Screwdriver entry into Ducato (1 Viewer)

[GoldenVision]

I know that many people have fitted proplates (might have the name wrong ?) to prevent screwdriver entry.

But have Fiat done something about this with their new (2023) vans - by incorporating a metal guard inside the door?

Does anybody have any info?

 

[Stealaway]

I very much doubt it.
They are not at all interested in people making entry into campervans.
It's not a common problem.

 

[Beltie]

I thought they did this modification a few years ago.

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[David and Sally]

No, but they do issue signs saying ‘No toilet rolls left in this vehicle overnight’

 

[The Coops]

No just had them fitted in new van, prickguards

 

[Ingwe]

No just had them fitted in new van, prickguards

Is that really what they’re called?

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[Abacist]

Is that really what they’re called?

I think ProPlates are a more common product and have been around for years. I fitted them back in about 2016 on my Autotrail.

 

[Stealaway]

It seems a lot of trouble to go to, considering all the windows nearby.

 

[Ingwe]

I think ProPlates are a more common product and have been around for years. I fitted them back in about 2016 on my Autotrail.

Was fitting them straightforward enough to contemplate doing it myself when I’m not a great DIYer?

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[Two on Tour]

It seems a lot of trouble to go to, considering all the windows nearby.

No trouble when it gives you easy entry to the cab doors rather than crawling through a window at a higher height, plus it unlocks both doors and disarms most alarms, it's just like using your remote.

 

[Stealaway]

Was fitting them straightforward enough to contemplate doing it myself when I’m not a great DIYer?

I'm told it's not so easy. You have to remove the door covers and the handle mechanism to be able to slide the plate over the handle on the inside.

 

[Thornebt]

Was fitting them straightforward enough to contemplate doing it myself when I’m not a great DIYer?

It's a bit fiddly. You need a set of car trim tools to do the necessary prising off of door panel. Mine came with good instructions. Bear in mind you only need to fit them to doors with keyed locks. On my Autosleeper the passenger door does not have a lock.

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[VXman]

I very much doubt it.
They are not at all interested in people making entry into campervans.
It's not a common problem.

If they were fitted by Fiat then it would have been at manufacture and the majority of Ducatos aren't used as campervans but delivery vans so it would make sense for Fiat to improve security - if it is a problem. Maybe it's not.

 

[Stealaway]

No trouble when it gives you easy entry to the cab doors rather than crawling through a window at a higher height, plus it unlocks both doors and disarms most alarms, it's just like using your remote.

I assumed that you would reach inside the broken window and open the door from the inside.
It's also very likely that the cat2 alarm would go off anyway when anybody entered the van.

 

[Ingwe]

Thanks for the info. I think it’s probably beyond my competence. But I found a very helpful video.

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[Abacist]

Was fitting them straightforward enough to contemplate doing it myself when I’m not a great DIYer?

You prize off the inner door liner which is held on with clips which exposes the door cavity. You then undo the nuts holding the door handle unit onto the door. You then insert your pro-plate and then replace everything - pretty simples!

I also fitted dead locks on the inside of the doors which was also easy.

Heo Dead Locks for Ducato

 

[Two on Tour]

It's also very likely that the cat2 alarm would go off anyway when anybody entered the van.

The alarm will not go off as it does not if you set using either the key or remote. Smashing a cab will trigger the Ulta sonic sensors.

 

[The Coops]

Is that really what they’re called?

That and proplates, prickguards in eastern Europe

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[daveclare]

From my experience of dealing with quite a few break- ins to vehicles over 40 years. I'd always recommend additional security like the plates. Whilst it's not the complete solution. It's a deterrent. I can also say that from experience, most crimes to vans that I and my colleagues saw were to those without additional plates. Those with sliding doors like pvc's also benefited from the additional locks.

I hated seeing good honest individuals who's lives were ruined. Especially hard working tradesman, who lost tools.

 

[busby]

I'm told it's not so easy. You have to remove the door covers and the handle mechanism to be able to slide the plate over the handle on the inside.

Heosafe. Are easy to fit..BUSBY

 

[Riverbankannie]

Was fitting them straightforward enough to contemplate doing it myself when I’m not a great DIYer?

I would say reasonably easy, here is my husbands write up.

Fitting Pro-plates to Fiat Ducato 2015 model

Promised description from husband. It will probably take a few posts to add the photos. Fitting Pro-Plates to Fiat Ducati doors I have just finished fitting Pro-Plates with studs to the manual locking doors (driver’s door and rear “barn” door) of a FIAT Ducato. Although it wasn’t a...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

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[SpeedyDux]

The Mk2 Golfs had a similar vulnerability to screwdriver entry so I fitted SS door plates to mine after a mate had his GTi stolen in broad daylight.

I am thinking of Pro-plates for my Ducato.

 

[GoldenVision]

So would I be right in saying that if I have deadlocks fitted (eg Locks4Vans T Series) then a screwdriver attack would act like a key - unlocking the doors and disabling the alarm) but would have no effect on the deadlocks?

 

[Two on Tour]

So would I be right in saying that if I have deadlocks fitted (eg Locks4Vans T Series) then a screwdriver attack would act like a key - unlocking the doors and disabling the alarm) but would have no effect on the deadlocks?

Correct, they are independent of the original locking.

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[nicholsong]

Are there any statistics which compare forced entries into PCV/Coachbuilts to 'A' Class, per thousand built?

Just from reports on forums it seems that those with normal cab doors seem more common, but I accept those apparent figures could be skewed by a variety of factors, like

1. There are many more PVC/Coachbuilts.

2. Thieves are more familiar with van locks

3. Owners who can afford 'A' Class are more likely to afford more sophisticated security systems.

4. And others.

Have people got any figures, or even just thoughts?

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

These would probably be least likely to be stolen.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT4_LcKY4GSRXzx3__2el_-xFE83FLiQJcDWw&usqp=CAU

Mike.

 

[Pausim]

These would probably be least likely to be stolen.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT4_LcKY4GSRXzx3__2el_-xFE83FLiQJcDWw&usqp=CAU

Mike.

They are very vulnerable to criminal damage by locals who think you are killing too many bison.

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[Gerry77]

Is that really what they’re called?

I think they are actually called “ prickstop” !

 

[oldiesontour]

No just had them fitted in new van, prickguards

Do they prevent p...cks steeling your van

 

[Coolcats]

No trouble when it gives you easy entry to the cab doors rather than crawling through a window at a higher height, plus it unlocks both doors and disarms most alarms, it's just like using your remote.

won't disarm a Vanbits Alarm

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