You are here:
Auto Theft Prevention/cargolock
Advertisement
Question
do you know if the "cargolock" deadbolt system is effective?
Hello,
Appears to be an awful lot of money. I guess the best thing to do is define the word effective. Will it slow them down? yes. Will it stop a thief no.
I ask that you take the time to read these writings completely as they will relate to protection of your vehicles (S).
When I see a $300+ price tag, I expect the product to function in more than one way. This product deadbolts the doors, but as I will explain, if you look past the lock and the overall picture, how effective will this product be for you?
If you are going to spend that kind of money, and it doesn’t even help in the prevention of the theft of the vehicle, what good will it do you once the vehicle is stolen and then there are a number of ways to enter the vehicle at a chop shop.
I wish you would have told me the make, model and year of your van. There are many options you have. Just remember, you will never stop a thief, you are only going to slow him down. Time is very important for a thief. He does not want to over stay his welcome (LOL).
Here are my thoughts for your van and can possibly more specific when I know more. I would go to an alarm store capable of doing two things as they relate to the doors. Now, I don’t know if you have power locks on the van. If not, they would have to be wired in and actuators installed to lock and unlock the doors. I would then see if they could hook up an automatic “door pop.” If they can’t you may ask around at body shops for people that install custom door pops for those cars with shaved handles. It’s not a real difficult job to do for the right technician.
If you can get the locks and the door pop handled, great! Next, you should have access to the cargo doors inner workings. You need to disconnect the door handle and lock linkage. Now, as far as the doors go, you have already more or less done the same process as CargoLock does.
Next, you want an alarm installed under the name Directed Electronics. They make many brands, the Clifford, Viper etc. You want a double guard shock sensor. You want a starter disable. You want a back up battery, and you want a paging unit.
One VERY IMPORTANT note is DO NOT let the valet (alarm disable) switch be easily accessed. It needs to be very well hidden!! You only use this switch for getting the van serviced.
Once you have determined what it will cost to put all this in, here is how you would like everything to work.
You will have the door locks tied into the alarm and the remote transmitter. This way, you can lock and unlock your doors with a remote. Another channel of the transmitter can be used for the cargo and side door pop. Disconnect the lock and handle linkage to the side door as well.
That secures the doors as you were concerned.
Next, you get the alarm installed with a starter disable as well as the separate paging unit. The other option you might want to include is an inclination sensor if the vehicle is lifted, but if you are not there while that is happening, it’s too late!
Today’s pagers even in the big cities are good for a mile. If someone is breaking into your van or trying to steal it, you will be notified via the pager.
You also need to speak with a lawyer or know the statutes in your area to find out if you are allowed to protect property. In Texas, I can. In Wisconsin, the criminal had all the rights.
I do not know what this will set you back and you may want o try to get more than one estimate, however this way, you are protecting much more than just the doors.
There are many variables here. The year make, model of the van. Some vans have their hinges on the outside which makes this system "less effective." On these models, hinge pins are accessible to be removed or the hinges on one door can be cut or ground in less than a minute. Pry the door on the disabled hinge side(s) and you’re in!!! No damage to the Cargolock either!!!!
Someone cutting, grinding or removing the hinge pins will set an installed alarm off and notify you of the break in attempt. CargoLock won’t do that.
In NYC and Chicago, it is common to see big ugly locks riveted into the cargo doors. One day, a friend of mine was with me when we were following a van with one of the big ugly riveted locks on the cargo doors. The comment was made: "Boy is that secure!" I said yes, if all you are looking at is the lock. Look at the hinges that are exposed. My friend said: "I never thought of that." Exactly! Now, the Cargolock is not big and ugly from what I can tell. In fact, it appears to be covert and very expensive for just one type of protection. If you go to get this stuff installed and you have questions, you can write me at robo14@aol.com.
Good Luck!!
Rob
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Rob Painter, ASE, CFL, CFEI
Expertise
My background in auto theft is extensive. I have been directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft recovered vehicles. I also do insurance investigation as to how a vehicle was last operated. My clients are insurance companies and attorneys. Was featured in the A & E auto theft documentary "Stealing Wheels" July 26, 2000. Has consulted with Daimler Chrysler steering column engineers to make their steering columns harder to defeat. Holds patent # 6,039,140 for 8 different variations to protect air bags from theft.
