Some **cker has tried to steal my van :(

[Simon]

Derek has come over this morning to fix the bits the would be thieves broke, and taken it back over to his shop to fix the dodgy steering and the rust.

Today i have been by a motorcycle shop to enquire about the bike chains they sell, as i figure they might be good to wrap around the steering column and pedals as they are pretty heavy duty. I can get a lighter chain to go round the steering column and through wheel down to the pedals that is more of a visual deterrent.

For the time being i am also going to remove the battery when not in use but cover the hole up in the back to see if someone has a go at nicking it again. If they don't for a while i can think about leaving the battery in situ as the chain is obviously doing it's job.

I hope they don't try and steal it again as i want to keep this and get the van tip top, but the threat of it being nicked does kind of make me ponder on ploughing more money into it.

[J J 007]

you have a bit of a dilemma going on there,how much do you spend on securing your van,and how

[TITCH]

Hope he was horizontal and eyes closed, permanently!!

I dare not admit to my 'systems', but put it like this... I wouldn't get the same treatment as the wrongdoers, I would be,....in the wrong!!

Still, it'd be fun!!

[Lockpicker]

wire a direct feed from the alternator to the seat frame, making sure you have a isolator switch for when you drive it, Then when a scrote tries it zzzzzzzzzap! Roast pork any one hehheehhehehhe

[Simon]

Ggggrrr. I've just walked past my van to see some git has screwdrivered the drivers side lock.

At least this time its just the lock. Why they did this when there is no steering wheel and a chain round the pedals I do not know.

Time to get an alarm I guess.

[Dell Boy]

Sorry to hear your vans been attacked again but at best you have still got it!!
Maybe a notice on it saying there is no steering wheel or a road wheel clamp will stop them?
Derek.

[Simon]

Very true Derek, i am thankful of that and also that the amount of damage caused this time is minimal. It's just so frustrating to try and work out why someone would bother.

I've called the police again and they will be calling me back in the next 30 mins.

I'll have to come over and see you and get a new lock off you very soon Derek. Can you squeeze me in before the end of the week?

[duncanamps]

There's a worrying amount of posts on here about thieved Rascals and attempted breakins, I've got the Bambi which is hopefully less attractive for those stealing for export, but who knows these days.  In a previous life it's had a side window broken to gain entry and the drivers door lock has seen a screwdriver at some stage...

In any case, I've dusted the moths off my wallet and currently looking for an alarm.  I've seen one on ebay which I like the look of as it's cheap and has retrofit central locking kit too - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330478478437

Anyone tried these or have any other experience/recommendations?

Cheers,
Duncan

[Vandrederic]

Sorry to hear of your continued troubles.

I think rascals size and uniqueness makes them a bit of a target. I've already had:

* Window smashed in
* Roof caved in
* Petrol flap broken / petrol stolen
* Drivers door lock screwdrivered


In the past I have used a bike lock around the steering wheels/pedals...and made use of a croc-lock.


When I get my van back from derek I will be getting/fitting the following:
* New quality alarm with easily visible flashing led (did have a cheap nasty one, was useless)
* One of those steering wheel locks that covers the entire steering wheel, sawing through is not an option



You can get alarms from eBay from as little as about £15.00, but don't bother... the one I got just kept going off randomly despite adjustments. I just hope when I get the new one I can make use of the hole in the dash I already drilled for the original alarms led light.

[rangerman77]

There really are some nasty little so and so's about aren't there!

Sorry, to hear people are having so many instances of damage and attempted thefts. 

A few yeats ago I owned a Mk 2 Astra and the door locks were terrible - you could virtually open the locks with a teaspoon.  The locks on the rascarrys look a similar style and are of a similar vintage.

I bought some hardened steel inserts/blanking plate that basically screwed together and you took the door locks out - obviously in conjunction with remote locking (and an alarm if your going to the trouble).  They will stop them popping your locks, but I suppose then they may just smash a window instead?  I think these were bought from a shop in Nottingham called Raodrunner - sorry not sure if they still offer them.  I suppose you could get some made up, or if you are going to the trouble of fitting the remote locking you could remove the door locks and fill or plate and paint the holes ?

Steering locks like the Autolok 2000 or the full steering wheel coverage ones would be good.

I suppose the fitting of alarms is ok on the van because the batteries inside.  I've been pondering how to do this  on the pick up with the battery being external - also the fact that there's very little trim in a rascal to hide the wiring away - if anyone's come up with any solutions would be interested to hear them.

Hope you manage to get the doorlock replaced.

Cheers

Mark