Carry your spare in the van, and package your valuables where the
spare tire goes. You could probably figure out how to put a pretty
decent padlock down there, too. If you put your valuables inside a
real tire (with no rim in it) then anyone examining your rig would
conclude that you were simply carrying two spares. Unless they're on
this list, of course.

Jim

On Jul 10, 2006, at 2:03 PM, Lon Bordin wrote:

> Eugene-
> I have traveled extensively through Mexico/Central America and I would
> strongly advise NOT traveling with a lot of valuables.  Have them
> shipped to
> your final destination.  My concern is not with the integrity of your
> vehicle but with you and your traveling companions personal safety.
> My 2
> cents, peace.
> Good Luck!
> -DL Wilcox
> 85 Wolfalia
> 85 GL
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of
> Eugene Chen
> Sent: Monday, July 10, 2006 2:44 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Increasing security in Vanagon, Cabinet locks
>
> 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
>