Thinking of upgrading your door security? Getting a better deadbolt or padlock? Getting a new frame or better hinges? Not sure what brand or model to go with for your particular application? Need a recommendation? Feel free to ask for advice here!
Hi everyone, my first post so apologies in advance for any error. I have been looking for a good padlock to secure the back of a Penske 26' truck. I have narrowed down the choice between these two padlocks:
Based on my very limited and only recently gained knowledge of padlocks, I believe these two locks are fairly comparable in terms of performance/ security, grade, etc. Is my understanding correct? The price is also comparable. I can get the Abus for about $80.- and the Abloy for $88.- shipping and handling included.
I thought I'd solicit the opinion of this forum. Which lock would you recommend? Thanks.
Would the same locks in the model with a protected shackle still fit on the back of the truck? Someone trying to break into the back of the truck is less likely to try picking it than using bolt cutters.
Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
Yes, shackle protection would be a very improvement, other than that I have both and they are very much comaprable in security and quality. Both are excellent locks and I think you will make a good choice with either one. But a shackle protected version of either would be a major impreovemetn, I would even consider going a class below and getting one with shackle protection. I like the key with a built in light on the Abus, I could see that being useful on a truck.
Check the truck's shackle hole diameter, and make sure you get a long enough shackle to go through the 2 bits that swing together. I think I tried using an Abloy PL350 once and it wouldn't even fit, so had to lock up using a smaller lock. This was on a Penske straight truck.
Does your truck use this kind of locking mechanism?
Thanks all for the feedback. Squelchtone, yes the latch and keeper on the Penske truck looks like that. I called Penske Truck and they said a shrouded lock will not fit. They also recommended a lock similar to what they sell online (http://penske.supplysideusa.com/Pages/ProdDetails.aspx?ProdID=453) LOL, yeah right! might as well use zip ties. Too bad I cannot use a shrouded lock. It was my preference too.
Abus Granit 37/55 or Abloy PL340 padlock? I probably will settle this with a coin toss. Update on price - Abus $80.- Abloy - $86
I believe the ABUS lock performs slightly better against cutting, while the Abloy has a more pick-proof locking mechanism. That said I have not tried cutting either, nor is the required special ABUS pick tool widely spread.
"The techs discovered that German locks were particularly difficult" - Robert Wallace, H. Keith Melton w. Henry R. Schlesinger, Spycraft: The secret history of the CIA's spytechs from communism to Al-Qaeda (New York: Dutton, 2008), p. 210
With respect and only out of curiosity, do you mind me asking why do you think the Abus will be more resistant to cutting Mh? Is there any difference out of the size when it come to boron steel? I kinda thought they all use similar stuff.
"The techs discovered that German locks were particularly difficult" - Robert Wallace, H. Keith Melton w. Henry R. Schlesinger, Spycraft: The secret history of the CIA's spytechs from communism to Al-Qaeda (New York: Dutton, 2008), p. 210
I believe the Abus is 11mm in shackle diameter and the Abloy is 10mm. Assuming all else are equal and by that I mean the material and hardening process, I would think the Abus would take a little longer to cut than the Abloy just by virtue of the slightly wider shackle diameter. I watched this youtube video of the Abloy 342 . It is the shrouded version of the Abloy 340 and it is also 10mm. Unfortunately given time and with the right tool a determined thief can break in.
In response to the Abloy video, of which is found to be interesting enough, might I say, like that of most videos that expo lock defeating, that the circumstances of this performance is so ideal, the gentleman could not have been better positioned for the cut, applying all his weight upon the cutter, although with exception to his foot stomping down, one cannot see him behind the cutter during the break. Moreoever, the lock could not be anymore steady and stable for the cut, encompassing the two chains for support.
My point to all this is simply that this cut may not be executed so swiftly with this lock positioned midway up on a door, fastened in a latch, or anywhere realisticly fastened in a normal application, unlike the ground. We seem to see yet the same thing from all these well practiced performing locksmiths picking the most reputable locks on you tube in the most ideal circumstances, sitting firmly on a stool inside the comfort or their quiet, well lighted garage, without the slightest distraction to divert them, with the support of a stable work bench to execute their work at the best angle possible, and yet with all these unrealistic advantages, a potential thief will hardly have, the outcome is not always so swift and simple for them.
Although the performances of these defeats may be real, just how realistic is the nature of the defeats performed?
I purchased an Abloy Protec2 PL 340 with the 1" shackle for my Penske moving truck. It was a perfect fit!
Actually this one has a shackle thickness of 10mm, and a slightly larger thickness would have also fit. But I didn't want to risk ordering a larger one, as I wouldn't have had time to exchange it before our move.
floridakeys wrote:I believe the Abus is 11mm in shackle diameter and the Abloy is 10mm. Assuming all else are equal and by that I mean the material and hardening process, I would think the Abus would take a little longer to cut than the Abloy just by virtue of the slightly wider shackle diameter. I watched this youtube video of the Abloy 342
It is the shrouded version of the Abloy 340 and it is also 10mm. Unfortunately given time and with the right tool a determined thief can break in.
If only all thieves were this bad, haha...
@floridakeys:
Your choice of lock is like putting a neon sign saying "good cargo inside" on the truck. It is flashy and screams "steal me". New shiny locks attract attention. Given that entry will be made via bolt cutters, grinder, pry bar or torch. You want to select a lock which will not attract unwanted attention.
LOL, yeah right! might as well use zip ties. Too bad I cannot use a shrouded lock. It was my preference too.
