You can always open the door the way the bears do in Yellowstone.
They hook their claws between the top of the door window frame and the rain
gutter and pull it straight down.
This folds the window frame down against the door and makes a nice big hole
they can crawl through.
The bears have learned this easy entry method and use it often when
something smells good inside, does not seem to matter if you are  inside or
not because you always just leave the vehicle when they peel your door open.

Cheers,

"Hey boo boo, lets get us a picnic basket......"

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Brodbeck" <gull@GULL.US>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 4:07 PM
Subject: Re: how do you break into a vanagon?

> >>i've locked my keys in my vanagon one time, and i tried to break in with
a
> >>slim-jim, but couldnt do it. luckily i had a spare key available. does
> >>anyone know a good way to break in without damaging anything?
>
> I avoid the whole issue by hiding a spare key somewhere on or under the
> van, in one of those magnetic key boxes.  The best places are ones where
> you can reach easily, but can't see without really getting under the
> van.  I'm not going to tell you where I stick mine, but Vanagons have a
> lot of places that are suitable.  A thief isn't going to spend time
> searching for a key when smashing a window is a lot faster.
>
> --
>
> David Brodbeck, N8SRE
> '82 VW Diesel Westfalia
> '86 Volvo 240DL wagon