@TheEternalPonderer must depend on region. Any police auction I have been to still had the cages. Only things removed were the light bars and loud speaker for the sirens.
I thought you were talking to me man! I came across some used boarder patrol detaining boxes at a scrap yard that would fit nicely on one ton chassis that were air conditioned and very secure.
I totally agree with everything you’ve said. And the internal doors are a great job. And here’s the but!! £3k for internal security is a piss take because they already know the £30,000 van security straight from the factory is that 💩 that they now offer “additional” security. It’s about high time the manufacturers were held responsible for such crap security. Granted there’s not that much can be done against a grinder but you can get into these vans with your bare hands ffs that in my eyes is unacceptable. And at a push a flat head screwdriver 🪛 😡 sorry rant over 😂
Ford transit vans are horrendous, there is a fatal flaw in that all of the cargo locks are linked to the cab door handles. They smashed the glass and just pulled the handle inside the cab and it releases all of the power locks in the cargo area.
Thing is so many people with a van don't need extra security. Delivery vans are empty at night, people like florists and bakers don't carry high value items. These people will want the lighter van for MPG and the lower cost. Technically it makes sense to upgrade if you carry high value items, like you would a house or a lockup.
As a joiner, (and hence a huge risk of getting tools stolen as joiners tools cost the most), I got a heavy duty steel tool safe inside my van that is big enough to carry all tools that I have for any given day. I then lined it with 20 mm ply bolted to the tool safe. As well as the shielded padlocks on the tool safe, I designed and made a hidden lock system that means if they did get past the padlocks the toolsafe still wont open. The plywood was because it slows down the prevalent battery grinders and just makes them burn. It might seem like a bit overboard but its almost impossible to get tool insurance to actually pay out,( most want receipts and some of my tools I have had for 35 years).
@@anthonypilgrim3593 it seems you’ve totally missed the point here Anthony, it shouldn’t matter if you are a florists or a tradesman, when you spend £30k plus on a vehicle the security should have a certain standard. Door folding has been going on for 20+ years and a lot of these vans can have the side/rear door folded with bare hands, that is completely unacceptable. You mentioned weight for mpg, but an additional 20-30kg of decent grade steel in the weak areas would rectify these weaknesses. Why should a tradesman, florists, delivery companies not have these built into the £30k+ vans?? People have been buying van vaults for years because of these weaknesses.
@@paulthompson5416spot on. That goes to all car and van manufacturers. They’re pumping out over priced vehicles that aren’t worthy what they charge from day one. They won’t even supply a simple Foot well Matt in the price of a new vehicle. Yet tyoubtake it back a year later to the same dealer and it’s worth fuck all to them 🤔 high time manufacturers were made to sell at the right price and service their own vehicles instead of the crap dealerships we currently have who don’t care.
I think any security fitted should be visible from the outside as a deterrent. Paying for new doors paint work and the sign writing all while hiring another van is probably more expensive than this kit. I think this will be suitable more for locksmiths, nice to see some thought into it though. Deadlocks and the stainless steel plates covering the weak spots gets my vote as standard. Even with the higher price it’s worth it.
Can be a Deterrent or Attraction, the bad guy can look at that and think it's not worth it OR can think since have all that security they have something worth stealing
Frankly Pete as an ex motor tech. I would be tempted to do this myself. Some angle steel for the frame work and the up and cross steel. No perspex needed I feel. For anyone else not wanting to, I don't think£2700 is too much for a manufacture to absorb. Even if they halved that to get the sale they they would sell many more. Immobilisation of the wheels if triggered would be good. If they can't get in it they may just tow it. A reverse ABS that locks the wheels on activation. Many of these things together with your excellent ideas could be implemented quite cheaply at build with little extra tooling. I'm sure many fabricators could do this at a cheaper price also.
This just honestly boggles my mind what you guys go through. I live in Canada, I constantly forget to lock my work van at night. During the day on most general site the vans always unlocked with the keys in it. This kind of theft isn’t herd of in my area
As a nation we might be advancing in technology but unfortunately technology doesn't solve the morality issue of society. I was in UAE on holiday and people left their phones on charge in random places and no one dare touch anyone's property. Can't do that here in the UK. I concur that this is not an issue even in places like Calgary in Canada as I have been on vacations there and it's pretty safe.
The police should do more stings on the scum bags and actually put them in prison instead of crime numbers. We are paying taxes to pay for the police so how about value for money from them instead of being done for 21 in a 20 zone.
I can't imagine the manufacturers would be that bothered about the users. I bet they make millions per year in parts etc from the damage caused from break ins
As a locksmith I know that the weakest point on the secondary cage is the locks used on those doors, with a shim key it will bypass the warding on that cheap lock. Why don’t they use the high security Euro locks used on a lot of doors on the continent. Another issue is that with portable right angle grinders they can cut through the metal around the lock. They should use a reinforcement plate of AR500 steel which is used on bullet proof vests against high power rounds. It also takes time to grind through this type of steel. Don’t know about the laws over your way but there is an American company that has pepper spray traps that will empty a can of pepper spray on the perp. They make a manual trip unit as well as several electronic dispensers. Alarms help but I have supplemented the speaker with a Federal Signal PA300 police siren. One speaker inside the tool compartment and one behind the front grille. This can shatter a perps eardrums as well as gain attention to anyone nearby. There is no trouble in installing it so it cannot be activated from within the cab to keep the local doughnut eaters happy.
adding an integrated roof rack that's heavy duty steel will make it harder to get through the roof and be useful to trades. Id love to see factory fitted deadlocks too, its a good initial deterrent that'll help stop the van being damaged at all. a factory tracker would be great as well and rear door alarm. a van with all that would be on the top of my list, it'd even pull me away from Ford who I've bought vans from for years.
Nearly all the new customs I've seen leaving local dealership have had deadlocks on. Don't know if Ford are addressing the issue direct, or the dealership has
They'll just go in through the roof instead, especially when they learn more people are using these cages. I've seen loads of videos and pictures of them going through the roof now, so this won't stop them at all, also with van weight loads already being fairly low how much more weight does this add? This is definitely a step in the right direction but certainly not there yet. I've seen the deadlocks that are built into the locking system which should come as standard not sure if these are the ones you meant or if you meant the key turn locks. Those key turn locks stand out to thieves and they know you're trying to protect something and they can get through them within 5 seconds I think I saw? Thanks for keeping us updated on this, I don't know if you've seen but skill builder also released a video recently about van security
As long as there is a market for 2nd hand tools , Ebay / car boot markets etc this will never stop and this includes other country’s as well as a lot of stolen tools end up overseas...
I like the idea, but would be an absolute pain in the arse messing about opening and shutting throughout the day !? It’s great a manufacturer is taking tool theft seriously- personally:- the only deterrent the scumbags need is a 500v electric shock whilst being doused in kerosene 👍
Yeah realistically i would leave the armour cage unlocked during the day while im working, but i would 100 % use them after my last job and while it sits overnight. Ive been cleaned out twice and both times it was in the middle of the night, 3 or 4AM
I like it, but I don't think I could justify the cost as they will just cut through the back quarter panel or the roof. Depends how determined they at getting the contents. You be better getting a metal cabinet made to put your tools in or getting van vault type units. Vans need to be made allot stronger and there needs to be bigger consequences for people caught stealing. The police need to stand up and do something to show that their onboard. They quick enough if you happend to forget to tax your vehicle or mot it.
