Van/car security

[Starlight]

Hi guys.

How do you guys normally watch out for any prowlers that might be looking into raiding your vehicle? Do you get a roadie to stand next to the van/car while you load in/load out? Do you have some kind of siren if you have to leave the vehicle alone?

I thought if your on your own, is there some kind of devise that gives off a high pitched frequency to let you know that someone is tampering around with your vehicle?

Your thoughts on this please.

Best wishes,
Neil.

[Bouncy Dancefloor]

an alarm?

[OllieJames]

Hi guys.

How do you guys normally watch out for any prowlers that might be looking into raiding your vehicle? Do you get a roadie to stand next to the van/car while you load in/load out? Do you have some kind of siren if you have to leave the vehicle alone?

I thought if your on your own, is there some kind of devise that gives off a high pitched frequency to let you know that someone is tampering around with your vehicle?

Your thoughts on this please.

Best wishes,
Neil.


an alarm?

Always a good start ;)

[JAMdisco]

I always work on my own and shut the doors when loading in/out. I don't lock them though unless there's an obvious threat. Occasionally people will insist on helping me, I usually politely decline saying 'it keeps me fit'.

There is a factory alarm on my car but it only goes off if the electrical circuit is broken i.e. if an interior light comes on when the doors are opened.

I haven't had any problems (touches wood) so far. :)

[ppentertainments]

If in a 'threatening' area I get my roadie to wait by the van whilst I unload. One reason why I like to know the area as often have to take, and pay, a roadie just for this purpose. Most of my gigs are in nice venues however and normally I unload 'round the back where not much threat'.

After continually going off one morning at 2am, on the way back from a gig, my alarm is sadly no longer with us ;) . A bar off the ultimax stand 'fixed it'.

[Tom]

Most of the time I leave my boot open and just load in and out as most of my gigs I can get close to the venue doors. If I don't feel safe then I will lock the car every time
. It may take longer to load gear in but I would rather go home with everything I came out with.

[JAMdisco]

It may take longer to load gear in but I would rather go home with everything I came out with.

Sometimes I would rather go home with something (one) I didn't come out with but I reckon my wife might have something to say about that! :D :p

[spin mobile disco]

I like the move it all in stages way of loading if the gear is out of side of the van. Move all gear in the room to inside of the room Iwas playing in's door. Then move it all to the corridor then all to just inside of door etc. This means you are always in sight of the equipment.
If this is not possible I lock van between journeys. All my windows have window film on them so even if they break the glass they ain't getting in. (touch wood anyway)

[mldiscos]

wen loading or unloading, de-rigging or rigging up, we always do shift patterns, 1 goes, 1 stays, etc etc, just makes sure we dont lose any gear thru light fingered punters.

[pagan_flame]

I have one of these, screwed to the inside of the roof (XA601) --> http://www.gear4bikes.com/acatalog/Xena_Garage_Alarms.html

It is a motion sensing alarm - makes a lot of noise if someone opens the side door and climbs in for a nosy around... beeps on detection then goes off 4 seconds later.

For me, it just has a keyring arm/disarm remote, much easier than having to lock and unlock it each time. Battery life is about 8 months with Duracells in there.

[Starlight]

I have one of these, screwed to the inside of the roof (XA601) --> http://www.gear4bikes.com/acatalog/Xena_Garage_Alarms.html

It is a motion sensing alarm - makes a lot of noise if someone opens the side door and climbs in for a nosy around... beeps on detection then goes off 4 seconds later.

For me, it just has a keyring arm/disarm remote, much easier than having to lock and unlock it each time. Battery life is about 8 months with Duracells in there.

That sounds like a wise move! I think I'd be tempted to purchase one of these because I'd sooner do a disco alone without a roadie - a roadie incurs more money to pay out so yeah think this is an invaluble device.

How long have you used this device and does it work on long distances?

Best wishes,

Neil.

[rob1963]

Interesting thread.

I guess I'm quite lucky, partly because I live & usually work in Surrey, which has the lowest crime rate in the country, and partly because the venues where I work are mostly nice hotels well away from the roads, so they are not really the sort of places with people wandering around near my van.

