# Anti theft measures
**Source:** https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/anti-theft-measures.60307/
**Posts:** 19
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### Y — 2025-11-05T18:47:36+0100 (Nov 5, 2025)
Hello,
first post here.
I was wondering if someone has installed anti theft measures in his van?
For example, alarm system from vw, gps tracker from other brands, airtags, ...
It's a costly van afterall.
Thanks.
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### — 2025-11-05T18:54:44+0100 (Nov 5, 2025)
Welcome!
I've got a Scorpion S5 tracker and a Ghost 2 installed in my California.
I am also considering adding additional mechanical security...
Bear Lock -
Along with some visual security...
Disklock -
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### — 2025-11-05T18:56:56+0100 (Nov 5, 2025)
> [YvesVl said:](/goto/post?id=764938)
>
> Hello,
>
> first post here.
>
> I was wondering if someone has installed anti theft measures in his van?
> For example, alarm system from vw, gps tracker from other brands, airtags, ...
>
> It's a costly van afterall.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Click to expand...
Many on here advise that additional security just isn’t worthwhile
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### — 2025-11-05T19:06:51+0100 (Nov 5, 2025)
Each to their own of course and it really comes down to how comfortable you are with the level of security you have; my view is the more you have, the better; if nothing else, it makes me feel better knowing I've done what I can to protect it.
There is also the insurance aspect; having an S5 tracker (I think they also accepted S7) was a requirement in my case; you might also get a small discount if you have a Ghost 2 installed.
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### — 2025-11-05T20:02:03+0100 (Nov 5, 2025)
> [RetroRed5 said:](/goto/post?id=764944)
>
> Each to their own of course and it really comes down to how comfortable you are with the level of security you have; my view is the more you have, the better; if nothing else, it makes me feel better knowing I've done what I can to protect it.
>
> There is also the insurance aspect; having an S5 tracker (I think they also accepted S7) was a requirement in my case; you might also get a small discount if you have a Ghost 2 installed.
>
> Click to expand...
I agree, they are more likely try elsewhere. I have a disklok which I fit everytime I leave the cali and I have a tracker. Mine was required by insurance and will recover the vehicle. I understand the VW alarm is ok. If the thief wants your van and they are given enough undisturbed time then no swcurity will stop them but for tge majority of time just makes yours more difficult to steal. Whatever you decide make sure you use it all the time.
Just remember while camping the oppertunist theif will know you have valuables inside the vehicle so they are more likely to break in and steal stuff laying around so dont leave it out and ideally take it with you or securely hide it.
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### — 2025-11-05T23:18:43+0100 (Nov 5, 2025)
Looks like its all been said above, and it all comes down to what you want to spend...
£1100 for a tracker and lifetime monitoring isn't a bad buy for a 70K van.
But remember that's hidden but would hopefully do its job if necessary - but having something visual to put them off in the first place is just as important so another £50-£100 on a steering, pedal etc lock gives you that added peace of mind they'll choose another car to break into.
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### — 2025-11-06T00:05:07+0100 (Nov 6, 2025)
> [YvesVl said:](/goto/post?id=764938)
>
> Hello,
>
> first post here.
>
> I was wondering if someone has installed anti theft measures in his van?
> For example, alarm system from vw, gps tracker from other brands, airtags, ...
>
> It's a costly van afterall.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Click to expand...
I can highly recommend BearLock which is installed to disable the gear shift when locked - it keeps the gear shift in Park.
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### — 2025-11-06T09:42:54+0100 (Nov 6, 2025)
> [davidgmo said:](/goto/post?id=764979)
>
> I can highly recommend BearLock which is installed to disable the gear shift when locked - it keeps the gear shift in Park.
>
> Click to expand...
On the New T7 California?
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### — 2025-11-06T13:18:40+0100 (Nov 6, 2025)
> [WelshGas said:](/goto/post?id=764993)
>
> On the New T7 California?
>
> Click to expand...
You are probably still in the minority and are reasonably new to the market. I am sure somebody will invent a similar gadget for you soon.
> [davidgmo said:](/goto/post?id=764979)
>
> I can highly recommend BearLock which is installed to disable the gear shift when locked - it keeps the gear shift in Park.
>
> Click to expand...
I suspect the Bearlock may only work with an automatic too but still a valuable contribution to this thread for those of us it applies to. ;-)
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### B — 2025-11-06T16:55:22+0100 (Nov 6, 2025)
I thought this was the T7 section of the forum anyway ;-)... hence why [@WelshGas](https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/members/6823/) questioned it
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### — 2025-11-06T17:59:56+0100 (Nov 6, 2025)
> [Up10 said:](/goto/post?id=765014)
>
> You are probably still in the minority and are reasonably new to the market. I am sure somebody will invent a similar gadget for you soon.