Unfortunately where I live, the little scum bags use cordless angle grinders, so latticework structure would be no problem for them…..I’d much prefer to have the reinforced door plates over the locks and top grade Thatcham alarm fitted as standard
This cage looks like a aftermarket retrofit idea - its like they’ve taken a van off the line & said ‘what can you do to make this more secure?’ Ideally these security features should be built in at the design level of the vehicle
They've added the doors that they fit to police vans. Pretty sure you could pick some up from any 2017 or older ex police vivaro for a hell of a lot less than 3k
I had a van with a after market cage fitted on the side and back doors it was a right pain in the arse when your in and out getting tools fittings ect out all day
Regarding the new internal fitted security door, I'm just wondering how much that will impact accessablity? With being a plumber too, can you easily move a bath, long radiators, boilers ect without damaging them, as the new security doors open the oppersit way to the sliding van door? That's before you add in a raised floor fitted too? I like the idea, just questioning accessablity 👀😅
If reinforcing the back and side door around the locking areas, why not reinforce the front once too. stops them from breaking in and stealing the whole van or any valuable stuff in the front
The only thing that come to mind is the Perspex should be opaque, as if the thief gets past the outer door, they can't see what's inside. possibly a bit more deterrent. well done Pete keep up the good work
I've always thought mag locks would be a good idea. Something like a secondary battery in the back of the van and still fed off of the alternator. Put them in multiple locations around the doors to prevent/reduce doors from being peeled
Definitely, there's a guy in Bristol who supplies and fits internal deadbolts with a remote,, on the weak points of cargo doors,, better in my opinion because if the thieving scum can see your security locks outside, they will just cut a panel out,, I've recently fitted a rooflight for a camper conversion, as an experiment, i cut the hole out with battery multi tool, citreon van, i reckon if i didn't want it neat, a good tin opener would have done
Keep it simple - just use a van vault bolted through the floor of the van and leave all the doors open. Even with this set up the damage they will do to the vehicle trying to get in will negate any benefit. I know this is a difficult one , but try to limit the amount of tools you take on a job - there are far too many folk fitting out their vans like a Snap-on Truck . Memories of a canvas bass, a hacksaw , a hank of hemp, blow lamp and tallow moleskin flux rag , and if you were affluent a Gilmor pipe bender. No body pinched that.
realistically i would keep them unlocked during the day and just rely on the powered locks while im working. I would 100 percent use them while the van sits overnight though, thats usually when theft happens. Ive been completely cleaned out twice and both times it was between midnight and 6AM
Great video. The only issue I have with this is that there's nothing on the outside of the van to deter a scumbag from trying to get it... Like you say they'll knacker the door (which will still put you out of action while you get it fixed). Metal struts preventing the peeling of the doors is great, but what's needed in addition to those suggestions is to make it obvious to scumbags that your van has these measure in place.....which may prevent any attempt by all but the most determined scumbag from having a pop to begin with.
If I had one of these vans I would want the criminals to know before they even consider touching it. Could save the hassle of repairing doors or other damage. Some sort of specific logo or something identifying the security your van has. They might see this and move on elsewhere straight away and avoid the hassle.
Hey Pete, are you sure they didn't show you a prisoner transport vehicle instead of a workmans van?? 😉 To bad we have to resort to this to keep our tools and equiment and thus our means of income secure.
I think the cage is pointless.. the van doors/roof should be better reinforced with deadlocks etc. It should be fitted with a better alarm system.. maybe something that connects to an app on your phone and or Amazon Alexa in your house which goes off after prolonged contact with the van and cannot be silenced. Also maybe some sort of motion sensor which can be switched on manually that detects and alerts if someone is hovering round the van. Wether this is possible I don’t know..
The secondary doors are a great idea, and sure will make the vehicle very secure, but I assume they will add around 180kgs in weight and obviously a big inconvenience to the van owner ( I must go in and out of the back of my van 30-50 times per day), and often need to close, lock the van one handed. I repair windows, and if you look at the mechanics of a upvc window; similar principles could be applied to the existing doors of our vans. When a window is closed, pins on the hinge side locate into 'keeps' to locate the window and stop it being levered open. On the lock side, a single gearbox operates both locking pins on either side, a shoot bolt and mushrooms along the edge that locate into keeps. This 'technology' costs about £40 per window and weight is negligible. This 'upvc window technology' could be scaled up to secure both existing sliding side doors and rear barn doors to resolve the 'peel and steal' most common theft methods. It would also be lighter (important for mpg), cheaper to manufacture and less inconvenient for the van user. Obviously some basic re-enforcement around the vulnerable door panels (stainless steel plate bonded to the inside?) could be added in conjunction with this to prevent other theft methods where the lock mechanism is attacked by drilling holes.
A simple suggestion and something I have looked at is solenoid locking pins on the doors that fire into the main van frame, activated by your central locking, so side door would be a reinforced brace at top to stop peeling back but with two location solenoids that lock vertically into roof line, back doors similar on the vertical but also a top and bottom side solenoid that locks into each door.
Drill 2 holes top and bottom of the second back door with 40mm hole cutter and pull internal door internal bolts and you can pull doors open with a help of bar/tool.
What a piss take from the manufacturers. They know full well what the weak points are but instead of fixing those they have just made a way to make more money by selling an optional upgrade. They haven’t offered it because they care. They have offered it because they can sell you some cheap box section and plate welded together for 3k 🙄 they get broken into and wreaked then the manufacturer gets to sell more parts or another van. They’re just parasites
If the doors become a strong point, they will just jigsaw through the sides or roof. Granted jigging a hole in the roof will take a little longer but probably still less than 40 seconds. My thoughts are to reinforce the doors and put a resin type stringy fibre so that if blades are used, it strangles said blade.
There’s not much more you can do to that, apart from putting windows on the side and back to show the thieves there is built in cage They will Not bother I would rather have a window broke and replace a full door Thieves will look through, and it’ll be too much work for them they will move onto the next one because if they don’t see anything, then they will cause more damage
Thanks Pete, I like the ideas that you have suggested to improve the prototype, perhaps reinforcing the side panels and roof would also be prudent as I've seen photos online where they cut a hole in the panel and gain access and personally I would like to see reinforcement to the cockpit locks and perhaps a randomly generated code key for the ignition (facial recognition Technology) making it difficult to steal the van and it's contents combined. Thanks again for highlighting this sore topic and I'd like to wish you a Very Merry Christmas and New Year!
Absolutely fantastic I wish I had a van like this. My tools got stolen worth around £6000 this month and I'm stuck this Christmas without work and lost the jobs I started I'm bloody stressed out
Takes a special type of scumbag breed to knowingly rob someone's tools. They are perfectly capable of going out and working if they are capable of breaking into vans. The sad thing is they are knowingly taking a person's means of earnings people have families to feed bills to pay etc and these low life ass wipe scumbags steal another hard working man's earnings, go and get a job like real men do. Hope your situation improves all the best.
Well done mate. Keep up the good work. These optional doors look great, but we all know that the main problem is the standard vans from all manufacturers are not fit for purpose when they come to security. It blows my mind that when you buy a 30k van, you then need to go and pay a separate company to fit dead locks and armour plates, etc... it really is a joke. Adding keyless start??? 🤯
The second door is irrelevant, we need a deterrent locking system on the load doors that prevents a criminal even contemplating trying. A) has to be a remote system completely separate from the vans alarm/immobiliser. B) think of a bank safe with 4 dead bolts all engaged in their holes(van body) on each side of the doors. C) Has to be electric/Magnet as much as possible ruling out the cables that can be easily pulled once a hole has been ripped into the door etc.
to be honest there is such an incredible amount of vehicle theft nobody does anything about it, the police dont even investigate or try to recover the stolen tools. i wish manufactures would offer security packages like what your describing though.
To be honest I would make the loading doors non lockable so someone doesn't go to all the effort of destroying them only to give up once they're in. Back in the 80s I used to fit a kill switch so my vehicle couldn't be hot wired, I'd fit the switch under the dashboard so it was hidden, but you could fit it anywhere in the cab.
Like many have said already, prevention is preferable. If the thief is aware of the added security measures in place, they are less likely to try and break in. I agree with you Pete, the weak areas need reinforcing and then something on the van that eludes to the added security installed. A recognizable logo backed up with an advertising campaign so the thieves don't bother trying.
Looks superb but it wants an extra decal or badge to show its a high security specification and put the criminals off before they even try. The cage is perfect as van vault boxes etc are fine but there are always things that won't fit in them and this covers the entire contents.
Problem with putting a badge on to say it's the secure version of the van, thief's will know to just cut the roof or the side and they will because the owner is likely to have some good tools if they spent thousands extra on more security.
