When you’re looking at ways of securing your leisure vehicle, one product you are likely to come across is a tracker. However, this is a gadget which not only has an initial outlay to factor in, but also has the cost of the ongoing subscription too. As a result, you could easily find yourself wondering, “is it worth fitting a motorhome tracker?”.

A motorhome tracker, alongside accessories such as the best motorhome wheel clamp and an immobiliser, can provide some valuable peace of mind, and I personally think it’s well worth the cost.

First things first – what exactly is a tracker? In short, it’s a motorhome security gadget which is hidden in a ‘van, informing you of its precise location, battery disconnection, and of any tampering that may be going on. They can, in short, provide some valuable peace of mind when you’re away from your motorhome.

Personally, I’m a huge fan of monitored tracking systems and would definitely say it’s worth fitting one. I know the best ones work brilliantly, as I’ve tested them on several occasions with ‘fake thefts’ and ‘stolen leisure vehicle hunts’ – the Tracking HQs being unaware of when I would ‘steal’ the motorhome.

Nobody wants to suffer a motorhome theft, whether you’ve bought an older motorhome or a brand new one. That makes a good quality, monitored tracking device a sensible buy for all, though of course you have to weigh the cost (between £400 and £800, plus annual monitoring fee) against the value of the van and the risk of theft.

Sadly, with thieves getting ever bolder and arming themselves with heavy-duty tools, like angle grinders and oxy-acetylene, these thefts of leisure vehicles are increasingly common.

To summarise, you’ll pay for the device, and to have it fitted (expect to pay around £200). In addition, monitored systems have an annual fee of typically £50 to £100. Outsmart the Thief’s Lockdown system combines alarm and monitored tracker, and, in my opinion, it’s super effective.

In our most recent test of the system, the vehicle owner got a text from the monitoring station 24 seconds after the alarm was triggered, then a call after 35 seconds. This was to check that the alarm hasn’t been triggered accidentally… it’s fair to say I was astounded.

If the ‘van has been stolen, O.T.T send a link to the local police force who can use it to track the vehicle on a map, using a digital device. We tracked down our nicked vehicle within five miles.

Lockdown comes with a two-year warranty and can be supplied and fitted from £799.00 anywhere in the UK. App-based, unmonitored tracking devices also exist and typically cost under £250

They may have that initial outlay and require an ongoing subscription, but for me, I think it’s well worth fitting a motorhome tracker for the peace of mind it gives you.

Another recent product to launch was a system where a motorhome’s levelling jacks are immediately deployed if an alarm is triggered. The result of a partnership between by VB-Airsuspension and Scorpion Automotive, the gadget builds on existing security, rather than replacing it, the brands have said.

Don’t miss my pick of the 10 upgrades and accessories that I think make motorhoming easier, either.

Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Motorhome, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. Double check any warranty is not affected before proceeding.

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