Tool theft is a legitimate problem for contractors of all types. The idea of walking away from your van and coming back to discover thousands of dollars are gone due to thieves can be rage-inducing and severely detrimental to your ability to get the job done. If you’re wondering how to protect your van from thieves then Semi Service in Utah & Idaho can help!
Read on to learn more about protecting your van from sticky fingers so you can focus on the job at hand.
Tips for How to Protect Your Van from Thieves
Lock the Doors
It may seem like an obvious tip but it’s one of the biggest oversights that lead to theft from vans these days. An unlocked van has its benefits – primarily in that it’s faster for you to access, especially if you’re going in and out of the van on a worksite. Unfortunately, thieves rely on your desire to keep your vehicle accessible!
Locking your van is a step that takes just a second and it can drop your chances of having your tools stolen by an astronomical amount. After all, most thieves are criminals that take advantage of opportunities. If they run up to your van and find it locked, they’ll often simply move on. This is especially true when you’re running back and forth to that van throughout the day.
Invest in a Partition
Van partitions, or van bulkheads, are an amazing addition to any contractor’s vehicle. They increase safety, can reduce cabin noise, and even help you keep your cabin temperature comfortable for those long drives on or off the job.
Of course, partitions are also a great answer to the question of “how to protect your van from thieves?” By separating the cabin from the cargo area, you create a physical barrier that means access to one part of your van doesn’t necessitate access to the other. For those of you who refuse to keep your van locked so you can hop in and drive away instantly, it adds a significant amount of security back to your vehicle.
Likewise, it means when your cargo area is accessible, your driver area isn’t. While stolen tools are more likely than a completely stolen van, the idea could be devastating to your bottom line. Even if you’re fully insured, the lost time waiting to replace your vehicle and tools can cost you several weeks’ worth of work.
Park Smart
Where you park your van makes all the difference for ways to protect your van from thieves. There are several factors that affect your van’s safety:
Concealment
The less visible your van is, the more likely it is to be targeted for theft. Thieves want to be able to get in and out without being noticed – so parking up against fences, bushes or other natural concealment can give them a way to approach or rummage through your van without being easily seen.
Parking your van in the open may make the van itself more visible, but it also means a lot of exposure for anyone even getting close. It’ll be easier for you (or others) to see a potential thief on the approach and take action.
Lighting
Working the trades can mean working at all hours of the day. Whether late at night or early morning, you won’t always have the benefit of daylight on your side. When this happens, it’s important to strategically park your van to keep it out of the dark. Not only is this critical for preventing theft, it’s important for your safety!
Park under streetlights, next to lit-up structures, or anywhere else you can find.
Proximity
The closer you can park your van to where you’re working, the better. From an anti-theft perspective, this gives you more opportunity to keep an eye on your van and makes it less appealing to steal from. Grabbing tools is noisy, and just being in earshot of your van makes all the difference.
No contractor needs to be told the additional benefit of having the van nearby: shorter trips! A close van is a van that’s quick to access so you can wrap up the job and move on to the next one.
Lockable Storage
Van upfits come in all shapes and sizes, but one of the best additions to any van is a series of lockable storage options. Drawers and cabinets with locks on them are fantastic for any tradesperson looking to keep their most valuable tools and equipment safe from prying eyes.
Cabinets and drawers are already a great addition to your van for the benefit of giving you a lot of storage for the space they take up. They’re also a necessity for most tradespeople who need to store large volumes of small items, like nails, bolts or screws.
Contact Semi Service Today
We service, repair, install, and upfit all types of trucks, vans, and trailers. Don’t know where to start? We can answer your questions and help you find what you need. Contact us online or give us a call at (801) 895-4419 to get started today!
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