Keys locked in van.

[PLEDGEY]

Went to fill up with fuel ready for Monday. Just caught the garage as they were about to close. The garage is on the Quantocks not far from where I live but still out in the sticks. I filled up a diesel can in the side door first then as I undid the fuel cap, it's a little temperamental, I heard the 'clunk clunk' sound of the locks locking. Didn't think anything of it as I had the keys. I went to put the fuel cap on the top of the fuel pump but the wind was blowing a gale and I just saved it from hitting the floor. I turned round and placed the fuel cap just inside the sliding door. I did this while I still had the pump in my hand. Finished filling and as I put the pump back the wind blew and the door slid it self shut. Straight away I thought 'sh*t, the keys are in the cap and the caps in the van'. All the locks were locked and I thought what am I gonna' do?. I told Mike the garage owner what I had done. He goes and gets a load of old Ford keys to try with no luck. Then he comes back with some nylon wedges, a cloth, a crowbar and various lengths of thick wire. Puts the cloth on the top of the frame next to the drivers door and then using the crow bar forced a gap at the top of the door. Put a wedge in the gap and that allowed another wedge to be tapped in just above the quarter glass. Then he manipulated a piece of wire in through the gap until he hooked the latch and 'BINGO!' it was open. The back doors were still locked but I always take out the bulk heads, I like to recline to have a snooze, so I was able to climb in and get the keys. The whole thing took about 20 mins and there was me thinking it was gonna' be an RAC job. So if you lock your keys in the van give it a try. You will need some one to stand looking through the passenger window with a torch saying 'left a bit, right a bit,.....bit more......bit more, etc'

[mickeymouse85]

Pleased you got back in you van matey

[knobby1]

Cool.....you've just told a million people how to break into our vans

Lord Knobrot

[bambi mk 1]

Cool.....you've just told a million people how to break into our vans

Lord Knobrot

Better start deadlocking them now

[PLEDGEY]

I doubt yer average tea leaf is gonna' spend twenty minutes fishing around to hook the door catch, while his mate with a torch shouts instructions "left a bit...bit...bit more", when they can just smash a window or tibb it. I have actually ordered a tibb so it doesn't happen again.

[dodgy01]

WOW
you really don't get it do you


I've got a idea why not mention the key that also will unlock all our vans


oh wait you have done that also

Well done

[loot]

If the op requests the thread removed I'll do do, if another mod removes it that's fine. Personally I'm not aware of thieves using old fashioned methods like this to steal vans, the vans get stolen digitally in minutes as far as I'm aware.

But since we are here then it is wise to disable or replace the drivers door barrel for added security.
Disable the diagnostic port of your van.
Tradesmen add extra security for anything you leave in the back such as bulkhead, extra hardware for cargo door locking etc.
Generally don't leave belongings visible in the front of the van.

Emergency services have used the wedge method for many years so it's very much information on the public domain.
Tibbe keys are well known for being easy to bypass also.

My suggestion also is to buy an extra alarm with loud siren to give an audible warning that someone is getting into your van, make sure it won't deactivate by unlocking the van but rather by remote or some kind of coding.

I doubt personally that opportunist and stupid thieves will be able to read this anyway

But yes let's try not posting how to's on breaking into vans on here.

[PLEDGEY]

I just thought it might help someone else who had locked their keys in their van. Personally I think if a thief had the time to do the above without anyone noticing them, and a mate with a torch, for 20mins,they wouldn't bother.They would just brick the bloody widow and be done, but if it's bothering people take it down.

[Alynjones9]

If you remove the trim from the side of the windscreen you can easily pry out the quarter panel window then open the door and put everything back once your in.

I have had to do it a couple of times as I have a habit of leaving keys in the van.

[bigjohnthomas]

when I locked the keys in the back of my van it took 2 minutes to get in it
obviously I can't post on here that I used a 9 inch angle grinder and cut a hole in the roof for fear of giving thieves ideas
but if anyone wants to know just pm mike

allcock over

[cowasaki]

If I lock my keys in the van how am I going to get it all the way to a garage on the Quantocks not far from where you live so Mike can open it for me? Sounds like a helpful chap though.

[bigjohnthomas]

A passing burglar lent me his angle grinderquote="bigjohnthomas"]my new door


[/quote]

[bigjohnthomas]

Quantlocks?

[PLEDGEY]

Quantlocks?

The Quantock Hills! . It's an area of outstanding natural beauty don't you know (makes smug face)

[Altransit]

Quantlocks?

The Quantock Hills! . It's an area of outstanding natural beauty don't you know (makes smug face)

He lives in Lincolnshire, so consequently knows nothing about areas of outstanding beauty