>
> I suspect the Bearlock may only work with an automatic too but still a valuable contribution to this thread for those of us it applies to. ;-)
>
> Click to expand...
I have been around for a few years. The Bearlock is a mechanical lock for the DSG/Manual gear shift that locks the Gear Selector in position and mounted on the selector shaft below the actual gear lever.
The T7 California/Multivan does not have such a gearshift. It has a Dashboard 3-position selector that is , as far as I am aware , non-mechanical in its action.
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### — 2025-11-06T18:48:02+0100 (Nov 6, 2025)
There is apparently a version of the Bearlock that locks the steering column, as well as some other measures, that works with the T7.
The link is in german, therefore you should open it with a browser equipped with a translation addon.
[T7 Bear Lock](https://www.carmotec.de/0770@LockT7A/Bear-Lock-Lenks%C3%A4ulensperre-VW-T7.htm)
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### — 2025-11-06T19:00:20+0100 (Nov 6, 2025)
> [burton61 said:](/goto/post?id=765039)
>
> I thought this was the T7 section of the forum anyway ;-)... hence why [@WelshGas](https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/members/6823/) questioned it
>
> Click to expand...
> [WelshGas said:](/goto/post?id=765043)
>
> I have been around for a few years. The Bearlock is a mechanical lock for the DSG/Manual gear shift that locks the Gear Selector in position and mounted on the selector shaft below the actual gear lever.
>
> The T7 California/Multivan does not have such a gearshift. It has a Dashboard 3-position selector that is , as far as I am aware , non-mechanical in its action.
>
> Click to expand...
My apologies. I wasn't reading the small print ;-)
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### — 2025-11-06T19:27:50+0100 (Nov 6, 2025)
> [pluc99 said:](/goto/post?id=765046)
>
> There is apparently a version of the Bearlock that locks the steering column, as well as some other measures, that works with the T7.
> The link is in german, therefore you should open it with a browser equipped with a translation addon.
> [T7 Bear Lock](https://www.carmotec.de/0770@LockT7A/Bear-Lock-Lenks%C3%A4ulensperre-VW-T7.htm)
>
> Click to expand...
That's pretty cool, I was wondering if/how Bear Lock would solve the issue of the T7 having an electronic gear shifter 
Hopefully the UK supplier of Bear Lock will add this to their portfolio.
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### — 2025-11-06T19:47:33+0100 (Nov 6, 2025)
> [RetroRed5 said:](/goto/post?id=765050)
>
> That's pretty cool, I was wondering if/how Bear Lock would solve the issue of the T7 having an electronic gear shifter 
>
> Hopefully the UK supplier of Bear Lock will add this to their portfolio.
>
> Click to expand...
It is a Steering Lock not a Gearbox lock and limits the amount of adjustment , height and reach , of the Steering wheel.
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### — 2025-11-06T19:52:04+0100 (Nov 6, 2025)
Hmm, if the Bear Lock T7 steering lock solution means level of adjustment on the wheel is reduced, I'd give it a miss and go with some other means of protecting the Cali.
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### — 2025-11-08T21:48:09+0100 (Nov 8, 2025)
Minimum a visual deterrent. Steering lock would be a good start. Common sense try to park nose first hopefully making it harder for the van to be towed or dragged on the back of a low load. But I will also say you will always worry about anything you love getting stolen. I actually have a cat 5 plus. Bearlock. Ghost. Apple tag and another magnetic tracking device on my van and I still worry. happy days.
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### — 2025-11-08T22:27:09+0100 (Nov 8, 2025)
Firstly - Nothing you can do or fit can stop some Yob with a brick smashing a window to grab what they can - So don’t leave valuables visible.
Secondly - A California cannot be hot wired it needs the Remote to deactivate the Immobiliser.
So a California can be be stolen with the Key or it can be lifted or winched onto a low-loader.
If they want it desperately enough they will target it and get it.
Unless I’m mistaken ALL the Californias that I’ve read about have been stolen with the key.
If your going to leave it over winter then replace the wheels with axle stands. 
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### — 2025-11-09T09:54:04+0100 (Nov 9, 2025)
> [WelshGas said:](/goto/post?id=765206)
>
> Secondly - A California cannot be hot wired it needs the Remote to deactivate the Immobiliser.
> So a California can be be stolen with the Key or it can be lifted or winched onto a low-loader.
>
> Click to expand...
Someone a while back talked about always leaving the van at 'locked' full lock, to make winching onto a low-loader difficult. I don't have the experience to know whether or not this is the case, but try to do this anyway.
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