Van Break-ins/ Jackings

[yamsack]

Hi all,<br><br>Again, I'm a newbie to this whole RV lifestyle and, at present, only considering doing this.&nbsp; Right now, I'm still researching whether or not this is a viable option for me.<br><br>While I've heard several folks give advice about how to be safe while you're IN the van, has anyone ever experienced having their van broken into or flat out stolen while they were gone?&nbsp; While I may live in my van, there will be times when the vehicle will be left unattended for work, grocery shopping, visiting with friends, etc.<br><br>Additionally, any advice about how to prevent these unfortunate incidents from happening at all would be much appreciated.&nbsp; Thank you all.<br><br>

 

[triumph]

I'm still a newbie at this lifestyle but I've did some research on this particular issue back when I had a nice sports car.&nbsp; Basically shelling out the $ for a very loud car alarm is usually worth it.&nbsp; Aside from that you can get the club, or autolock (a break lock) both are sold on Amazon.&nbsp; <br><br>Neither the club nor the autolock are systems that will deter a pro car thief because the steering wheel can simply be cut to remove the club, and the break lock can be bent and removed with a crowbar.&nbsp; HOWEVER this absolutely will deter amateur car thieves.&nbsp; You'll only have to worry about professionals who carry a bag of tools with them. &nbsp; It's better than nothing.&nbsp; <br>

 

[Guest]

I have not heard of any vans being stolen or even broken into and especially hijacked from anyone on the forums. It will mostly be a matter of awareness and caution as to where and how you leave it.<br><br>So much depends on where you expect to be while vandwelling. If you for some reason have to be in a city, the risk of course would go up, if you choose to travel with the weather and stay on public lands the risk would be zero. <br><br>One of the best&nbsp; reasons to live in a van is the mobility it provides and that means I can go where and when I want and also means that if one place looks dicey I can move to another.<br><br>I think this fear along with many others, is something that folks may have as they THINK about vandwelling, not so much when they ARE vandwelling. However, I am not minimizing your worries, they are legitimate but are easily managed by forethought and awareness.<br><br>One of the things I find is that when I am living in a vehicle and spending much more time outside, my awareness is much more finely tuned and I can "feel" things like whether or not should I park in this place or that. I spend time traveling and camping in Mexico and find that is something that is important there where I am not so sure about some things....I can feel if they are right or not.<br><br>My sig line may help....it is from a man who rode around the world on a motorcycle in the 70's and then again as an older man in the 90's. <br><br>Happy trails,<br>Bri<br><br><br><br>

 

[sl1966]

I've also asked that question and researched this myself. To reinforce what Bri said and add a few things. You will be safer on boondocking than in the cities for sure. That being said, it doesn't mean it would never happen on the road. Basically the higher concentration of people means a higher number of thieves. Also thieves thrive on opportunity and will always move on one if it's easy for them to get what they want. So long as you make nothing easy on them, they'll most likey pass you up for one that is.<div><br></div><div>Steve</div>

 

[Guest]

<P>Like ddwinters said, driving a van that's not on the list of perferred is a great idea. I live in the city as well, and when I have to leave the van for an extened time, such as for work, I park in an area that is very visible with a lot of people around, like at the train station, and there's cameras everywhere. The club would be good as well, and for me, I have a feeling that a giant 33 year old camper van just isn't something they want to steal. I've not had any damage or theft personally. But I could just be that lucky.</P>

 

[VanTramp]

For me this topic comes down to comfort level. I am not a worry wort in any sense of the term, never have been. That said, when we park at a remote trail head to go hiking or mountain biking away from the van, there is always a bit of a concern in the back of my head. I know that adding a decent alarm system would probably be just enough to take that small concern away and give a little more comfort and confidence about the places we might leave our home. Being that it is our home and contains all of our stuff, it really seems like a no-brainer. &nbsp;If someone really wants in it, they will get in it, but I see no reason to make it too easy for them <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><div><br></div><div>I can think of a few places right now here on the OP that I wouldn't park it and leave it to go for a ride.(vehicle break in warnings and history) That would change with a good alarm so it would open up a few options perhaps.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div>

