Securing the load area

Planning ahead for our travels this year, we're thinking of spending a fortnight driving to, around and back from Switzerland. We were in Lauterbrunnen this year without the defender and want to go back.

This time, we'll have all our gear, camping stuff and possibly mountain bikes in the back of our 110 csw and I want to make the vehicle more secure.

I've taken the view that it'll be easiest to focus on making the load area secure and leave the front as, with the addition of a clutch claw or disc-loc.

Probably got about 4-500 quid to spend and was thinking:

- floor to ceiling dog / load barrier
- extra lock (padlock) on the rear door (something like the Overland Hardware locks)
- security film (tint and smash proof) for the windows

Basically, I want to create a secure area in the back. Does anyone have any suggestions?

A few specific questions

- is there a way if securing the dog guard in place that isn't permanent (e.g padlocks not welding)

- what do you think of the security film

- are window grills better than the film

- are external padlocks asking for attention from thieves?

Anything else?!

Cheers

David

Dog-guard: Probably depends on the dog-guard but rather than welding perhaps pop-riveting might be better, just a drill required to get things out.

Security film: No experience but I'd have said the grill will be more smash-proof although won't offer the "visibility security", i.e. hiding what's inside. Perhaps put both if you can afford it?

Out of curiosity what were you planning on using as a security film - I'm interested because I've been seriously considering tinting the rear windows of my 110 CSW to hide what's inside given that I'm quite often transporting guns (from 1 to, the last time, 28) around in the boot.

I would personally say external pad-locks are a possible attraction for thieves since they're relatively easy to cut. Having said that I have no experience - one location the 110's parked in is in the middle of know-where in Wales and guarded by 3 labs plus someone on the farm 24/7. The other location is in a locked garage in Chelsea so it's out of sight.

I would suggest one of those van locks for the back door. It is two plates that overlap with a circular padlock that locks into place. They are very hard to cut and also will not rattle and cause damage to paintwork. They also llok rather neat and should not attract too much attention.

Also I would move down tne window guard avenue as it will act as a visual deterent as opposed to the film which will not stop someone from trying.

In terms of securing things in your vehicle it is just a case of having nothing of great value on show and making your vehicle less desirable to break into than the next.

ed.poore said:

Out of curiosity what were you planning on using as a security film - I'm interested because I've been seriously considering tinting the rear windows of my 110 CSW to hide what's inside given that I'm quite often transporting guns (from 1 to, the last time, 28) around in the boot.

Click to expand...

Thanks guys.I'm warming to the window guards although I've just picked my jaw from the ground having seen a full set of Mantec guards go for about £650.... Crikey.

In terms of the film, I'm not sure. Halfords do some but I suspect it's over priced and poor quality. I know there are specialist firms who do graded film (shatter resistant --> bullet proof) and I was going to explore this further.

Will investigate cheaper guards, dog guards and van locks.

Cheers

Apparently 88" sides will replace the rear windows in the CSW. Interestingly I have a 88" which I want rear windows in (it's a death trap at oblique junctions) and a 110 CSW I want to hide the boot for...

I was thinking about how I wanted two complete Land Rovers. Never considered swapping the two backs... :doh: