Van Theft. Don't let this happen to you! A few simple precautions and you keep your van!

Jim

Jim

Ringleader
Joined
Jul 19, 2007
Posts
37,800
Likes collected
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Location
Sutton on Sea, UK
Funster No
1
MH
Adria Panel Van.
Exp
Since 1988
Look after your keys, and get some physical security on your van. Imagine, just as we've unlocked and you are looking forward to getting away your van in nicked. Don't make it easy for them.

Follow the advice about security of <Broken link removed>


Norwich-Van-Stolen1.jpg
 
had 2 cars stolen the same way a few years ago. They then used one of my cars to rob a cash delivery van at Asda.

Take your keys to bed is the advice, but some are wary of that for obvious reasons
 
Timely advice. Mine is normally parked in a position where it can't be driven straight out and it needs a bit of forward and back to get it clear. But I'm off early for a day trip tomorrow so I've turned it round for a quick getaway - so I've made very sure the alarm is set. :)
 
Even if they found my keys they’d need to know how to defeat the VanBitz MetaTrak immobiliser so unless they are going to cut off my thumb so they can get into my mobile phone and still guess the pin code for the app....
 
If someone breaks into my house while I am in bed, there is no way that I want them hunting for my keys. My life is worth far more than my van so the keys are kept in plain view.

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My mate had his range rover sport stolen while he was away in his caravan, camera showed them walking up, just getting in and driving away
He had big problems with insurance as they thought it was inside job
Nothing is unstealable nowadays

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I2C said:
This is why I fitted a kill switch, not high tech but even if you have the keys you can't start it. I know it can be defeated but that takes time and effort...
Click to expand...
Yep simple and foolproof
My one cost about a fiver and a bit of thought.

It's not difficult to disconnect the fuel rail on a Fiat if you're leaving it parked up for a while.
 
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busbuddy said:
My mate had his range rover sport stolen while he was away in his caravan, camera showed them walking up, just getting in and driving away
He had big problems with insurance as they thought it was inside job
Nothing is unstealable nowadays
Click to expand...

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...r-bmw-and-mercedes-cars-uninsurable-vtnthfht5

Thefts make keyless Range Rover, BMW and Mercedes cars uninsurable​

Models of Range Rover, BMW and Mercedes are being blacklisted by insurers because of a surge in thefts.

Drivers have reported being unable to get cover for high-end versions such as the Range Rover Sport, which costs about £63,000 and has been targeted by criminal gangs.

The vehicles most likely to be barred by some insurers are those with keyless entry systems in cities such as London, where thefts have risen by more than 200 per cent in five years, and Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham, where they have doubled.
 
Kannon Fodda said:
Even if they found my keys they’d need to know how to defeat the VanBitz MetaTrak immobiliser so unless they are going to cut off my thumb so they can get into my mobile phone and still guess the pin code for the app....
Click to expand...
Vanbitz Non starter....... job done
 
A secondary unseen security devise is a great idea, my keys are about 18 miles from the MH (on MILs drive) it’s got a Bulldog wheel clamp, and very good steering lock and an electronic isolator for the ecu.

pir security lights, an alarmed gate and CCTV.

When home on my drive it’s got all the above plus brick walls on 3 sides and a 4x4 park in front, keys are closer. But so is the 12 bore

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Mine.

Vanbitz
Tracker
Swivel seat bolted in reverse
Doors have internal locks
Front wheel clamped
Pedals clamped
Covered by CCTV

Ummmm Anyone fancy to a try?
 
I leave my keys right by the front door, if they want them, be my guest.

I had a horrible job last year which I won’t detail the specifics, but let’s just say, after what they did they would be welcome to the motorhome.

If a criminal wants it and your security is not letting them, they will come to you to sort their problem. This may sound defeatist, the reality is somewhat different from what you would think.

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We never leave keys in the house when we are out but if someone threatened force to take the keys I would probably hand them over
 
Tombola said:
had 2 cars stolen the same way a few years ago. They then used one of my cars to rob a cash delivery van at Asda.