 

[Bear]

in addition to the excellent points above -<BR><BR>moving overnight&nbsp;locations will prevent someone from "casing" your patterns arriving and leaving the van; if you are parked at work regularly you have to hope that is a safe location<BR><BR>out of sight, out of mind - don't leave ANYthing out that could be seen and tempting, and obviously lock your doors - I removed the manual locks on my doors so I could leave windows cracked when necessary; think twice about using a "hide-a-key" <BR><BR>depending on climate, consider using tint + curtains&nbsp;rather than reflex in your windows to lessen the likelihood someone would think anyone&nbsp;is living inside<BR><BR>don't "advertise" or tempt potential thieves by pulling out unnessary gear; when I'm on the road I cook and sleep in different locations so gear is not ever out where I park for long periods<BR><BR>practice - seriously, go for days, then weeks, then a month or more&nbsp;living out of your van if you have the luxury to do so; a cross-country road trip convinced me it was much more viable an option than I'd imagined<BR><BR>one last thing - it's only permanent if you want it to be<BR><BR>good luck<BR>

 

[4x4tour]

I hear ya with the concerns.&nbsp; Vans&nbsp;in California are often stolen sent to Mexico. <BR><BR>In NY growing up, we used everything from kill switches, to bows and arrows to protect our stuff <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/nono.gif" align=absMiddle border=0>, so here's my advice for easy vehicle security. <BR><BR>1. Get a <B>Battery Brain III</B>.&nbsp; It's awesome and cheap.&nbsp; Basically, you remove the positive cable,&nbsp;tighten the&nbsp;device&nbsp;on the postive terminal,&nbsp;then&nbsp;put the cable on the the Battery Brain III.&nbsp; You also ground a black wire. &nbsp;Took me 5 mins to install. <BR><BR>The device monitors current, and when it thinks there's barely enough juice to start the engine (like playing your stereo/tv for hours), it disconnects the battery.&nbsp; You then press a remote button,&nbsp;start the engine and let it charge back up. It's a great unit.&nbsp;I love mine. <BR><BR>Its also great for working on the van, &nbsp;and turning off live 12v if needed for an emergency electrical fire (never turn it off while the engine is on, or the alternator may be damaged). <BR><BR>Now, I NEVER have to worry about the vehicle never starting due running the battery down. Ive since added solar, other batteries, etc...<BR><BR>The 2nd good thing, is that it doubles as a <B>kill switch</B>, and&nbsp;it comes with TWO remotes (you can hide one).&nbsp; So, you can park in a store parking lot, hit the remote button (you'll hear a click), and walk away knowing you've outwitted a thief... <BR><BR>You can also&nbsp;open the hood and press the reset button on the device, in case both remote batteries die.&nbsp;The safeguards are awesome. <BR><BR>I know what you're thiking, "will I lose my radio stations?" <BR><BR>No, the Battery brain&nbsp;has&nbsp;connections on it for letting the radio, <B>or alarm</B>, &nbsp;have a constant 12v source.&nbsp; <BR><BR>Here's is what I would do:<BR><BR>1.&nbsp;Install a cheap alarm for its siren, basically. <BR>2.&nbsp;<B>Install the battery brain III</B>. Check Ebay<BR>3.&nbsp;<U>Connect a 2 foot chain to the inside of your hood, so when you close it, you can put a padlock on it underneath.&nbsp; So, if Mr. Burglar opens the door and pops the hood release, he's screwed. </U><BR><BR>The is easy and bulletproof (pun intended). <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><BR><BR>A.J. <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

 

[Guest]

Say Bear, what do you do to prevent the problem of locking keys in the rig? I use a hide-a-key but have never been comfortable with the idea....<br>Bri<br><br>

 

[Guest]

