How secure is your hab door?

[Barclaybasher]

I went to unlock my hab door on my Mobilvetta to find the barrel of the lock loose - it just came out with the key.

Someone had tried (and probably succeeded) to get in. With the lock barrel out all you need is a screwdriver - it opens even if 'locked' on the inside.

The barrel is just an inch long and the same as fitted to the lockers - not good enough.

I am in the process of fitting a deadlock below the existing. I was going to reinforce the door anyway but was surprised at how flimsy the door was. Aluminium sheet on the outside of course but laminate covered ply no thicker than 3mm on the inside and 25mm of polystyrene between.

Before I decided to fit a deadlock I considered just replacing the old barrel until I looked on YouTube to see a demonstration of how to remove the barrel using just a steak knife.

 

[Sandancers]

Undoubtedly the hab door is the weakest point. But if you reinforce that with multiple locks then the bad guys will just get in via your windows.

 

[Mikeco]

Mines a sliding tin one so not a problem as long as I slam it hard enough.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Undoubtedly the hab door is the weakest point. But if you reinforce that with multiple locks then the bad guys will just get in via your windows.

Agreed - I just didn't see any point in fixing a lock that had already proved useless

In fact I just glued the old one back into the lock

 

[glenn2926]

I went to unlock my hab door on my Mobilvetta to find the barrel of the lock loose - it just came out with the key.

Someone had tried (and probably succeeded) to get in. With the lock barrel out all you need is a screwdriver - it opens even if 'locked' on the inside.

The barrel is just an inch long and the same as fitted to the lockers - not good enough.

I am in the process of fitting a deadlock below the existing. I was going to reinforce the door anyway but was surprised at how flimsy the door was. Aluminium sheet on the outside of course but laminate covered ply no thicker than 3mm on the inside and 25mm of polystyrene between.

Before I decided to fit a deadlock I considered just replacing the old barrel until I looked on YouTube to see a demonstration of how to remove the barrel using just a steak knife.

Pretty secure seeing as I have a dead bolt on the inside of it. The only access when I’m not in it is through the cab doors. Same through the night when we are in it.

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[uzsnowdrop]

W

Mines a sliding tin one so not a problem as long as I slam it hard enough.

Whooshbang those thieving gits

 

[IRHP]

More secure that the plastic windows in the hab area.

 

[Barclaybasher]

More secure that the plastic windows in the hab area.

But they didn't have to try the windows - the door was easier

 

[Burgo]

Mines a sliding tin one so not a problem as long as I slam it hard enough.

Usually at least every 5 minutes from 23:39 until 01:30, every hour then until 07:00, then at random (but not less than 5 times per hour) the rest of the day, when parked next to me.

 

[Mikeco]

Usually at least every 5 minutes from 23:39 until 01:30, every hour then until 07:00, then at random (but not less than 5 times per hour) the rest of the day, when parked next to me.

Where are you next weekend.

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[RandallC]

Vanbitz Growler.

Expect to get complaints for felow campers and civil suit against VanBitz by the perpetrator's for hearing damage caused by the Growler.

 

[Deep Owl]

Milenco Inside/Outside door lock, about 7 foot off the ground!

 

[busbuddy]

Barrel comes out with the key if its stiff, not been lubricated enough

 

[TinaLes]

Trouble is if you fit an external Milenco door lock, then the thieves can reasonably assume you are not in the van during the day.
If you fit internal deadlock or anything inside the van that is not apparent from outside then they will cause a lot of damage to the hab door before they give up trying to enter.
My preferred option would be a visible external deadlock, but with my style of Hartel door door, finding one that I can fit is proving very difficult, as I dont have the removable cut out plate that allows them to be fitted.

I have a Strikeback Growler alarm, with all the flashing Blue LEDs, and all the external locker/garage doors covered, but I wouldn't want to be in the van if it went off, even with the internal sirens disabled.

If you have upgraded the cab door security with Hoesafe internal deadlocks & Proplates to protect the Fiat door locks as visible deterrents, then the only way to exit the van is via the hab door which will always be the weakest link, other than the windows of course.

I also have a steering wheel lock, clutch claw, & last but not least a Patriot Padlock to lock the drivers seat in the rear facing position.

My Dilemma:
I now feel safer in not having the van stolen, but not safe against the opportunistic break in, causing much damage to hab door

How far do you go?, Internal/External CCTV maybe, or leave the MIL or Rottweiler in the van ?, but then there is the residual smell/ambiance issue.

LES

 

[Barclaybasher]

Gerda High Quality Surface Mounted Door Lock Home Office Shop 4 Keys ZX Deadlock | eBay

We are the main Gerda distributor in the UK. - Gerda Locks are certified to BS EN 12209:2005. Fixing Tape. - For many years invincible by burglars, TYTAN ZX, ZX Plus, ZXZ, ZK, Z2 and G1000 locks set the highest standard in safety.

www.ebay.co.uk

I modified this lock to fit - fitted just below the original lock - discreet but visible - can't tell of van is occupied or not

Agree that if someone wants to break in they will but could not believe how flimsy the original lock was

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[Coolcats]

I went to unlock my hab door on my Mobilvetta to find the barrel of the lock loose - it just came out with the key.

Someone had tried (and probably succeeded) to get in. With the lock barrel out all you need is a screwdriver - it opens even if 'locked' on the inside.

The barrel is just an inch long and the same as fitted to the lockers - not good enough.

