar.
That's bad news Jim, my symphathies. I'm thinking about slamlocks, about 3 quarters of the way up the doors. This prevents the peel and steal method. My only worry with this is if I mistakenly leave the keys inside and the door shuts. The alternative is deadlocks but I'm noticing more tradesmen are going for slamlocks instead. Theft from vans is unfortunately big business and there's no doubt, we all need to up our game.
Did anyone see that petition going around asking for stiffer penalties for van thieves? I'm all for it.
Like Dave, I use the round van locks...... picked mine up from Wickes for £35 each. Always put the one on the reardoors on if I'm anywhere slightly dodgy. Can be a bit fiddly to fit as the bolts can hit curved "reinforcements" on the inside. One of the bolts (out of the 3) was impossible to fit so I just glued the head on the plate so it looked in place.
I fitted the round locks on my last van and never had any security problems. The thing is though, I have 3 doors to guard now and it looks a bit naff having them all over the sides and rear, not to mention the amount of keys. I reckon I may be better off just having some deadlocks professionally fitted and one key fits all.
Thanks for the input Dave, Tony & Graham. How far up the door do they need to be to stop this? Lots of the ones I see just look a bit low.
That's where the plung switches come into their own. As soon as there is the slightest pull the alarm goes off.
Well that is a taller van than the ones I saw the locks fitted to, although I'd say the same principle applies. About 3 quarters up was the advice I was given, and that's where I'm going to be having them fitted. I'd guess on your van, that would be around the top of the signwritten "B". the original lock has held and you would also have the deadlock to prevent the peelback.
After my van was done I was horrified when someone told me to "Google" van break ins. It's so easy it is ridiculous. On my van any pulling outwards of the lower door just pops the central locking open. Also if the thief applies a grinder to the passenger door (leading edge), it snips the wiring loom, and opens the central locking- This was what happened to mine. . Unfortunately, the manufacturers aren't protecting us. We need to use extra security.
They were certainly determined and thin to get through that gap in the door! Something to be said for not have a signwritten van I reckon.
Yes they got through a tiny gap Graham! I was quite surprised.
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