Guest Ruth Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 Considering whether to fit a tracker to new motorhome and have read as many previous posts as I can find. My question is, in your opininion is it really worth it? Would you bother and why/why not? Doesn't seem to really make much difference to insurance, once you balance out premiums and cost of system. Some other thoughts 1. If your policy gives you"new for old" you might consider a tracker less essentila whilst the new for old is in force. 2.Are they really so brilliant given the ever sophisticated technology enabling thieves to blok the signal? 3.If you have a link to your mobile phone (as with Phantom)informing you of any tampering wouldn't you just hate it if a false alarm ruins days out as you have to abondon the fun only to find all is well? Still,you could turn off your phone... TIA, Ruth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mel E Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 These systems are now an insurance requirement on more expensive cars (£40K and upwards). Given many a new motorhome costs this much or more, maybe they are worth while. Points to consider are: 1. Get a reputable system - quite a few have gone bust of late leaving buyers with useless, expensive kit. 2. Make sure it covers where you are most likely to travel - both UK and abroad, with proper links to local police. 3. However, be aware that most UK insurance policies do not provide cover if the vehicle is left unattended overnight outside the UK and many do not provide cover in UK 'lockups' unless they meet certain (expensive) requirements. A Tracker just might enable the broker to negotiate these restrictions away with the underwriter, if that's important to you. 4. If you have a Continental built motohome, the market for it after theft is very large: even if it is right-hand drive, the conversion body is usually the same as LHD models and all the thief has to do is unbolt the body and remount it on a LHD chassis also giving it a new chassis and engine number so it's almost impossible to trace. 5. I suspect these sytems are only worthwhile if they go off automatically when the vehicle is moved and alert a central control room that gets the police in fairly immediate pursuit. So, depending on your motorhome, use of it, etc., it could be worth spending the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest passionwagon Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 Good points but how many post 2000 motorhomes have been stolen. Police info suggest negligible. Even theft of cars is significantly down . Expensive cars are stolen to export not very likey with a motorhome. Save your money and fit Thatcham 1 alarm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Yorkshire Tyke Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 Tend to agree with the fitting of a Thatcham class 1 alarm These include an immobiliser, which on new vehicles means that you have two immobilisers You can also negotiate on discounts with one fitted Ours allows for it to be left unattended vernight abroad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bill h Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 An imobiliser must be the better. bill h Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ruth Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Thanks for your replies. I thought I'd have a go at summing up why you might opt for a tracker system. See what you all think. 1. You have no option from an insurance point of view. In my own case it seems optional, but you might have such specialised requirements that you are limited to a handful of companies, and if they insist you have little choice. 2. You simply want peace of mind, feel this will bring it, and don't mind paying for the priviledge. 3. Theft of your van would cause you so much inconvenience, or heartache, that it is worth it to you. 4. You don't have "new for old" and have reason to believe that due to lots of add-ons in terms of spec you will not get anything like the cost of replacing it if it is stolen. Does that about cover it? So, what will I do? I really don't know yet! Ruth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mel B Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Ruth Don't forget that 1) a Tracker system can trace where your van has been taken to (hopefully) but it won't prevent items being stolen from your vehicle, only the vehicle itself 2) an Thatcham Cat 1 alarm with an immobiliser will put thieves off burgling it as they will be able to see that it is alarmed and trust me, being inside a 'van with the alarm souding is no fun! Also, it will still immobilise the 'van in the process. For me, if I only had a certain amount of money to spend (which I would think most people do), I would spend it on the Cat 1 slarm with immobiliser - this would give me more peace of mind, especailly as I could also use it on an evening when I'm in the van. A Tracker would only be able to tell you where you van was once it had been stolen and wouldn't have the 'added value' of being able to be used for any other purpose. If you really want a Tracker then go for it, but I would suggest you get a Cat 1 alarm and immobiliser as well. Let us know what you decide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enodreven Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 Hi, I checked with Thacham regarding the type of alarm to fit and they confirmed that my 2004/05 Fiat base had a approved imobiliser and that all i need to fit was a Cat 1, 2to1 upgrade eg. and alarm without the imobiliser, I am not sure but i don't think you can fit 2 approved imobilisers ?? but i am sure someone will give us the techincal reasoning. Also when checking with my insurance company they were perfectly happy with the manuafactures standard equipment (imobiliser only) and that it would only save me £25 on the premium if i fitted a Cat 1 alarm, That may indicate what the insurance comapnies think of alarms ?? also if you do have a Cat1 fitted, Thatcham recommend that you use a VSIB registered company ?? As for the tracking devices ?? i'm not totally sure i would necesssaraly want it back especially if someone i didn't know (?? ??) had been living in it ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel E Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 In case I gave the wrong impression with my earlier post, may I add: - a really good Thatcham alarm system with immobiliser and perimeter alarm for use at night is a 'sine qua non' for any new motorhome - see earlier threads on the subject - the right tracking system can add extra security - but only you can decide whether it's worth the cost. Most posters to this thread think not and I tend to agree with them. The rate of theft of motorhomes is very low, unlike caravans. But it does happen and, if you've put a lot into 'tailoring' your pride and joy, theft can be much more devastating than for, say, a car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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