mike 202 Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Hi guys soon to take delivery of Autosleeper on a Ford which has a factory fit a Cat2 immobiliser. I dont know wether to go for a Sigma Cat1 alarm or a Tracking system. Will be using the Vehicle in UK but mostly for 6 WEEk trips to France & Spain, using a mix of Sites/Aires and Passion. Just want peace of mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonflyer Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Hi Mike I would like to give my personal opinion. Alarms and Trackers are two different things. We have a Van Bitz fitted Metz alarm system, plus a Tracker [required by insurance company], plus a phone alarm. We also have Battery management, as alarms are a drain on the system. The phone alarm gives us the opportunity to rush out from the shopping centre/restaurant to see what is going on in the car park before the vehicle disappears!! At least we know something is happening and can make sure that the Tracker people are on to the case. The alarm is meant to deter someone breaking into or entering the vehicle, whether occupied or unoccupied. It enables us to sleep peacefully when not on a proper camp site. A search of the forum will give you lots of information and views of other people. It is a lot of money, but then the aggravation of losing the motorhome and finding its replacement, will cost much, much more. Joyce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 IMO you need the protection of a Cat I system, which you can arm while sleeping. These are not expensive if you find a authorised Thatcham commercial fitter. My Ford based van cost well under £400. As they fitted some locks as well so not sure of exact price. it was a cat 2 - cat 1 upgrade. with ultra sonics in cab & PIR in habitat area and sensors on habit door and garage. have had it over 1 year and no false alarms etc...... I also had security locks fitted to all doors, and considered this enough expenditure for me. A tracking system is another layer of security and if you can afford all 3 go for it, but I would not feel safe sleeping in Europe without an alarm system armed and secondary locks on doors...... I used this company: http://www.electrifyingtouch.co.uk/ over on another forum some one has woken up to the loss of a new Burstner i 821 from their drive... no details on the security they have though*-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike 202 Posted June 8, 2008 Author Share Posted June 8, 2008 Thanks Joyce and Judgemental, am new to the world of motorhomes so there is lots for me to learn. Did not think about an alarm on at night, but it makes good sense. also deadlocks. Great to be part of this forum to get me up to speed. Hope I can return the favours in the not to distant future. Regards Mike and Heather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike 202 Posted June 8, 2008 Author Share Posted June 8, 2008 joyce have you got Tracker or Phantom, and do they work in europe? Thanks mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonflyer Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Hi Mike We have RAC Tracker which does and does not cover Europe. Apparently the motorhome will be tracked across Europe, but it is up to us to contact police and organise recovery. In UK Tracker should organise recovery and contact named person(s). As we hang on to our vehicles long term we have taken out lifetime European cover on the Tracker system which is approx the same as 3 years annual subscription. Before going abroad we notify Tracker and previously we have done a turn around the neighbourhood to check that all is working correctly. There are a number of systems out there, but unfortunately a few of the early ones were unable to finance the long term and folded. This is why we have selected Tracker. It is horses for courses! The internet is wonderful for finding information. Good Luck Joyce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike 202 Posted June 8, 2008 Author Share Posted June 8, 2008 thanks Joyce will look on internet at RAC Tracker. (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonflyer Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Hi Mike Glad to help. With reference to the Bursner that disappeared from the drive - we slept in our new motorhome from collection until alarms were fitted at the end of the week. We have had our trust abused in the past. Another thing to think about is burglary when you are away from home and the motorhome is missing from the drive. This happened to us in February and my husband was very ill as a reaction. He has recovered but is still taking a number of pills to keep his spirits up. As the house was secure much damage was done to break in and get out. We carry ALL vehicle keys with us at ALL TIMES - yes really - so they were unable to take the car loaded up with goods. Unfortunately someone else in the village had this happen to them the following week when they popped out to friends. We now have internal CCTV monitored by our son in USA and recorded to the Web - as well as conventional alarms on the house wall. I suggest that you never leave your motorhome keys indoors, immobilisers make them very attractive targets. If we have it, somebody else wants it - but is not prepared for the years of back breaking/mind numbing slog to earn the funds. I have just remembered from the Guides - BE PREPARED Joyce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike 202 Posted June 10, 2008 Author Share Posted June 10, 2008 Hi Joyce, sorry to hear about your troubles and I hope your husband gets better soon. Personally I would nail the scrotes to a tree, it really makes me sick when they say that the victim is insured - what about the fear that it may happen again. Judge, following your advice have ordered a Sigma Cat 1 Thatcham alarm which can be part set at night. Hope that make is ok?. It was the one that the dealer normally gets fitted by a specialist firm. Thinking of all that hammering >:-) >:-) Regards to all Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 mike 202 - 2008-06-10 8:41 AM Judge, following your advice have ordered a Sigma Cat 1 Thatcham alarm which can be part set at night. Hope that make is ok?. It was the one that the dealer normally gets fitted by a specialist firm. Mike The MHF chap who just lost the 75k Burstner from his drive at the weekend had the Sigma cat 1 system...... *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike 202 Posted June 10, 2008 Author Share Posted June 10, 2008 Hi Judge, The Sigma is not yet fitted as my van will not reach the dealers for a few weeks yet, so there is time to cancell. Is there a better system or was it just bad luck? I presume that the alarm was set!!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 mike 202 - 2008-06-10 12:45 PM Hi Judge, The Sigma is not yet fitted as my van will not reach the dealers for a few weeks yet, so there is time to cancell. Is there a better system or was it just bad luck? I presume that the alarm was set!!. There is speculation that with kind of thefts that sometimes they could be an inside job - a key made by someone.... but who knows *-) yes a good question was alarm set! - again who knows. But you can't help wonder, when spending 75k would you prevaricate regards dealer fitting a Tracker and finding a cheaper one later elsewhere. But spend £2000 on a sat dome...... As for alarm no Idea, but look on Thatcham site - they rate alarms for commercial chassis. all I know to take mine of the drive. They can't force the locks as I have Armour plates fitted, secondly I have Heosafe deadlocks fitted as well.... So to get in the cab they would have to smash window and climb in - not an ideal scenario for a stealth attack lol Obviously a motorhome can be easily entered through a window/heki roof light/habitation door, whatever. but the alarm should at least sound? But the professional thief know their stuff - if they want it they will have it *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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