window van security?

[wallyflint]

How concerned do i need to be about somebody breaking into my window van? Do any of you have any advice about how to maximize security? Is this why so many people choose to live in a windowless cargo van?

 

[maki2]

When boondocking in the country it will typically be a lot less of an issue to get breaking in any type of vehicle is than usual when parked in a city.

Common sense rules still apply no matter where you are, do not leave valuables such as electronics or expensive camping gear in plain sight to tempt people. In the rear you can use window coverings. I have mesh sunscreen cloth window covers that I can see out of in the daytime but no one can see in. At night I put up solid insulating material a a nano one can see in.

Just think it through and you will come up with a solution to keep your interior more private. As to why people prefer cargo vans, it is easier to insulate them, put in more cabinets on the upper walls as well as having privacy. Of course I enjoy have window to look out of. So if I were to get another van it would be a cargo van and then I would add just one or two windows in the rear.

 

[Overland One]

I agree with maki2 that when out in the back country, it will be fine. As you can see I have a conversion van with those large windows. One would have been fine but I have 3 of them. A human or a bear could easily get into the van though one of them so, I looked around to see if anyone made bars or some sort of bolt on guard to cover my windows with either on the inside or the outside. Well, I found several but man, they were very expensive, like many hundreds of dollars each expensive. These were basically a grill like window covering which I could probably draw up a design and have somebody weld them up for much less if I ever decided I needed them. As of now, I think since I will be avoiding cities and large towns at all costs anyway (I can not stand traffic and traffic jams and cities in general) I don't think I really need them.

 

[Happy Camper]

If you're in a city environment and are worried about people breaking in while you're away, there's a simple solution.

The go bag.

In this case, it's a bag that has some (clean) crumpled fast food wrappers from cheap places. A few empty cups from the same places. A couple random papers and standard car trash that says "I'm poor and kinda messy". Basically make it look like my car at the moment lol.

Chances are they'll pass up having to deal with trash hoping to find treasure.

When you get back, spend 30 seconds putting it all back in the bag.

 

[wallyflint]

If you're in a city environment and are worried about people breaking in while you're away, there's a simple solution.

The go bag.

In this case, it's a bag that has some (clean) crumpled fast food wrappers from cheap places. A few empty cups from the same places. A couple random papers and standard car trash that says "I'm poor and kinda messy". Basically make it look like my car at the moment lol.

Chances are they'll pass up having to deal with trash hoping to find treasure.

When you get back, spend 30 seconds putting it all back in the bag.

LOL! Good idea. Thanks!

 

[Necron99]

I also have one of the vans with 3 big picture windows.
My plan is to spray the inside with gloss black paint. Insulate over them then put sheeting up over that.
I don't imagine ill be going to big cities though as my van will be a daily driver, camping van and when i do need to go to Spokane it will be in the wifes truck anyway.
Im kinda lucky though as in North Idaho there is not a lot of crime and if you're a "ne'er-do-well" you better be good and lucky. Around here i would bet 90% of people carry 2A and are hunters, so good shots!

 

[maki2]

There is no thing such as a windowless Van. All vans on the market have windows. If a thief wants in they can break the driver or passenger window. So you will not be preventing someone from breaking in by buying a cargo van versus a passenger van.

 

[Gr8ful]

I'd install a motion sensor & very loud siren in the van, maybe even a camera that calls your cell with video in case of a break in.

 

[Tony's Dream]

I installed two windows, one on each side of the van. I have plans to install 2 on the rear doors. I consider my van like my house, anyone who wants to get in can get in. Its always about opportunity and risk. Like they stated above, if someone sees a lap top or wallet on the front seat.......the crimal has to assess the situation and determine if the risk is worth the reward. So make it look like there is nothing inside and hope they walk on by.

 

[BelgianPup]

I just read about this, have never had any experience with it. I took the following notes, I'm sure they're not complete, just a reminder for more research when the time comes.

"Polycarbonate van windows are one of the most durable window materials on the market. They're almost impossible to break, and they hold up extremely well over time. Polycarbonate is about 200 times more impact resistant than glass."

 

[maki2]

I just read about this, have never had any experience with it. I took the following notes, I'm sure they're not complete, just a reminder for more research when the time comes.

"Polycarbonate van windows are one of the most durable window materials on the market. They're almost impossible to break, and they hold up extremely well over time. Polycarbonate is about 200 times more impact resistant than glass."

Sounds vantastic right. But no mention of its downside and there are some. Get on the internet and read about those and post about them. Always good to post the downsides as well as the upsides.

 

[Lance22]

How concerned do i need to be about somebody breaking into my window van? Do any of you have any advice about how to maximize security? Is this why so many people choose to live in a windowless cargo van?

A broken window can easily be replaced.

However there is much leg work that needs to happen to GET to JUST that point.

Let me explain. I have 400 watts of solar and a 200ah battery that weights some 300lbs and you'd have to take out the bedframe to get it.. which to get the bed frame out you need to take out the back shelf which to get that out you need to take out the side cabinet enough to get the shelf to swing out.. which then out comes the battery long as they can carry that 300lb case.

My fridge and freezers are older and valued under 300 bucks. I do have a power station that I plan on putting into the van but I am going make sure to secure that into place with 1-2 cables that mount directly to the shelf and ideally the bed frame...

I don't have a TV, instead I bought two Trac phones which work only on the trac phone wireless plans but I never activated them. I just insert a micro SD card and play video files from there. Much older shows of course but its nice to have.

As for my actual minivan. It's old just about 20 years old. works fine now but we shall see... I never bothered to wash it, the paint is now starting to chip in a few places and the amount of scratches is puzzling since I only park on the far edges of parking lots but I guess people must just hate me enough to key my van or something idk... oh well... I might get around to getting touchup paint for the big peeling parts but I got more important things right now...

My point being... My window has not been broken because nothing of value exists for anyone to break it and go through all the trouble...

Granted I stayed at some motels for extended periods and been in rougher places but I now try to stick to better parts of town where places I typically can't afford the rent but I can still park my van and it looks decent enough to not look like it's about to break into a billion pieces within a mile and become a lump of junk.

Yes, I do break the cardnel rule of having stuff in the front seat. But I have it covered up with a blanket and it's just a bunch of snacks and I have a bunch of other blankets too. Basically if you look poor, then their is no incentive to break your window and steel your poorness.

Don't just LOOK poor, be poor, live poor, and act poor. If you have ANYTHING of value that you worry about cable lock it into place and then you don't have to worry. Get a storage locker in town if your going to be in an area for a while and store your valuables there. Get storage bins to carry them in and out.. Yes, people will notice you hauling in expensive things but if it's just cheap totes then they don't bother breaking into those storage units...

The thing I hated the most about my past minivan life expereince was worrying about my home being broken into. YES I still worried about it as well...

However if you start to divide half your home into a storage unit and half your home into your minivan or rig and start to gain more money in savings then you start to get to a point that who cares if you are broken into because the value that they would be able to extract is far less than the value you have to replace it...

If all you have in your rig is a toothbrush, a few sets fo clothes and your bed with a few snacks then there is no point of worrying.

Yes, living in that extreme is not realistic for most but start at that point and slowly move upward to a point where you can do van life without worry.

I am still working on finding that balance myself before I get back into vanlife fulltime again so there is NOT going to be an easy answer or solution. You need to figure out what is the right balance for you...