I <font face="Arial">have an alarm that sets itself and locks the doors. <br>I installed a secondary, 145db siren, hooked to the alarm</font><font face="Arial"> (illegal),</font><font face="Arial"> <i>inside</i>, way up under the dash panel; it works as a pain generator and will make your ears bleed.<br>I have a fuel line cut-off switch.</font><br><font face="Arial">I have a starter kill switch.<br>I have two sets of locks on each wheel.<br>If I'm going to be far away or will be gone long from my truck - I&nbsp; also pop the hood and take the coil wire with me <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br>How many car thieves carry a spare coil wire?<br><br>Anyone who breaks in while I'm in it? I keep a big can of hornet spray (for burglars not bugs), a tire thumper (small baseball bat) and several very sharp knives in my truck.<br>Florida's <b>Castle Law allows for the use of deadly force when defending yourself in your home, <i>in your yard</i> or <i>in your vehicle.<br></i></b><i>Several states have similar Castle Laws.<br><br>The 'spare' key? Stays on a chain around my neck.<br></i><b><br></b></font><br>

 

[butterfly]

I try to make it a habit of having&nbsp;the keys in my hand as I'm locking up the vehicle.&nbsp; Or double check that I've put them into my pocket by actually touching them "yes, I have my keys." BEFORE I close that locked door.&nbsp; No power locks on the Express.&nbsp; When hubby is w/ me, he has a spare key in his pocket.&nbsp;&nbsp; <BR><BR><BR>

 

[Guest]

I have a set of keys in my jacket, and then the ones on my chain. Spare set!<br><br>I also keep a spare for a friend just in case she locks herself out.<br>

 

[Bear]

<P><FONT size=3 face="times new roman, times, serif">

... what do you do to prevent the problem of locking keys in the rig? I use a hide-a-key but have never been comfortable with the idea....<BR>Bri<BR><BR>

</FONT><BR><FONT size=3 face="times new roman, times, serif"></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3 face="times new roman, times, serif">one of the only advantages of my ol van is that it is so old it doesn't have an electronic&nbsp;key fob, and the only way to lock the driver's side door from the inside is if the door is shut, and from the outside with a key. So it's virtually bear-proof <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif">&nbsp;I did have an alarm &amp;&nbsp;kill switch on an a previous pick up, but almost any kill switch is certain to be found imho; I do think the club is worth the effort to deter the casual thief in certain neighborhoods</FONT></P><P><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">you could&nbsp;have a spare on a shoe string,&nbsp;wear it on your shoes or around your&nbsp;neck I suppose</FONT><BR><FONT size=3 face="times new roman, times, serif"></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3 face="times new roman, times, serif">fwiw, I keep a key hidden INSIDE the van and if I lost my keys I would break into my own van if necessary</FONT><BR></P>

 

[Guest]

Hmmm, I think I will stick with a hidden key and just be veeeeery crafty about where I hide it....(and tell someone like my bride, where it is)<br>My 87 Astro van has power locks and if you do it right you can lock yourself out in the blink of an eye....like Ian I do it regularly.<br><br>In my case not only is it old age but I lived through the sixties and can't remember isht about it!<br><br>I worry very little about it being broken into....after 60+ years of not having a vehicle broken into, even with a car parked on the streets of NYC for several years. I am just not that wary any more....<br><br>But hey, that's just me....<br>Bri<br><br>

 

[Guest]

<font face="Arial">I used to hide the spare Trans Am key in the plastic center cap of a wheel, wrapped in plastic - be sure to put the wheel/hub cap back on with a couple dabs of clear silicone on the edges so it can't 'fall' off.<br><br>On big rigs, I've hidden a spare on a small piece of wire, twisted thru a hole on the frame, under the vehicle or under/behind the bumper.<br><br>For those who have enough ground clearance :<br>Wrap it in plastic and hide it in a big gob of Permatex somewhere under the vehicle, or inside the frame rail, or to a floor pan (be sure the area is cleaned good for adhesion). In no time, road dirt will completely disguise it.<br>If you ever have to dig <i>that</i> spare out - you'll learn never to misplace your keys again.</font> <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br><br><br><br>

 

[MrNoodly]

what do you do to prevent the problem of locking keys in the rig?

<br><br>I think it's idiotic that cars are made so it's even possible to lock your keys inside. At least one door (the driver's) should require the key or remote button. A lot of vehicles are that way, but there are some holdouts. I think they have a secret deal with locksmiths and tow truck operators.