Way2Go Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Chaps,Our new MH arrives in 2 weeks and we naturally want to protect it.We've had a Thatcham approved Cobra security system fitted but whilst it's good, it's a bit invisible, so we are looking for something more visual to stop the casual thief.There are lots of wheel clamp and steering wheel locks on the market but it's a bit of a nightmare sifting through the blurb as all of them read as though they'll stop an armed gang!Does anyone have any practicle advice as to what's hot and what's not?Many thanksW2G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingpete Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Try a "Beware of the Dog" sign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry1956 Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Hi, I use a big yellow dishlock, cost just over £100 from halfords. its a heavy bit of kit and will stop the diy AH but not the jobbing set of AH,s. I also use a london clampers clamp when the motorhome is parked up on the drive, or as it is in france. One can never stop them taking it if they want to, just makes it harder for them in the hope they find something else less hard. terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 A suitably attired blow up doll in the drivers seat holding a baseball bat? :-D But going by your rather stern avatar maybe not your cup of tea.... what about a dog alarm - these I think work like a microwave alarm and go of when people approach vehicle. if you find out where you can get them I may be interested as well. And of course dead locks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Way2Go Posted March 7, 2007 Author Share Posted March 7, 2007 JudgeMental - 2007-03-07 1:16 PM But going by your rather stern avatar maybe not your cup of tea.... MY stern avatar, wot about yours Judge. Anyway, wot you got against us farmers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Look more like you belong to some obscure fundamentalist sect.... So you fancy the idea of a blow up doll then? be careful with the pitch fork! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Way2Go Posted March 7, 2007 Author Share Posted March 7, 2007 When you've spent from sun up to sun down in the fields the only thing you want to blow up is your pillow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StAubyns Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 At home - I dont take it away - I use a nemesis wheel clamp. All other security goes with the van. I have a disklok and have just fitted heosafe locks to the habitation door as well as the cab doors. I now feel that I have done what is reasonable. I feel comfortable leaving the van, which I didnt before the heosafes. regards Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest starspirit Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Never leave a sat nav, mobile phone, camera, glasses case, handbag or anything else small and expensive either in sight in the cab or in the glovebox (or any evidence that they exist like leads and window sucker marks) as the nasty little sh#ts will just break the quarterlight glass and put their arm in and be away in a flash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 'StrongArm' or similair will be a visual deterent for a Oppertunist thief and quick & easy to fit and store, but if they are 'equipped' easily removed by a pro, 'Disclock' is more secure but a little more bulk to store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark lambert Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 I'm having a cobra fitted to my new van and i have asked for a few more little red LED flashers to be fitted. One on the side mirror, for when my silver screens are fitted and you cant see the dash mounted LED flashing, and also on the garage doors. My thinking is that if they see the LEDs flashing they will know the van is alarmed and immobilsed and might just wander off somewhere else Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twooks Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 mark lambert - 2007-03-07 10:13 PM I'm having a cobra fitted to my new van and i have asked for a few more little red LED flashers to be fitted. One on the side mirror, for when my silver screens are fitted and you cant see the dash mounted LED flashing, and also on the garage doors. My thinking is that if they see the LEDs flashing they will know the van is alarmed and immobilsed and might just wander off somewhere else It does seem odd that you spend all that money on an alarm and it doesn't give any visual notice that it exists. If someone is going to break in / steal the van they will, but at least try and make it obvious that it could be difficult so why not look elsewhere at easier pickings. I had a car alarm years ago from a firm called Lion Alarms on Lyons Lane, and they had a little sticker of a lions head in full roar with little red bulbs for eyes which glowed when the alarm was on - looked really good. B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sshortcircuit Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 "with little red bulbs for eyes which glowed when the alarm was on - looked really good" So if the lights are not on ???? Not a good idea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twooks Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 like when you are driving it you mean :-> B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry1956 Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 hI STRONGARM type locks are not to good, I saw one little s--t saw the wheel apart to take the stongarm off, took him less time to cut the steering wheel then it did me to break is arm after, cost me 900 pounds in a fine, but it was worth it just to get back at the bas----. terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Way2Go Posted March 8, 2007 Author Share Posted March 8, 2007 Interesting thoughts chaps.I agree that if you are spending a packet on security you want something that says 'I'm secure p**s off'. Even though I know the Cobra is good I want something a lot more visual.Even though security is being fitted it's very subtle with maybe a sticker! The first thing the thief knows is the ear piercing sound AFTER he's broken in. I want something to make him think twice about breaking in like a wheel clamp or steering lock?I know that if they want to break in they will and it takes no time to do so but if I just have the Cobra it 'looks' unprotected.I remember one of the caravan mags doing a test with a reformed thief several years ago. They then rated the models and gave a prospective 'survival' time. I seem to remember that the more you spent