M
MattC
I'm surprised by that. What about the passenger side - does that need the door open too?
Buy all your VW California Accessories at the Club Shop Visit Shop
L
Legin
Guest User
Take two wheels off , remove the starter battery and store them at a neighbours. More than this its going.
WelshGas
Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.
Super Poster
Lifetime VIP Member
Different door trim/cards.
I think you will find the Jerba conversion is based on a commercial based vehicle platform unlike the VW California that is a cousin of the Caravelle.
Amarillo
Tom
Super Poster
VIP Member
Yes, the passenger door needs to be opened - but the passenger seat (in the Beach at least) is less faff to swivel than the driver's seat.
I've just been out to check, and it is likely that the driver's seat could be swivelled with the door closed if some of the door trim was hacked away. But hacking away some of the door trim would not be easy with the door closed and the seat swivelled or partially swivelled.
My substantive point is that a swivelled drivers seat and deadlocked door is probably a more effective deterrent to a car thief than a steering wheel lock or driveway bollard, immobiliser or tracker. It is not that it makes the vehicle impossible to steal.
M
MattC
Ah yes, a different door trim would explain it, I hadn't considered that.
Frankyworthy
VIP Member
All of the above. Plus Block it in with another car. Or ask neighbours to use your drive and block it in ???
Deskman
Lifetime VIP Member
Just don't leave it there. Find a garage, camper storage facility or somebody with a place out of sight.
There are quite some stories about nicked Cali's from the driveway with all kinds of security gear installed and fully loaded, ready for the holiday. If you are gone for some time its just a matter of time before someone notices nobody is looking after the van.
Live streaming the theft of your precious does not help you, and the insurance will always pay less than you need for a new van. Sometimes shockingly less.
There are quite some stories about nicked Cali's from the driveway with all kinds of security gear installed and fully loaded, ready for the holiday. If you are gone for some time its just a matter of time before someone notices nobody is looking after the van.
Live streaming the theft of your precious does not help you, and the insurance will always pay less than you need for a new van. Sometimes shockingly less.
P
Prycey13
VIP Member
I’ve spun a Cali seat with the door closed. Didn’t realise you had to open. Did Mark the speaker cover though. Wasn’t mine - hire vehicle and looked like someone had done it previously on the other side.
L
Lowlec
Just remove the fuse for the starter motor from the fuse box and replace with a dummy blown fuse!
2 min job.....ages to configure what’s wrong to the would be thieves
2 min job.....ages to configure what’s wrong to the would be thieves
S
Shadrack
Lifetime VIP Member
Hi Martyn,
Two months is a pretty long time, I can understand why you have asked for suggestions. If it was me going for so long I would probably go with trying to find alternative storage as has already been suggested. Try a good friend with ample parking space, or at worst (cost) a specialist storage location.
That would certainly give you piece of mind and stop the worrying whilst away.
If you start taking excessive and obvious measures to disable movement you would be sending a pretty strong and clear message to the scroat of this world that you ain’t at home.
Two months is a pretty long time, I can understand why you have asked for suggestions. If it was me going for so long I would probably go with trying to find alternative storage as has already been suggested. Try a good friend with ample parking space, or at worst (cost) a specialist storage location.
That would certainly give you piece of mind and stop the worrying whilst away.
If you start taking excessive and obvious measures to disable movement you would be sending a pretty strong and clear message to the scroat of this world that you ain’t at home.
DAVE54
Try Trutrak , 9.99 per month, you can set it so if it moves you get a auto notification, ok tha doesnt stop it happening, but if you have back up family or mates, you can get straight on the case, sometimes the law will help but dont bank on it. I would also get a steering lock, isnt there anything else you can ;leave parking in front of it, what does everyone else think ?
R
russho
- Messages
- 34
- Vehicle
- T5 SE 174
Put it on jacks and take wheels off!
A
andrew bazeley
VIP Member
- Messages
- 339
Depends on the neighbourhood. Mine has sat on my drive for much of the past 12 years - sometimes not even locked!
Niborn
VIP Member
Someone tried to steal my Cali early one morning , parked outside my house. Fortunately I woke up when I heard a noise . I looked out the window and a white Van was next to it with a guy trying to open the door . they quickly left when they saw me, this was about 5am . I called the police who came and fingerprinted the van etc , within about an hour .
One of the policeman told me that steering looks don’t deter much , but recommended strong wheel locks . Yes these can cut off two but it’s very noisy to do that and they don’t like it he says .
After this attempt I do three things .
I use the very heavyweight BULLDOG VW steering lock , especially made for the VW. i think it’s the best on the market .
I use a BULLDOG wheel lock too if I am parked overnight .
i also use a £20 radio shed alarm ... the sensor in the van and the receiver in the house or neighbours house , it’s extremely effective in sending movement and independent of vw alarm so they cant disable . as soon as they were in I’d be aware .
I also have a tracker , but that might not deter and they have a knack at finding them . It’s also a Bulldog portable one .
These people go shopping for our VW’s I don’t think a theft is accidental , they come well prepared and it might already be pre sold in their network . Just before the incident with mine I saw a guy photographing the cars in our street .. it’s an unremarkable street and it and he looked out of place . So I suppose the final thing is be aware .
good luck
One of the policeman told me that steering looks don’t deter much , but recommended strong wheel locks . Yes these can cut off two but it’s very noisy to do that and they don’t like it he says .
After this attempt I do three things .
I use the very heavyweight BULLDOG VW steering lock , especially made for the VW. i think it’s the best on the market .
I use a BULLDOG wheel lock too if I am parked overnight .
i also use a £20 radio shed alarm ... the sensor in the van and the receiver in the house or neighbours house , it’s extremely effective in sending movement and independent of vw alarm so they cant disable . as soon as they were in I’d be aware .
I also have a tracker , but that might not deter and they have a knack at finding them . It’s also a Bulldog portable one .
These people go shopping for our VW’s I don’t think a theft is accidental , they come well prepared and it might already be pre sold in their network . Just before the incident with mine I saw a guy photographing the cars in our street .. it’s an unremarkable street and it and he looked out of place . So I suppose the final thing is be aware .
good luck
Mosstrooper
- Messages
- 11
- Vehicle
- T5 SE 140
Forgive my ignorance but does the door deadlock with just one click of the fob or two?
Hi is the wheel lock the DC400 ?
Dottie
VIP Member
My colleague had her keys stolen from her house last week At 4am..they got the car but as dogs were barking, they left without her motor home....but she’s had to change all locks and has had a few sleepless nights.
its a concern.....
I’ll aim to take the van and dog with me!
its a concern.....
I’ll aim to take the van and dog with me!
Niborn
VIP Member
No it’s a em500ss...very easy to fit
Niborn
VIP Member
Yes I have a guard for my van too , I’d like to see someone try and approach without me knowing when I’m in it ...haha
Niborn
VIP Member
By the way i also bought the DC400 but I prefer the other , I’d use both if I was leaving it for long ...
Similar threads
Useful links
VW California Club
About us
The VW California Club is the worlds largest resource for all owners and enthusiasts of VW California campervans.
