Spare key location

[Moonlight Motel]

Hi all
We have just started a 16 week trip through France and Northern Spain. We have brought our spare key with us but at the moment it is sitting in the glovebox- not really doing much good there!!!

Can I ask if anyone has found a good place to stash the spare key which is accessible from outside?

Last year I stored it in the awning but again not much good if the handle is locked in the van

Thanks

John

 

[Mr T]

Hi all
We have just started a 16 week trip through France and Northern Spain. We have brought our spare key with us but at the moment it is sitting in the glovebox- not really doing much good there!!!

Can I ask if anyone has found a good place to stash the spare key which is accessible from outside?

Last year I stored it in the awning but again not much good if the handle is locked in the van

Thanks

John

Not sure you’ll get too many replies on an open forum. Security risk I think.

 

[Jim2007]

This may not be much help, but it’s what we do: the wife’s handbag. She never goes anywhere without it. The other one goes in my pocket.

That said the chances of either of us swimming in open water are nil. I can’t imagine a scenario when either she’s not got her hand bag or I’ve not got a pocket.

 

[ArunAlec]

Hi all
We have just started a 16 week trip through France and Northern Spain. We have brought our spare key with us but at the moment it is sitting in the glovebox- not really doing much good there!!!

Can I ask if anyone has found a good place to stash the spare key which is accessible from outside?

Last year I stored it in the awning but again not much good if the handle is locked in the van

Thanks

John

Yes, but, if I tell the world it might defeat the object!

 

[Moonlight Motel]

Thanks Mr T, only when I posted it I thought that.
Thanks

 

[Moonlight Motel]

I might as well go all out snd ask for your credit card details too

 

[westfalia]

You could get a surf key cut and hide it somewhere around the outside of the van,
like, tape it securely inside a bumper or anywhere.


Then hide your second key properly inside the van.

 

[kurienp]

Pick any surface on the van that is off general accessible limits, clean it with spirit. Split the key into 2 parts - the key blade and the remote (there is a thread on here on how to do it). The key blade is thin, so tape that to the cleaned up area with a few layers of duct tape. Keep the remote inside the van.

If you lose your keys, you can use the key blade to unlock the van. The alarm will sound - but you can then reach into the place inside where you've hidden the remote and silence the alarm. At least you are in the van.

Before people start pointing out that it is a security risk, we also have the Ghost immobiliser which anyways minimises the risk of someone driving away with it without knowing the code.

 

[andyinluton]

The only trouble with leaving a spare key in or attached to the van is that in the event of theft the first thing the insurers ask is you to produce both keys. Not having one of them available may cause problems.

We connect would get you into the van, but wouldn't allow you start it.

I like the Mercedes equivalent of the we connect app, it lets you leave a spare key in the van but with its immobiliser disabled, you can then liven up the immobiliser when needed via the app.

 

[Moonlight Motel]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the suggestions

 

[Keith Smith]

If you do decide to tape a surf key to the van put it in a plastic bag or wrap it in cling film first, otherwise the key will be covered in glue off the tape. Also I’ve found aluminium tape to outperform other types of tape when exposed to the elements. We have a surf key hidden on the van, if it’s used to open the door it immediately sets off the alarm and won’t start the engine so I don’t see it as a major security risk, at least I hope not!

 

[Moonlight Motel]

Thanks Keith

 

[Jester]

The only trouble with leaving a spare key in or attached to the van is that in the event of theft the first thing the insurers ask is you to produce both keys. Not having one of them available may cause problems.

We connect would get you into the van, but wouldn't allow you start it.

I like the Mercedes equivalent of the we connect app, it lets you leave a spare key in the van but with its immobiliser disabled, you can then liven up the immobiliser when needed via the app.

Hi Andy I’m not sure WeConnect will open or lock the doors on the GC like it dose on the 6.1

 

[Holidaymaker]

Hi Andy I’m not sure WeConnect will open or lock the doors on the GC like it dose on the 6.1

Yes is my WeConnect iphone can is locking and delocking GC680 my camper - i am try now and such functions operation perfect.

 

[Jester]

Yes is my WeConnect iphone can is locking and delocking GC680 my camper - i am try now and such functions operation perfect.

Oh well mine is MY 21 and only shows it’s locked or unlocked but no activation.

 

[andyinluton]

Works on my MY21 one, you have to do the full verification process with vw when you set up we connect if you want it to work.

 

[Jester]

Works on my MY21 one, you have to do the full verification process with vw when you set up we connect if you want it to work.

Thanks Andy thought I had done that. Will call them tomorrow.

 

[The Merle]

Hi all
We have just started a 16 week trip through France and Northern Spain. We have brought our spare key with us but at the moment it is sitting in the glovebox- not really doing much good there!!!

Can I ask if anyone has found a good place to stash the spare key which is accessible from outside?

Last year I stored it in the awning but again not much good if the handle is locked in the van

Thanks

John

You put we, so I’m guessing there’s atleast two of you. That’s my answer one in your pocket and one in the other person pocket.
Like others have said it van is stolen with key chances there will be a reduced payout/battle with insurer.

 

[Hawthorn37]

Thanks Keith

Works on my MY21 one, you have to do the full verification process with vw when you set up we connect if you want it to work.

You know, I’ve completely forgotten the WeConnect can open the van. We’re obsessed about not locking the keys in the van, which is an easy mistake to make. Just going to test it still works.

 

[Moonlight Motel]

You put we, so I’m guessing there’s atleast two of you. That’s my answer one in your pocket and one in the other person pocket.
Like others have said it van is stolen with key chances there will be a reduced payout/battle with insurer.

Thanks 4x4

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

This may not be much help, but it’s what we do: the wife’s handbag. She never goes anywhere without it. The other one goes in my pocket.

That said the chances of either of us swimming in open water are nil. I can’t imagine a scenario when either she’s not got her hand bag or I’ve not got a pocket.

Similar to you, I carry one and my wife carries the second key. We have a 3rd key (long story) which sometimes comes along too i.e. a rucksack.

 

[Alessandro Zanotta]

This may not be much help, but it’s what we do: the wife’s handbag. She never goes anywhere without it. The other one goes in my pocket.

That said the chances of either of us swimming in open water are nil. I can’t imagine a scenario when either she’s not got her hand bag or I’ve not got a pocket.

We do like Jim2007. Plus 1 spare at home always and another in the office (4 in total).

 

[couplands]

I ordered the 4 key option for our Cali. Because they were cheap and because I thought it was good to have a few spares.

Just need to decide where to hide a spare or two…;-)

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Don’t forget ‘hiding’ a key on the outside of the vehicle is not approved by insurance companies. Could possibly invalidate any claim for theft.

 

[Keith Smith]

If you want to hide a key on the outside go to a locksmith and get them to cut a key for you. I think it cost me £15 and I use just the metal part having discarded all the plastic bits. Makes it much easier to hide and I can relatively easily turn the key in the lock to open the door, of course then the alarm goes off but that is all to the good.