6 Considerations When Buying A Caravan Tracking Device
If your caravan should be stolen, it's vital you get it back as soon as possible
, before the thieves have chance to break in and do any damage. Fitting a tracking device will mean that the police are able to locate the caravan and return it to you in record time. However, not all trackers were created equal, so here are some things to look out for
1. Proactive or non-proactive?
Non-proactive devices can often be the cheaper option, but they will not alert you if your caravan is stolen. It will be up to you to alert the tracking device company once you notice the caravan has gone, which may be too late. Therefore, these types of devices are not suitable especially if you keep your caravan away from home or simply if you're not around much of the time to keep an eye on it.
Proactive devices, on the other hand, send a signal to the tracking device company if the caravan is moved. They will then contact you to confirm it wasn't you moving the caravan, then coordinate the police on your behalf, making the recovery as fast as possible. Also note that your insurance provider could insist that your device is proactive anyway.
2. Will it work whilst you're on holiday?
You may think that your tracker company will follow you wherever you go, but the reality is, a lot of tracking device companies only operate in the UK. Some provide European cover but only in selected countries and the extent of that cover can vary. If you plan to take your caravan to Europe, it is worth finding out if the tracking device will still work in the country you are travelling to (and the countries you will be travelling through). Some companies have monitoring centres abroad that can coordinate the police in the country your caravan has been taken to.
3. How does the tracking device work?
Not all tracking devices use satellite technology to track vehicles. Some devices (known as VHF trackers) use radio wave technology to locate a missing 'van. This method is not always as accurate as GPS (Global Positioning System) devices, which use satellites, and can pinpoint your caravan's exact location to within twenty feet. VHF devices may also require the police with specially equipped cars or 'finders teams' to locate the exact position of the caravan, but they do have one advantage over GPS satellite tracking, and that is that they can track the caravan if it goes underground, through tunnels or in multi-storey car parks.
4. Does it have a 24 hour monitoring centre?
A vital part in recovering your caravan, is having someone there to monitor if it's been moved. All good tracking device companies will have a 24 hour monitoring centre that will alert you to a stolen caravan if the device is proactive, and liaise with the police until your caravan is returned to you.
5. Does the device come with approval?
Thatcham is one of the better known names in vehicle security and they also approve certain caravan tracking devices under their 'leisure vehicles' category. Any devices that are approved by Thatcham will have been put through rigorous testing to ensure they are suitable and more importantly, effective in preventing a theft. Look out for devices with Thatcham Quality Accreditation (TQA) status and even those devices with the more specific TQA for Leisure status - which means that the devices have been deemed ideal for use on caravans having tested the likes of power consumption which of course should be low if to be used on a caravan.
Another name to look out for is Sold Secure. Any device labelled as Sold Secure will also be manufactured to a high standard and will mean that it is more likely to be recognised by your caravan insurance company and they may offer a substantial discount off your premium.
6. What if your battery runs low?
As mentioned above, it's vital that caravan tracking devices have low power consumption and fortunately many of the devices in the caravan industry do adhere to this. However, it is common for batteries to become low or discharged all together following long periods where your caravan is in storage. This could cause your tracking device to cease working at the time when you need it most. An additional feature that some caravan tracking devices come with is a low battery alert that will let you know when the power from the battery is getting low and you need to replace or recharge it.
As the caravan tracking device market continues to grow, so does the gap in tracking device features and effectiveness, so it's a good idea to do your homework. Your first port of call should be your insurance company. Find out from them what their requirements are to ensure you get the best discount on your insurance. Your local dealer may also be able to offer advice and find the tracker to suit your needs.
by: Heather Robinson
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