Hi all -

We're planning to take a long trip (well moving for about a year) from San
Francisco down to Oaxaca, Mexico, mostly down the Pacific route, but
possibly cutting through Mexico city to save a little time.

I'm very psyched for the trip, but my one paranoia is security in the car as
we'll be moving lots of valuables. So I've been trying to think of ways to
maximize the security of the Vanagon.

So far, I have a Club and am planning to install an alarm system with a big
obnoxious red light. I'm going to keep the curtains on most of the time,
hoping that doesn't attract more attention and keep the van garaged whenver
possible.

The other idea I had was to install cabinet locks on the two side cabinets
and a large hinge lock on the under-seat storage. The underseat storage
seems the most secure, as the seat is a bit more durable and there is some
chance that thieves wouldn't notice it (although the lock itself will draw
some attention). I may put hinge locks in two positions: for when the seat
is up and for when the seat is folded down.

A few people have commented that cabinet locks are not much of a deterrent
as anyone who wants to break in could get pry the particle board doors with
a screwdriver; one person commented that I'd just end up with smashed up
cabinets. My feeling though is that every little bit of deterrent helps.

A buddy suggested having a lockbox welded somehow in the back, but it'd have
to be rigged somehow to still allow engine access. He also suggested a
locking bar to go across the front of the cabinet doors, but that just
sounds like an ugly shame.

Any other opinions, experiences, or mods?

I'm in love with my new van and now I don't want anything to happen to her!

Thanks!

Eugene
'85 Westfalia and goin' to Mexico