didn't necessarily mean a longer time.Is anyone aware of this type of 'top 5' ??W2G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sshortcircuit Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Twooks If the lights are off it means your alarm is not switched on so now you are an easy target. It should not be possible to determine if an alarm is switched on or off from outside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twooks Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I know that argument, however I prefer the one that says 'I'm on so p1$$ off' as above. What's the point of having an alarm if you don't use it? I also like the option of having a separate 'flash' so I can turn that on in certain circumstances. B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 If you really want to advertise the alrm's presence I'd say get the additional flashing LEDs fitted to, say, headlamps and tail lights. At least they give the impression something is going on, and they should be cheap enough.Second, I think, would be to fit the Fiamma type supplementary locks to exterior doors, including locker doors. These are quite neat, and reasonably understated, but also clearly visible, so may bring that bit of extra deterrent benefit.Finally, I'd get some decent deadlocks fitted to the cab doors, as these are perhaps the most vulnerable part of the van. Don't get the ones with turnbuttons inside, however, since once the window is broken they are just as easily released as the main locks. Also, forget the silly bits of webbing etc linking door handles, the handles will break off the doors once the locks are released and the doors get a real pull, they're only foam plastic with a skin and have no real substance! Ideally, get remote operated deadlocks of the Dave Newell type, which it may also be possible to fit to the habitation door. However, I'd say don't advertise what you have fitted, because some clever clogs will recognise it and know how to get round it. Just let them worry about what it actually is, it'll be just that bit more offputting! In the end, however, if they want in, they'll get in, and they'll most likely just break a cab window because that is quick, fairly quiet, and if it sets off an alarm they can leg it, or just saunter off. Virtually zero chance of getting caught at that stage, and you still get all the mess to play with! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Agree with Brian, deadlocks, deadlocks, deadlocks! you can have the dead bolt type which are invisible from the outside and can work with central locking - very convenient. but these defeat the object of a visual deterrent and thieves can wreck your doors before they realise extra locks are fitted. best get a commercial security firm to fit, approx £220 for front doors. unless you are of course a DIY xspurt :-D almost forgot - you can get security film fitted to front side windows as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sshortcircuit Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Intend to fit dead locks to cab doors. Can somebody please advise where I can obtain from Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enodreven Posted March 10, 2007 Share Posted March 10, 2007 Hi, I suppose it depends on when you want the protection, is it when the van is unoccupied or when you are in it ? as i think these need to be examined separately, as while deadlocks may be a very good idea if as Brian suggests they the would be thieves will probably just smash the window and get in that way. Then I suggest the deadlocks could be a disadvantage as when we are in the motorhome the internal sensors are turned off so unless a door or window is actually opened the alarm won't sound, so it could be a better idea not to have the deadlock on as they will still perhaps break the window but if the deadlocks are not on once the window has been smashed they will be able to open the door and the alarm will sound which will also happen without deadlocks if they just use a screwdriver on the Ducato normal door locks. We use a plastic covered steel cable with a padlock between the 2 door handles and the handles on ours are the large integrated plastic arm rests which i don't think will give way very easily but there is sufficient slack on the cable for the door to open enough to set the alarm off but you can't get your hand in ? Hope that helps Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Way2Go Posted March 10, 2007 Author Share Posted March 10, 2007 Guys, guys . . . . yet again one of my threads has been hi-jacked! I asked for some recommendations on VISUAL deterants.I don't care what type of locks or chains or mine fields you put around your vans, I'm after something that would visually make someone think twice as opposed to annoying him because he has to hit the door handle ten times as opposed to three.This is the best visual security I have come up with so far http://www.nodarkroom.co.uk/clipart/lock.jpgW2G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sshortcircuit Posted March 10, 2007 Share Posted March 10, 2007 Sorry I thought a dead lock opened from the outside would form some sort of visual deterrent as the additional keyhole would be apparent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted March 10, 2007 Share Posted March 10, 2007 Way2Go - 2007-03-10 9:44 AM Guys, guys . . . . yet again one of my threads has been hi-jacked! I asked for some recommendations on VISUAL deterants.I don't care what type of locks or chains or mine fields you put around your vans, I'm after something that would visually make someone think twice as opposed to annoying him because he has to hit the door handle ten times as opposed to three.This is the best visual security I have come up with so far http://www.nodarkroom.co.uk/clipart/lock.jpgW2G Well, there you are, you had the answer to your own problem all along but didn't tell us! What a time waster! Next time, please preface your post: "Only respond if you know before beginning exactly what kind of answer (deterant - deterrent?) I have in mind."However, if you have the patience for a little reading above, I think you will see that quite a few folk have given what they consider helpful advice to your question, as they interpreted it. That was: how to put off the potential thief - which became extended, I would claim reasonably - to how to prevent the thief actually gaining entry when your visuals fail to deter.Once you post, you loose control, it's a fact! But, don't beat up your respondents, they're all trying to help you and you may put them off next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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