To get a Motorhome Alarm or not? Which is the best one

[Cyclewalkbob]

Hi,

I am thinking of getting a motorhome alarm. However we had one on our caravan, but did not set it as we kept the roof lights open and that would set the alarm off!

We had a tracker - what a scam that was - bought a lifetimes cover, could not transfer it and could not get a refund when we sold the van!!! £195 down the drain!

Therefore now wondering if I should get one for the new motorhome, or get habitation lock re-enforcements?

Any thoughts would be welcome

cheers

Bob

 

[Jim]

Hi Bob, there are quite a few alarms to choose from. But it's easy to make a shortlist.:thumb:

When you filter out the alarms that really are car alarms poorly adapted and unsuited to the size and use of motorhomes, these alarms probably won't have add-ons for bike racks or lockers or disorientating screaming sirens that ensure a thief does not spend time inside your motorhome. Choose alarms specifically designed for motorhomes and that narrows it down a bit.

Choosing a specialist motorhome alarm that is Thatcham approved narrows it down further and may well get you discounts from your insurer.

Choose a company that has an excellent reputation for the quality of their workmanship and the list is getting smaller

Choose a company where the owners have been motorhome enthusiasts for over 20 years so really knows what works and what doesn't, your list is getting very small now.

A company that has a nice campsite right next to the workshops

A company that will give you all that; and give you 15% off if you are a subscribing funster

That list is short now... Here it is.

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[slobadoberbob]

Yes Vanbitz is number one

Yes, as Jim says..VanBitz and you get 15% discount at the moment if you are a paid up member of MHF.

Plus they have a nice campsite to spend the night before or after the fitting.

The equipment also gets me a discount on my RV.. 10% so that is welcome.. Safeguard reconise VanBitz and allow 10 days to get it installed.. not easy to get a slot in that time, but we did.

The system is designed for motorhomes.. I have extra horns under the chassis and a thatcham immobiliser fitted .. already have a Ford factory alarm and immobiliser fitted but due to value the insurance wanted a UK recognised system.

I also have the external alarm loop which I can put to my trailer or any other item I want when the alarm is on.. plus you can alarm the outside while the dog ois on board or at night. A system built for motorhomes and is very good. Not the cheapest about but then you get what you pay for... I would not like to be the person in the cab when it goes off.

Recommended

Bob

 

[jhorsf]

You have picked an excellent time as the only company I would recommend has a discount for us a the moment and they will give good free advice and no hard sell

Vanbitz:thumb:​

 

[Craig Rogers]

Have a look at "Outsmart the Thief". I have set the alarm off at least a dozen times by accident, Britain, France and Spain, in the last 18 months and each time I get a phone call within 30 seconds. I believe these are the only company that liaise with the police and can turn off the engine remotely if it is safe to do so on the say so of the pursuing police car. They are certainly worth a look.
Adrian.

Just read Outsmart the Thief and does look very clever...... Interesting.

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[Peter JohnsCross MH]

Hi,

I am thinking of getting a motorhome alarm. However we had one on our caravan, but did not set it as we kept the roof lights open and that would set the alarm off!
Therefore now wondering if I should get one for the new motorhome, or get habitation lock re-enforcements?

Any thoughts would be welcome
cheers
Bob

Hi Bob,

As your in West Sussex and we are in East Sussex, why not pop in and have a chat to Glenn Harris our Service Manager, theres mince pies and mulled wine this month and promotions in the workshop to save you money!

Peter

 

[Craig Rogers]

Pies and Wine!........

I'm a long way away, but tempted!

 

[SilverF1]

I had a Sigma S3 alarm on my old van.

On our new van we had a Strikeback Alarm from Vanbitz. I have no connection with the company other than as a satisfied, very satisfied, customer.

Fluttering curtains etc, will not set it off. Eddie gives good service, you will not regret having his alarm fitted.

 

[Peter JohnsCross MH]

Pies and Wine!........

I'm a long way away, but tempted!

