18' Series Securing the van

[Matty4]

Was walking near my place today and saw this 18' Expanda out the front of this house with a couple of unique security features to stop it being nicked.

Not a bad idea but a bit of a hassle.

 

[hamish22]

Guess taking the hitch off is one way of avoiding trouble of obstructing the walkway as well!

 

[relgate]

Taking the hitch off is extreme. Bad guys just need to show up with one and clamp it on. In a way it would be easier for them than a trailer cop or similar!
I like the bollard idea. I'm thinking the same for the new van.

 

[jvp]

Hi all
I hate the idea of all these security measures to keep our vans safe. I live rural SA & my panda lives in my front yard with only a coupling lock only. Next to my boat of 30 years all in my front yard & no fence. Touch wood no problems. I live by: If it ain't mine don't touch it.
Lucky so far.
jvp

 

[acmackie]

those gas bottles look easy pickings still

 

[relgate]

those gas bottles look easy pickings still

Nah. He's removed the valves...

 

[Griffo]

Rural SA must be a crime zone if you need a coupling lock. Rural NSW just leave everything open.

 

[Jason18576]

I would just take the gas bottles

 

[crackacoldie]

Padlock in the coupling for us, but only when I remember

 

[BUSH PALACE]

Mines kept outa sight with a poly block loc pin .

 

[Bellbirdweb]

I just purchased this on ebay. TK103B Remote Control Car GPS Tracker GPS/GSM/GPRS Tracking Device Auto Vehicle http://r.ebay.com/u8r5K8 If it all works out as intended, I'll hook it up to the breakaway unit, so it will notify me if taken outside of the predetermined area. With a command SMS I can then tell it to apply the breakaway brakes.

 

[Colsar]

Looks pretty good for minimal outlay, b keen to see how it goes.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Thats what I figured @Colin&Sue. Once it arrives I'll give a report.

 

[Stephen Galvin]

Go On Make My Day Punk!!!!

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Well the satellite tracker arrived today (http://r.ebay.com/u8r5K8). Popped the ALDI SIM into it, did a little bit of setup, and bingo, it worked really well.

It has a lot of different settings, but sends a text to predetermined numbers if it moves more than a certain distance or outside a predefined area. Also has the ability to drive a siren, and comes with a remote control so doubles up as an alarm as well.

Just looking on where to mount it so I can get constant 12v power, and the 3G and GPS antennas can be run, that could be a bit of a challenge. For under $45 its got to be a very good investment.

 

[BigSkiddy]

Ideally you'd want to have a separate and discrete power supply. You don't want the crooks just cutting the cable at your battery.
Possibly get a motorcycle battery hide it deep somewhere and wire up a trickle charger for it.
Obviously you might want to keep the details of this mod to yourself.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Luckily it has an inbuilt battery @BigSkiddy.

The bigger issue is how to run the cables for the GPS and 3G antennas.

Has anyone run cables from inside up on to the roof ?

 

[relgate]

Luckily it has an inbuilt battery @BigSkiddy.

The bigger issue is how to run the cables for the GPS and 3G antennas.

Has anyone run cables from inside up on to the roof ?

Does it work inside the van? Might be worth checking out...

 

[BigSkiddy]

The 3G should be okay under the van. The GPS might need clear view of the sky or at least only have plastic above it. As @relgate said give it a go inside first.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

@relgate thats a good suggestion, I'll try in inside first, I know the 3G will be OK, but often a GPS will work through non metallic surfaces. I just need to make sure its a good signal, so it works under tree canopy etc.

I was up on the roof of the van today, and it looks like there may be a way of using the same boot as the TV antenna cable to get through.