QFour Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 Been looking at the habitation door and the type of looks used. It seems the best way into one of these doors is a large screwdriver in the lock and twist. It's going to take all of a few seconds. There are external locks you can fit but they do seem a bit bulky and the only one that will fit our door ( Fridge / Freezer next to door ) cannot be locked at night from inside. They also come with separate keys so would have to carry round even more keys. Next I considered taking the door apart. It's a new MH so got to be careful but then I would have to drill the door :-S to fit a deadbolt or similar. All this got me thinking and I came to the conclusion that all you have to do is stop the screwdriver from going in the lock in the first place. The door has central locking as most of the newer one do so why not just do away with the lock barrel. Well that would just leave a hole but a small washer with a small security screw down the lock would stop the opportunist thief in his track. How do you open the door if you cannot get your screwdriver in the lock. So with the central locking releasing the door lock the handle will work and the lock can also be opened from the inside. The only other door is the front passenger door ( A Class ) this could be fitted with an external lock as there is room inside to fit the inside lock bracket etc. So what have I missed. It cannot be that simple. If the central locking fails you can get in through the front door. Using a torx security screw would mean you could remove it if necessary. It's not going to do the lock barrel much good but I have another three that came with the MH. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starvin marvin Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 I'd fit key operated deadlocks to both doors with a double throw. Internally they can have thumb turns, however if there is a window near to or in the door (as with the "cab door") have the thumb turn fitted to accept the key so you can deadlock the door internally. Try Harrison Locks of Worcester, they fit loads of these to Hymers & RV's etc. I've used them twice always do a good job, cost approx £100+/door......what price security? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webby1 Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 @Qfour Like you I have thought a screwdriver would open the hab door and the cab door. But we always use the remote to open and close all the van doors and we have a spare. So I have thought about somehow disabling the hab lock and also removing the activation rod from the cab door lock.Of course if the remote stopped working(and why would it) i might have to break in and reconnect the activation rod. It seems to solve a number of problems and I'll be interested if anyone does come back with any downsides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lloyd Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 I think the main downside is that when you are satisfied with the habitation door modifications you will seriously need to start worrying about all the windows........ Davud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigparkie Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 Flat battery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickt Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 On my previous mh i got locked out by the habitation door, extra dead locks had been fitted to the cab doors. My way in was a screw driver between the habitation door and frame , a quick twist and the door opened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muswell Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 I was broken into in a car-park in Verona on a Sunday afternoon. They forced a window, which pings 2 of the catches then it slides out of the 3rd......probably takes 2 seconds. That's what they would do if the door was deadlocked IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickt Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 Caravan next door to me was broken into. They put a wrecking bar under corner of window and bingo.I dont there is any way to stop the ******** if they are determined Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tall_Mike Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 Fortunately our van hasn't been broken into - at least not yet. - To be honest nothing about it is secure as in keeping the bad guys out if they really want to get in - More difficult to drive away though because of the programmed key. The Habitation door probably could be opened with a good pull - and certainly with a bar or jemmy, the windows although latched could easily be popped, failing that the skylights, one is plenty big enough to climb through, - have done so to clean the roof. The various storage doors are flimsy and could be forced with little difficulty. We have a Fiamma door lock - the handle flips over against the hab door and we lock that as well, but a really good shove would break that off I think. Motorhomes have only a low level of security, enough to deter the casual thief who might just try the door or check the windows - think it is pretty much a "way it is" situation, can do one's best by parking in a safe area etc and lock it - (but who really knows where safe is and what isn't) - and then hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muswell Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 If you want to get into a coachbuilt or A class this is the tool you need. http://www.axminster.co.uk/makita-djr187z-brushless-sabre-saw-18v-body-only-102692 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarianneDeux Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 Weakest point to access almost all motorhomes is going to be the windows which are basically secured by aluminium and plastic. When I inadvertently locked a set of keys in my A class Rapido the AA guy who attended was inside the van via a small window within two minutes of arriving. Two small plastic lugs were all that was providing "security" to my motorhome. Additional security of doors seems to me rather pointless in the light of