@@TH-camHero666 its a awkward problem, for me my van is parked in a alarmed workshop overnight but its out on the job were its valunerable especially when you end up parking a distance from the worksite. I think in this scenario it would more likely be a more opportunist thief and extra security would be a decent deterent.
@@paulf2529 I have a van safe with my tools in and hide the keys to the van at night and if I go out without the van, but if it gets to hard to get in the van quickly the next step is for them to just steal the vans. Also don't have my van sign written. No idea what the solution is hopefully secure enough for them to just move on to the next less secure van which is not good really! I do have tool insurance not sure how good it is until I have to claim!
Friend did something similar to his van. It stopped them getting in... Until they took the angle grinder to the roof and peeled it back like a sardine can.
Criminals are watching us unload. When we leave the van they know it’s unlocked and just walk over and take what they want. How about a system that unlocks and locks automatically when your within 1 meter or so of the van. It could easily be integrated into the key fob.
yes 100% this happened to me about a month ago, i was pulling stuff out of my work truck and somebody in the lot was watching me. as soon as i went inside they took a large stack of packout organizers. Would be amazing to have something that auto locks after a minute so you never forget to lock vehicle.
Very nice video thanks for show casing this Couldn't agree more with your suggested upgrades. As some what of a hobby lock picker myself I'd be very interested to test the integrity of the locking mechanism fitted to the cage against a lock picker with any level of experience as it doesn't look amazing on here !
Whilst is a great option for added security it doesn't fix the first issue of getting through the standard fitted doors. Wouldn't take much to have a shaped plate of either stainless or carbide steel bonded to the door panel protecting the lock actuator points. A double rib in the door frame would stiffen the doors with minimal cost or weight increase. Pre made recesses for euro style deadlocks. (not an instant investment return for the manufacturer but makes the vehicle just tip the scale when it comes to the choice between manufacturers) Bolt in stiffeners for the (window) panels, so they can't just hack into the single skin area and peel open. How much realistically would it cost to put some threaded bolt points around the windows so you could bolt in a second skin or rack or any optional extra. Then there is the basics that all cars have, a decent category alarm with immobiliser, deadlocking door locks, single door unlocking and relocking on close. fit a second sounder in the cab and in the load area, (I had this with an alarm years ago in my van and when it got broken into it was so loud in the cab they couldn't think to be able to steal anything and left it). Nothing wrong with an ignition key, keyless is nice but if high end cars can't get it sorted then vans will become an easy target, just don't put key locks on the load area doors use central remote locking, (keep it to one door for emergency entry and ignition).
The internal cage is a good idea as an extra barrier. But I'd resent paying an extra £2-2.5k because the manufacturers have never bothered to address design flaws. So like you've suggested, manufacturers should be adding reinforcing as standard and improving the quality of the locks fitted. My old boss had a Ford years back that had such a worn out key he could open his mates vans with it..
Also, how does that cage effect the crumple zones? If a truck hit you from behind, that cage would transfer all energy to the back of the cab. If you are tboned, would the crumple zones act appropriately, or will the added rigidity effect this? In which case, would it effect the insurance?
A thief shouldn't ever be able to get to that cage door without the key and that is the fundimental problem. May as well leave the van doors unlocked so they don't damage the door getting in
I saw someone many years ago put a layer of the same stuff tree surgeons wear, between 2 thin sheets of metal, if the grinder touches it, it just wraps around the blade and wrecks the grinder, you virtually had to destroy the grinder to remove it. At least this way you would only have to fix a minor slice and not the whole door
If your van is home you’re golden with a fence and some mean ass dogs if you’re on the job that should van should work. But mine while on the job has a garage stile door open and closing every time you need something is a hassle so I’ve got a small Wi-Fi camera that alerts me anytime something gets in my van and it works had a bird fly in a couple of weeks ago and it alerted me and several cats and dogs so if someone wants to take that chance I hope their life insurance is paid up. Because I’ve been broke into before and no excuses will stop me from f- - - ing somebody slap up if there cault in my van period end of story
Couldn't they just make the first set of doors stronger and more resilient. Imagine the time out of each day getting in and out of the van. That time per year would be worth more than the tools.
Evening Pete, a great idea from the manufacturer and a step in the right direction. Does the side security door when opening not restricting you when parked along side other vehicles because it opens outwards and also would the lock ever fail and you then can’t access the door. But yeah I like the idea. Any extra security is a bonus 👍
And won't most tradesmen get fed up having to open another set of doors every time they want to grab a tool etc? Personally I'd think that you'd be better off with Chubb/dead locks fitted to the vehicle's doors.
@@steveclark.. a piece of 1" angle iron screwed to the top of the left side of the sliding door overlapping the frame & a Yale lock on the right would deal with most thieves trying to peel the door down.
Great video and fantastic to have options to secure our stuff. Having recently had a van done the weak spots definitely need improving. All I would say is criminals will learn and develop techniques to get around this. Most are very organised and don't care about noise. Most likely they would cut the back end of the side panel and peel it open. Or go through the roof. We had a van done through the roof 3 or 4 years ago. We will also see an increase in whole vehicle theft or physically waiting for us and taking keys etc. These things might deter a small % away which is a good thing. But ultimately the fix isn't with the vehicles. It's in the justice and policing system. Longer sentences and enforcement by the police. We have taken the opposite approach and make the vehicles as easy as possible to access. Removing tools and equipment in full. It works for us but won't work for everyone based on trade. Now we are left with just the costs to repair single panels/doors. Sad isn't it when you sit and think.
Great idea! And defo a step in the right direction…However my only concern with it, as with anything more secured on the van is if thieves know they can’t get in the van while your not there they will just wait until we are at the van and then get what they want, putting us in more danger…there’s no solution to this other than having to look over your shoulder more I would say 🤷♂️
When they break in they bend the door down from the top, so they will still bend the door costing a small fortune to be replaced when they are trying to get in, it’s the door it’s self that need the work, make the door so they can’t bend it.
@@plumbbuild6517 have you never watched a film and at the beginning you had your thoughts about it, I did and only when I watched the rest I was happy Pete echoed my thoughts also, I'm as keen to stop the thieving bastards as any one else, they boiler my piss. Rant over, happy Christmas bud.
Hey PB, they haven’t yet addressed the weak points of this van, they have just come up with another way to secure the van which will get frustrating getting in and getting out from job to job. Strengthen the week points and add a better locking system and better a better alarm with mobile notifications and your there
They will always find a way they always do, doesnt matter what you do, if all trade vans had these then criminals would just group up in larger numbers and raid your house then drive off with it. Id be concerned over the vehicle performance, does this increase your mpg/fuel consumption massively. A large angle grinder would slice through that like butter also. We are also being watched by criminals, they will follow you to a job wait till you open the doors up and 4 men will raid it then disappear.
This is what would probably happen a load of them jump out while your at the van, you'd have no chance. -Theft is taking property without the use of force maximum sensentce is 7 years. If you plead guilty you get a reduced sentence. Theft category 3 and 4 theft of £500 - £10,000 Between 2 year sentence or community order. -Robbery is stealing from a person using force or threatening to use force Offence range: Lowest Category (3) they get Community order Highest Category (1) upto 12 Years Do any of these criminals ever get caught even if they are selling stolen tools it can't really be proven. The police won't do anything.
Some good points you raised about weak spots. I think a big part of deterring thieves is making it less attractive rather than 'harder' to break into. For example you could install a motion sensing flood light on your house if the van is parked on the drive so it illuminates the area if someone walks onto your driveway. Make sure your house/driveway is visible from the street. So if you have tall hedges around your property that can provide cover for a thief, it can afford them more time before being noticed. Having security cameras and other anti theft measures on your property, is telling a thief that you are taking measures to make it difficult for them.
@@stuartcraigon2003 If the lamp(s) are carefully placed there will be shadow where they're trying to work but their faces will be lit for cameras & for neighbours phoning the Police.
