Vanbitz

So good I had to go back for more.

Vanbitz fitted a Strikeback (with a few extra bits) to my brand new Autotrail V-Line PVC Sept 2019. I have no idea where they went in the van to fit the bits, it was left immaculate inside. The only traces I know of are a couple of fuse connections in the dash fuseboard, a couple of switches on the dashboard for the internal movement sensor and rear cycle loop, the cycle loop connector by the tow bar and the warning LEDs (dashboard one is a bit bright flashing away at night). Oh and there is a very loud siren somewhere underneath, clearly audible from the wrong side of Fleet Motorway services when I set something wrong
Took plenty of time over the phone to understand what parts of their system would suit me, with no hard sales talk. Again on site a good run through as it was booked in for the alarm fitting to check my requirements. They ran me into Taunton centre (a couple of miles away), whilst they got to work (they can't do the drop off at the moment due to covid), and later showed me over the alarm's workings - top tip some ear defenders would be useful, it's why they have to be remote else neighbours would be complaining from the siren noise around 4:00pm every weekday

This time round (Aug 2020) was an upgrade to Lithium battery. I was struggling with Autotrail's pitiful 75Ah lead-acid. Two nights off grid, even height of summer, on a wet cloudy weekend meant I'd take that down below 11.5V. Lack of space in the 5.4m PVC gave no space for a second battery, so lithium was my realistic only choice. This was all booked in to be done in mid March, just as Covid lockdown hit so had to be postponed. Nick at Vanbitz kept in touch as restrictions started to lift and plenty of communications as we re-arranged schedules, slightly confused by availability of components as the manufacturer's themselves were emerging from lockdown.
Again, no pushy sales tactics, more a concern from Nick that what would be fitted would do the job to meet my needs. They knew the Autotrail / Sargent systems weren't adaptable, and knew I had no space for kit. Over phone had explained they had options for 2 small 60Ah Lithiums or one larger one depending on space, there would be a Sterling B2B and replacement Victron MPPT solar controller to suit the lithium. Went with the single 120Ah Sterling Lithum as that can take a heavier disharge so could power a 1000W+ inverter where the smaller batteries my be a bit limiting. On the day kit was retrieved from stores, tested to see where it might fit, and then showed to me in position so I could see what was what for final approval. Great when everyone was trying to stay separate from each other for social distancing. I disappeared and 4 hours later got the call it was all done.
As ever a neat install in the van. I've actually gained storage space as they've made better use of the rear bench seat spaces, even if that meant them running alternate wires. And they even corrected my dodgy install of a battery master.

I don't plan on any more changes to my PVC, and I don't expect to change it for a number of years. But if and when I do, Vanbitz are the first people I'll call to sort out alarms and anything else electrical.

Oh and they have a nice campsite too

We arrived the day before taking up the offer of an overnight stay at the adjoining site, Its a really nice place, in fact, immaculate and they made us really welcome. The installation work was very professional as was the briefing after the install was complete, strike back and growler are formidable and highly recommended if you want peace of mind that you have done everything you can to thwart those that want to steal your stuff. I recommend that you look at this package not the cheapest but you only get what you pay for.

Hard to know what to say. They explain what is to be done and then they do it. No hard sell, clear explanation of products, very tidy job completed exactly when they said they would. They even approached the covid restrictions with good sense and good humour. A problem free day.
We had fitted the Strike-back alarm system (very keen on the Cycle loop) and the MT Non-Start. I'll be much more relaxed in some situations now.

Deferred picking new van up from Chelstons for a month as I could not get insurance cover for theft without a Cat 1 Alarm & Tracker, and the earliest Vanbitz appointment was Oct 4th.
We picked up new van, drove the few miles to find the Cornish Farm, set up on pitch for the night, with an early start in the workshop the next morning. We went into the office, met the team, discussed our options, then left them to fit a Growler Alarm, Meta Trackstar (with 3 year subscription), and last but not least a twin lens rear view camera, with LCD monitor on dash.
We returned late afternoon, Ash & the team had finished the work, and did a full demo of how things worked. The workmanship was exceptional, I always quote them as doing the "Devils Work" as I could not find any visible wires or how they had run the camera cables up the back wall of the van.
Take it from me, the vans a Carthago, and running wires without making them visible is very difficult, you cant even find & trace the manufacturers wires at the best of times.
Only ever had a false alarm once, when we took the van on a Fun Rally, why you may ask?, it was simply because we had left the mobile phone on charge on the dashboard, and it had rung & vibrated probably. Went through some "Housework" rules on the phone with Vanbitz the next day on what not to put on the dash,like coins, USB leads, phones & tablets etc no problems since.
So thanks to Eddie & Team, they are great at what they do, there is no better MH Alarm System than the Strikeback Growler, very dependable, and very loud when activated.
LES

We booked in for an immobiliser and growler alarm install - very helpful on the phone and booking very easy.
Turned up in our new van a few weeks later late afternoon - and made very welcome on the site. We had a problem getting the Truma working - combination of our inexperience and (I think) something had tripped/needed resetting.
A really friendly chap turned up, crawled all over the van and helped us out for 20 mins ...didn't catch his name at the time ...turns out, it was Eddie, the chap who owns the business
Says it all really - excellent workmanship and great customer service.