Oh theres all sorts of temptations this month.

Peter

 

[haganap]

I had an alarm fitted by Dave Newall (a member here) on my last van. It was simple, effective and done the job. it was not particulaly expensive and Dave done a lovely job of fitting it.
My new van has a sigma alarm on, complicated to say the least but Im sure I will work it out eventually. :thumb:

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[Peter JohnsCross MH]

Safe Stop Control is employed, should someone take the van from you, just let it go, too many folk have been hurt trying to stop a theft. Just call the unit, this activates Safe Stop! Now when the MH is doing less than 1 Mile an hour, the vehicle shuts down, activates the hazards, sets of an internal and external siren! Then it calls you to tell you where it is, sending you a map, showing you it's location.

That sounds brilliant.

Peter

 

[Gromett]

I know there are a lot of happy vanbitz customers so that would be have to be a first port of call if you want a proper motorhome alarm.

However, I have not been convinced by the marketing of any companies alarms.

For me there are three parts to security

1. Preventing Access
2. Preventing movement
3. Tracking and retrieving.

An alarm doesn't help with any of these.
1) Prevent access. Get deadlock on all the doors and not the friendly ones with internal knobs. Proper deadlocks require a key. These are visible and practical deterrents. If they can't get in they can't knick it.

2) Preventing movement. Fit a proper immobiliser. The standard ones are ok but an additional one will add an extra layer of confusion to the would be thief.

3) Most commercial tracking systems that will allow you to get your MH back will cost you less than a years insurance.

Alarms are over rated in my view as the don't stop the twats getting, They don't stop them stealing your van and they don't help you get the van back.

Alarms are only good in my view for waking you up in the night if someone is breaking in. A bit of string round your left testicle and then looped round the habitation door will be more effective...

I have a budget for security, I spend on the deadlocks first, then the immobiliser. Whatever is left I spend on simple alarms. I skip the tracker to be honest because if it ever gets knicked I don't really want it back... I want the insurance money.

PS: I would also recommend a safe for your really valuable valuables. I do know the scum get in through windows but this is rare tbh unless things are left on display where they can grab them easily.

 

[Hayleylulu]

The person i stole my van off had an alarm fitted

 

[Chris]

The person i stole my van off had an alarm fitted

It's not a Compass 140 is it?

 

[Hayleylulu]

It's not a Compass 140 is it?

it is you dont want it back i hope

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[jhorsf]

All well and good Gromett but what you have not taken into account is the insurance TELLS YOU cat1 is required if your van is above a certain value so you have no choice about fitting an alarm

 

[Chris]

it is you dont want it back i hope

Nah. My daughter wet the bed so often it really ponged.

 

[Hayleylulu]

Nah. My daughter wet the bed so often it really ponged.

iv been trying to find wot that nice smell was can you send me a bottle of it thanks

 

[Road Runner]

Nah. My daughter wet the bed so often it really ponged.

That what attracted him to it

 

[Phill D]

I had a Van bitz strikeback on last van i thought it was great. it also made me feel the van was safe with us in it....

:thumb: New Van coming in new year !!!!:thumb:
so looking at whats on the market, but earing towards Vanbitz; anyone know when their discount finishes??

will have a look at outsmart a theif and the other tracker system recommended.
anyone tried either of these?

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[Gromett]

All well and good Gromett but what you have not taken into account is the insurance TELLS YOU cat1 is required if your van is above a certain value so you have no choice about fitting an alarm

True.. I wouldn't suggest not to get an Alarm. I would however suggest it is not most important part of your defence.

 

[Jim]

Let me throw another system in the ring... Samtrac, designed for Motorhomes, works with your mobile, even if someone steals the keys to take the MH, the owner will know the instant the van is unlocked, entered or towed away.

No Monthly Charges, see it's location on a smartphone map, in the palm of your hand, by making a simple phone call. There are 7 detector circuits, both open or closed operation, Internal Sensors and ultra low current drain too!

Safe Stop Control is employed, should someone take the van from you, just let it go, too many folk have been hurt trying to stop a theft. Just call the unit, this activates Safe Stop! Now when the MH is doing less than 1 Mile an hour, the vehicle shuts down, activates the hazards, sets of an internal and external siren! Then it calls you to tell you where it is, sending you a map, showing you it's location.

This is just a quick overview of it's capability, as for it's pedigree, you can't do a better test then with Law Enforcement, several sting operation during development, proved it's capability, in the field 27 thefts, 27 recoveries!

We have the system installed on our Bessacarr E560 and will not use anything else, with over 30 years experience as a Auto Security Engineers, I have seen a lot of systems, but have found very few that can match this units capability.

As for the fitting, that's easy too, you can have the system installed at our own Campsite in Kent, All backed by a no quibble Lifetime Guarantee. Things a set to change in 2012, there's a lot more choice for Motorhomes Funsters.

Cheers and good wishes. Steveutwg

Hi Steve,

Will this alarm be Thatcham Approved? Is it to be based on the Samtrac that has been knocking around for ages, for fitting to vans and motorbikes etc?

 

[jhorsf]

[HI]I had a Van bi tz strikeback on last van i thought it was great. it also made me feel the van was safe with us in it....
[/HI]
:thumb: New Van coming in new year !!!!:thumb:
so looking at whats on the market, [HI]but earing towards Vanbitz; anyone know when their discount finishes??[/HI]

will have a look at outsmart a theif and the other tracker system recommended.
anyone tried either of these?

I do not know when the discount will end but its a no brainer for me even without the discount give Eddie a ring or PM him advice is free



Ps. ask him about his growler lol

 

[treasuredgiftsuk]

Hi,

I am thinking of getting a motorhome alarm. However we had one on our caravan, but did not set it as we kept the roof lights open and that would set the alarm off!

We had a tracker - what a scam that was - bought a lifetimes cover, could not transfer it and could not get a refund when we sold the van!!! £195 down the drain!

Therefore now wondering if I should get one for the new motorhome, or get habitation lock re-enforcements?

Any thoughts would be welcome

cheers

Bob

Hi Bob, what are habitation lock re-enforcements. Just bought a motorhome and it looks as though someone has tried to force the lock at sometime and it does not fit as securely as I would like. Would these be useful in this case?:helpsos:

 

[smudger]

what ever yoo decide DONT GO TO FALCON SECURITY

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[Cyclewalkbob]

What I was thinking of was either deadlocks or the Fiamma type additional door lock.

In the end have decided to go down the Growler alarm route, on the basis that if i fit deadlocks/extra door locks then they either heavily damage the doors or go through the windows to get in - all at a big repair cost, if i have the growler at least it will give the buggers a headache and stop them staying in the van!!!!!

It also gives the option of having perimeter door/locker and emergency alarm protection when we are tucked up in bed!:thumb:

 

[treasuredgiftsuk]

I have a growler, she is a 9 year old terrier x a proper little ankle biter. Perhaps she will be deterrent enough.

 

[Encantador]

Can I just ask for clarification please re insurance requirements.

As someone possibly about to buy their first MH which will almost certainly be over £30k, when I come to insure it, will I be struggling to get it insured without a alarm fitted?

If there is the slightest chance that this is the case, i would obviously be trying to get one fitted in the deal.

Thanks

Steve

 

[Phill D]

only my opinion;;;;:Blush: but the purpose of security is to deter would be " nasty people" :Angry: and for you to feel safe and secure :thumb:
i have had and will have when my new van arrives The VANBITZ strikeback system. does all you want:thumb:
i just have extra external LED's fitted to show outsiders its armed.

also

IMOP the more locks you fit the more damage is done so deterence is cheaper in the long run.

 

[Phill D]

theres more... any alarm you have fitted in the deal! is unlikely to be of the standard that would make you feel you have made the right choice:shout: unless that is you have an exceptional dealer.... not impossible:thumb: