Theft proofing my van. Fantasy or feasible?

Stratman77 · Senior Member

Theft proofing my van. Fantasy or feasible?

The Phantom · Guru

A GPS locator will not prevent theft of a van, just tell you where it is after it has been stolen so that you can find it or what is left of it.

There are many anti theft measures you can take. Only you can decide what is adequate to satisfy your assessor.

The assessor will then decide whether he will recommend you be paid out.

The Phantom

peterwm · Veteran Member

With tandem vans you can obtain incarnel chain & lock to put thru two wheels on one side or wheel to chassis if not tandem, this is used by 'Harley' owners , quite expensive , but so is your van, this steel cannot be cut with oxy or bolt cutters, very effective, not sure about spelling.

peterwm · Veteran Member

By the way Incarnel is five times harder than stainless steel, cheers

Peter

Stratman77 · Senior Member

Hi, Guys!
Peter, I found some stuff called 'inconel' which seems to be what you refer to, but can't find any local suppliers or chain on ebay - or anywhere else so far, but I'll keep looking. Is there anyone else out there that has bought this chain?

peterwm · Veteran Member

A distant friend of mine used it only a special order Harley, unfortunately I can not contact him, this is an alternative, stainless comes in different grades, I think the Tungsten based type is the strongest, maybe contact Harley dealership, I think he dealt with 'Frasers' in Perth WA. cheers

turbopete · Senior Member

Hi Peterwm How effective against a angle grinder would it be especially the battery operated grinders...there is a fully enclosed steel cover

that encapsulates the tow head this is a good preventative,I guess the idea is to make the theft take maxi time and be as difficult as

possible ,,,,apart from physical gadgets,, look at electronic brake lockers if there is such a thing

-- Edited by turbopete on Sunday 21st of June 2015 10:07:55 AM

Mike196 · Senior Member

Spoke to chain/cable suppliers in Adelaide about "cut proof cable" etc and the reply was "nothing is cut proof since the invention of battery powered grinders".

peterwm · Veteran Member

Chris,
I have been in the construction industry for 30 years, I am currently on my last tour of duty in the North West before myself and my wife head off semi-retired, in regards to cutting steel, the type of cutting discs change radically as you move on to different alloys, stainless steel has up to five different grades till you finally get into having to use diamond impregnated stainless discs to match the stainless you are cutting, I personally will be going down this path before we take off.

The thieves will have to have many different types of discs to cater for the types of alloys they will encounter.

My teenage years where in the late sixties/early seventies, what a great era it was, we would not be having this discussion, cheers

dogbox · Guru

turbopete wrote:
Hi Peterwm How effective against a angle grinder would it be especially the battery operated grinders...there is a fully enclosed steel cover
that encapsulates the tow head this is a good preventative,I guess the idea is to make the theft take maxi time and be as difficult as
possible ,,,,apart from physical gadgets,, look at electronic brake lockers if there is such a thing

-- Edited by turbopete on Sunday 21st of June 2015 10:07:55 AM

they just hook the chains up an drag it away with the drawbar sitting on the chains

if they really want your particular van they will get it all you can do is make it as difficult as possible so they take someone else's van

chopit · Senior Member

As said. Thieves will take what they want. It's up to the owner to make that theft as difficult as possible.
In doing that, hopefully they will look for an easier target.
We use a tow ball coupling lock with a huge Master brand lock.

We arrived at a fairly quiet camp to see a newish off road 'van up on blocks of firewood with the 4 wheels & tyres gone.
Apparently the couple had gone driving for the day & returned to find the 4 landcruiser pattern wheels stolen.
No one else was camped there but only about 200 mtrs from a regularly used road.
Quick,cunning & opportunistic. Mongrels !!

peterwm · Veteran Member

One security nut on each wheel may have avoided this, bring back those good old days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spydermann · Senior Member

You can nick a locked Harley using a skateboard under the front locked wheel/steering. If someone thinks they deserve your stuff more than you, they will nick it no matter what you do. It's these portable angle grinders or giant bolt cutters that are a problem. Also, how many of us have a power, tools etc. close to our "secured" stuff. I was always told that locks only keep out honest theives. Just don't leave anything to temptation for the casual thief.

Was at a van shop on Thursday. It has been burgled the prior evening and some custom made metal equipment stolen. The owner phoned two nearby scrap metal shops asking to keep a lookout for someone trying to flog his stuff. 1/2 hour later the thieves were nabbed trying to flog the stuff at one of the dealers.

Stratman77 · Senior Member

Hi, All!

Thanks for all the above. Your comments just confirm what I already believed to be the impossible dream. Short of removing the wheels and encasing the chassis in a few cubic metres of concrete, if the thieves really want it, they will either have the means - or get the means - to steal it. Therefore, it seems the only courses of action are to:
1. Use security devices like ball locks, wheel clamps and chains or stainless steel wire through the rims and sub-frame with high quality padlocks in the hope there is another van close by which is an easier target and/or try to park next to a newer and/or much more expensive
van!)
2. Install a hidden GPS locator so you have a chance of finding it after the fact.
3. Send photos of these measures to your insurance company
4. NEVER leave your van alone in a quiet location, and when you do leave it - make sure it is securely locked.
5. Keep your fingers crossed.
6. Pray.

Oh. Yes. Spyderman. I'm an electrician, and have fixed many problems with a hammer!
Regards
Chris

Stratman77 · Senior Member

Hi, Again!
On the subject of GPS trackers. There are a plethora of devices on eBay at seemingly very reasonable prices. I would ask anyone who has one to let me know where you got it, cost and how well it works. I was looking at these and am a little reluctant to jump in:

www.ebay.com.au/itm/400895372144%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

www.ebay.com.au/itm/281662298684%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

www.ebay.com.au/itm/270792708200%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

These are all from China, but a couple of these devices are also available from Australian suppliers at a dramatically increased cost.

Regards
Chris

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

A smartphone does much the same.. If you could airbrush it to look like the van in avatar ?
Your half way there.. A movement sensor which activates a Rotweller barking inside..
Removing the drawbar hitch ? I guess a sign saying fox poisoning ? Could help..

Stratman77 · Senior Member

Hey, now! There's an idea. If my van looked like my avatar, I wouldn't need any security at all. I could even leave it unlocked! Maybe a sign saying the van is full of Nitroglycerine! Or the van is quarantined due to Bubonic plague. These thieves don't need a hitch, they will tow it with the chains. How about an electric fence gadget? they might not like 2 or 3Kv (or more) belts every few seconds. Now that's got possibilities. How about 240Vac? Maybe I could electrocute a couple of them before they towed the van away? It would also stop dogs and kids urinating on the wheels! I'll keep that in mind.

-- Edited by Stratman77 on Monday 22nd of June 2015 12:21:58 AM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Being an ex dairy farmer I have a am.gallagher.com/au/support/electric-fencing-resources
I have to keep things quiet on many counts .. The do gooders and the occupational health and safety regs..
Keeping the rubber mat at the door helps..