Best Ways to Secure Your Work Van

Posted by Nabin Shaw on September 5th, 2018

If you use a work van for business, chances are you have a lot of valuable tools and equipment stored inside. This makes your van a target for thieves. Replacing this equipment could be extremely costly and time-consuming. How do you keep it secure? You could remove the equipment every night, but this would become tiresome, especially if the equipment is heavy. So, here are a few things you can do to make your work van more secure.  

Avoid Leaving Your Work Van Unlocked

This may seem obvious, since you would never leave the van unlocked overnight. But what about during the day? Is it safe sitting in front of a customer’s house while you make a service call? Or when you pop into the hardware store “just for a few minutes”? A thief only needs a few minutes to open the door, see what’s inside, and grab what they can. Even if you’re away for a couple of minutes, always keep every door locked. If you have difficulty remembering to lock up, or find yourself constantly crunched for time, try installing slam locks. This will automatically lock your van doors when they’re slammed shut. It’s a useful feature for busy contractors and other professionals.

Secure Your Windows

You may have the best door locks in the business, but that doesn’t do you any good if thieves can simply reach in through an open window.

• Always keep windows closed and rolled up. It might get very hot inside, but your valuable equipment still needs to stay protected, even on the hottest days of the year.
• Install steel window grills. Determined thieves may break your windows to get inside. Steel window grills add an extra barrier for them to get through. Since the grills can be seen from the outside, it may also discourage thieves from trying to break in altogether.
• Install tinted windows. This won’t keep thieves from breaking them, but it will make it harder for them to see inside. If they’re not sure there’s anything valuable inside, they might move on to an easier target.

Install Vehicle Alarms

Many newer vehicles come equipped with security features, including alarms. But if you’re working with an older cargo van, you may not have these features. Consider installing an alarm, so if someone does try to get inside your vehicle, you and the rest of the block will know about it!

Keep Valuables and Tools Out of Sight

These tips will help you keep your work van secure. Locked doors are your first line of defense, but windows are a vulnerable part of your van. Alarms will add both security and peace of mind. And a work van upfit that includes locked drawers and shelves can help keep expensive gear out of the sight of prying eyes. Together, these steps for security will help eliminate the risk of having to replace expensive tools and equipment, and so you can focus on what’s important – your work.