For many motorhome owners, motorhomes are a lifestyle choice that combines the comforts of home with the freedom of the open road. As they act as both your dwelling and means of transport, keeping them secure and safe is essential. As motorhome theft rates rise, the need for good-quality security becomes more apparent. This guide explores the importance of motorhome trackers and should help you find the best motorhome tracker options to safeguard your home on wheels.
The benefits of a motorhome tracker
Better security
Trackers provide real-time location monitoring that quickly alerts you to suspicious activities, like unauthorised movement or low battery levels. Advanced systems can even deter theft before it happens, with immobilisers preventing the car from starting at all, offering invaluable peace of mind.
Reduced insurance premiums
Many insurance providers offer discounts for motorhomes fitted with approved trackers, making them a cost-effective security investment. Some tracker manufacturers claim discounts of 10% to 25% are possible, offsetting the initial cost of the tracker.
Quick recovery
In the unfortunate event of theft, the live tracking feature would allow authorities to pinpoint your vehicle’s exact location, increasing the chances of a successful recovery. Insurance-approved motorhome trackers often come with a Level 1 police response, meaning the relevant authorities will act when the tracker sends the signal. Vehicles with these trackers have great recovery rates, with reports suggesting success rates as high as 96%.
Types of trackers for your motorhome and their benefits
When choosing a tracker, look for those that are ‘Thatcham approved’. This means they meet the UK’s recognised technological standards for vehicle tracker security. The primary categories are S5 and S7, alongside the older Cat 6.
S5 Tracker
S5 trackers offer the highest level of security, incorporating Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR) to guard against key theft and cloning. This feature ensures that your motorhome cannot be started without your Driver ID tag present, even if the thief has your keys.
Some of the best S5 motorhome trackers include:
- ESA Trak S5 Guardian+ Plus Immobiliser. No Tag, No Start
- SmarTrack Cat 5 Tracker (Includes Remote Immobilisation)
- Meta Trak Cat 5 Tracker
These options are highly rated because they feature “No Tag, No Start” immobilisation. This technology actively prevents the motorhome from being driven away, rather than just tracking it after a theft has occurred.
S7 Tracker
The S7 category provides a high standard of recovery services and is often the minimum insurance requirement.
Here are some excellent S7 options for your motorhome:
- SmarTrack S7 Thatcham Approved Tracker Plus DRS
- ESA Trak S7 Plus Thatcham Approved Tracker with Full Online Tracking
The core S7 standard focuses on recovery, and these are some great options. Even if not fully Thatcham-approved, the DRS provides an extra layer of driver-specific alerts. Equally, “Full Online Tracking” allows users to monitor location, battery status and journey history via a dedicated app.
Cat 6 Tracker
The Thatcham Cat 6 was replaced as standard by the Thatcham S7. Yet, any product still listed as Cat 6 is functionally the same as a Thatcham S7 tracker.
A top option in this category is:
- SmarTrack Protector Pro Global Thatcham Approved Cat 6 Plus DRS
Similar to the S7 Plus DRS, the DRS provides a security layer on top of the essential 24/7 monitoring and recovery features common to all Cat 6/S7 units.
Get a tracker and protect your motorhome
Motorhomes are as important as houses and should be treated with the same level of security and protection.
During this period of increased theft and break-in rates in the motorhome world, don’t become one of the many victims. Use this guide to choose the right tracker for you, buy one from a trusted professional and protect your lifestyle today!
