TheSamba.com :: View topic - Product review: The Club Twin Hook steering lock, model 3010

Mon Jun 22, 2015 5:07 pm

This is a quick review of The Club Twin Hook Steering Wheel Lock, Model 3010 (red).

Long story short, I've finally pieced together a rusty non-running Syncro I bought last year. It can be best described as a rolling storage unit for used 4wd parts.

So a few weeks ago I finally got it running 8) & I've been driving it to shake it down & fix the bugs

Anyway, being mainly consumed about getting this thing to run, I never really considered about fixing the door locks (the key is missing). Last weekend I drove it to the store to pickup a few things & I parked it near the front of the parking lot. I didn't bother rolling up the windows as I can't even lock the door...

When I came out, another car was parked right next to it with 2 guys in it, & another walking around my van. It seemed like they were just checking it out, but when I approached the one guy got really surprised & started saying "oh...this is yours??" I said hello & told him I just got it running. He mentioned something random about a similar Ford van :roll: while the car next to my van drove off.

I left the store & I started thinking about the strange situation that just happened. Even though they probably weren't going to steal it, it got me thinking how easy it would be...

So I figured I needed a least 1 piece of security for it. I went online to check prices on The Club & found that they have a newer style twin fork design. Now I realize that a pro can remove these in 10 seconds, I figured it's better than nothing (& my steering wheel doesn't lock either).

I have to say that this twin fork design looks like it was made to fit a vanagon. Just take a look. I think it would take a lot of steering wheel cuts to remove it.

Another plus is that these come in handy if you need to jam the gas pedal to get a high idle or the brake pedal to check the lights.

For $30, A+ in my book 8)

http://www.theclub.com/

Mon Jun 22, 2015 5:55 pm

They can deter some people, But This weekend i wired in a kill switch off the ground of fuel pump, so when switched off cant start van because no fuel........
So little more piece of mind than the club.....

Mon Jun 22, 2015 6:37 pm

I use a club even when parked in my driveway, and when we travel and leave it for dinner or a hike it gets put on. These things are way too easy to steal, and to me the emotional value is the highest of any vehicle I own. A pro can get one off, but to me the convenience (8 seconds to install as I leave, similar to remove when I slide back in) is worth enough deterrence to make 99% of folks with bad intentions move along to another vehicle.

DougM

Mon Jun 22, 2015 6:51 pm

Yeah the new type goes on real quick & it automatically locks when it's deployed.

The cool thing about this particular model vs the original club, is that the standard removal method (cut the wheel) wont work as long as it's installed as per the photo

Mon Jun 22, 2015 6:55 pm

Would it stop someone from unbolting the steering wheel?

Mon Jun 22, 2015 7:29 pm

Probably not, but thx for bringing that up. Will order some tamper proof HW from mcmaster carr

Do you know the bolt size?

Mon Jun 22, 2015 7:34 pm

It is a single nut that comes off with a 24mm socket. Looks like it would be relatively easily removed with that in place.

Mon Jun 22, 2015 7:43 pm

then they would have to bring their own replacement steering wheel or steer with some vicegrips. now that would be some planning.

Mon Jun 22, 2015 7:51 pm

I have seen that done. :roll:

Mon Jun 22, 2015 7:54 pm

& the steering wheel comes off without a puller? yikes

Mon Jun 22, 2015 7:56 pm

Yes, you pull on either side hard a few times and it pops loose. I have done that many times on different vans without issue.

Mon Jun 22, 2015 8:04 pm

Maybe a nut like this?

http://www.brycefastener.com/penta-nut.html

Do you know the thread pitch of that nut?

Tue Jun 23, 2015 12:24 am

Yeah...it works, but so does a 20v Dewalt battery operated grinding/cutoff tool with a 6" carborundum cutting disc.
Makes noise, but so do the alarms system you hear driving off...

Still prefer the stealth fuel cutoff switch.

Seeing it in the window would definitely deter the average lowlife.

Is there enough room under the cross bar to get the horn pad off to get to the wheel nut?

What brand of radio is that in your dash? Looks interesting.

Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:09 am

tjet wrote: This is a quick review of The Club Twin Hook Steering Wheel Lock, Model 3010 (red).

I bought one of these last year (a yellow one) and was happy with it, but the lock stopped working after a few months.

Tue Jun 23, 2015 8:52 am

syncrodoka wrote: Would it stop someone from unbolting the steering wheel?

This is my problem with using them. It might be fixed by welding a plate over the center area? Don't know the metal used in the club, though.

I think as Doug mentions, the point is that someone glancing in with bad intentions will see it right away, and likely think that there may be other anti-theft measures as well, and move on. That's the benefit that makes me reconsider these.

Tue Jun 23, 2015 4:40 pm

What I like about it is that it's fast & easy to install.

Ultimately, it's only a slow down device. A kill switch is a better idea. I still need to install the battery disconnect. I picked up this one, It has a removable key...

http://www.rallylights.com/hl87181-battery-master-...d-key.html

Mellow Yellow 74 wrote: tjet wrote: This is a quick review of The Club Twin Hook Steering Wheel Lock, Model 3010 (red).

I bought one of these last year (a yellow one) and was happy with it, but the lock stopped working after a few months.

You should contact the manf. Maybe they will fix it free

Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:01 pm

This is the exact same model I use. Don't know if its deterred any would-be thieves, but I like it very much. My only minor issue is storing it. I put it down in the aisle when driving, but that doesn't feel very secure.

Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:55 pm

The Auto-Lock attaches to either the clutch or the brake pedal. Small enough to fit behind the drivers seat.

Tue Jun 23, 2015 6:35 pm

Maybe telling people how to defeat this on a public forum isn't in our best interest. There is always PM!

Thu Aug 04, 2016 1:50 pm

GypsyDriver wrote: ..... My only minor issue is storing it. I put it down in the aisle when driving, but that doesn't feel very secure.

Here's where I stow away mine while driving. Very secure there & easy access.