I am in the process of fitting a deadlock below the existing. I was going to reinforce the door anyway but was surprised at how flimsy the door was. Aluminium sheet on the outside of course but laminate covered ply no thicker than 3mm on the inside and 25mm of polystyrene between.

Before I decided to fit a deadlock I considered just replacing the old barrel until I looked on YouTube to see a demonstration of how to remove the barrel using just a steak knife.

This reminds me of a friend who ordered a Fiat GTV, I asked him was he sure..its a Fiat and whilst brilliant to drive can be problematic. He insisted he was doing the right thing. The GTV arrived and after a few hundred yards down the road decided there was a problem with the engine he took it back to the dealer who said the engine was damaged and ordered a new vehicle for him......This is the bit that your post reminded me of his car. A few months after he had taken delivery of his car he called me to announce that as he went to unlock the boot the barrel of lock came out and was on the end of his key.

Hope you get your deadlock sorted.

 

[Coolcats]

Mines a sliding tin one so not a problem as long as I slam it hard enough.

Me Too

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Trouble is if you fit an external Milenco door lock, then the thieves can reasonably assume you are not in the van during the day.
If you fit internal deadlock or anything inside the van that is not apparent from outside then they will cause a lot of damage to the hab door before they give up trying to enter.
My preferred option would be a visible external deadlock, but with my style of Hartel door door, finding one that I can fit is proving very difficult, as I dont have the removable cut out plate that allows them to be fitted.

I have a Strikeback Growler alarm, with all the flashing Blue LEDs, and all the external locker/garage doors covered, but I wouldn't want to be in the van if it went off, even with the internal sirens disabled.

If you have upgraded the cab door security with Hoesafe inte

How far do you go?, Internal/External CCTV maybe, or leave the MIL or Rottweiler in the van ?, but then there is the residual smell/ambiance issue.

LES

 

[Cheshirecat57]

How far do you go?, Internal/External CCTV maybe, or leave the MIL or Rottweiler in the van ?, but then there is the residual smell/ambiance issue.

LES

Yes- Rottweilers can be an ambience issue

 

[Augusta08]

When I'm in the van I use elephants to secure the Hab door:

Took about an hour to make, but once they are on, you'd need the drug squad to get in.

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[Wack]

My lock comes out with the key but it's got one of those swivel locks that covers it

I doubt we'll do much off grid camping but if we did my plan was to lock the hab door from the outside then enter through the cab doors

 

[pete4x4]

If you have a Hartal door with catches top and bottom, if you look at either catch on the inside when closed there is a hole in the catch that is clearly visible, drop an allen key or bent tent peg in the hole and it prevents the catch from releasing. Quite effective and cheap solution but not visible from the outside

 

[Deep Owl]

“Trouble is if you fit an external Milenco door lock, then the thieves can reasonably assume you are not in the van during the day.”

The Milenco lock I have is one that you can close from inside as well as outside. Sometimes in the morning, I try to open the hab door but it stops ME getting out!

I did hear/feel an undesirable trying it one night in Calais a few years ago.

 

[Sandancers]

Gerda High Quality Surface Mounted Door Lock Home Office Shop 4 Keys ZX Deadlock | eBay

We are the main Gerda distributor in the UK. - Gerda Locks are certified to BS EN 12209:2005. Fixing Tape. - For many years invincible by burglars, TYTAN ZX, ZX Plus, ZXZ, ZK, Z2 and G1000 locks set the highest standard in safety.

www.ebay.co.uk

I modified this lock to fit - fitted just below the original lock - discreet but visible - can't tell of van is occupied or not

Agree that if someone wants to break in they will but could not believe how flimsy the original lock was

Could you show a photo of the outside of your hab door with this fitted please ?

 

[Barclaybasher]

Could you show a photo of the outside of your hab door with this fitted please ?

Will post pics of outside and inside by Tues latest - have to go to van to finish off fitting then

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[TinaLes]

Pro plate has just arrived from supplier after £8.25 special next day delivery, although sent same day, it has arrived 8/9 days later, courier said "they tried to deliver next day, no answer, so left card" but no card left & we were in all day that day, and the whole BH weekend after!
I only got the drivers door one, as passenger door does not have a key lock, I will fit it when not raining, I wont be surprised to find that Fiat have fitted the internal steel plate to stop the screwdriver forced entry method, but at least they will see from the outside that I have taken measures to stop them.
I still have the Milenco "Frame Fit" external lock for the hab door, which is a simpler method of securing the hab door, but as I said earlier, if I fit it, then its a clear sign we are not in the van, as it can only be locked/unlocked from outside after the hab door is closed. Not so sure its a good idea now.
LES

 

[Barclaybasher]

Could you show a photo of the outside of your hab door with this fitted please ?

Not an easy fix as the lock is designed for timber doors. Had to thicken and strengthen the door with 12mm ply. No lock is 100% secure but I really had no choice as the original had already been bypassed

 

[Barclaybasher]

Could you show a photo of the outside of your hab door with this fitted please ?

Missed the pic without the key......

 

[Sandancers]

Missed the pic without the key......

I'm a little confused. One picture shows the bolts when closed behind what I take is the doorframe, yet another picture shows two recesses in the door frame which look like they are made for the bolts to go into ?

 

[Barclaybasher]

I'm a little confused. One picture shows the bolts when closed behind what I take is the doorframe, yet another picture shows two recesses in the door frame which look like they are made for the bolts to go into ?

The bolts do go into the recesses that I cut into the frame. The other pic shows the lock with the door wide open against the side of the van - confused me when I looked at the photos!

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