| The range of trackers available to motorhome | | | | check that the tracking device you choose will be |
| owners has grown immensely over the last couple of | | | | fully operational in the countries you plan to visit. The |
| years, but the difference between the top of the | | | | level of EU cover may vary between different |
| range models and the basic systems are vast, and | | | | tracking device companies. Some will simply be able |
| when it comes to recovering a motorhome worth | | | | to tell you the location of your motorhome when it is |
| tens of thousands of pounds it's worth investing a | | | | stolen abroad, whereas other devices will provide full |
| little bit more money to get a system that works | | | | European monitoring and recovery with locally |
| effectively. | | | | accredited monitoring centres to co-ordinate police |
| Some of the key things to look out for when looking | | | | response on your behalf without you having to leave |
| for a motorhome tracking device are: | | | | the country! |
| 1. Is it Proactive? | | | | 5. Will it alert you to a low battery? |
| Proactive devices will alert you and/or your tracking | | | | If your motorhome is not used for long periods, your |
| device company as soon as your motorhome is | | | | tracking device could run down the battery and |
| disturbed by thieves, so you can inform the police | | | | eventually lose power altogether, rendering your |
| and get the quickest possible recovery before the | | | | tracking device useless. More advanced devices will |
| thieves do any damage. Other, non-proactive, | | | | alert you or the monitoring centre if the battery |
| devices rely on you noticing your motorhome has | | | | power is running low. This should give you chance to |
| been stolen and informing the tracking company | | | | arrange for a new battery to be fitted so that your |
| yourself, which can prove difficult if your motorhome | | | | device remains operational. From an insurance point |
| is in storage away from your home. These devices | | | | of view - it is vital that your tracker remains |
| are not always recognised by motorhome insurance | | | | operational so as not to void your motorhome |
| companies, so check before you buy. | | | | insurance policy. |
| 2. Is it monitored 24 hours a day? | | | | 6. What technology does it use? |
| There's no point having a proactive device if there's | | | | Tracking devices utilise two main types of |
| no one to monitor it! It is therefore vital that the | | | | technology and both have their advantages and |
| device you choose comes with the backup of a 24 | | | | disadvantages. GPS (Global Position System) devices, |
| hour monitoring centre in the UK at least. Some | | | | which seem the most common, use satellites to |
| devices don't have a monitoring centre, instead these | | | | locate a stolen vehicle to within 20 feet. VHF devices |
| devices will simply feed location co-ordinates back to | | | | use radio wave technology. These tend to be a little |
| your mobile phone or laptop leaving you to liaise with | | | | less accurate in locating a stolen vehicle and often |
| the police to co-ordinate recovery yourself - the last | | | | require the police or a 'finders team' to finish the job |
| thing you want to do, in what is an extremely | | | | of locating a stolen vehicle within a defined area. |
| stressful situation. Depending on the coverage, some | | | | However, VHF does have the advantage that it can |
| devices will even have European monitoring centres in | | | | emit a signal through metal containers and when |
| addition to their UK monitoring centre so recoveries | | | | underground (such as in underground car parks), |
| can be co-ordinated abroad. | | | | whereas GPS devices which use satellites need a 'line |
| 3. Is it approved? | | | | of sight' so may not be able to give a location in |
| Tracking devices that have been certified as | | | | those situations. A GPS device manufacturer would |
| Thatcham TQA for caravans & motorhomes | | | | argue that their device will track a stolen vehicle right |
| ('leisure vehicles') and Sold Secure are generally | | | | up to the point of going underground or into a metal |
| regarded as the most reliable and trustworthy in the | | | | container and obviously as soon as it comes out |
| industry, though there is no one accreditation which is | | | | again! |
| seen as a motorhome industry standard. If you want | | | | It pays to do some research before you buy a |
| to find out more Thatcham and Sold Secure both | | | | motorhome tracking device as they can be costly. |
| have lot of information on their websites regarding | | | | However, you'll probably find that your insurance |
| how they test the effectiveness of these devices. | | | | company will reward you with a substantial discount |
| Your insurance company may require that your | | | | off your premium, should you choose to fit a |
| tracking device is approved by one of these | | | | tracking device, meaning it could pay for itself long |
| organisations. | | | | term. Not to mention the peace of mind it will give |
| 4. Does it cover Europe? | | | | you. |
| If you take your motorhome to Europe, you should | | | | |