Glass Etching

[steakandkidneypiez]

Hiya

Had a local guy doing the rounds offering to etch the reg number on all the glass on the van

Thinking about getting VIN instead as may get personalised plate in the future

Any thoughts either way why etching is or isn't a good idea?

Cheers

 

[Shrimp]

If the vehicle is stolen and broken up it may help.
Our Hymer had all its glass etched from new by original owner, which wouldn’t help now as it’s on a personal plate!

 

[Brains]

If the vehicle is stolen and broken up it may help.
Our Hymer had all its glass etched from new by original owner, which wouldn’t help now as it’s on a personal plate!

But it would still be traceable though !

I have the reg plate done in foot high vinyl letters on the roof.
(Like police cars and some busses)
It means that the reg can be read on every overhead gantry, and even by drones/helicopters (and if they have access, satellites)

It was a member of Motorhome Fun that offered the service to make the Vinyl plate for the roof.

What is interesting is here is my van on google earth

I can make out the white 6" roof vents and even the black book on the dashboard,
yet the foot high letters of the number plate that should be to the left if the little roof window (about 12x12") on the left are invisible.
I presume this is Google using the same software as used elsewhere to obscure lettering.

FYI: The middle black panel is the solar, the front black panel is the Helki wind up roof vent. and the round thing is the satellite dish

 

[hja]

We have our vehicles window etched with reg number. Not very expensive and every little helps.

 

[steakandkidneypiez]

Thanks for the feedback will go with VIN etched onto the glass

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[HKF]

But it would still be traceable though !

I have the reg plate done in foot high vinyl letters on the roof.
(Like police cars and some busses)
It means that the reg can be read on every overhead gantry, and even by drones/helicopters (and if they have access, satellites)

It was a member of Motorhome Fun that offered the service to make the Vinyl plate for the roof.

What is interesting is here is my van on google earth

View attachment 945173

I can make out the white 6" roof vents and even the black book on the dashboard,
yet the foot high letters of the number plate that should be to the left if the little roof window (about 12x12") on the left are invisible.
I presume this is Google using the same software as used elsewhere to obscure lettering.

FYI: The middle black panel is the solar, the front black panel is the Helki wind up roof vent. and the round thing is the satellite dish

The bots at Google Earth blur out registration numbers (and faces), so that might be the reason you can't see your reg

 

[Brize]

Thanks for the feedback will go with VIN etched onto the glass

Why don't you consider the CRIS vin-chip? I have this on mine, works well, and it's done through the VIN.

Central Registration & Identification Scheme - CRiS

www.cris.co.uk

My dealer puts them on all new motorhomes

 

[hja]

Why don't you consider the CRIS vin-chip? I have this on mine, works well, and it's done through the VIN.

Central Registration & Identification Scheme - CRiS

www.cris.co.uk

My dealer puts them on all new motorhomes

I thought CRIS numbers only applied to caravans?

 

[Brize]

I thought CRIS numbers only applied to caravans?

No. Their website isn't as good as it should be, but they do a growing number of motorhomes.

If you look at the vin-chip section, it has a section on motorhomes.

 

[The Wino]

I wonder if there are any stats to suggest that theives choose vehicles without etching a vin/ chip in preference or if visual deterrents like wheel clamps steering wheel locks etc are more effective? I suspect it might depend where the stolen ones are going if they're being broken for parts it wouldn't seem to matter if they're etched etc

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[The Wino]

No. Their website isn't as good as it should be, but they do a growing number of motorhomes.

If you look at the vin-chip section, it has a section on motorhomes.

A bit different on caravans as they don't have their own registration no. or DVLA record of the registered keeper motorhomes already have those and a vin

 

[Brize]

I wonder if there are any stats to suggest that theives choose vehicles without etching a vin/ chip in preference or if visual deterrents like wheel clamps steering wheel locks etc are more effective? I suspect it might depend where the stolen ones are going if they're being broken for parts it wouldn't seem to matter if they're etched etc

I try to do both, plus alarm, tracker etc - layered protection.

Whether it does any good, I don't know. Probably deters the amateur or opportunist, but as we all know, the professional will probably always get in.

 

[The Wino]

I try to do both, plus alarm, tracker etc - layered protection.

Whether it does any good, I don't know. Probably deters the amateur or opportunist, but as we all know, the professional will probably always get in.

As you say all you can do is make a different one more attractive! But for people not wanting or able to go to the expense of all those measures it could be useful to know how each affect the likelihood of getting your van nicked .