Experience
ROB PAINTER, ASE, CFL, CFEI Forensic Vehicle Component Analyst Diplomate, Board Certified Forensic Examiner ASE Certified Auto, Collision, Med/Hvy/Duty Truck Technician Certified Forensic Locksmith Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator Certified Forensic Auto Theft Examiner Certified Auto Theft and Fraud Expert http://www.autotheftexpert.com Email-rpainter@wi.rr.com P.O. Box 190 Big Bend, WI 53103 Phone (414) 698-9696 Fax (262) 662-1352 As per federal court rules of evidence (702) (Daubert) my testimony has qualified me as: Auto Theft and Fraud Expert Forensic Vehicle Analyst Fire Origin and Cause Expert In the trial transcript of Holiday vs Progressive Insurance Company (March 12, 2002?Eugene, Oregon) with Holiday being my client-named ?the expert for experts.? BUSINESS EXPERIENCE Founder of the ?Forensic Institute of Auto Theft Analysis? (January 2002). This is the training school that will set the standards in determining the last operation of a reported stolen vehicle-burned or unburned. Much of my testing and procedures have been accepted as the guide for the forensic community. 1986 opened Auto Recovery Specialists Inc., providing exclusive repair of theft recovered and vandalized vehicles. The initial concept of the business was to return vehicles to their original shape before the theft, vandalism or fire. In 1987 bought the rights to the theft deterrent known as the ?Chicago Collar?. Duties include complete component replacement: dash, stereo system, interior, locks and coding, rebuilding steering columns, repairing and installing vehicle security system components (factory and after market), engine components, body repair, glass replacement, repair and service of air conditioning components, brake and suspension repair, and replacement, wiring harnesses etc. to return vehicle to pre-theft condition Complete reconstruction. During the past 17 years directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft-recovered and fire damaged Personally examined and rebuilt thousands of steering columns on both import and domestic vehicles Internationally acknowledged as expert in auto theft including court, consulting with insurance companies, attorneys and law enforcement. Consultant on steering columns, locks, stereo systems and vehicle security for Special Investigation Units for many large insurance carriers during the past eight years. Consulting services include but not limited to: How a vehicle was last operated (with or without keys in burned or unburned vehicles), Origin and Cause of vehicle fires, and vehicle defects. Provides services as a consultant and researcher to attorneys and insurance companies, and private industry throughout the US in cases related to vehicles. Has worked with crime prevention officers throughout the US establishing training programs designed to protect the public from becoming victims of auto theft. PATENT: 3/21/00 issued patent# 6,039,140 for 8 different variations of airbag anti-theft devices. PUBLICATIONS Currently authors articles and test reports on an ongoing basis for SIUs and the forensic/vehicle fire industry. Published author: (1,297 slide training course) Auto Theft/ Fraud Training Course) ?The Modern Forensic Approach to Auto Theft Investigation.? (January, 2001) Author: ?Variables to Be Considered In Vehicle Fire Investigation after Suppression.? (Insurance publication-November 2001) Author: ?Ford Magnesium Steering Columns and the Results to Ignition Components after a Fire?. Article for peer review from the fire and forensic community. (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM VATS.? (Article) (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM PASSLOCK TM? (Article) (November 2001) Author:? Auto Theft Investigation: Hollywood vs. Reality? (Article) (February 2001) For the John Cooke Fraud Report. Published author: (Manual) ?Forensic Vehicle Fire/ Arson and Auto Theft Investigation? (October 2000) Published author: (Article) ?Petty Claims? for the John Cooke Fraud Report (October, 1998) Published author (Manual) ?AUTO THEFT: LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN!? (1998) (Previously distributed by Barnes & Nobel) Co-authored the investigation manual, ?Surreptitious Entry & Auto Theft & Burn & the Investigator.? (1999) Authored test questions on the subject of steering columns and vehicle security for CFL designation to be given by the International Association of Investigative Locksmiths. January, 2000 Published author: (Manual) ?Saginaw Steering Columns-What Has Not Been Told? Training manual for fire investigators. (March 2000) Published (Article) ?Beyond The Lock? (May 2000) Published Author: (Article) Fraud Defense Network-August, 2000 Edition-?Melting Steering Column Tests.? http://www.fraudreport.com/index.cfm?month=08&year=2000 Published author: (Test Report) ?Burned Toyota Steering Column Testing to Determine How Last Operated?. Tool marks and procedures. (December 1999) Currently at the FBI Crime Lab in Washington DC and the US Army Crime Lab in Atlanta, GA for peer review. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Defeated the ?unstealable? Ford Securilock transponder system for a court case 10/10/00. They said it could not be done! Primary designer of a state of the art ?bait? car for a police department to catch car thieves. Worked with The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration and discovered a potential fire hazard on a vehicle and determined origin and cause of under hood fires on this type of vehicle. Featured as ?Auto Theft Expert? in the A & E auto theft documentary ?Stealing Wheels? that aired July 26, 2000. Contacted by Sears and Edelman Marketing to be a national spokesman for an anti theft device for vehicles. (November 1999) Invited to provide evaluation and consulting to steering column engineers at Daimler Chrysler Corporation in Auburn Hills, MI (10/19/99-10/22/99). The purpose of this project was to demonstrate how steering column locking mechanisms could be defeated without the use of a key and how to reinforce the columns against theft. Court Qualified as an Auto Theft Expert and my videos of defeating columns were also accepted by a Cleveland, Ohio Court in October 1999 as a valid piece of evidence. Contacted by Disney Touchstone Pictures for technical assistance in making the movie ?Gone in 60 Seconds? (March 1999) CONSULTANT FOR FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS ? Former contributor for The Insurance News Network (Auto theft and prevention) includes heading a forum for the public on how to protect their vehicles for 3+ years. ? Former editor and consultant for the public on matters involving auto theft and prevention 2000-2001 on the web at http://www.autotheft_forum.com. ? The Insurance Career Center (Auto theft and fraud). ? National Association of Investigative Specialists (Auto theft and fraud) ? Expert Find (Auto theft and fraud} TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE ? ASE (National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence) Certified in Auto: brakes, steering and suspension, engine repair, manual drive train and axles, air conditioning. Med/Heavy duty truck: gasoline engine repair, electrical/electronic components. Collision: elec.....
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.