Cargo van deadbolt locks windows#

“Unless you unlock it with the ‘clicker’ (the car’s key fob), you simply can’t get into the van,” Kratowicz says. That released the doors’ locking mechanisms, but the Cargolock deadbolt still held fast. Not that thieves haven’t tried since then the last time, they punched out the cylinders on the van’s door locks. “Ever since I had the Cargolock system installed about two years ago, I haven’t had any more problems with break-ins.” “I investigated it and immediately realized it was the solution I was looking for.

“A guy I hired told me there are internal locks with a cam, like a deadbolt,” says Kratowicz, who’s been a plumber for almost 44 years and founded his business in 1982. The solution? An electronic deadbolt system from Cargolock. I live in a poor neighborhood, so I hope I go unnoticed.Get Trucks articles, news and videos right in your inbox! Sign up now.Īfter a thief stole equipment worth a couple thousand dollars from a Ford Econoline service van owned by Jeffrey’s Plumbing and Heating Service in Chicago, president and owner Jeffrey Kratowicz figured he’d have to up his game in terms of vehicle security. It also indicates that you think you have something inside worth that security- especially on a vehicle most car thieves know to be practically unstealable- possibly making it worth extra effort. It indicates you have more security than most, which discourages the casual thief. Visual deterence is, however, a double edged sword. Both visible deterence, and additional measures to catch and possibly capture those who think they can defeat the first level of security. They are based, however, on the same basic logic. There are other measures to protect my more valuable things, but I’ll keep them to myself, though. 6) I have a decent quality monitored system with battery backup that is set to go off silently and call the police. 5) I have a mediocre alarm system that isn’t monitored and set to beep loudly when someone enters without turning it off. 4) the mortise locks on my inner doors are functional, use a high security 7 lever mechanism with false gates, and you can’t open it from the inside (legal technicality so it is legal) without a key. 3) I have a high security deadbolt on all outer doors that is clearly such as it is not a standard pin-tumbler mechanism of a manufacturer most Americans have never heard of. 2) I have hidden security cameras- on a different system. Scary stuff what exists.Īctually, the way I designed my home security is thus: 1) I have visible security cameras- and signs indicating their presence. And that's before the keyless relays and duplicate your key hacks. I know most people would be shocked how some metal car key locks for various vehicles can still be picked in mere seconds, despite them not looking like house keys with 5 pins. But, I have to admit that I have not kept up. Īnyhow, the video was blurry, but I like they key profile. Carrying a smartphone and passport on you these days, is a bit easier than stashing away two way radios, laptops, SLR, video camera. Did that a few times, including a six week trip living out of a hatchback. I have not gone camping or hiking for a while, but I understand the stress of camping with one's vehicle, going on a day trip, hiking out. And, I was always relieved to find everything intact.

Cargo van deadbolt locks windows#

Yes, there were extra security measures on entry doors and the windows of opportunity. And then you go on an extended weekend or an extended trip. It was a bit uneasy to have a nice car and nice things, with eyes on the lookout as to exactly what you may have. I lived in a slightly stressful neighborhood situation for a while. That's in part why I may like to de-badge the MB bits.

You hear about commercial vans getting broken into, tool trailers getting stolen. and joined into commercial van territory. typically carrying tools in a concealed way and / or cargo. I paused a few times, while shopping for my Metris, that I suddenly went from a plain Jane Dodge GC passenger. I have always been a big proponent of concealing and preventing while not drawing extra attention. The more you choose to protect, yes, one hand you may prevent a casual spur of the moment thing, while at the same time raising the attention of of the small segment of people who now think you really are trying to protect something worthwhile. I think the idea of the extra locks is interesting, as long as it remains rather concealed in fashion or limited to those outside changes.Īdding the stainless cladding and / or bulky visible locks, to me just draws more attention.