Thatcham Cat 1

[Moto GBR]

My insurance is up for renewal and a lot of companies require a Thatcham Cat 1 device to be fitted to the MH. I have the Sergeant Tracker system but not subscribed to it as yet as my present insurance supplies a tracker with their policy.

How much is a Thatcham Cat 1 System fitted? I know there are lots on the market but what is the general price range?
Would I be better off paying for an approved Thacham system to be retro fitted or activate the tracker system?
My thinking is if somebody wants the vehicle bad enough they will get it, so this is for insurance purposes. You can only put as much deterrents in place that you deem necessary.

TA Steve

 

[starquake]

I don't think personally the brand of Thatcham tracker/immobiliser matters so much as who fits it personally. Some mobile fitters allegedly do a poor job (thats material given I've seen some alarms noted here that just hook into the OBD port) and don't hardwire the harnesses fully, or install all their trackers to same general locations so the theives know where they are. Equally some are easily bypassed and pulled out. I would get reccomendations on fitters, and get advice from them on alarm/trackers to use. Worth noting there is to my knowledge only one specialist motorhome solution out there -> the rest are car systems repurposed.

I'd personally have least confidence of all in a van provided system like the Sargeant (althought many trust them) if only becuase it's installed in many vans identically. It's something I would use but for the other benefits like remote heating control, but wouldn't rely on its tracking lasting if someone streals a van...

A cat 1 alarm + decent immobiliser I rate over the tracker personally even if insurance needs latter. A suitably loud alarm discourages anyone from staying IN the van. A immobiliser makes it when combined with the alarm to be near impossible to move the van even if they can use a relay device or OBD device to program the van. Worth noting factory immobilisers can be reprogrammed with a OBD device on a fiat/peugeot chassis at least -> it's how my locksmith added another key onto the system, so I wouldn't say the factory fitted immobiliser on these has any real value.

A good system can for example text you if the alarm triggers too, immobiliser is activated or tracker senses movement... before it is too late. I also hate to admit but ours (Vanbitz) detected a mouse in the motorhome, again before it caused any real damage... alarm going off at 2am from a motion sense event.

Ref; pricing, it's on the vanbitz website a variety of options, and don't forget you get a mhfun discount for being a member (see the forum post on the discounts/benefits section).