Which Proplates to fit?

[Grianan]

Yesterday’s post about a robbery from a van in France reminded us we have been meaning to get pro plates for ages.

A google search throws up Garrison Locks at just under £70

Fiat Ducato 2006 Onwards Proplate

Fiat Ducato 2006 Onwards Proplate at Garrison Locks

garrisonlocks.co.uk

Vanlockers at just under £30

Fiat Ducato Proplate | Vanlocker | Van Security Experts | UK - Vanlocker Ltd

Proplate lock protection for the Fiat Ducato available now at Vanlocker. Prevents the area around the lock from being attacked.

www.vanlocker.co.uk

and even cheaper ones from eBay or Temu.

The Garrison ones appear to be no-drill which appeals but ideally it would be good to get an opinion from someone who knows which one is ‘better’ (more likely to withstand an attack but not too difficult to fit).

 

[Riverbankannie]

Yesterday’s post about a robbery from a van in France reminded us we have been meaning to get pro plates for ages.

A google search throws up Garrison Locks at just under £70

Fiat Ducato 2006 Onwards Proplate

Fiat Ducato 2006 Onwards Proplate at Garrison Locks

garrisonlocks.co.uk

Vanlockers at just under £30

Fiat Ducato Proplate | Vanlocker | Van Security Experts | UK - Vanlocker Ltd

Proplate lock protection for the Fiat Ducato available now at Vanlocker. Prevents the area around the lock from being attacked.

www.vanlocker.co.uk

and even cheaper ones from eBay or Temu.

The Garrison ones appear to be no-drill which appeals but ideally it would be good to get an opinion from someone who knows which one is ‘better’ (more likely to withstand an attack but not too difficult to fit).

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

 

[Two on Tour]

Yesterday’s post about a robbery from a van in France reminded us we have been meaning to get pro plates for ages.

A google search throws up Garrison Locks at just under £70

Fiat Ducato 2006 Onwards Proplate

Fiat Ducato 2006 Onwards Proplate at Garrison Locks

garrisonlocks.co.uk

Vanlockers at just under £30

Fiat Ducato Proplate | Vanlocker | Van Security Experts | UK - Vanlocker Ltd

Proplate lock protection for the Fiat Ducato available now at Vanlocker. Prevents the area around the lock from being attacked.

www.vanlocker.co.uk

and even cheaper ones from eBay or Temu.

The Garrison ones appear to be no-drill which appeals but ideally it would be good to get an opinion from someone who knows which one is ‘better’ (more likely to withstand an attack but not too difficult to fit).

I bought mine from Vanlocker, and they were a quality product and easy to fit, having watched a YouTube video on fitting Pro Plates.
I also fitted a Pro Plate to the passenger door, for aesthetics, although the passenger door does not need protection.

 

[yorkiebar]

I used these no-drill ebay jobs, includes the inner "basket" which protects the mechanism if the external plate were bent upwards to allow the screwdriver attack to be attemped.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/14567251...pid=5339023013&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

 

[activecampers]

eBay and could not fault it.

My install vid so you can see whats involved.

Also some useful extra comments from others etc

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[Jewellbags]

I bought mine from Vanlocker, and they were a quality product and easy to fit, having watched a YouTube video on fitting Pro Plates.
I also fitted a Pro Plate to the passenger door, for aesthetics, although the passenger door does not need protection.

Have a link to the video by chance ? Dont worry seen it now

 

[Jewellbags]

Looks more than a few minute work

 

[activecampers]

Looks more than a few minute work

lol - that was my "learn as I go" whist balancing a phone and recording. Wasn't that tough really and someone posted a better way of unclipping something in the comments.

 

[Basa]

The vanblocker option sounds like it is stuck on?
Their website says the internal door card does not need to be removed
Anybody used them?

 

[yorkiebar]

lol - that was my "learn as I go" whist balancing a phone and recording. Wasn't that tough really and someone posted a better way of unclipping something in the comments.

That was me. Your video was really helpful and gave me the confidence to fit the proplate. I found that using some pliers on the handle cable plastic mounting piece allowed me to remove it easily.

 

[Jake Royd]

I've fitted the Temu ones to my X250 Ducato can doors.
They fitted beautifully.

 

[Thornebt]

The idea of fitting a plate that didn't require the interior door card to be removed is appealing as it would take minutes. However, I imagine it could easily be levered off so I think the regular proplates are the safer option for proper security.

 

[Two on Tour]

The vanblocker option sounds like it is stuck on?
Their website says the internal door card does not need to be removed
Anybody used them?

The ones I bought and fitted from Vanlocker were fitted in the same as in the video posted in post #5 of this thread.

 

[SVMC15]

I bought mine from ebay.

Whichever you end up buying just make sure you get the internal U-shaped protection. To fit this part you definitely need to remove the door card. You also only need to do the side which has the keyhole.

 

[Basa]

Do you have to remove the Remis blinds on the door?

 

[Two on Tour]

Do you have to remove the Remis blinds on the door?

No, our Remis blind follows the contour of the door arm rest that's removed to gain access, but is not attached to it.

 

[yorkiebar]

Do you have to remove the Remis blinds on the door?

I did and it's a doddle, the easiest part of the whole process! One self tapper screw to remove and the blind assembly then just lifts up and off.

 

[Jamwitt]

Does any one have the link for the temu ones can’t seam to find them !

 

[namwaldog]

Just watching a YouTube video this morning about a Brit couple who had their MH broken into nr Girona last week.

He had bought ProPlates prior to setting off but hadn't got them fitted!!

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Break in at about 13 mins into video.