I think all the ideas are spot on with the lock and adding steel plates behind, with the door bending on the top right should make it a hook mechanism like the door handle so when pull that it open the top as well, and with the cage doors on the inside they’re brilliant and to stop them coming through the roof why not ply line the inside or use the same metal in the cages door in the roof lining stops the thieves dropping in, I’ve had my van broken into twice in 2 month nothing done about seeing this and these options being put on it I will definitely change to this van if the price is right 👍👍
I was one of the first to start campaigning against tool theft. ( Tool Crime Deserves Time ). As part of my campaign I actually designed this security door & approached every van manufacturer and not one of them were interested. Vauxhall actually admitted that if they accepted my design they would be liable for admitting that the existing security on their vans was not fit for purpose 🤷♂️.. Great to see something is eventually being done. We had another one of our vans done over only last week 😠
It looks like an aftermarket add on. Why don’t they just put security post that come in from the body to locate into the doors, you could have 3 on each side of the door that are automatically set when the door locked are actuated from the fob. An alarm that alerts you on your phone. Lots of cars have these as standard now.
I get what you say. Issue with tbat is they have all the technology to gain access , they can get the codes & be in with no damage . I know this as I had my renault traffic done a few weeks back. Luckily I had taken my power tools out & hand kits. They got in with no damage to the van at all. Although I was fcuked off that they had gotten in. The silver lining wad that they didn't rip the doors etc. I've had my van nearly 20years it came with dead bolts via the fob . So they get the codes & boom 2 minutes no damage & they're gone. I think hardware such as dead locks is a must as they can't use technology to get in, if that makes sense. Alarms don't stop the professional ad they know plod isn't turning up anytime soon. For the opportunist it's harder. I felt violated when they did my van & vulnerable. I now take 3 trips from my van every night & morning unloading tools. At 1 point I thought of saying fcuk it I'm done with the trade. I'm nearly 63 now so v close to retiring. So I won't be buying a new van but if I did it'll be another Renault or a VW. What you have to look at as well as they're pushing people to go electric is factoring that in especially with electronics. Old skool hardware everytime 👍
Multi-point locking system the same as upvc doors is easiest and cheapest for starters with a reinforcement plate in front of each point on the internal skin of the door
Firstly, thank you for the effort you’re putting in on this subject, it’s much appreciated by us all I’m sure. It’s a good starting point but during a busy day when you’re in and out of the van constantly I’d quickly become annoyed with the extra doors to constantly deal with. How about some heavy duty roller shutter type things that can be stowed up in the roof when not required? Deadlocks, extra plates around the locks etc should have been implemented years ago there’s enough third party companies already doing it along with internal van vaults etc. And the police should be held more accountable for the lack of interest shown.
I think it was New York had a "broken windows policy" where Police prioritized minor crimes, it worked, _all_ crime went down significantly. Magistrates have to be part of it, there's no point catching them if they're going to be let off with a pocket-change fine.
The suggestion of reinforcement on the doors plus dead locks are very good - could see the cage being use by companies with very expensive equipment inside The manufacturer has to make it obvious that the van has extra security on it so the scumbag looking at the van doesn’t even try to break in as it’s pointless - as the van parked next to it is a standard van so break into that one instead
Could they do away with the cable operated locks and use some sort of magnetic system instead? These could be placed at the top, bottom and hinge sides to reinforce the door.
This is the only thing to stop them is straight sentence no licence or parole etc. The police can't catch them even when in possession of the stolen tools you can't prove anything. Unless you had clear cctv of their faces breaking into your van
Side door needs to be a pocket door with the pocket reinforced to stop them grinding their way in the side panel. Just advertise the internal security somehow then there’s no need for extra security on the locks as word will soon spread that it’s not worth the effort
I think it's good that they are trying to make it more secure, but all I see is another form of theft by the manufacturer as that's a lot of money to have that fitted if it was standard then fair enough I think they should make the side and rear loading doors out of a thicker steel with beefed up frame so they can't be bent back and fit all the mechanisms behind a steel plate the fact they havnt done anything to them areas tells me it's just another extra to sell
My old hightop LDV Convoy has an extra catch at the top of the back door, operated by the same mechanism as the main catch. I'm sure that would defeat 'peeling' the door or at least require time & noisy tools to get past it. (Obviously it's old & the lock is probably easy to pick but you get the point).
I like it, and agreed with other about the security being visible to deter in the first place but - the cage doesn’t stop them peeling the skin like a can opener like we’ve all seen , so would the side panels would also need to be reinforced. Also, can the rear be opened from the cab like my trafic? I say that because it would be simpler to do the front window, press the unlock button and they are in.
I would want that inner door to automatically lock when you close it, it looks a faff locking it, people will get lazy and not lock it, should also be suite keys, should not be two separate keys/locks 👍
Whilst I admire what you’re doing and your ideas etc. I think that it would be better to concentrate on fighting for far far stronger sentences for the offenders. If they knew that breaking into a van was an automatic 10 years inside without parole etc, then the number of thefts would drastically reduce. Some would say 10 years is harsh, but simply don’t do the crime and all is golden. Saves the trades many thousands in extra costs for vehicles and insurance etc.
10 years does seem a _bit_ harsh but I agree the punishment should match the harm done, both to the individual tradesman & to wider society. Perhaps 2 years Community Service while wearing a tabard with "THIEF" written on it? Maybe wear the tabard full time & the Police video-call them randomly 24/7 to make sure they're wearing it? Theft is one of the most harmful crimes to any society, it does need to be dealt with much more seriously.
Pete, Save some coin and buy a 2nd hand police van with the prisoner cage still in it haha
@TheEternalPonderer must depend on region. Any police auction I have been to still had the cages. Only things removed were the light bars and loud speaker for the sirens.
I thought you were talking to me man! I came across some used boarder patrol detaining boxes at a scrap yard that would fit nicely on one ton chassis that were air conditioned and very secure.
@@hammy1988 ironically they give those away to mechanics in northern bc sometimes and they really shouldnt LOL
@TheEternalPonderer it's scotland I'm in too. The auction in Glasgow leave them in lol.
Ex securicor type van.no entry.
Ah great, keyless ignition… so they’ll just steal the whole van now instead of breaking in…
you would need to add an alarm system on top of the armour cage, something that prevents the engine from starting
ha ha fact
Will need a ghost alarm fitted
Look up the tool called "flipper pro"... 🤷🤦
@@Aidan-LM02 what do you mean by ghost alarm?
I totally agree with everything you’ve said. And the internal doors are a great job.
And here’s the but!!
£3k for internal security is a piss take because they already know the £30,000 van security straight from the factory is that 💩 that they now offer “additional” security.
It’s about high time the manufacturers were held responsible for such crap security. Granted there’s not that much can be done against a grinder but you can get into these vans with your bare hands ffs that in my eyes is unacceptable. And at a push a flat head screwdriver 🪛 😡 sorry rant over 😂
Ford transit vans are horrendous, there is a fatal flaw in that all of the cargo locks are linked to the cab door handles. They smashed the glass and just pulled the handle inside the cab and it releases all of the power locks in the cargo area.
Thing is so many people with a van don't need extra security. Delivery vans are empty at night, people like florists and bakers don't carry high value items. These people will want the lighter van for MPG and the lower cost. Technically it makes sense to upgrade if you carry high value items, like you would a house or a lockup.
As a joiner, (and hence a huge risk of getting tools stolen as joiners tools cost the most), I got a heavy duty steel tool safe inside my van that is big enough to carry all tools that I have for any given day. I then lined it with 20 mm ply bolted to the tool safe. As well as the shielded padlocks on the tool safe, I designed and made a hidden lock system that means if they did get past the padlocks the toolsafe still wont open. The plywood was because it slows down the prevalent battery grinders and just makes them burn. It might seem like a bit overboard but its almost impossible to get tool insurance to actually pay out,( most want receipts and some of my tools I have had for 35 years).
@@anthonypilgrim3593 it seems you’ve totally missed the point here Anthony, it shouldn’t matter if you are a florists or a tradesman, when you spend £30k plus on a vehicle the security should have a certain standard. Door folding has been going on for 20+ years and a lot of these vans can have the side/rear door folded with bare hands, that is completely unacceptable. You mentioned weight for mpg, but an additional 20-30kg of decent grade steel in the weak areas would rectify these weaknesses. Why should a tradesman, florists, delivery companies not have these built into the £30k+ vans?? People have been buying van vaults for years because of these weaknesses.
