Cab Thatcham Deadlocks

[Richard n Ann]

Been fitting the N/S this afternoon for a couple of hours. It's a bit scarey taking a drill and jigsaw to your van isn't it

Not finished yet, I'm going to prime the edges of the keyhole then seal round with white nemesis sealant/adhesive under the escutcheon plate. The lock case will have a load of grease round it then bedded in on the same sealant (both riveted too of course )

 

[DaveandJen]

My mates motorhome was broken into a couple of years ago by people unknown pulling hard from the outside on his motorhome windows and breaking the flimsy window catches. We have a good alarm and tracker fitted so leave the rest of the worry to our insurance company because we play them enough money each year for the .previllage.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Yes, perhaps we'll get a few quid off the insurance with these Thatcham ones. £159 a pair.

 

[DaveandJen]

Don't get me wrong, anything you can fix up to stop the as-holes getting into your van and looking through your personal stuff is a bonus.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Just finished sweetpea's side got to put the catch in tomorrow but the door's finished. As good as factory fitted! And certainly better than a professional bodger would have done.

I've used screws rather than the supplied rivets because I wanted the plate pulled into the (not quite flat) door frame. The sealent/adhesive will be very strong when cured too.

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[Richard n Ann]

For the catch side, I've just got this:

I've got to cut a rectangular hole in the frame. But I've got nothing to go behind it, I wouldn't want rainwater running in, it just doesn't seem right. I know house door frames have plastic inserts but they aren't big enough on this occasion.

Has the collective got any ideas?

 

[DP+JAY]

Just finished sweetpea's side got to put the catch in tomorrow but the door's finished. As good as factory fitted! And certainly better than a professional bodger would have done.

I've used screws rather than the supplied rivets because I wanted the plate pulled into the (not quite flat) door frame. The sealent/adhesive will be very strong when cured too.

View attachment 277992

Can they be unlocked from inside or are they only to use when your "out" ? I'm looking for something like that but need to be able to unlock from inside as well.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Can they be unlocked from inside or are they only to use when your "out" ? I'm looking for something like that nut need to be able to unlock from inside as well.

They're for when you're out really but we could lock ourselves in on Aires  that's not as bad as it sounds, the habitation door is right next to the bed so we could always get out.

 

[Richard n Ann]

For the catch side, I've just got this:

View attachment 277995

I've got to cut a rectangular hole in the frame. But I've got nothing to go behind it, I wouldn't want rainwater running in, it just doesn't seem right. I know house door frames have plastic inserts but they aren't big enough on this occasion.

Has the collective got any ideas?

Brainwave! Looking at stainless steel sliding door handle inserts

 

[rb62]

Some of the mortice locks you can buy have a 'box' on the back but whether you can get them on their own I've no idea!

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[Richard n Ann]

Ordered some 2mm thick 304 stainless handles.

 

[rosalan]

The doors may be secure but are the windows?
Last summer I locked myself out (a long story) and decided to see if I could get in through a window without doing any damage. On the roadside I found a piece of wire and poked the main window catches open, taking about 3 minutes in all. I climbed in through the window and was seen by anyone passing on the adjacent main road, one person glanced back but nobody stopped me. This year I intend to buy those weird window catch devices I have seen at Motorhome shows that prevent people like me from getting in the van.
As it happened in my case, the missing keys were locked in the garage! Another long story.

 

[Richard n Ann]

The doors may be secure but are the windows?
Last summer I locked myself out (a long story) and decided to see if I could get in through a window without doing any damage. On the roadside I found a piece of wire and poked the main window catches open, taking about 3 minutes in all. I climbed in through the window and was seen by anyone passing on the adjacent main road, one person glanced back but nobody stopped me. This year I intend to buy those weird window catch devices I have seen at Motorhome shows that prevent people like me from getting in the van.
As it happened in my case, the missing keys were locked in the garage! Another long story.

No the windows don't have any additional security catches on. I think the weakest part of the van is the cab doors. It's such common knowledge EVERYONE knows how to open them and they can get in and out (leg it) easily.

The thing I like about the locks I've put on is that they're easily visible and in all probability the thief won't even bother trying. The locks on the inside however, do work but by the time the thief has found out the door won't open he/she has done damage to the van.

 

[Lenny HB]

As it happened in my case, the missing keys were locked in the garage! Another long story.

Last May I locked my keys in the garage & the boss's in the van, tried the window, they were quite tight and didn't want to do any damage. Luckily we were ay the boss's brother so I got my daughter to post the spare hab key. Good job vans come with 3 hab keys.

 

[Littlewheels]

The doors may be secure but are the windows?
Last summer I locked myself out (a long story) and decided to see if I could get in through a window without doing any damage. On the roadside I found a piece of wire and poked the main window catches open, taking about 3 minutes in all. I climbed in through the window and was seen by anyone passing on the adjacent main road, one person glanced back but nobody stopped me. This year I intend to buy those weird window catch devices I have seen at Motorhome shows that prevent people like me from getting in the van.
As it happened in my case, the missing keys were locked in the garage! Another long story.

I’m pleased you got sorted,however,should you have? As you say are the window secure and the answer is quit obviously NO.
I am at a loss to understand why we accept the current situation that’s actually gone on forever, these polycarbonate windows are crap (sorry) but it doesn’t matter what catches you fit etc etc,they will prise open without much effort and additionally if you give them a clout with a hammer or heavy object they fall apart,I have seen no end of windows taped with masking tape here in Spain when this as happened.
For goodness sake why don’t the manufacturers get their heads around this you can go out and buy Concorde,Morrelo, etc etc at £250k+ with all the bells and whistles but the windows are, I best leave it there but you know what I’m saying.

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[Richard n Ann]

And so my journey draws to a close. I'd like to thank Amazon for their super 1 day delivery that only cost me 2 extra quid and all my funster friends that offered support and encouragement throughout this awesome achievement. Hopefully none of you have died of indifference
I will now be open to any questions you may have.

Thank you



PS oh bollox I've got the other side to do yet