On the occasions where I'm either in a dodgy area or somewhere exposed with more people around, I lock the van doors before carrying each bit of kit into the venue...just to be on the safe side.

[CRAZY K]

Interesting thread.

I guess I'm quite lucky, partly because I live & usually work in Surrey, which has the lowest crime rate in the country, and partly because the venues where I work are mostly nice hotels well away from the roads, so they are not really the sort of places with people wandering around near my van.

On the occasions where I'm either in a dodgy area or somewhere exposed with more people around, I lock the van doors before carrying each bit of kit into the venue...just to be on the safe side.

Makes sense---its what I do:thumbs_up:

CRAZY K

[Starlight]

I think if you really wanted to 'go to town' on your protection, then how about an intense white light appearing when the doors are opened and have a CCTV cam record whoever tries nicking anything? I suppose this would be pefect because at least you'd have nice, hard evidence of the croocks nicking your stuff to show to your police man ;) I know it might set you back a good couple of hundred pound to get a decent CCTV system installed in your van or car but at the end of the day folks, your disco equipment is worth thousands no doubt so at least if your CCTV captures the robber and the cameras never lie! I'm still saving up for a van to start my disco and you can bet I'll be looking into CCTV monitoring.

I'm also considering getting a clamp to stick on a wheel, some of you might say this is over the top but I say you cant be too carefull these days folks, better safe than sorry ;)

Thats my 2 pence worth! ;)

Best wishes,

Neil.

[Tommo DJ]

I unlock and lock my van doors each time i put something in or out, it can be a pain but at least you know your stuff is safe.

Tommo

[DJMaxG]

The Best advise I can give you is

- Do not leave any equipment in the vehicle
- Make sure you empty it fully
- Leave no signwriting or indications

Most of the Guys park round the back of a venue near to the Fire Exit, which leads directly to the stage, or dancefloor. Therefore, anyone would be instantly spotted, attempting to make a break in and a run for it.

Some of the Pro's will often be dropped off at a venue with the equipment, and the van is instantly taken back to HQ, then obviously collected again at the end of the night.

Whatever you do, don't make the van obvious if you do have to park it there, and if you can fit the gear in a car or people carrier, do it, travel unoticed.

Most modern Transits, Transporters, Sprinters etc, have Security alarms and immobolisers just like you'd expect to see on a car.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

The Best advise I can give you is

[B]- Do not leave any equipment in the vehicle


Wow, I never thought of that...:D

[DJMaxG]

I'm also considering getting a clamp to stick on a wheel, some of you might say this is over the top but I say you cant be too carefull these days folks, better safe than sorry ;)

Thats my 2 pence worth! ;)

Best wishes,

Neil.

Most vehicles don't require a steering lock, they are secure enough. But why not, the more security - the better!


I have one of these, screwed to the inside of the roof (XA601) --> http://www.gear4bikes.com/acatalog/Xena_Garage_Alarms.html

It is a motion sensing alarm - makes a lot of noise if someone opens the side door and climbs in for a nosy around... beeps on detection then goes off 4 seconds later.

For me, it just has a keyring arm/disarm remote, much easier than having to lock and unlock it each time. Battery life is about 8 months with Duracells in there.

PAGEN FLAME!
You're a Genius

I never thought of that, there are many house alarms like that and shed alarms from about £10 upwards. Fantastic suggestion!
Nice One
Max

[kjdiscos]

If you realy wanted to deter theifs in a van, you could hock up a 12v air horn, in the rear, onto a relay and connect to to a pir, Any movement and it would go off turn of via a remote,

I wouldnt want to be in the van when it went off !. Bad enough in a garage

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I'm sure your neighbours would love that idea.

[kjdiscos]

I'm sure your neighbours would love that idea.

Its what running at minute, With 2 internal sounders plus cctv coverage, If it went off they wouldnt hang around long

In a van it would certainly do the trick and alert you

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Its what running at minute, With 2 internal sounders plus cctv coverage, If it went off they wouldnt hang around long

In a van it would certainly do the trick and alert you

And if you weren't there?


I'm sure your neighbours would love that idea. :D

[kjdiscos]

And if you weren't there?

:D

well true ah, But rather safe stuff, It has had 0 false alarms yet :D, Touch wood , You wait tonite circa 4am will go off