Tracking Devices

[dusty miller 57]

Hi Guys would love to have your opinions on tracking devices.
When we purchased our MH it came with a complimentary Trackstar tracking devise fitted it did not work in many places losing its signal often .

 

[Two on Tour]

We have a couple of trackers on our van, one is a normal tracker, and the other is an "asset" tracker, which I have set to report it’s position every 3 hours, which makes it impossible for theives to detect with a tracker finder.
A tracker should not loose a GPS signal. A good tracker should be fitted with a M2M sim card which will conect to any available phone network rather than a network tied sim.

 

[Millcourt]

We have a couple of trackers on our van, one is a normal tracker, and the other is an "asset" tracker, which I have set to report it’s position every 3 hours, which makes it impossible for theives to detect with a tracker finder.
A tracker should not loose a GPS signal.

……. But needs a cellular signal connection to contact you, which may not be available in all locations.

 

[Brains]

With trackers you tend to get what you paid for.
Limit your search to the subscription services only.

There are number of trackers out there, like many on here I have metatrac, simply because it the one that was fitted by arguably the best Motorhome security company in the UK, VanBitz, (now called WattGuardz)

My van also came with a Vodafone tracker system, but it seemed pretty basic in comparison to metatrac

All conventional trackers have 'not spots' as they use the local mobile phone network, which in the UK has vast 'not spots' that includes entire towns with thousands of residents and vehicles.

(Although with the next generation of trackers is starting to use satellite rather than mobile mast location, 'not spots' will get a lot smaller)

Personally I'd be looking for a single company to fit an alarm, tracker and immobiliser package.
Ideally a company that specialises in motorhomes and not cars.

I like the idea of the additional 'asset' tracker with the signal set to one beep every 3 hrs

A call to WattGuards would start you in the right direction.

 

[Lumpy]

We have a TruTrak tracker, it has been an absolute god send during our last trip where we broke down in France and we have been able to see where it is on the route back to the UK on a repatriation agreement. We only lost contact once and that was when it was in the hold of the Calais Dover ferry so we knew where it was.

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[CAB96]

We have a Trackstar in our VW and have not had a location only a handful of times in 5 years.

I would suggest something is amiss with the tracker or the installation.

 

[ChrisL]

Another vote for WattGuardz (Vanbitz as was)

 

[dusty miller 57]

We have a couple of trackers on our van, one is a normal tracker, and the other is an "asset" tracker, which I have set to report it’s position every 3 hours, which makes it impossible for theives to detect with a tracker finder.
A tracker should not loose a GPS signal. A good tracker should be fitted with a M2M sim card which will conect to any available phone network rather than a network tied sim.

Thanks Guys sorry I missed your helpful comments
How do theses theives get hold of tracker finders and how do they work ?

 

[dusty miller 57]

With trackers you tend to get what you paid for.
Limit your search to the subscription services only.

There are number of trackers out there, like many on here I have metatrac, simply because it the one that was fitted by arguably the best Motorhome security company in the UK, VanBitz, (now called WattGuardz)

My van also came with a Vodafone tracker system, but it seemed pretty basic in comparison to metatrac

All conventional trackers have 'not spots' as they use the local mobile phone network, which in the UK has vast 'not spots' that includes entire towns with thousands of residents and vehicles.

(Although with the next generation of trackers is starting to use satellite rather than mobile mast location, 'not spots' will get a lot smaller)

Personally I'd be looking for a single company to fit an alarm, tracker and immobiliser package.
Ideally a company that specialises in motorhomes and not cars.

I like the idea of the additional 'asset' tracker with the signal set to one beep every 3 hrs

A call to WattGuards would start you in the right direction.

Thanks Brains for your response sorry for the very late reply back I will check out Whattguards for their advise
Happy trucking !

 

[dusty miller 57]

We have a TruTrak tracker, it has been an absolute god send during our last trip where we broke down in France and we have been able to see where it is on the route back to the UK on a repatriation agreement. We only lost contact once and that was when it was in the hold of the Calais Dover ferry so we knew where it was.

Thanks Lumpy sorry for the delay to reply been out of reach for a few weeks , will look into Trutrak
Best wishes
Rob

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[dusty miller 57]

We have a Trackstar in our VW and have not had a location only a handful of times in 5 years.

I would suggest something is amiss with the tracker or the installation.

Thanks Cab96 we think the same as you !
Best regards
Rob

 

[dusty miller 57]

Another vote for WattGuardz (Vanbitz as was)

Thanks Chris

 

[Fragle]

Thanks Guys sorry I missed your helpful comments
How do theses theives get hold of tracker finders and how do they work ?

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter how they work. You just have to make it as hard as possible and give them enough indication that you’re protected to a good level and it’s going to be difficult.

For instance our van came with an alarm and tracker. Alarm was powder puff when it went off tracker worked ok but was s7 I think. No visible signs that it was protected on the van.

Some would say well you have an alarm and tracker if the want it you’re insured.

I prefer to keep what I have and for the fourth time I invested in the Vanbitz Raptor. Now WattGuardz

Highly visible very noisy when activated non starter and obd port protection. I do fit an additional steering lock.

Ultimately good security costs. Personally over12 years those little blue highly visible lights and plenty of multilingual labels have done the job. I sleep soundly in the most wild Aires in France with no worries.
I don’t care what they have. Open the doors and I will know and so will plenty of people around us when the numerous sirens go off.

I can only recommend Ash too speak to at WattGuardz. Top man and knows his stuff.

 

[dusty miller 57]

We have a TruTrak tracker, it has been an absolute god send during our last trip where we broke down in France and we have been able to see where it is on the route back to the UK on a repatriation agreement. We only lost contact once and that was when it was in the hold of the Calais Dover ferry so we knew where it was.

Thanks Lumpy checking will check them out!

 

[dusty miller 57]

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter how they work. You just have to make it as hard as possible and give them enough indication that you’re protected to a good level and it’s going to be difficult.

For instance our van came with an alarm and tracker. Alarm was powder puff when it went off tracker worked ok but was s7 I think. No visible signs that it was protected on the van.

Some would say well you have an alarm and tracker if the want it you’re insured.

I prefer to keep what I have and for the fourth time I invested in the Vanbitz Raptor. Now WattGuardz

Highly visible very noisy when activated non starter and obd port protection. I do fit an additional steering lock.

Ultimately good security costs. Personally over12 years those little blue highly visible lights and plenty of multilingual labels have done the job. I sleep soundly in the most wild Aires in France with no worries.
I don’t care what they have. Open the doors and I will know and so will plenty of people around us when the numerous sirens go off.

I can only recommend Ash too speak to at WattGuardz. Top man and knows his stuff.

Thanks Fragle
Looks like Whattguardz get good reviews !

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[dusty miller 57]

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter how they work. You just have to make it as hard as possible and give them enough indication that you’re protected to a good level and it’s going to be difficult.

For instance our van came with an alarm and tracker. Alarm was powder puff when it went off tracker worked ok but was s7 I think. No visible signs that it was protected on the van.

Some would say well you have an alarm and tracker if the want it you’re insured.

I prefer to keep what I have and for the fourth time I invested in the Vanbitz Raptor. Now WattGuardz

Highly visible very noisy when activated non starter and obd port protection. I do fit an additional steering lock.

Ultimately good security costs. Personally over12 years those little blue highly visible lights and plenty of multilingual labels have done the job. I sleep soundly in the most wild Aires in France with no worries.
I don’t care what they have. Open the doors and I will know and so will plenty of people around us when the numerous sirens go off.

I can only recommend Ash too speak to at WattGuardz. Top man and knows his stuff.

Thanks Fragle all great advise !
Happy trucking
Rob