this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webby1 Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 Do you know you are all absolutely right........................no matter what you do the windows are always the weakest point. I'm not going to bother making any modifications,try to remember to relax and enjoy myself and carry on regardless Mr Mannering. No sarcasm............I mean it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveseven Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 If you've ever been broken into - like me - you'll take security much more seriously. A drug addict forced the useless lock on the habitation door - and stole about £1000 worth of electrics. Sold the lot for £30. He got caught after leaving a dot of blood on the door. Fortunately he did not harm or set free our dog. I replaced the barrel with one of the circular key type - can't just stick in a screwdriver and force it. Also fitted a Fiamma external lock - yes - you cannot lock from inside - so I have a steel cable that clips to the door. Also have suitcase ties that go across the front doors. Another simple thing is to put a small circular magnet on the lock to hide the key slot. You cannot stop a break in, but, you can discourage a casual one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 webby1 - 2016-11-22 4:25 PM Do you know you are all absolutely right........................no matter what you do the windows are always the weakest point. I'm not going to bother making any modifications,try to remember to relax and enjoy myself and carry on regardless Mr Mannering. No sarcasm............I mean it Webby I wish you'd catch that avatar, and stop it!! PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leake Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 PVCs are more secure especially ones made by AutoSleeper with the bonded in glass windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 PJay - 2016-11-22 4:53 PM Webby I wish you'd catch that avatar, and stop it!! PJay PJay, it did stop for a while......... but it must have woken up again :D Perhaps it will get finally culled :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QFour Posted November 22, 2016 Author Share Posted November 22, 2016 Thanks for all the suggestions. Given me something to think about. To start with I have ordered a FAP Key that will let me take the lock barrel out of the door handle. On the back are two small locating pins that work the lock. I will remove these and refit the lock so it just goes round and round. If for any reason we get locked out I will have the removal key and spare barrel in the garage. Sounds like a plan :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerThat Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 daveseven - 2016-11-22 4:31 PM I replaced the barrel with one of the circular key type - can't just stick in a screwdriver and force it. Interesting... was this easy to do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 Motorhomes are the easiest thing in the world to break into, if the thief is determined you cannot keep them out, plastic windows, plastic or Ali sides , all you can do is make your van as secure as you are happy with and hope for the best, be careful where you park set an alarm , leave no valuables visible etc , imagine someone with some battery powered tools and a quiet place wanting to enter your van ,EEEKKKK!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QFour Posted November 22, 2016 Author Share Posted November 22, 2016 RogerThat - 2016-11-22 9:23 PM daveseven - 2016-11-22 4:31 PM I replaced the barrel with one of the circular key type - can't just stick in a screwdriver and force it. Interesting... was this easy to do? Yes .. I looked at that one as well but could not find a circular key for the FAP Lock. :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveseven Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 Same barrel as used in caravans or caravan replacement locks. Rear connection ok, retainment of barrel required sealant/glue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webby1 Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Now our rabbit Spooky is 10 years old and has been travelling with us since we got the motorhome 5 years ago.He has a comfy padded dog house for travelling and a dayrun that we put outside in suitable places. So far he has been from Calais to Gibraltar from Lisbon to Naples and is now on his way to Sicily to warm his old bones in the sun. So that's a lot of running for an avatar. I just thought he deserved a mention Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starvin marvin Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 webby1 - 2016-11-23 8:03 AM Now our rabbit Spooky is 10 years old and has been travelling with us since we got the motorhome 5 years ago.He has a comfy padded dog house for travelling and a dayrun that we put outside in suitable places. So far he has been from Calais to Gibraltar from Lisbon to Naples and is now on his way to Sicily to warm his old bones in the sun. So that's a lot of running for an avatar. I just thought he deserved a mention I love rabbit casserole, and my lucky rabbit foot key ring. Sounds like yours needs cooking for a bit longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webby1 Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Afraid you're going to remain................................starvin..............marvin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starvin marvin Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 webby1 - 2016-11-23 6:18 PM Afraid you're going to remain................................starvin..............marvin The reason I use this "handle" is I'm always eating and will eat anything, so long as it either swims, flys, walks or crawls. Never been known to turn anything down. My theory is you can just get used to not eating and then you drop dead! Tried some yuca last night, tasted a bit like yam, with similar texture only sweeter.... it's a Cuban starchy carbohydrate. I would certainly eat it again....nothing new there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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