Extra security

Any security is better than none, but seems to me that most of those mechanical security devices can be overcome by a determined thief with an angle grinder or crow bar often leaving much damage in their wake. Alarms are just an annoyance going off for no reason in the middle of the night and most folks ignore them. Factory immobilisers are easily overcome with gizmos plugged into the diagnostic port. 

I’ve fitted a tracker with a series of sensors that will trigger alarms (SMS message to my mobile) for excessive vibration, battery disconnection or vehicle moved. It also includes the option to trigger a relay connected to whatever you want to immobilise the vehicle e.g. fuel pump. They’re tiny and can easily be hidden in the dash board. At least if it’s taken, they won’t need to do too much damage to take it and I’ve got a fighting chance of recovering it. Mine cost around  £60, similar amount for gps service each year and about £12 for 50 SMS messages.

I have one of these for at home, wheel trims have to be removed to fit it properly though.

Nemesis wheel clamp

I have the auto-watch Ghost Immobilizer fitted to my camper van, (£399 fitted).

Before you can start the engine you have to put a special code in by using the buttons on your steering wheel or you can link your phone via an app to the immobilizer to start the engine.

No gizmo by a thief would be able to get round this.

I watched a program a few weeks ago about car thieves and they can  steal a vehicle with a tracker they can block the tracker signal and then use a device to locate the tracker(s).

Have you had a dry run by moving it outside it’s expected zone to test it works Jim?

Despite all the urban myths about how easy it is for thieves to steal vehicles, identifying a vehicle fitted with a tracker isn’t easy unless using sophisticated kit like an electronic sweeper. In that event the thief is more likely to move on to the next vehicle, rather than spend time trying to locate/remove a tiny (credit card sized) device hidden in an inaccessible space in the knowledge their actions will ping an instant alert somewhere. Trackers can be activated by vibration, power disconnect as well as movement. They can also be used to disable the vehicle after theft e.g. disable the fuel pump a few miles up the road which will inconvenience the thief.

To overcome the prospect of a tracker most thieves move the stolen vehicle a short distance, park it up, then return a few days later to remove the vehicle if satisfied nobody is watching it. In the interim you’ve got a reasonable chance of vehicle recovery with minimal damage.

I took the hitch lock discount off as I prefer the Alko axle lock and was happier not to also use hitch lock

I use a Milenco wheelclamp on my Motorhome,  as well as a steering wheel lock. The wheelclamp is heavy, and is quite fiddly to put on and take off, So I only use it when stored by my house. It would take an angle grinder which is very noisy, yes, not impossible.but NOT a quick up and away.

Doesn’t sound like the brightest of thieves! You can buy professional tools off-the-shelf to split mc chains. Alternatively use a good hacksaw and/or file or grind off the rivet heads - not difficult.

I understand via our neighbourhood watch police team that rechargeable angle grinders are the low lifes "key"of choice,  as they can normally gain access to most targets , and  can be very quick removing  security devices and patio doors on houses

As well as portable angle grinders, I understand a small blow torch works wonders on plastic LV windows and UVPC house windows/doors - much quieter than an angle grinder.