@@paulthompson5416spot on. That goes to all car and van manufacturers. They’re pumping out over priced vehicles that aren’t worthy what they charge from day one. They won’t even supply a simple Foot well Matt in the price of a new vehicle. Yet tyoubtake it back a year later to the same dealer and it’s worth fuck all to them 🤔 high time manufacturers were made to sell at the right price and service their own vehicles instead of the crap dealerships we currently have who don’t care.
I think any security fitted should be visible from the outside as a deterrent. Paying for new doors paint work and the sign writing all while hiring another van is probably more expensive than this kit. I think this will be suitable more for locksmiths, nice to see some thought into it though. Deadlocks and the stainless steel plates covering the weak spots gets my vote as standard. Even with the higher price it’s worth it.
Can be a Deterrent or Attraction, the bad guy can look at that and think it's not worth it OR can think since have all that security they have something worth stealing
@@Greenberet.If visible deterrents are factory fit and with time become more common place that negates this downside.
@ Rob Smith - Agree with that too ! May as well have a jailers van (Securicor) van and a big key ring and chain with all this heavy keys.
Frankly Pete as an ex motor tech. I would be tempted to do this myself.
Some angle steel for the frame work and the up and cross steel. No perspex needed I feel.
For anyone else not wanting to, I don't think£2700 is too much for a manufacture to absorb. Even if they halved that to get the sale they they would sell many more.
Immobilisation of the wheels if triggered would be good.
If they can't get in it they may just tow it.
A reverse ABS that locks the wheels on activation.
Many of these things together with your excellent ideas could be implemented quite cheaply at build with little extra tooling.
I'm sure many fabricators could do this at a cheaper price also.
id rather not display the security system, better to blend in with other vans
This just honestly boggles my mind what you guys go through. I live in Canada, I constantly forget to lock my work van at night. During the day on most general site the vans always unlocked with the keys in it. This kind of theft isn’t herd of in my area
It’s a sad reality here
@@callaws1274 perhaps if caravans were outlawed then tools, plant, catalytic converters and copper product thefts would be virtually eliminated.
Clearly Canada still has moral people living their
Where in Canada is that ? I want to emigrate there now and to leave this hell of a place
As a nation we might be advancing in technology but unfortunately technology doesn't solve the morality issue of society. I was in UAE on holiday and people left their phones on charge in random places and no one dare touch anyone's property. Can't do that here in the UK. I concur that this is not an issue even in places like Calgary in Canada as I have been on vacations there and it's pretty safe.
The police should do more stings on the scum bags and actually put them in prison instead of crime numbers. We are paying taxes to pay for the police so how about value for money from them instead of being done for 21 in a 20 zone.
This is why crime goes up no deterrent no police anywhere.
I can't imagine the manufacturers would be that bothered about the users. I bet they make millions per year in parts etc from the damage caused from break ins
As a locksmith I know that the weakest point on the secondary cage is the locks used on those doors, with a shim key it will bypass the warding on that cheap lock. Why don’t they use the high security Euro locks used on a lot of doors on the continent. Another issue is that with portable right angle grinders they can cut through the metal around the lock. They should use a reinforcement plate of AR500 steel which is used on bullet proof vests against high power rounds. It also takes time to grind through this type of steel. Don’t know about the laws over your way but there is an American company that has pepper spray traps that will empty a can of pepper spray on the perp. They make a manual trip unit as well as several electronic dispensers. Alarms help but I have supplemented the speaker with a Federal Signal PA300 police siren. One speaker inside the tool compartment and one behind the front grille. This can shatter a perps eardrums as well as gain attention to anyone nearby. There is no trouble in installing it so it cannot be activated from within the cab to keep the local doughnut eaters happy.
adding an integrated roof rack that's heavy duty steel will make it harder to get through the roof and be useful to trades.
Id love to see factory fitted deadlocks too, its a good initial deterrent that'll help stop the van being damaged at all.
a factory tracker would be great as well and rear door alarm.
a van with all that would be on the top of my list, it'd even pull me away from Ford who I've bought vans from for years.
Nearly all the new customs I've seen leaving local dealership have had deadlocks on. Don't know if Ford are addressing the issue direct, or the dealership has
Vans don't have rear door alarms? That's crazy.
They'll just go in through the roof instead, especially when they learn more people are using these cages. I've seen loads of videos and pictures of them going through the roof now, so this won't stop them at all, also with van weight loads already being fairly low how much more weight does this add?
This is definitely a step in the right direction but certainly not there yet.
I've seen the deadlocks that are built into the locking system which should come as standard not sure if these are the ones you meant or if you meant the key turn locks. Those key turn locks stand out to thieves and they know you're trying to protect something and they can get through them within 5 seconds I think I saw?
Thanks for keeping us updated on this, I don't know if you've seen but skill builder also released a video recently about van security
As long as there is a market for 2nd hand tools , Ebay / car boot markets etc this will never stop and this includes other country’s as well as a lot of stolen tools end up overseas...
I like the idea, but would be an absolute pain in the arse messing about opening and shutting throughout the day !?
It’s great a manufacturer is taking tool theft seriously- personally:- the only deterrent the scumbags need is a 500v electric shock whilst being doused in kerosene 👍
Yeah realistically i would leave the armour cage unlocked during the day while im working, but i would 100 % use them after my last job and while it sits overnight. Ive been cleaned out twice and both times it was in the middle of the night, 3 or 4AM
You are joking - Drill the 6 pop rivets holding the hinge on and ya in! Will add an extra 50 seconds to a break in
I like it, but I don't think I could justify the cost as they will just cut through the back quarter panel or the roof. Depends how determined they at getting the contents. You be better getting a metal cabinet made to put your tools in or getting van vault type units. Vans need to be made allot stronger and there needs to be bigger consequences for people caught stealing. The police need to stand up and do something to show that their onboard. They quick enough if you happend to forget to tax your vehicle or mot it.
Decent effort but a nibbler through the side panel or the roof and you're in in ten minutes. Silently
tear gas and acid spray that goes off when there's a break in
Unfortunately where I live, the little scum bags use cordless angle grinders, so latticework structure would be no problem for them…..I’d much prefer to have the reinforced door plates over the locks and top grade Thatcham alarm fitted as standard
This cage looks like a aftermarket retrofit idea - its like they’ve taken a van off the line & said ‘what can you do to make this more secure?’
Ideally these security features should be built in at the design level of the vehicle
They've added the doors that they fit to police vans. Pretty sure you could pick some up from any 2017 or older ex police vivaro for a hell of a lot less than 3k
@@c00sto bingo! That's EXACTLY what these doors are.
There is little to no consequence for this kind of crime. Caught trying to steal tools out of van, off with your hand!
Why not have clear window in side and back doors so that thieves can see there is a cage fitted,
Lee.
Jeff at Sussex installations is the van security advisor 👍🏿👍🏿 get him on board pb 😀
Very ugly and more keys! Cheaper to buy a Rottweiler and a nice bone, sit him in the back. Just an idea!
I had a van with a after market cage fitted on the side and back doors it was a right pain in the arse when your in and out getting tools fittings ect out all day
Not ideal if you are also collecting materials
Quality work using your platform to help us all Pete keep it up! This could get alot of people looking at choosing a Trafic as their next van 👏🏼🙌🏼🤝
Fantastic video Deadlocks on the side loading door and back door and an alarm is a minimum that should be fitted as standard not as an option
Regarding the new internal fitted security door, I'm just wondering how much that will impact accessablity? With being a plumber too, can you easily move a bath, long radiators, boilers ect without damaging them, as the new security doors open the oppersit way to the sliding van door? That's before you add in a raised floor fitted too? I like the idea, just questioning accessablity 👀😅
If reinforcing the back and side door around the locking areas, why not reinforce the front once too. stops them from breaking in and stealing the whole van or any valuable stuff in the front
would need a good alarm system on top of the armoured cage in the back, something that prevents the engine from turning on.
I think a hook bolt or multi point system would do better against crow bars personally. Constructive criticism.
The only thing that come to mind is the Perspex should be opaque, as if the thief gets past the outer door, they can't see what's inside. possibly a bit more deterrent. well done Pete keep up the good work
A can of black spray paint solves that issue. It should come shipped black I agree though.
I've always thought mag locks would be a good idea. Something like a secondary battery in the back of the van and still fed off of the alternator. Put them in multiple locations around the doors to prevent/reduce doors from being peeled
Definitely, there's a guy in Bristol who supplies and fits internal deadbolts with a remote,, on the weak points of cargo doors,, better in my opinion because if the thieving scum can see your security locks outside, they will just cut a panel out,, I've recently fitted a rooflight for a camper conversion, as an experiment, i cut the hole out with battery multi tool, citreon van, i reckon if i didn't want it neat, a good tin opener would have done
@@DaveGreeneramblingcarpenter I have a citroen dispatch. I know what you mean about the metal work. Pizza slicer would probably get through mine 😄
I made bolts for my van and wired on central locking fob so nothing is show on outside
Keep it simple - just use a van vault bolted through the floor of the van and leave all the doors open.
Even with this set up the damage they will do to the vehicle trying to get in will negate any benefit.
I know this is a difficult one , but try to limit the amount of tools you take on a job - there are far too many folk fitting out their vans like a Snap-on
Truck .
Memories of a canvas bass, a hacksaw , a hank of hemp, blow lamp and tallow moleskin flux rag , and if you were affluent a Gilmor pipe bender.
No body pinched that.
Id be sick of opening those doors each time you want to get something out the van
realistically i would keep them unlocked during the day and just rely on the powered locks while im working. I would 100 percent use them while the van sits overnight though, thats usually when theft happens. Ive been completely cleaned out twice and both times it was between midnight and 6AM
You’d be a lot sicker if your tools got stolen.
@@northernsupertramp7390 exactly
I lost all my tools a couple of weeks ago broad daylight outside the job I was on between 10-11 in the morning trust me its not just at night guys
@@jaycoleman9108 was your vehicle locked up?
Great video. The only issue I have with this is that there's nothing on the outside of the van to deter a scumbag from trying to get it...
Like you say they'll knacker the door (which will still put you out of action while you get it fixed).
Metal struts preventing the peeling of the doors is great, but what's needed in addition to those suggestions is to make it obvious to scumbags that your van has these measure in place.....which may prevent any attempt by all but the most determined scumbag from having a pop to begin with.
If I had one of these vans I would want the criminals to know before they even consider touching it. Could save the hassle of repairing doors or other damage. Some sort of specific logo or something identifying the security your van has. They might see this and move on elsewhere straight away and avoid the hassle.
Or they might think it's worth the hassle and put a knife to your throat 🤷🏻♂️
Keeps the team at Sussex installations busy 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿
Hey Pete, are you sure they didn't show you a prisoner transport vehicle instead of a workmans van?? 😉 To bad we have to resort to this to keep our tools and equiment and thus our means of income secure.
Great to have added security, but couldn't they just steal the van?
I think the cage is pointless.. the van doors/roof should be better reinforced with deadlocks etc. It should be fitted with a better alarm system.. maybe something that connects to an app on your phone and or Amazon Alexa in your house which goes off after prolonged contact with the van and cannot be silenced. Also maybe some sort of motion sensor which can be switched on manually that detects and alerts if someone is hovering round the van. Wether this is possible I don’t know..
The secondary doors are a great idea, and sure will make the vehicle very secure, but I assume they will add around 180kgs in weight and obviously a big inconvenience to the van owner ( I must go in and out of the back of my van 30-50 times per day), and often need to close, lock the van one handed.
I repair windows, and if you look at the mechanics of a upvc window; similar principles could be applied to the existing doors of our vans. When a window is closed, pins on the hinge side locate into 'keeps' to locate the window and stop it being levered open. On the lock side, a single gearbox operates both locking pins on either side, a shoot bolt and mushrooms along the edge that locate into keeps. This 'technology' costs about £40 per window and weight is negligible.
This 'upvc window technology' could be scaled up to secure both existing sliding side doors and rear barn doors to resolve the 'peel and steal' most common theft methods. It would also be lighter (important for mpg), cheaper to manufacture and less inconvenient for the van user. Obviously some basic re-enforcement around the vulnerable door panels (stainless steel plate bonded to the inside?) could be added in conjunction with this to prevent other theft methods where the lock mechanism is attacked by drilling holes.
A simple suggestion and something I have looked at is solenoid locking pins on the doors that fire into the main van frame, activated by your central locking, so side door would be a reinforced brace at top to stop peeling back but with two location solenoids that lock vertically into roof line, back doors similar on the vertical but also a top and bottom side solenoid that locks into each door.
I have done this to my van
Just wondering why van break tool theft is so widespread in UK..🤔I never hear it’s being that popular anywhere else..
Angle grinder on opposite skins very vulnerable only 20 gauge and 1/4 wood and roof
As well ? Only thinking 🤔 about this
Best deterrent?...no livery OR fake livery eg Dog Walking, Florist, Fancy Cakes etc. No tools there you bastards!
Drill 2 holes top and bottom of the second back door with 40mm hole cutter and pull internal door internal bolts and you can pull doors open with a help of bar/tool.
Locking picking lawyer would have that open in seconds!
Slap a fake livery on it for a sandwich delivery firm or something. Trick the bastards.
What a piss take from the manufacturers. They know full well what the weak points are but instead of fixing those they have just made a way to make more money by selling an optional upgrade. They haven’t offered it because they care. They have offered it because they can sell you some cheap box section and plate welded together for 3k 🙄 they get broken into and wreaked then the manufacturer gets to sell more parts or another van. They’re just parasites
If the doors become a strong point, they will just jigsaw through the sides or roof. Granted jigging a hole in the roof will take a little longer but probably still less than 40 seconds.
My thoughts are to reinforce the doors and put a resin type stringy fibre so that if blades are used, it strangles said blade.
It should be allowed and/or excused to electrify 240AC the internal gate.
At least we would get rid of some of the pests.
There’s not much more you can do to that, apart from putting windows on the side and back to show the thieves there is built in cage They will Not bother I would rather have a window broke and replace a full door Thieves will look through, and it’ll be too much work for them they will move onto the next one because if they don’t see anything, then they will cause more damage
Once they've found the security doors, they'll use their cordless grinder to open up the roof.
Thanks Pete, I like the ideas that you have suggested to improve the prototype, perhaps reinforcing the side panels and roof would also be prudent as I've seen photos online where they cut a hole in the panel and gain access and personally I would like to see reinforcement to the cockpit locks and perhaps a randomly generated code key for the ignition (facial recognition Technology) making it difficult to steal the van and it's contents combined. Thanks again for highlighting this sore topic and I'd like to wish you a Very Merry Christmas and New Year!
Milwaukee Sawsall straight through the roof. In within seconds.
We pay enough for new vans. Cheaper just to fit visable dead locks.
Absolutely fantastic I wish I had a van like this. My tools got stolen worth around £6000 this month and I'm stuck this Christmas without work and lost the jobs I started I'm bloody stressed out
Takes a special type of scumbag breed to knowingly rob someone's tools. They are perfectly capable of going out and working if they are capable of breaking into vans. The sad thing is they are knowingly taking a person's means of earnings people have families to feed bills to pay etc and these low life ass wipe scumbags steal another hard working man's earnings, go and get a job like real men do. Hope your situation improves all the best.
Well done mate. Keep up the good work. These optional doors look great, but we all know that the main problem is the standard vans from all manufacturers are not fit for purpose when they come to security. It blows my mind that when you buy a 30k van, you then need to go and pay a separate company to fit dead locks and armour plates, etc... it really is a joke. Adding keyless start??? 🤯
You can pay £100k for a car and it can be broken in to in seconds !!
The second door is irrelevant, we need a deterrent locking system on the load doors that prevents a criminal even contemplating trying.
A) has to be a remote system completely separate from the vans alarm/immobiliser.
B) think of a bank safe with 4 dead bolts all engaged in their holes(van body) on each side of the doors.
