Westy skylight security bars?

dishrag · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 11:42 am Post subject: Westy skylight security bars?

Hi guys,
Has anyone heard of a camper break-in where someone either snaps off the skylight/roof vent cover and reaches in to pop the top, or someone small just slips his/her body in through the opening?

I just got an alarm but then I realized that there's the roof to worry about. So, I might put bars or something over the opening.

Thanks for any input!

PDXWesty · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 11:46 am Post subject:

Won't the vibration alarm be set off if that happens? Just like breaking a window I would think.
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto

hans j · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 12:03 pm Post subject:

Would have to be REALLY skinny to fit! Only top break in I have heard about was a bear that ripped the top open. One bar should be enough if you are that worried about it. There are lots of other ways to break in that don't require getting on the roof that I would be more worried about!
_________________
1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181

kamzcab86

dishrag · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:03 pm Post subject:

dobryan · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:19 pm Post subject:

I can't imagine trying to stop a thief that way, but if you must. If I was going to break in, going thru the skylight would not be in my top 5 ways to enter....and actually nothing you could do short of armoring all the windows could keep me out....
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

hans j · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:31 pm Post subject:

djkeev · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 4:25 pm Post subject:

I'm sorry, but....... Really?

This is what you are stressing over?!?!

After you install your skylight security bar you better then go Outside and pick up and secure everyone of these within oh........about a half mile radius or so.

This is probably basic tool choice #1 for any thief wanna be!
Really these should be of a much larger concern than a mini-burgler!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

wareiter · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 4:37 pm Post subject:

couldn't you just reach through the barred skylight, pop the top latch and lift the top? would be a little harder than rock through the vent window.
_________________
1985 weekender
1989 560 SL
1995 RR Classic
http://waterboxer.blogspot.com

dhaavers · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: Westy skylight security bars?

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

<couldn't you just reach through the barred skylight, pop the top latch and lift the top? would be a little harder than rock through the vent window.>>

I'd like to see this one---
Lift your own weight, plus the pop top's with your arm through the skylight hole pulling the latch--all at the same time.

Get a movie of this operation--this is made for TV material.
_________________
T.K.

LandSailor · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2014 8:26 am Post subject:

If someone could reach in through the top and pop the latch, it would be incredibly easy to raise the top while standing on the luggage rack. At that point, it takes a pocket knife to enter the van. Lower the top and there is zero evidence of forced entry as it's driving down the road.

...unless you have a strap around the lifting mechanism...which you should anyway.

So, there's your $.98 solution. Our was actually free since it was a dual D-ring belt included in a set of shorts that my son outgrew.

A word of caution for those who go on vacation without your Westy. Have your housesitter check your van for notes under the wipers.

The guy near our house with the white 89 is gone for days at a time. I discovered this when my offer to buy his Westy was on his windshield for several days before it was removed.

TOTALLY did not think about that.

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Only if the offender's name is Clyde, and his arms are 3ft. long--maybe he could wrap his hands back two ft. from the roof rack, blasted the skylight open, and groaped back another 2 ft. to the latch.
I'd like to see ole Clyde open up the top with his arm jammed in through the roof hole as he's laying on the roof rack--he'd have to be into Yoga or some other body bending, contortionist science.

Mission Impossible Rolling Eyes

And the possiblity of someone dropping in from that skylight is also pretty slim--unless your name was Howdy Doody.
_________________
T.K.

Howesight · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2014 10:37 am Post subject:

Breaking the front door vent window and using a slim jim are standard operating procedures for break-in artists on Vanagons.

Tow trucks get used to steal Syncros.

Realistically, you just want to discourage a lazy petty criminal/drug addict. Use a hidden kill switch and call it good.
_________________
'86 Syncro Westy SVX

LandSailor · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2014 10:54 am Post subject:

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

The disable switch sure makes a bunch more sense than dilling holes into the top to be mounting jail bars that you'll never need.

Blasting out a window would be the path of the least resistance if somebody really wanted it.
_________________
T.K.

tam_shops · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2014 6:26 pm Post subject:

Isn't put a bar on the skylight more likely to cause a leak than prevent a break-in? I'm not sure even my 8yo would fit through the skylight, bar or not. I could measure if you really want to know.

If you read about the rash of Seattle thefts, the break ins were all through the door(s), most using a key (can't stop that) and there were a few (general) stories about window break ins. You're probably better off to put an alarm (or blinking LED) in so the would be thieves move onto the next vehicle. And, as suggested a kill switch. Bars perhaps on the windows might help if you carry something really valuable.

Given I'm about to take the plunge and replace my canvas, I think a bear tearing apart my top would be grand, that'd be covered under insurance, right? Wink

Best of luck!

tam

dishrag · Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 1:10 pm Post subject:

As I said, I got an alarm, this covers the doors and windows (glass break) and the body being struck. If I or someone actually responds, of course.

But I was concerned because banging on the pop top roof did not set it off. I have since discovered that the *clank* of popping the top release DOES set it off, so that leaves removal of the skylight lid, which probably doesn't.

A woman or skinny tweaker could fit through, I think.
_________________
'86 Westy manual

djkeev · Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 1:16 pm Post subject:

backyard_cnc · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 11:11 pm Post subject:

Well I think one of my custom "NO VELCRO" screen attachments is all the protection you need on your skylight! It will keep the skeeters out! Very Happy

Sorry for the shameless plug, just love it when a project turns out nicely!

Gerald


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Vanagon	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1