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Subsequent video shows him fitting the plates...

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[CV20Bobby]

I used these no-drill ebay jobs, includes the inner "basket" which protects the mechanism if the external plate were bent upwards to allow the screwdriver attack to be attemped.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/14567251...pid=5339023013&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

Ordered those , bonus is they do black powder coated ones , Ideal as my van is black

 

[CV20Bobby]

I did and it's a doddle, the easiest part of the whole process! One self tapper screw to remove and the blind assembly then just lifts up and off.

Do you need a tool to remove the door card fixings ? Was thinking getting these too.

 

[yorkiebar]

Do you need a tool to remove the door card fixings ? Was thinking getting these too.
View attachment 1181665

Yes, I used a similar trim kit for the door card + plastic trim.

Be super careful when removing ( and refitting ) the plastic piece which houses the electric window switches. I got it out OK but made a bit of a hash refitting and a metal clip self-destructed. It doesn't move around and is secure but the clip is toast now!

 

[CV20Bobby]

Yes, I used a similar trim kit for the door card + plastic trim.

Be super careful when removing ( and refitting ) the plastic piece which houses the electric window switches. I got it out OK but made a bit of a hash refitting and a metal clip self-destructed. It doesn't move around and is secure but the clip is toast now!

Will do , many thanks

 

[DesmoDog]

Yes, removing the panels is easier with the sort of tools you've shown.
I've had some for a few years now and used them when fitting my Pro-plates a couple of weeks ago.
On my 2021MY Ducato there are two Blue push fit clips on the outer edge of the outer molding, and two white ones on the inner flat molded panel.

However they won't be much good to remove the Window switches mentioned by yorkiebar
There isn't much of a lip to get the tool under so I ended up using a small electrical screwdriver to start them.

The small metal clip also mentioned by yorkiebar is a right pain.
It grips really hard making it difficult to remove the switchpack and isn't easy to get back in the right place.
Mine are now in the glove compartment as the switchpack appears to clip in place securely enough with them.

My other tip is regarding the small corner trim piece in the top corner of each door panel which has one of the big Torx head screws behind it.
Until you've managed to get one off it's not obvious what direction this comes off in.
I can confirm it goes vertically upwards off it's clips.

 

[CV20Bobby]

Yes, removing the panels is easier with the sort of tools you've shown.
I've had some for a few years now and used them when fitting my Pro-plates a couple of weeks ago.
On my 2021MY Ducato there are two Blue push fit clips on the outer edge of the outer molding, and two white ones on the inner flat molded panel.

However they won't be much good to remove the Window switches mentioned by yorkiebar
There isn't much of a lip to get the tool under so I ended up using a small electrical screwdriver to start them.

The small metal clip also mentioned by yorkiebar is a right pain.
It grips really hard making it difficult to remove the switchpack and isn't easy to get back in the right place.
Mine are now in the glove compartment as the switchpack appears to clip in place securely enough with them.

My other tip is regarding the small corner trim piece in the top corner of each door panel which has one of the big Torx head screws behind it.
Until you've managed to get one off it's not obvious what direction this comes off in.
I can confirm it goes vertically upwards off it's clips.

Brilliant , mine is on a 21 plate too , thanks much appreciated.

 

[Jon Stuart]

Do you need a tool to remove the door card fixings ? Was thinking getting these too.
View attachment 1181665

I carry a set of those as part of the toolkit, having seen how many bits of sealant adhesive is used on parts of the external trim, as well as a bunch of pop fittings.

Lidl do both from time to time, and not a huge weight.

 

[Kasino]

Hi everyone, this is a great discussion. I want to ensure our van is as secure as possible.

Currently, I have only a tracker, immobilizer, and alarm system installed by WattGuardz.
While everyone including Ash from WattGuardz and lately Roger from Offgrid Power Solutions suggested this setup is a sufficient deterrent, I am questioning if it provides enough protection.

I noticed many of you are installing lock plates on your doors. Should I consider doing the same? Should I maybe get the Disklok. My Ducato has a keyless entry so would these steel plates fit?

I would really appreciate your input and advice on this.

 

[Lyrick]

Hi everyone, this is a great discussion. I want to ensure our van is as secure as possible.

Currently, I have only a tracker, immobilizer, and alarm system installed by WattGuardz.
While everyone including Ash from WattGuardz and lately Roger from Offgrid Power Solutions suggested this setup is a sufficient deterrent, I am questioning if it provides enough protection.

I noticed many of you are installing lock plates on your doors. Should I consider doing the same? Should I maybe get the Disklok. My Ducato has a keyless entry so would these steel plates fit?

I would really appreciate your input and advice on this.

I have a 2022 Ducato with keyless entry and I have fitted Proplates to the doors. £6/7 from Temu.
I also use a Disklok.

 

[Kasino]

I have a 2022 Ducato with keyless entry and I have fitted Proplates to the doors. £6/7 from Temu.
I also use a Disklok.

Thank you for the info. Have you fitted pro plates to all four doors or just drivers door with key entry?

 

[Ian_H]

I Fitted an ebay proplate today to my 2023 ducato. A couple of points that may help others:
As well as watching activecampers excellent youtube video, I found a site specifically covering Series 8 Ducatos (2021-?), and there is quite a bit of difference in getting the inner panel off. Its in German but the auto dubbing is good.

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. In particular, theres a self tapper behind a little circular piece that pops out from the middle of the panel.
Also, regarding the difficult metal clip at the rear of the mirror control unit, once it is visible I managed to release it easily by gently pushing the centre part towards the front of the van with a very small screwdriver.