Jan 4, 2014 · 119,470 recorded views
This video was made at a time in 2014 when van owners didn't have access to videos showing what the different types of van locks and van security products were. It just wasn't common knowledge how a van slamlock, van deadlock or Armaplate operated, or even what van locks looked like when fitted to a van.
They might have a friend tell them that they should have slamlocks fitted to their van, or call an installer who recommends Armaplate or deadlocks for their van, but my thinking was that the van owner should be given the correct information about what the van security products are, how they operate and what they would look like fitted to a van. This way, a van owner who was about to spend several hundred pounds on a van deadlocks, slamlocks or other van security products that would be permanently fitted to their van, with holes being drilled or cut into it, would be able to make up their own mind — with advice if they needed it — as to what security product would suit them best.
As an example, at this time we would have someone try to book us to fit slamlocks to their van, without a clue what slamlocks were! All they knew is that their friend Bob said they should have slamlocks, or a van lock fitter said they should have slamlocks (possibly because that fitter didn't even fit deadlocks). I would then ask what van the owner had and what they used it for. I remember one replying that it was a campervan he wanted slamlocks fitted to, and I couldn't think of a more unsuitable lock for a leisure vehicle like a campervan to have.
The owner might be camping far from home, even in another country, with all his worldly goods inside his campervan, then walk outside, the wind blows the door shut, and the door automatically locks with him standing in another country, locked out of his own van. Then throw in alcohol when enjoying the outdoors, making him even less likely to remember to carry his keys every time he stepped outside.
The owner might be camping far from home, even in another country, with all his worldly goods inside his campervan, then walk outside, the wind blows the door shut, and the door automatically locks with him standing in another country, locked out of his own van.
I knew something needed to change, and I would be the person to educate van owners so that they could make informed decisions about which lock or security product suited their needs best, and what would give them the best value for their money.
What is the difference between a SLAMLOCK, a DEADLOCK or ARMAPLATE? What is the best way to SECURE your VAN? What are the best VAN LOCKS for my VAN SECURITY.
Contact us via our website http://www.sussexinstallations.co.uk or 01323 638999
This short video explains the difference between different van security options. The advantages of deadlocks, slamlocks, Armaplate, slamplates and slam handles.
Installation available in the South East of England in Sussex, Surrey, Kent, Hampshire and London. Sussex Installations carry out the very best workmanship and take care of your vehicle. We are based in Eastbourne, East Sussex which is close to the Brighton, Crawley, Worthing, St Leonards, Burgess Hill, Hastings, Red Hill, Reigate, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Crowborough areas.
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Jeff from Sussex Installations demonstrates how to protect commercial vehicles from common theft techniques, such as handle drilling, by using armored plates, deadlocks, and slam locks. Different security solutions are explained based on whether the van requires multi-drop courier security or overnight protection.
Historical context: This video records the advice, products and attack methods relevant when it was published. Current recommendations may have changed as vehicles, products and criminal methods evolved.
Because a slamlock locks automatically the instant the door closes, with no key needed. On a campervan that's a real risk: the owner could be camping away from home, even in another country, step outside while the wind blows the door shut, and end up locked out with all their belongings inside the van. Add alcohol into the mix while people are relaxing outdoors and they're even less likely to remember to carry their keys every time they step out.
A van deadlock is an optional extra lock that you activate yourself, typically overnight or in a vulnerable spot, so it suits tradesmen who are in and out of the van all day and don't want an extra lock engaged every single time. A van slamlock locks automatically the moment the door shuts, which is handy for a multi-drop courier who needs to grab a parcel and kick the door closed, but on its own a van slamlock might not actually give you any more security than the van's original manufacturer locking.
Yes. As I show in the video, we can combine a slamlock with an external armour plate and additional internal plates guarding the latch mechanism, giving the convenience of a slamlock alongside overnight-level security. There's also the slamplate or slam handle option, where the weak original plastic handle is replaced entirely with a solid metal plate that has the slamlock built into it.
Read the full deadlocks vs hook locks vs slamlocks comparison →
Transcript source: the YouTube transcript supplied for this project with minor corrections. Automated transcripts can contain recognition errors and should be checked against the original video.
