How safe are key locks?

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Jono77

356 posts

Jono77

WA, 356 posts

4 Jan 2016 3:15pm

pearl said...

Surfer62 said..
Been using the padlock style for a few years now since stashed keys (wheel arches, bumpers etc ) were getting stolen from cars here. It started to get a bit of salt air corrosion and I've been meaning to lube it, yesterday returned to van after a four hour session and the padlock just wouldn't open, release button jammed, borrowed a screw driver and had it open in less than two minutes, bit surprised thought it would be harder to force open Might pay the extra bucks and get the in hitch style posted above.

That hitch style is the one they target overseas. It can be forced open easy as well because it's fixed in position so can be struck hard. They are prone to seizing up. The key safe dangling is harder to strike unless you cut it off first. Someone should invent a solid tray that slides into your hitch and is simply secured by a tow hitch pin lock. It could slide right up the hitch and capped so you don't even know it's there. Even better if an aluminium container fits in the tray so people with proximity keys can save on alminium foil.
So in other words
this
www.haymanreese.com.au/products/hitch-pin-locks
Fits into a tray that slides in your hitch
and could be capped
www.google.com.au/search?q=tow+bar+cap&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-au&client=safari#imgrc=TvUvZRUcg2L27M%3A
Any handy metal workers that can make the tray. Send the royaltiEs my way

Then you will just need to find a solution to secure the key that is securing your other key!!

TheRussian

3 posts

TheRussian

3 posts

4 Jan 2016 9:37pm

Back in the day, I used to leave my keys on top of a damper spring on my Mk1 Golf ! But an electronic key in aqua pac around neck is my preference. I hadn't heard about dremmel's but a cordless angle grinder would cut through most things on or attached to a car.

Be careful on relying on what you are told by an Insurance Broker, as they are only your Broker, as opposed to being the Insurer - if you are going to rely on a statement from a Broker, make sure it is confirmed in writing first (at least then, you have a claim against the Broker's PI insurer!).

SUPSurferQLD

QLD

336 posts

SUPSurferQLD

QLD, 336 posts

5 Jan 2016 6:52am

Surfer62 said..

pearl said..

Good tip Pearl, my tow ball mount assembly ( the bit that slides into the hitch ) is actually hollow so all I need is a pin lock or even just a small padlock to go through the normal pin and just put the keys inside the ball mount itself, simple ! Cheers

Thats all well, but then you have the problem of securing another key - the hitch lock key. Sure, you can wear that around your neck... but IMHO the whole point of the key lock is #1: theft, #2: not losing the key in the surf.

I'll lose a key but i'll never forget a pin code...

or maybe I will later on in years

Grodad

QLD

17 posts

Grodad

QLD, 17 posts

5 Jan 2016 9:26am

I have a similar experience with these, used one on my camper van for a short time in the UK, had it about 3 months and came in from a surf, middle of winter, freezing, going dark. Hands were numb and I got some sand had got into the combination wheels so they wouldn't turn, couldn't open it. Picked up a small stone that I had parked near and tapped it, the thing popped open and I got my key (the keysafe no longer worked after this).

Now I have resorted to the old school techniques- stash a key (away from vehicle if car park is busy), or keep a key tethered to me while in the water.

Kozzie

QLD

1451 posts

Kozzie

QLD, 1451 posts

5 Jan 2016 9:38am

Grodad said..

Now I have resorted to the old school techniques- stash a key (away from vehicle if car park is busy), or keep a key tethered to me while in the water.

actually this has given me a rather stupid idea that might just work....... why dont we just get like a little hacky sack thats exact same colour as the sand we could even make it absorbant and roll it in the sand and then bury it like an inch under our kitebag on the beach etc

just need a fancy name that would appeal to kiters any ideas?

Grodad

QLD

17 posts

Grodad

QLD, 17 posts

8 Jan 2016 11:06am

Kozzie said..

Grodad said..

Now I have resorted to the old school techniques- stash a key (away from vehicle if car park is busy), or keep a key tethered to me while in the water.

Thats pretty much what I do, where I kite and surf there is a load of bush and trees behind the dunes, I just take a land mark (tree or bush) and bury my key near that in the sand, obviously making sure nobodys watching! That way I don't lose my key in the surf, and my key is in a location only I will ever know where it is (finding it from someone else would be like finding a needle in a haystack!).

The only way I would ever lose it is if I took a severe bump to the head and lost my memory, in which case I wouldn't need the key as I would probably be having a ride in an ambulance!!

Maybe you could call the name for your hacky sack idea 'Keysafe' or 'Camo-key?'

Gfly

165 posts

Gfly

165 posts

9 Jan 2016 10:37am

I tried to get my key cut so I could take a key out in the surf and use it to open the door instead of the remote. But none of the key places can cut it good enough. They just dont open the door.

Kraut

547 posts

Kraut

WA, 547 posts

9 Jan 2016 11:09am

I am wearing kite pants

. The safe pocket w/ zipper is just an excuse to wear the pants (apart from the neoprene inner pants protecting my parts from hard crashes) but can safely store a non electronic car key as well. Kite pants rule

Unhook3d

467 posts

Unhook3d

WA, 467 posts

10 Jan 2016 8:40am

This video was posted in 2012, I haven't researched costs, but seems the tech has been around years now so I would think it couldn't be too exxy to install?

Or use the old sunscreen bottle trick?

I know a guy who had his new hilux stolen from south trigg recently.

RiskyBusiness

69 posts

RiskyBusiness

WA, 69 posts

12 Jan 2016 7:45am

Unfortunately combo locks are super easy to rake open with a little bit of metal, a few seconds on youtube will show you how to do it. Same for bike combo locks.

Lock the key on the box, then lock it in a hidden place that is hard to get to under your car.

If stuck, a few good bashes with brick, rock or hammer will get one open.

Pity not many cars have waterproof keys

Plummet

4862 posts

Plummet

4862 posts

12 Jan 2016 8:39am

Sauce said..
Touch wood, I have been fine with the padlock style.

But was keen to look at one of these, with the cover on, you can't tell it's a lock..

I want one!

SimonDreyer

82 posts

SimonDreyer

WA, 82 posts

12 Jan 2016 11:14am

padlocks4less.com/hitch-safe-key-vault/

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