How best to secure van - caught some guys sniffing today!

[mylocalplumber]

Hi All,

So, never broken into before but as everyone says its gonna happen someday. Problem is, that day could have been today.

Parked up on side street in kew..I'm up in a block of flats but as I'm working I can see directly out of window. So I see a white transit drive down the road and pass my van - no worries. Then I see the same van (now its a right pikey looking van) come down the road and stop by my van then drive off again. Now alarm bells are ringing.

Then the same van..Reg x856 JAW come down the road and backs up to my van but really close to back doors when there's enough parking for 20 cars!. So I decide to go down stairs and go check it out. Now as I come out there's a guy lookin pretty dodgy standing beside my van. Then he sees me, casually walks back to van. Then they both take off. All very strange, I mean I'm pretty clued up and they were up to something!

so now I'm worried.

ive heard mixed things about putting external locks on, steering locks, security chests, has anyone got any recommendations?

will a external lock just attract attention?

is tool chest worth the money?

and is it worth getting tool insurance? My mate told me there's no point because the value of tools depreciates quickly. So the cost of a 2 year old combi drill that's invaluable to you won't be able to be replaced with the amount they'll pay out- is this right?

long post I know but as always, all replies will be thanked.

cheers
Mo

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

BULLDOG HIGH SECURITY REAR/SIDE VAN DOOR LOCK | eBay

BLOCK VAN LOCK - NO DRILLING REQUIRED | eBay

 

[plumber0808]

I have a large tool safe that can fit all my power tools in which is quite a lot.
Before I had that I used to bring my power tools in every night. I wouldn't be able to sleep otherwise.

You can get in a van in seconds a tool chest will delay them long enough for me to hear them hopefully.

i got it off eBay when I go to the van I will put a link up for them.

 

[erpkid]

This works for me.......although I get strange looks some times.......

 

[mutley racers]

Kew hey. That is close to me. Think I better be on the look out. I have been wondering about external locks. The ones BG have must be pretty goog I would have thought. I saw a circular one some where that looked awesome. I am dreading the day I find my van broken into

 

[Guest123]

I use this kit and it's never let me down:

Sterling Steel Shackleless Van Lock 73mm | NoLinkingToThis

 

[Centralheatking]

All our vehicles have a very special protection.

BES GAS controls at Electric Ave Bhm sell 8mm nursery gas taps
with a removable fan type control insert.

8mm is the size for fuel pipe and thus we leave our trucks with the fuel
line 'turned off' so when anybody wants to drive off with our vehicles

THEY CAN but they all stop after 200m and will not go again - the police
then call to say one of our trucks is in the road somewhere and we go get it back. the thieves abandon the truck simple

about £5.00 plus some petrol jointing paste

centralheatking

 

[Ollieg]

Its not the sign that works. Its the VW logo.
Never had one of my VW's broken into.
Other vans: LDV, Vauxhall, Ford, Toyota, Fiat. All been broken into More than once. To be fair the ford had its window broken twice.
I have a Vauxhall combo at the mo (short term). Had my tools nicked within 2 weeks of having this van. The dead locks i have now seem to be a derteran but i also have a van vault just in case.
Got my dead locks from "Locks for Vans". They were very good and i think i will fit them to my next VW.... just in case....

 

[AWheating]

what van do you have?

one simple thing to do is buy some alarm stickers for a few quid. better to fit a decent alarm of course but better than nothing. then you can get deadlocks and others like the ones posted. You will not stop them especially at night parked up but you can make your van harder to get into than the next one down the road and hopefully they will do that one over instead.

my old company had deadlocks ect... on its vans and on one job there was a large number of vans done over the same day. they missed out all the vans with extra security and went to the vans without.

they normally try and park up alongside you van so they can open there side door and attack yours without being noticed. so one tip is to keep your side door away from where they can park. I always park my van a few inches away from my fence so they cant get down.

if you have a mark one expert then the best solution is to weld the door shut 🙂

edit : forgot to ask if you reported it to the police??

 

[mrlennie]

Got any pics or link centralheatking to this device installed?:shades_smile:

 

[Centralheatking]

yup bes tel 0800 80 10 90 part no 8068 but 6233 is even better
and has a long fan control .. centralheatking

Got any pics or link centralheatking to this device installed?:shades_smile:

 

[AWheating]

what we need is an invention so you can put your trigger torch under your seat and when somebody sits on the seat the torch lights and burns a new bum hole.

if anybody nick's my van i hope they crash and burn themselves alive in it. If i can i will get down to them to toast some marshmallows over there burning corpse.

 

[joni os]

Accept your van will be targeted , take action before it happens. Most vans can be entered in seconds. Park with security in mind. Leave nothing on show. Spend money on dead locks and grills. Thieves like easy targets, don't make it easy.

 

[deandive]

just smashed my shin between the door and the bumper, removing my analyser and sds from the van after reading this, drew blood! ouch......... thats your fault mylocalplumber lol

 

[gassafe]

I always leave my van open at work, I hate having to use the central locking 20 od times a day going back & fourth! It's unlocked as I type this too on the drive... I gotta start locking her up!

i do live in a little village tho, not much crime! But it only takes one time I guess 🙁

 

[deandive]

so own up who is sitting there paranoid about their van after reading this and how many have been out just to check lol

 

[Toxic Ted]

Pikey scum tried to rob my tools in catford (lovely area....not) my trainee saw them pull up to the back of my van and lever the handle off.....he was off down the road after them like a wasp on nitro.....he earned a bonus that day.

 

[Toxic Ted]

so own up who is sitting there paranoid about their van after reading this and how many have been out just to check lol

Mines in the garage and alarmed with the house.

 

[Guest123]

Mines has a portrait of the missus on the back door.....

scares the shi ite out of every pikey who dares come near it.

 

[leethegasman]

Hi All,

So, never broken into before but as everyone says its gonna happen someday. Problem is, that day could have been today.

Parked up on side street in kew..I'm up in a block of flats but as I'm working I can see directly out of window. So I see a white transit drive down the road and pass my van - no worries. Then I see the same van (now its a right pikey looking van) come down the road and stop by my van then drive off again. Now alarm bells are ringing.

Then the same van..Reg x856 JAW come down the road and backs up to my van but really close to back doors when there's enough parking for 20 cars!. So I decide to go down stairs and go check it out. Now as I come out there's a guy lookin pretty dodgy standing beside my van. Then he sees me, casually walks back to van. Then they both take off. All very strange, I mean I'm pretty clued up and they were up to something!

so now I'm worried.

ive heard mixed things about putting external locks on, steering locks, security chests, has anyone got any recommendations?

will a external lock just attract attention?

is tool chest worth the money?

and is it worth getting tool insurance? My mate told me there's no point because the value of tools depreciates quickly. So the cost of a 2 year old combi drill that's invaluable to you won't be able to be replaced with the amount they'll pay out- is this right?

long post I know but as always, all replies will be thanked.

cheers
Mo

I have just ordered some locks for my vans they are Expensive at £155+vat
There is a Video on there website the locks are called ultimate courier slam lock the website is www.locks4vans.co.uk
I think a out side lock being visible is best.but also one that locks it's self when you shut the door.not a fan of no tools left in this van stickers any one with half a brain cell will no what is in your van.taking tools out of van every night is not cost effective as this could be a good 4 hours a week of your time.
Some one on here may be able to put Video on I don't no how to do it.