C) Has to be electric/Magnet as much as possible ruling out the cables that can be easily pulled once a hole has been ripped into the door etc.
to be honest there is such an incredible amount of vehicle theft nobody does anything about it, the police dont even investigate or try to recover the stolen tools. i wish manufactures would offer security packages like what your describing though.
To be honest I would make the loading doors non lockable so someone doesn't go to all the effort of destroying them only to give up once they're in. Back in the 80s I used to fit a kill switch so my vehicle couldn't be hot wired, I'd fit the switch under the dashboard so it was hidden, but you could fit it anywhere in the cab.
Like many have said already, prevention is preferable. If the thief is aware of the added security measures in place, they are less likely to try and break in. I agree with you Pete, the weak areas need reinforcing and then something on the van that eludes to the added security installed. A recognizable logo backed up with an advertising campaign so the thieves don't bother trying.
Looks superb but it wants an extra decal or badge to show its a high security specification and put the criminals off before they even try.
The cage is perfect as van vault boxes etc are fine but there are always things that won't fit in them and this covers the entire contents.
Secured by Design logo is all you need.
Problem with putting a badge on to say it's the secure version of the van, thief's will know to just cut the roof or the side and they will because the owner is likely to have some good tools if they spent thousands extra on more security.
@@TH-camHero666 its a awkward problem, for me my van is parked in a alarmed workshop overnight but its out on the job were its valunerable especially when you end up parking a distance from the worksite.
I think in this scenario it would more likely be a more opportunist thief and extra security would be a decent deterent.
@@paulf2529 I have a van safe with my tools in and hide the keys to the van at night and if I go out without the van, but if it gets to hard to get in the van quickly the next step is for them to just steal the vans. Also don't have my van sign written. No idea what the solution is hopefully secure enough for them to just move on to the next less secure van which is not good really! I do have tool insurance not sure how good it is until I have to claim!
Carpet gripper rods along the top of the side door stops them peeling it
So why not put a security door on the outside instead?
Gave you a like just for the fact that Renault did this in the first place 🙂
Friend did something similar to his van. It stopped them getting in... Until they took the angle grinder to the roof and peeled it back like a sardine can.
They still going to do a couple of grand damage before they even see the cage
Criminals are watching us unload. When we leave the van they know it’s unlocked and just walk over and take what they want.
How about a system that unlocks and locks automatically when your within 1 meter or so of the van. It could easily be integrated into the key fob.
yes 100% this happened to me about a month ago, i was pulling stuff out of my work truck and somebody in the lot was watching me. as soon as i went inside they took a large stack of packout organizers. Would be amazing to have something that auto locks after a minute so you never forget to lock vehicle.
Good idea but they will just move on to cutting the roof open.
Very nice video thanks for show casing this
Couldn't agree more with your suggested upgrades.
As some what of a hobby lock picker myself I'd be very interested to test the integrity of the locking mechanism fitted to the cage against a lock picker with any level of experience as it doesn't look amazing on here !
Whilst is a great option for added security it doesn't fix the first issue of getting through the standard fitted doors.
Wouldn't take much to have a shaped plate of either stainless or carbide steel bonded to the door panel protecting the lock actuator points.
A double rib in the door frame would stiffen the doors with minimal cost or weight increase.
Pre made recesses for euro style deadlocks. (not an instant investment return for the manufacturer but makes the vehicle just tip the scale when it comes to the choice between manufacturers)
Bolt in stiffeners for the (window) panels, so they can't just hack into the single skin area and peel open. How much realistically would it cost to put some threaded bolt points around the windows so you could bolt in a second skin or rack or any optional extra.
Then there is the basics that all cars have, a decent category alarm with immobiliser, deadlocking door locks, single door unlocking and relocking on close.
fit a second sounder in the cab and in the load area, (I had this with an alarm years ago in my van and when it got broken into it was so loud in the cab they couldn't think to be able to steal anything and left it).
Nothing wrong with an ignition key, keyless is nice but if high end cars can't get it sorted then vans will become an easy target, just don't put key locks on the load area doors use central remote locking, (keep it to one door for emergency entry and ignition).
The internal cage is a good idea as an extra barrier. But I'd resent paying an extra £2-2.5k because the manufacturers have never bothered to address design flaws. So like you've suggested, manufacturers should be adding reinforcing as standard and improving the quality of the locks fitted.
My old boss had a Ford years back that had such a worn out key he could open his mates vans with it..
Also, how does that cage effect the crumple zones? If a truck hit you from behind, that cage would transfer all energy to the back of the cab. If you are tboned, would the crumple zones act appropriately, or will the added rigidity effect this? In which case, would it effect the insurance?
Valid point... though a fully loaded van, must also effect the crumple zone efficiency?
A thief shouldn't ever be able to get to that cage door without the key and that is the fundimental problem. May as well leave the van doors unlocked so they don't damage the door getting in
I saw someone many years ago put a layer of the same stuff tree surgeons wear, between 2 thin sheets of metal, if the grinder touches it, it just wraps around the blade and wrecks the grinder, you virtually had to destroy the grinder to remove it. At least this way you would only have to fix a minor slice and not the whole door
If your van is home you’re golden with a fence and some mean ass dogs if you’re on the job that should van should work. But mine while on the job has a garage stile door open and closing every time you need something is a hassle so I’ve got a small Wi-Fi camera that alerts me anytime something gets in my van and it works had a bird fly in a couple of weeks ago and it alerted me and several cats and dogs so if someone wants to take that chance I hope their life insurance is paid up. Because I’ve been broke into before and no excuses will stop me from f- - - ing somebody slap up if there cault in my van period end of story
Couldn't they just make the first set of doors stronger and more resilient. Imagine the time out of each day getting in and out of the van. That time per year would be worth more than the tools.
Evening Pete, a great idea from the manufacturer and a step in the right direction. Does the side security door when opening not restricting you when parked along side other vehicles because it opens outwards and also would the lock ever fail and you then can’t access the door. But yeah I like the idea. Any extra security is a bonus 👍
Thought exactly the same. Or even just get in peoples way opened onto a path- and no chance if opening onto a road.
And won't most tradesmen get fed up having to open another set of doors every time they want to grab a tool etc?
Personally I'd think that you'd be better off with Chubb/dead locks fitted to the vehicle's doors.
@@steveclark.. a piece of 1" angle iron screwed to the top of the left side of the sliding door overlapping the frame & a Yale lock on the right would deal with most thieves trying to peel the door down.
@@alanhat5252 Yes, great idea, fairly cheap too.
Great video and fantastic to have options to secure our stuff. Having recently had a van done the weak spots definitely need improving.
All I would say is criminals will learn and develop techniques to get around this. Most are very organised and don't care about noise.
Most likely they would cut the back end of the side panel and peel it open. Or go through the roof. We had a van done through the roof 3 or 4 years ago.
We will also see an increase in whole vehicle theft or physically waiting for us and taking keys etc.
These things might deter a small % away which is a good thing. But ultimately the fix isn't with the vehicles. It's in the justice and policing system. Longer sentences and enforcement by the police.
We have taken the opposite approach and make the vehicles as easy as possible to access. Removing tools and equipment in full. It works for us but won't work for everyone based on trade. Now we are left with just the costs to repair single panels/doors.
Sad isn't it when you sit and think.
I agree law enforcement & sentencing is the way to go.
Great idea! And defo a step in the right direction…However my only concern with it, as with anything more secured on the van is if thieves know they can’t get in the van while your not there they will just wait until we are at the van and then get what they want, putting us in more danger…there’s no solution to this other than having to look over your shoulder more I would say 🤷♂️
That's what I'm thinking, what will they not do?
When they break in they bend the door down from the top, so they will still bend the door costing a small fortune to be replaced when they are trying to get in, it’s the door it’s self that need the work, make the door so they can’t bend it.
Dude finish watching the video
@@plumbbuild6517 have you never watched a film and at the beginning you had your thoughts about it, I did and only when I watched the rest I was happy Pete echoed my thoughts also, I'm as keen to stop the thieving bastards as any one else, they boiler my piss.