Take your keys to bed is the advice, but some are wary of that for obvious reasons
Click to expand...
A neighbour bought a very fancy BMW £60,000 worth, drove it around on the first day then put it in the garage and flew to Spain the next day, came back a week later and got the car out of the garage for a drive round, that night he left it in the drive, during the night someone broke in and went through all the kitchen cupboards and draws. He had gone to bed and normally left the keys downstairs but this time he still had them in his pocket so left them next to the bed and they didn’t get them. Got rid of the car after 4 months as it was just too much of a target.
 
If they want it they will have it, I know of a 3.5t motorhome that was stolen by hiab lifting it over the security bollard onto a truck, the van was only £20k so not what you would think as a 'target' big money van
 
Googlebot said:
I leave my keys right by the front door, if they want them, be my guest.

I had a horrible job last year which I won’t detail the specifics, but let’s just say, after what they did they would be welcome to the motorhome.

If a criminal wants it and your security is not letting them, they will come to you to sort their problem. This may sound defeatist, the reality is somewhat different from what you would think.
Click to expand...
If a criminal wants to come into my house ( aka most inner sanctum ) and attempt to steal any of my property then “ make my day “ because i have plans for you my boy/girl ( dont you just love my inclusivity ) and they ain’t gonna end well for you . I will never be a willing victim . EVER
Your next horrible job maybe sweeping up a thieves bits .
 
PaddyM said:
If a criminal wants to come into my house ( aka most inner sanctum ) and attempt to steal any of my property then “ make my day “ because i have plans for you my boy/girl ( dont you just love my inclusivity ) and they ain’t gonna end well for you . I will never be a willing victim . EVER
Click to expand...

When you are asleep and three of them come in with bladed weapons then use them freely, it doesn’t matter if you are Chuck Norris.

I don’t mean this to be negative or dismissive, I feel exactly the same, but having seen the results, I would just hand my keys over.....

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I have Vanbitz Growler metatrak Non starter. Had a shock last week when I started the van. Yes started first time, then I thought hang on I did not disarm the Metatrak on the phone. Contacted the company and it was reset remotely. So now immobilised (engine would not start) then after disarming started as should. Again rearmed via App and again although showing armed the van was not immobilised. Metatrak did do some heavy duty resetting back on the main computer before things went back to normal and worked as should. The problem was how long has the computer settings been out of kilter. So if you have such system installed it maybe worth trying the ignition every few settings to make sure it is armed.
Coming out of lockdown and using the van thats the fifth major issue that I have had go wrong since 29th March.
 
There is NO WAY ON EARTH, i would take my vehicle keys to bed with me to protect ANY asset

On the basis that they would punch an old lady these days for a tenner, god knows what they woukd do to a gobby old bloke with just a spectacle case to defend himself

Pedal lock, alarm with LED, Phantom tracker. After that they can have it
I will ring the insurer the next day
Sleep tight
👍
 
Remember that 999 of 1000 people sneaking around in the night to steal are lowlife scumbags who will scarper if they meet as much resistance as a light going on. The others who want your keys 'no matter what' will knock on the door and ask with menaces. There are a lot less of those than you might imagine. So few as not to worry about them at all. If you are unlucky enough to meet one, you are going to retrieve your keys from their hiding place and hand them over anyway. So don't make easy for any scared tosser to nick your keys, just because you might meet one in a thousand.

Why lock a front door at all when some big menacing guy could just kick it in anyway; we wouldn't want to upset him, so let's leave it open.

So why do we lock the door at all? to deter lowlife opprtunists. Which is what you are doing when you don't have your keys in the hall by the front door or in a bowl on the kitchen sideboard.

Security is 95% deterrence. You need to make it look like its too much bother to steal. alarm lights, security posts, etc. And of course, your house should ooze the same menace. at least an external light, cameras even better etc. These things are cheap and easy to install.

Leaving it to your insurance company to sort out is another option, but personally not one I would recommend. You rarely get everything back, losses and consequential losses are considerable; and months after a theft, people are still remembering things that were nicked.

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