Six Considerations When Buying a Caravan Tracking Device

It is vital that you return your caravan to the police immediately after it is stolen. The police will be able to track your caravan and return it to its owner in no time. There are a few things you should be aware of when looking for a tracker.

1. Are you proactive or reactive?

While non-proactive devices are often cheaper, they won’t alert you if your caravan has been stolen. You will need to notify the tracking company if you notice that your caravan is missing. This may not be possible if it is too late. These devices may not be suitable if your caravan is away from home, or if it’s not being monitored regularly.

If the caravan is being moved, proactive devices will notify the tracking company. The tracking company will contact you to verify that the caravan was not moved by you. They will coordinate with the police and make the recovery process as quick as possible. Your insurance provider may insist that your device be proactive.

2. It will work while you are on vacation?

Although you may believe your tracker company will be with you everywhere, many tracking device companies are limited to the UK. While some companies provide European coverage, they only cover certain countries and the extent of this cover can change. It is important to check if your tracking device works in Europe if you plan on taking your caravan there. There are monitoring centers abroad that can coordinate with the police in the country where your caravan was taken.

3. What is the working principle of the tracking device?

Some tracking devices do not use satellite technology to locate vehicles. VHF trackers are devices that use radio waves to locate missing vans. Although this method may not be as precise as GPS (Global Positioning System), which uses satellites to pinpoint the exact location of your caravan, it can still be as accurate as GPS. VHF devices can also be used by police to find the caravan’s exact location using specially-equipped cars or ‘finders team’ vehicles. However, they have one advantage over GPS satellite trackers: they can track the caravan underground, through tunnels, or in multi-storey car parking lots.

4. Is there a 24-hour monitoring center?

It is vital that someone has access to your caravan in order to recover it. A good tracking company will provide a 24-hour monitoring center that will notify you if your caravan has been stolen. They will also liaise directly with the police until you get your caravan back.

5. Is the device approved?

Thatcham is a well-known name in vehicle security. They also approve certain caravan tracking devices as part of their ‘leisure vehicle’ category. Thatcham approves all devices. They have gone through extensive testing to make sure they are safe and effective in stopping theft. Thatcham Quality Accreditation status (TQA) and devices with the TQA for Leisure status – these devices are ideal for caravan use. They have tested for power consumption, which should be low if the device is to be used on a caravan.

Sold Secure is another name you should be looking out for. Sold Secure devices will be marked with a higher quality mark. This will make them more likely to be recognized by your caravan insurance company, and may even offer a significant discount on your premium.

6. What happens if your battery is low?

It is important that caravan tracking devices consume low power, as mentioned earlier. Fortunately many devices in the caravan industry adhere to this standard. After long storage periods, batteries can become depleted or even completely dead. Your tracking device could stop working at exactly the right time you need it. A low battery alarm is an additional feature on some caravan tracking devices that will alert you when your battery is low and need to be replaced or recharged.

The market for caravan tracking devices is growing, and so does the gap between tracking device effectiveness and features. It’s important to do your research. Your insurance company should be your first port-of-call. To get the best insurance discount, find out what they require. You may be able get advice from your local dealer and help you find the right tracker for you.