Caravan security

Aaran Kent
Aaran Kent Forum Participant Posts: 4
edited April 2017 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Hi All,

Looking for a wee bit of help/advice on a security system for a new caravan we are getting

we have been looking at the 'tracker caravan monitor' and the 'Smartrack Caravan Protector'

both come in at around the £650 mark, supplied, fitted & life time subscription

question is, which do people prefer, pros/cons?

Many Thanks

 

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #2

    Neither. That sounds a horrendous price. What is lifetime? Your lifetime, the length of time you keep the van, or the length of time the company stays in business?

    We take reasonable precautions with locking devices but I don't believe the trackers are all they're made out to be.

    I've always said if a van of ours is nicked I don't want it back. That's what insurance is for.

    Yep, I'm a cynic.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited April 2017 #3

    In our 49th year with caravans,+ 7 years on the "dark side of Motor caravans, have only ever used the wheel clamp ,hitch locks ,as unless a "tracker" gives a large insurance discount,would you want your c/van back after it was stolenundecided 

  • Aaran Kent
    Aaran Kent Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited April 2017 #4

    Ok thanks for the quick responses, so no to a tracking type system, I get what you both mean about wanting it back & yes it will be fully insured, so recommendations on an alarm type system

    we currently have a sargent 310 on our coachman, nice and simple but the vans only around 8K, we are looking at over double that for the new van, would like to think there are better/more sophisticated systems out there??

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #5

    Try Autowatch alarms if you're looking to fit a different system.

    To be honest, the Sargent is probably fine.

    Others will probably disagree with my views about trackers.

     

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited April 2017 #6

    The factory fit tracker was easily found on my caravan & I wasn't even looking for it. surprised

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #7

    Ours was easily found as well, MM. It was a pain so was disabled and the insurance discount was far less than the subscription.

  • redface
    redface Forum Participant Posts: 1,701
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    edited April 2017 #8

    Had a retro fitted tracker system which worked well. Too well!

    Kept setting it off by accident, usually by key fob being in my pocket whilst I was moving around, so after 8 yrs agreed it wasn't worth the hassle. Good whilst the van had sizeable value though.

  • Aaran Kent
    Aaran Kent Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited April 2017 #9

    Thanks everyone,

    so I've looked at the autowatch, as Tinwheeler suggested & the 650 looks like the one for me, been checking on the web but cant seem to find anyone local to me who can supply and install it, which is a shame, closest I can find is Bucks, which isn't exactly a same day round trip

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #10

    Happy to have helped.

  • crusader
    crusader Forum Participant Posts: 299
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    edited May 2017 #11

    We have a factory fitted phantom and so far so good they even call me up if I trip the alarm

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #12

    we have had Autowatch on both our last two bans, but fitted at the dealers as part of the deal. this was in Staffordshire and the price would have been around £600.

    it protects all external lockers, garage doors, main hab door, drivers door and has a (deselectable) interior movement sensor....

    not sure if they have a mobile service but the contact is Raf.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #13

    I think the idea of not wanting it back is not a problem with the tracker devices. Essentially if they are going to get the caravan back and in most cases they say they do this will be quickly before the thieves have had time to do anything with the caravan. the ones that come back later tend to be the ones with no tracker which the Police only find when raiding suspects for something else or just by luck.

    Three caravans stolen from Preston Caravans last year fitted with Trackers were recovered before they even got out of the city showing they are effective.

    Whether they are worth the money is a personal thing as to your own perception of all the facts and there is no right or wrong answer. Fitting them does reduce your insurance premiums but in almost all cases not enough to cover the costs of instalation.

  • bartdon56
    bartdon56 Forum Participant Posts: 13
    edited May 2017 #14

    If it's a brand new caravan it normally come fitted, our has entry, legs and movement. I also fit hitch lock and wheel clamp..nose in on driveway.