Rant over, happy Christmas bud.
@@pearcemachineshop5200 same to as well hope your Christmas goes well
What do you do when you lock your keys in it?
Hey PB, they haven’t yet addressed the weak points of this van, they have just come up with another way to secure the van which will get frustrating getting in and getting out from job to job. Strengthen the week points and add a better locking system and better a better alarm with mobile notifications and your there
Agreed
yes they need to engineer the doors and locks to prevent break ins then you can add a good alarm system to it with motion sensors.
Spot on with your suggestions. I would suggest an internal pir sensor in the back linked to the alarm. So if they get in then the alarm goes off
They will always find a way they always do, doesnt matter what you do, if all trade vans had these then criminals would just group up in larger numbers and raid your house then drive off with it. Id be concerned over the vehicle performance, does this increase your mpg/fuel consumption massively. A large angle grinder would slice through that like butter also. We are also being watched by criminals, they will follow you to a job wait till you open the doors up and 4 men will raid it then disappear.
This is what would probably happen a load of them jump out while your at the van, you'd have no chance.
-Theft is taking property without the use of force maximum sensentce is 7 years.
If you plead guilty you get a reduced sentence.
Theft category 3 and 4
theft of £500 - £10,000
Between 2 year sentence or community order.
-Robbery is stealing from a person using force or threatening to use force
Offence range:
Lowest Category (3) they get Community order
Highest Category (1) upto 12 Years
Do any of these criminals ever get caught even if they are selling stolen tools it can't really be proven. The police won't do anything.
Some good points you raised about weak spots. I think a big part of deterring thieves is making it less attractive rather than 'harder' to break into. For example you could install a motion sensing flood light on your house if the van is parked on the drive so it illuminates the area if someone walks onto your driveway. Make sure your house/driveway is visible from the street. So if you have tall hedges around your property that can provide cover for a thief, it can afford them more time before being noticed. Having security cameras and other anti theft measures on your property, is telling a thief that you are taking measures to make it difficult for them.
That just makes it easier for the thrives to see! Doesn't deter them!
@@stuartcraigon2003 If the lamp(s) are carefully placed there will be shadow where they're trying to work but their faces will be lit for cameras & for neighbours phoning the Police.
@@alanhat5252 fair point.
I think all the ideas are spot on with the lock and adding steel plates behind, with the door bending on the top right should make it a hook mechanism like the door handle so when pull that it open the top as well, and with the cage doors on the inside they’re brilliant and to stop them coming through the roof why not ply line the inside or use the same metal in the cages door in the roof lining stops the thieves dropping in, I’ve had my van broken into twice in 2 month nothing done about seeing this and these options being put on it I will definitely change to this van if the price is right 👍👍
I was one of the first to start campaigning against tool theft. ( Tool Crime Deserves Time ). As part of my campaign I actually designed this security door & approached every van manufacturer and not one of them were interested. Vauxhall actually admitted that if they accepted my design they would be liable for admitting that the existing security on their vans was not fit for purpose 🤷♂️.. Great to see something is eventually being done. We had another one of our vans done over only last week 😠
It looks like an aftermarket add on. Why don’t they just put security post that come in from the body to locate into the doors, you could have 3 on each side of the door that are automatically set when the door locked are actuated from the fob. An alarm that alerts you on your phone. Lots of cars have these as standard now.
I get what you say. Issue with tbat is they have all the technology to gain access , they can get the codes & be in with no damage . I know this as I had my renault traffic done a few weeks back. Luckily I had taken my power tools out & hand kits. They got in with no damage to the van at all. Although I was fcuked off that they had gotten in. The silver lining wad that they didn't rip the doors etc.
I've had my van nearly 20years it came with dead bolts via the fob . So they get the codes & boom 2 minutes no damage & they're gone. I think hardware such as dead locks is a must as they can't use technology to get in, if that makes sense. Alarms don't stop the professional ad they know plod isn't turning up anytime soon. For the opportunist it's harder.
I felt violated when they did my van & vulnerable. I now take 3 trips from my van every night & morning unloading tools. At 1 point I thought of saying fcuk it I'm done with the trade. I'm nearly 63 now so v close to retiring. So I won't be buying a new van but if I did it'll be another Renault or a VW.
What you have to look at as well as they're pushing people to go electric is factoring that in especially with electronics. Old skool hardware everytime 👍
Repent and believe the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, that came into the world to save sinners from hell, Turn to Jesus before it is too late.
Multi-point locking system the same as upvc doors is easiest and cheapest for starters with a reinforcement plate in front of each point on the internal skin of the door
Firstly, thank you for the effort you’re putting in on this subject, it’s much appreciated by us all I’m sure.
It’s a good starting point but during a busy day when you’re in and out of the van constantly I’d quickly become annoyed with the extra doors to constantly deal with.
How about some heavy duty roller shutter type things that can be stowed up in the roof when not required?
Deadlocks, extra plates around the locks etc should have been implemented years ago there’s enough third party companies already doing it along with internal van vaults etc.
And the police should be held more accountable for the lack of interest shown.
I think it was New York had a "broken windows policy" where Police prioritized minor crimes, it worked, _all_ crime went down significantly. Magistrates have to be part of it, there's no point catching them if they're going to be let off with a pocket-change fine.
The suggestion of reinforcement on the doors plus dead locks are very good - could see the cage being use by companies with very expensive equipment inside
The manufacturer has to make it obvious that the van has extra security on it so the scumbag looking at the van doesn’t even try to break in as it’s pointless - as the van parked next to it is a standard van so break into that one instead
Could they do away with the cable operated locks and use some sort of magnetic system instead? These could be placed at the top, bottom and hinge sides to reinforce the door.
Wow Nice!!! Wish Renault was still in Canada. I really like the fact that its a manual transmission.
At the end of the day we shouldn’t have to do anything to our vans.. It should lay with the law and punishments handed out to stop it…
This is the only thing to stop them is straight sentence no licence or parole etc.
The police can't catch them
even when in possession of the stolen tools you can't prove anything.
Unless you had clear cctv of their faces breaking into your van
Side door needs to be a pocket door with the pocket reinforced to stop them grinding their way in the side panel. Just advertise the internal security somehow then there’s no need for extra security on the locks as word will soon spread that it’s not worth the effort
I think it's good that they are trying to make it more secure, but all I see is another form of theft by the manufacturer as that's a lot of money to have that fitted if it was standard then fair enough I think they should make the side and rear loading doors out of a thicker steel with beefed up frame so they can't be bent back and fit all the mechanisms behind a steel plate the fact they havnt done anything to them areas tells me it's just another extra to sell
My old hightop LDV Convoy has an extra catch at the top of the back door, operated by the same mechanism as the main catch. I'm sure that would defeat 'peeling' the door or at least require time & noisy tools to get past it. (Obviously it's old & the lock is probably easy to pick but you get the point).
I like it, and agreed with other about the security being visible to deter in the first place but - the cage doesn’t stop them peeling the skin like a can opener like we’ve all seen , so would the side panels would also need to be reinforced. Also, can the rear be opened from the cab like my trafic? I say that because it would be simpler to do the front window, press the unlock button and they are in.
it may not be perfect but at LEAST somebody is doing something about it.
I would want that inner door to automatically lock when you close it, it looks a faff locking it, people will get lazy and not lock it, should also be suite keys, should not be two separate keys/locks 👍
Whilst I admire what you’re doing and your ideas etc. I think that it would be better to concentrate on fighting for far far stronger sentences for the offenders. If they knew that breaking into a van was an automatic 10 years inside without parole etc, then the number of thefts would drastically reduce. Some would say 10 years is harsh, but simply don’t do the crime and all is golden. Saves the trades many thousands in extra costs for vehicles and insurance etc.
10 years does seem a _bit_ harsh but I agree the punishment should match the harm done, both to the individual tradesman & to wider society.
Perhaps 2 years Community Service while wearing a tabard with "THIEF" written on it? Maybe wear the tabard full time & the Police video-call them randomly 24/7 to make sure they're wearing it?
Theft is one of the most harmful crimes to any society, it does need to be dealt with much more seriously.