Growler alarm fitted at Vanbitz. The communication prior to arrival was spot-on. On arrival everything was well organised with a full run through of the scope of works. The job was done on time and the operation of the system was explained perfectly. Excellent job. Thank you to the entire Vanbitz crew and the campsite staff.

Had read the reviews on Motorhomefun and thought it worth looking into.

Initially we were hoping to get our new van in late November/early December 2019, alas the COC's were not available, then due to some other issues didn't get a new van until mid March.

However through all the changes of dates as we discussed with dealer from Nov 2019 if and when we would get our new van, Vanbitz excelled in offering new appointments, happy to cancel and re-book, called to say we have a cancellation how are you fixed, can we help what do you need from us.

So eventually we arrived at Vanbitz, Greeted by the camp wardens (should be paid more) Have to confess those like us that live in traffic reduced areas were a bit taken-aback by the constant drone from the nearby M5.

However, Greeted at Vanbitz by David, sold a few things I'd not thought about. 1 of which is we may think about solar panel etc and split charge arrangements. BUT was not aware the Sunstore MPPT unit fitted charged the leisure battery as priority so given a bit of off grid use the Vehicle/charger battery gets sacrificed. Hence folks with solar turn up to their van in storage and find the leisure battery is fine the starter battery is (i'll be kind) flat.

We were offered lift in to Taunton but declined as had all day to kill,Written instructions for the walk available and followed. Was interesting wandering around Taunton may have been more so had the start of the corona-virus issues not been upon us.

Shopped, coffee'd, lunch'd in Taunton and wandered slowly back to Vanbitz. It's a good walk both ways but hey it's flat and there are benches and if it's not raining quite enjoyable. Sat in the camping ground with cream cakes (gregs) and complimentary coffee awaiting completion of the works.

Texts arrived whilst "awaiting" to say tracker up and running. David then went through the system. Well He knows his subject, As ex power station electrical/control engineer was OK dear Sue said "KA what language are you speaking and can you translate" No seriously was simply a matter of following what was needed to set, troubleshoot and unset the alarm. Oh and ditto the the odd bits on the tracker.

Have to say have had no false alarms, no concerns about what was installed and how/where. Vanbitz have been everything other funsters have advised they would be.

Time will tell, but gib=ven the lack of posts on issues would assume there is nothing to tell.

Have to admit on the whole was pleasantly surprised to be relived of my hard earned in such a considerate and customer focused manner.

Sounds a bit Irish ( no offence intended) in parts but can happily recommend this company.

Ok Jim has a problem with this submission going to rate after-sales as excellent, haven't used them so don't know BUT would expect them to be SO.

Pleasure to deal with. Had a Growler fitter after much advice. They talked me through the whole process.

Stayed on their site the night before & they dropped us into town whilst the fitting done.

It is obvious they know their stuff.

Great customer care. Really tidy installation as far as I can tell.

Had my Strikeback + fitted over two years ago. My concerns about alarms revolve around ease of use and false activations and hence my review after two years!
The Strikeback has been excellent. Its very easy to set especially when leaving the dog in the van and we've never had any false activations.
Once or twice I've had a bleep when setting it but that's because I've accidentally pressed the rear bike rack loop switch. Once that's been de-activated, it's been fine.
We had the Strikeback with bike loop, extra door sensor and alarm. This set-up suits us and it's been completely reliable.

Terry

Pleasant, helpful and very knowledgable company, Nick being our main port of call. I have needed to call too, no trouble what so ever. Due to error of another company, I was talked through the process quietly and patiently by Nick to get everything back on! I had an inverter and B2b fitted By Vanbitz when we replaced our batteries with lithium, they had a need to beef up the cabling to the lithium that they didn’t supply, he wanted to ensure that everything worked as should and was safe. Now that is a company going that extra mile. went back later in year to have a bluetooth battery monitor fitted so can checked on the state of said batteries. I would certainly use them again.

I had a Strikeback system fitted to my previous MH in 2014. It always worked perfectly with no false alarms. I reviewed other systems when I ordered the new MH and although the dealer wanted to fit another make of alarm ( Cobra, utilising the Fiat remote fob) I decided to stick with VanBitz. So pleased I did. I used the cable loop often to protect a trailer and any other items I could use it on. Perfect for leaving the MH unattended during the day without having to pack items such as chairs and tables away. Great service from start to finish and a great reliable product.

Just returned from vanbitz we were booked in for a strike back alarm but after some discusion I opted for the growler one thing that swung it for me was the life time warranty and the security loop.

The alarm is very loud and easy to use and understand the blue led lights are very bright I must admit I have had to turn them down whilst parked on my drive as it's very dark at my house and they do shine very brightly.

We stayed on the campsite last night which is very well kept the toilets are very warm and absolutely spotless.

We were given a lift into town today and after having decent weatherspoons breakfast and a good wander around the town we got back had a coffee and it was all finished by 3pm

Very good service and great people oh and the dog was gorgeous

Had a Growler alarm with non starter ,Alden satellite system, solar panel and tv. All expertly fitted by VanBitz.
We stopped on their excellent campsite for 2 days whilst the work was done and they ran us into Taunton.
The work was all completed in one day and Nick explained how to operate everything the next day.
We had a very pleasant experience dealing with this company and we feel we’ve got the best alarm system available.

After much agonising about having solar panels fitted, and not being convinced by the depth of dealers' knowledge, I opted to go to Van Bitz. The team squeezed me in to make sure the panels were fitted before going on an off-grid meet, which was very decent of them.

In discussing the details of the installation I was given a comprehensive explanation of why two panels with two controllers was a good plan, and I was then persuaded to fit a battery monitor as well. The kit was all Victron; not cheap but clearly good quality. I was able to discuss with the installer some details of the installation, which turned out to be very neat. The job was done on time and at the quoted price, including the MHFun discount.

After the panels had been working well for 3 months, at the end of July the van wouldn't start so the RAC attended and replaced the battery under warranty. In doing so, the operator induced a voltage spike that caused some damage and electrical anomalies. The battery monitor and its associated app proved very valuable in dealing with the anomalies. After speaking to my dealer and Van Bitz (the latter being more helpful) I took the van back to Cornish Farm (again being squeezed in at short notice).

Nick then examined the two solar regulators and the battery monitor to investigate what happened. He did this with a friendly approach in my presence so that we could investigate together and I could learn (a lot) more about the system. The result was that we deduced what had happened and what led to the electrical anomalies, evidence that I can use to pursue a warranty claim for the damage. This is excellent after-sales service to help me with an event that was nothing whatsoever to do Van Bitz's installation.

There is an old-fashioned, high level of courteous service that I have always received from everyone I have encountered at Van Bitz, whether at a show, on the phone, at the workshop or at the campsite, which gives confidence in the work and adds value to the deal. I congratulate Eddie and his team on the culture that operates there.

Can't speak highly enough for all staff at Vanbitz.

From initial contact, responding to email queries, contacting my insurer directly to confirm spec of system and ensure it was added to their approved list, juggling appointment book at short notice to fit in our install and the actual fit and handover of the systems was faultless.

Had full system of alarm, tracker and non start installed, not cheap but in relation to the value of the initial purchase relatively small beer.

Certainly left me with a more confident feel that if we lose it now it will be to a serious and planned theft and not to an opportune passer by.

Anyone looking for security on their van should make VanBitz their only port of call.

Fantastic products backed up with top class service.

Went down to Vanbitz with our new van for another Strikeback Growler System. Also had a battery master and a solar panel fitted. Excellent job again - neat, tidy and efficient.

Before going I had also agreed to supply a second leisure battery for them to fit. When I picked up the van, was advised that they had not fitted it because they were unhappy that fitting it under the driver seat would of posed a risk of shorting out due to lack of clearance. Had a good chat about the options of relocating the existing and the new battery to a different location...will most likely return to get that done.

Great bunch of guys.

Having recently had a Motorhome stolen I thoroughly researched what was on the market and was impressed with Growler and Non Starter systems from Nick at VanBitz.
Went to NEC and met Nick and his team and, unplanned, ended up buying a motorhome from Alan Kerr at Paignton, which was a bit spooky as so easy to drive up the M5, stop over night on their lovely campsite, and got everything fitted the following day! The guy that ran the campsite was great - nothing was too much trouble!
Drove me to the Train Station next day and I went to Plymouth for a meeting, by the time I got back everything was done.
A thorough handover and off I went!
Nick was on hand to answer the questions that I had forgotten to ask (old age) and those I couldn’t remember!
Fantastic service from a brilliant family run Company!
Can recommend enough - well done!!!!

Thanks to Nick and the team at Vanbitz.
Had the Growler alarm system installed today on our lovely Dethleffs. The installation is spotless and the handover was totally comprehensive, with Nick devoting time and patience to answer all our questions.
They even organised wonderful weather to make our day in Taunton more enjoyable!
Very pleased we chose Vanbitz and the Growler system. Faultless!!
Thanks from David & Karen.

Brilliant job. Got our alarm sorted out straight away.
Cheers guys