Dethleffs / Transit Warning ( may be old news ? .......But) (1 Viewer)

[Wildge]

Alert from the Dethleffs Owners Club and Police which will be of interest to those of you that own a transit based motorhome.( Received via MCC)


SPECIAL THEFT WARNING To Ford Transit based motorhome owners (Dethleffs Fortero, Sunlights until 2010, SED Van). Please note, it is ONLY Transits, NOT Fiats.

There is an epidemic of Transits being broken into and also being stolen. This is because the Transit cab door lock can be duplicated by a picking device widely available. This puts the alarm/immobilisers off and allow entry. The thieves then access the OBD port near the steering wheel to drive off. 65 per month are disappearing in the West Midlands alone! We have had Dethleffs Owners Club members lose their Transit based motorhomes even though they have both keys in the house! Please fit some other, physical security. Adding cab deadlocks would be a start, steering wheel lock also.

 

[Anthea M]

Thank you for heads u , we have Ford based motorhome and use a crook lock and invested in Eddievanbitz security!
We don’t want any scrotes taking our van.

 

[Theonlysue]

Comfort have upped their premiums on ford based units due to the number of thefts. I put the blame wholly on the manufacturers.
Perhaps mh builders and purchasers should avoid ford based units in protest.

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[daveandsan]

We have a Ford Transit base and was warned about this three years ago.
Ours has a wheel clamp, steering wheel disc lock, OBD port lock, drivers and passengers seats locked at together at 90 degrees and Eddie Vanbitz alarm. Hopefully they will walk on to the next Motorhome.

 

[Gizmouk]

MCC and Dethleffs Owners Club are a bit slow getting to the party. This has been going on for years, Ford know about it but have no interest in the issue. You can buy a master key off Amazon / eBay etc for about £20.

 

[Gromett]

Deadlocks are the biggest security addition I made to my (fiat based) van. I strongly recommend them as the very first security device to be fitted.

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[Wildge]

MCC and Dethleffs Owners Club are a bit slow getting to the party. This has been going on for years.

That's as maybe .....but not much help to the 65 folks who have had their pride and joy knicked this month !!

 

[Chocy boy]

MCC and Dethleffs Owners Club are a bit slow getting to the party. This has been going on for years, Ford know about it but have no interest in the issue. You can buy a master key off Amazon / eBay etc for about £20.

Thats it, tell other scum bags who did not know.

 

[Two on Tour]

Thats it, tell other scum bags who did not know.

So how should this information be passed on for owners to be made aware then ? or would you rather not know until your pride and joy disappears ?

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[Two on Tour]

These lock picking devices are now available on eBay for Fiat and Peugeot based vehicles so we are all in the same boat now.

 

[PP Bear]

Thieves like opertunity, even after casing a motorhome, they like to be in quietly, steal and be gone, so the more visual deterrents the better.

I've added all that I can, but my latest is this strap as another visual means and deterrent. Also means they'll struggle to open the doors.

The strap is also high enough for me to slip under and still drive safely away when I'm wild camping, should the need arise.

 

[Chocy boy]

So how should this information be passed on for owners to be made aware then ? or would you rather not know until your pride and joy disappears ?

The inforformation was was posted on the first post. To be aware fit more security. I did not know that you could buy master keys on eBay. Maybe i'm think. If I was a scum bag I would know now.

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[Chocy boy]

These lock picking devices are now available on eBay for Fiat and Peugeot based vehicles so we are all in the same boat now.

Tell every scum bag.

 

[Wissel]

I think deadlocks should now be very high up on most peoples accessory list. I know for myself, this is one of the first things being fitted to my refit.

The thefts are one thing (and awful), but the threads like from @Riverbankannie the other week where her handbag was stolen whilst asleep in van really made me think.

What if a scumbag broke into our van the same way and ran away when they saw the dog? What if the dog then ran after them and was hurt? I'd feel like it was my fault if I hadn't done something to prevent this, after reading others experiences.

Mine are on order and will be fitted next week.

 

[Wissel]

The inforformation was was posted on the first post. To be aware fit more security. I did not know that you could buy master keys on eBay. Maybe i'm think. If I was a scum bag I would know now.

But now you do now and have the choice whether to make it harder for scum or not. Surely that's a good thing?

It isn't like thieves weren't aware before this thread.

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[Two on Tour]

Tell every scum bag.

Yes, plus all the van owners that were not aware so they can put extra protection into place if they so wish.

 

[Chocy boy]

But now you do now and have the choice whether to make it harder for scum or not. Surely that's a good thing?

It isn't like thieves weren't aware before this thread.

I do know, that is why I make it harder for the scum bags. People telling scumbags how easy it is get into vans, who do not know is stupid.

 

[Chocy boy]

But now you do now and have the choice whether to make it harder for scum or not. Surely that's a good thing?

It isn't like thieves weren't aware before this thread.

Yes tell owners to be aware. IE Add security. Don't tell scumbags how to do it.

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[Riverbankannie]

Yes, plus all the van owners that were not aware so they can put extra protection into place if they so wish.

View attachment 224163

Oy! I didn’t say you could post my picture!

 

[peterc10]

I do know, that is why I make it harder for the scum bags. People telling scumbags how easy it is get into vans, who do not know is stupid.

Yes tell owners to be aware. IE Add security. Don't tell scumbags how to do it.

They may be scum bags but they are not stupid. They already know how easy it is to break into Transits for years. They have learnt it from their other scum bag mates in the pub. That is why so many work vans are broken into for the tools.

It does not take many brain cells for them to realise that some motorhomes use the same base cab with the same locks. But many owners do not know this because they do not drink with these scum bags and therefore don't take the extra precautions they should to protect their pride and joy.

 

[Chocy boy]

They may be scum bags but they are not stupid. They already know how easy it is to break into Transits for years. They have learnt it from their other scum bag mates in the pub. That is why so many work vans are broken into for the tools.

It does not take many brain cells for them to realise that some motorhomes use the same base cab with the same locks. But many owners do not know this because they do not drink with these scum bags and therefore don't take the extra precautions they should to protect their pride and joy.

But why tell the one's that done know.

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[Speve]

But why tell the one's that done know.

The longer this thread goes on by you complaining he more will see it

 

[Chocy boy]

The longer this thread goes on by you complaining he more will see it

I didn't start the tread.

 

[Zepp]

Everybody knows about fords , just google how easy is it to break into a ford

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[SpeedyDux]

It's a pity that Ford haven't sorted out the Transit vulnerabilities and made it more thief resistant.

Otherwise I would have a Transit PVC on my wish list, now that Ford have made a new automatic gearbox an option.

 

[hilldweller]

Otherwise I would have a Transit PVC on my wish list, now that Ford have made a new automatic gearbox an option.

Compared to the cost of a PVC MH upping the security is peanuts.

 

[Gizmouk]

I do know, that is why I make it harder for the scum bags. People telling scumbags how easy it is get into vans, who do not know is stupid.

Nah, what's stupid is not knowing what's been common knowledge for over a decade.
Cap.Fits.Wear.

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[Burgo]

It's a pity that Ford haven't sorted out the Transit vulnerabilities and made it more thief resistant.

Otherwise I would have a Transit PVC on my wish list, now that Ford have made a new automatic gearbox an option.

Too true. IMO this should be an issue for the manufacturers and they should be doing a 100% recall to retrofit improved locking / anti theft measures. Of there's a known issue, and they're continuing to supply base vehicles with a known and proven security issue, then surely this is at the least a sale of goods "unfit for purpose... ' argument?