When it comes to owning a motorhome, one of the most important things to consider is how to keep it safe and secure. After all, a motorhome is not only a significant investment but also a valuable asset that requires proper care and protection. One of the most effective ways to do this is by installing a motorhome tracker.

What is a Motorhome Tracker?

A motorhome tracker is a device that can be installed in your motorhome to help you keep track of its location at all times. It can be useful if your motorhome is stolen or if you want to monitor its movements for other reasons. However, with so many options available in the market, it's challenging to know which motorhome tracker is the right one for your needs.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at some factors to consider when choosing a motorhome tracker and provide some recommendations to help you make an informed decision.

How to Choose the Right Motorhome Tracker

Let us start with what we consider being the most important question to ask when deciding which motorhome tracker we believe will be the best for your needs.

Has your insurance company asked for an Insurance Approved Motorhome Tracker?

If the answer is YES, we have two great options for you to consider. The S5 Insurance Approved Motorhome Tracker and the S7 Motorhome Insurance Approved Tracker. The major difference between the two is that the 57 has Driver ID Tags, so if the vehicle is started without the Driver ID Tag being present, then an alert is sent to the control room and you are contacted to see if it’s you driving.

As of December 2022, we are pleased to offer the S7 and S5 insurance-approved trackers at a discounted price.

The S7 Insurance Approved Tracker is currently only £179.99 and the S5 Insurance approved tracker is only £299.99. Price includes installation at a location of your choice on the UK Mainland. These prices are subject to change and availability.

If your insurance company has asked for a Motorhome Tracker and it doesn’t need to be Thatcham or Insurance Approved, there are more options available for you to choose from.

Motorhome Trackers - Other Options

When choosing a motorhome tracker, it’s helpful to be aware of the various choices you have. For example, you can choose between a wired motorhome tracker and a magnetic tracker which operates independently with an internal battery. Wired trackers require a physical installation, while magnetic trackers can easily be hidden underneath the vehicle, making it harder to spot. Both provide excellent security and peace of mind!

Understanding the significant features of a motorhome tracker will give you the confidence to choose a high-quality motorhome tracker which works for you. With so many low-quality motorhome trackers on the market right now, it’s important to know what to look for.

Here at I Track Direct, we currently have 4 of the best motorhome trackers on the market. Some of these trackers are magnetic so you can place them under the vehicle as they are battery operated and not wired into your motorhome, which makes it harder for the tracker to be found, giving you a better chance of recovering your motorhome.

Let's look at these options:

1. Fully Installed - Wired into the vehicle - Motorhome Tracker

If you're looking for a reliable and long-term solution to protect your motorhome, a fully installed, wired-in motorhome tracker could be the perfect choice for you. A wired-in motorhome tracker is a GPS tracking device that is installed directly into your motorhome's electrical system. This type of tracker offers several benefits over portable, battery-powered trackers, including greater reliability, accuracy and peace of mind.

2. Motorhome Tracker GPS 521 (Internal Battery Operated - rechargeable)

We highly recommend our GPS 521 motorhome tracker for its superior GPS Tracking capabilities. It is fully waterproof and is currently available to purchase for only £99.99 (Excluding Magnetic Plate £16.79) as of writing this blog post in December 2022. It is programmed to report its GPS position every 6 hours as standard. We typically see up to 12 months of battery life set at these reporting periods.

The Motorhome Tracker will send an alert to notify you when it needs charging. To charge, simply place the tracker onto a wireless charger pad (supplied), and leave it for approximately 4-6 hours. The required charging time depends on the battery level within the Motorhome Tracker.

3. Motorhome Tracker Model i7

This i7 GPS Motorhome Tracker goes the extra mile. It reports is position up to 4 times a day, but we advise on twice a day reporting. For example, 1000 hours and 2200 hours. This means you will get a battery life expectancy between 3 to 5 years.

If the unit is in a difficult environment, the i7 will stop looking after its first attempt at finding a GPS position and then conduct what is often known as a GSM locate or a cell site location. This means it will connect via its mobile networks to all Mobile masts in the area and then work out and approximate distance it is from each mast using the signal strength to each mast as a guide. It will then turn this information into a circle on the screen to show its approximate area.

This information is extremely helpful if the item stolen i,e, your motorhome has been placed in a shipping container to block the GPS.

The i7 can also then, with our help, trigger the RF (radio Frequency Beacon) to assist the police in narrowing down the exact position of the motorhome. Take this for an example.

If there were an area with 30 shipping containers present and you didn't know which one contained your stolen motorhome. With the RF beacon activated, the police could identify EXACTLY which container held your motorhome. So even without GPS you would be able to a recover your motorhome.

4. Motorhome Tracker Model i9

This i9 GPS Motorhome Tracker goes the extra mile. It reports is position up to 4 times a day, but we advise on twice a day reporting. For example, 1000 hours and 2200 hours. This means you will get a battery life expectancy between 4 to 6 years.

If the unit is in a difficulty environment, the i9 will stop looking after its first attempt at finding a GPS position and then conduct what is often known as a GSM locate or a cell site location. This means it will connect via its mobile networks to all Mobile masts in the area and then work out and approximate distance it is from each mast using the signal strength to each mast as a guide. It will then turn this information into a circle on the screen to show its approximate area.

This information is extremely helpful if the item stolen i,e, your motorhome has been placed in a shipping container to block the GPS.

The i9 can also then, with our help, trigger the RF (radio Frequency Beacon) to assist the police in narrowing down the exact position of the motorhome. Take this for an example.

If there were an area with 30 shipping containers present and you didn't know which one contained your stolen motorhome. With the RF beacon activated, the police could identify EXACTLY which container held your motorhome. So even without GPS you would be able to a recover your motorhome.

If you’re looking for a motorhome tracker that doesn’t require charging, the Motorhome Tracker i7 or i9 may be the perfect fit for you! These models differ from the Motorhome Tracker 521 in that they are fully sealed and do not require charging. HOWEVER, At the end of their life for example 5 years they cannot be re charge and are to be disposed of.

What’s the difference between the i7 / i9 Motorhome Trackers and the 521 Motorhome Tracker?

Our i7 and i9 Motorhome Trackers come with some additional features that might be confusing, but don’t worry - we’ll keep it simple! Every time your Motorhome Tracker reports its position, the data is sent to our servers and then right to your App or Desktop login. Then you can see where it is.

Let’s look at the Motorhome Tracker 521. If it cannot report its location or see its location for any reason, it’ll wait until the next time. This is like 99% of GPS trackers, however the i7 and i9 go the extra mile.

If they can’t spot their exact location, they’ll perform a GSM location. This uses the local mobile masts to determine an approximate area, and then it’ll be marked on your map. After that, they’ll go back to sleep. That’s not all! We can turn on the Radio Frequency beacon within the i7/i9 Tracker to help the Police locate the Motorhome. For instance, if the Motorhome is hidden in a metal container, it's difficult to get a GPS signal, although not impossible. But thankfully, with the Radio Beacon, we can make the search much easier and determine which container your motorhome is in.

Why the price difference between the 521 and the i7 and i9?

The difference between an i7 and an i9 motorhome tracker is the battery size, which allows for extended battery life. The i7 Motorhome tracker is £245.00, and the i9 is £270.00 as of writing this blog post in December 2022. These motorhome trackers are sealed and therefore cannot be charged, so, if they last five years, they have reached the end of their service life.

The Motorhome Tracker 521 is our best-selling Motorhome Tracker, and it is highly recommended because of its optional Magnetic plate for the base, which is especially beneficial for the use of trailers and the ability to recharge it.

GPS Tracking Features

GPS tracking can be a great asset to motorhome owners when it comes to theft recovery. GPS trackers can quickly locate its whereabouts and send an alert of its location to assist the police and the rightful owner! If you’re worried about motorhome theft, then investing in a motorhome GPS tracking system is definitely worth it.

When searching for a GPS tracker, accuracy and reliability are two of the most important factors to consider. The system should be able to report the location and movements of any vehicle being tracked. It’s also worth looking into some of the more advanced features, such as

Geofence Alerts - If your Motorhome is typically left in an isolated location for extended periods of time, and you don’t visit to check on it frequently, you can create a Zone around your Motorhome. If the GPS reports the Motorhome has moved out of the assigned zone, you will receive a push notification on your mobile phone.

IF you have a wired GPS Tracker, this will instantly alert you. IF you have a GPS 521 set with motion alerting every 5 minutes, then you will receive this when the tracker leaves the zone and acquires its GPS signal. IF you have an i7 or an i9 then this will only alert you when its next wake up time for example 2200 is due when it looks for its GPS positions.

Journey History - Motorhome trackers provide a convenient way to monitor your vehicle’s movements. With access to its history for up to one year, you can easily review the location of your motorhome for any day in the last twelve months.

Theft Recovery - It’s sad to think about, but motorhome theft is becoming more and more common. The good news is that GPS trackers can help make sure your motorhome is recovered quickly if it ever gets stolen. Taking proactive steps to protect your motorhome is the best way to keep it safe, so why not invest in a GPS tracker today?

Additional Motorhome Theft Safety Tips

It’s important to always secure the doors and windows of your motorhome when you leave it unattended. Investing in a GPS tracking system for your motorhome can be a great way to help increase the chances of recovery if it ever becomes stolen.

Apart from installing a Motorhome tracker, you can also add extra security features, such as

• Wheel Clamps
• Steering locks
• Immobilsers
• Motorhome Alarms

Protecting your Motorhome at home

At home, you want to make sure your Motorhome is safe. There are a few simple steps you can take to give you peace of mind when you’re away from your Motorhome. Here are some tips to help you protect your Motorhome:

• Store it in a secure location
• Use a steering wheel lock - this is an inexpensive and effective way to make sure your motorhome stays where you left it.
• Install motion-sensor lighting
• Park it in a well-lit area - this will help deter any potential thieves.
• Install CCTV - this can alert you if someone attempts to access your Motorhome.
• CCTV Stickers
• Window Locks
• Gear Level Locks
• Driveway post - If your motorhome is parked up on your driveway, installing a driveway post will make it more difficult for thieves, preventing an easy getaway.

With these extra precautions, the chances of your motorhome being stolen is

Conclusion

If you’re still unsure on what type of motorhome tracker you need, why not call us on 01622 234510? We’d be more than happy to answer questions you have and talk you through the different options. We’re experts in GPS Tracking, so you can trust us to give you the best advice!