Motorhomes and caravans represent a significant investment, both financially and emotionally. These vehicles offer freedom, adventure and the ability to explore the open road at your leisure all from the comfort of your own home…..on wheels.
However, with this freedom comes responsibility – particularly when it comes to protecting your motorhome from theft.
The number of motorhome and caravan thefts is on the rise in the UK, making it essential to consider installing an insurance-approved motorhome tracker to safeguard your automotive abode. The good news is, you’re in the right place to find the perfect one.
The Growing Problem of Motorhome Theft in the UK
Motorhome thefts in the UK have been a significant concern for both owners and insurance providers in recent years.
While motorhomes offer an appealing and often luxurious way to travel, their high value also makes them an attractive target for criminals. Unfortunately, due to the increasing popularity of these vehicles, theft rates have surged.
According to UK police statistics, motorhome and caravan thefts have spiked in recent years. In 2020, the UK experienced over 2,800 reported cases of motorhome and caravan thefts, with a substantial proportion of these stolen vehicles being never recovered. It doesn’t have to be this way.
In the absence of proper tracking technology, thieves often have enough time to dismantle or hide stolen motorhomes, making them almost impossible to trace.
Additionally, research from Tracker, a leading provider of vehicle tracking devices in our store, shows that motorhomes and caravans account for a significant percentage of stolen vehicles, particularly in rural areas.
Their study revealed that 29% of all stolen leisure vehicles were motorhomes, while caravans made up 19%. Given the value and rarity of these vehicles, losing them to theft can be a devastating blow to any owner.
This alarming rise in motorhome thefts means that owners must take more proactive steps to protect their vehicles.
One of the most effective ways to do this is by investing in a reliable motorhome tracker. Not only can a tracker help you recover your vehicle in the event of theft, but it may also lead to insurance premium reductions and a (hopefully) smoother claims process. In some cases, insurance providers may even require a tracker as part of their coverage conditions.
Why Install a Motorhome Tracker?
Installing a motorhome tracker provides several benefits that extend beyond simple theft recovery. Here’s why we think every motorhome owner should consider equipping their vehicle with an insurance-approved tracker:
- Theft Deterrence: A visible tracker with a sticker indicating that your motorhome is equipped with one can deter thieves from targeting your vehicle in the first place. Knowing that they can be easily located often prompts criminals to move on to a less secure and less risky target.
- Quick Recovery: If your motorhome is stolen, having a GPS tracker installed greatly increases the likelihood of it being recovered quickly. These trackers can pinpoint the exact location of your vehicle in real-time, allowing the Police to retrieve it before it is damaged, stripped or sold off.
- Insurance Benefits: Many insurance companies offer discounts for motorhomes fitted with approved trackers. This can lead to long-term savings on your premiums and may reduce excess amounts in the event of a theft claim.
- Peace of Mind: A tracker can give you peace of mind, knowing that you’ve taken measures to protect your valuable asset. Whether you’re on the road or parked at a campsite, a tracker ensures you have a reliable way to locate your motorhome at all times.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Some advanced trackers come with additional features like geofencing, tamper alerts, and even remote immobilisation. These features can add another layer of protection, making it harder for thieves to steal your vehicle or keep it hidden.
Given the importance of protecting your motorhome, it’s essential to choose a high-quality tracker that meets insurance requirements and offers reliable, real-time tracking capabilities.
Whilst there are quite a few to choose from, we listed below our top three top recommendations that are all insurance-approved and specifically designed for motorhomes.
1. SmarTrack Motorhome Protector S7
The SmarTrack Motorhome Protector S7 is one of the leading options in the market for those looking for an affordable yet effective insurance-approved tracker.
As the name suggests it’s a Thatcham Category S7-approved tracking device, meaning it meets stringent industry-wide insurance standards. This tracker is renowned for its reliability, simplicity and the comprehensive coverage it offers including:
- Real-time GPS tracking with regular updates.
- Built-in battery backup to keep tracking operational, even if the vehicle’s main power is cut.
- European coverage, ensuring your vehicle is tracked across the continent.
- 24/7 monitoring service, with trained professionals ready to respond in case of theft.
- A dedicated Smartphone app for easy access to your motorhome’s location.
The SmarTrack Motorhome Protector S7 offers strong value for money, making it a great choice for motorhome owners looking for effective protection without breaking the bank.
Additionally, SmarTrack offers excellent customer support, ensuring help is always at hand when you need it.
2. Moving Intelligence iTrack S7
The iTrack S7 is another Thatcham Category S7-approved tracking device that is tailored specifically for motorhome owners.
Moving Intelligence (formerly known as Phantom) has a strong reputation for designing trackers that deliver fast, accurate results and the iTrack S7 is no exception. Our customers love it.
Its best features include:
- Real-time GPS tracking with minute-by-minute updates.
- Tamper alerts notify you if the device is tampered with or disabled.
- A dedicated 24/7 UK-based monitoring team will assist in recovering your vehicle.
- Integrated mobile app for tracking your motorhome’s exact location.
- European tracking coverage, ensuring protection while travelling abroad.
The iTrack S7 is particularly notable for its high-level tamper alerts, which notify you immediately if someone attempts to disable or remove the tracker.
This extra layer of protection gives motorhome owners added peace of mind. Plus, with a dedicated team handling your vehicle’s safety, you’ll be in good hands wherever you are.
3. ScorpionTrack S5 Motorhome Defender
If you’re looking for premium protection, the ScorpionTrack S5 Motorhome Defender is an ideal choice.
This Thatcham Category S5-approved tracker includes advanced features like immobilisation, making it one of the most secure trackers available. It offers:
- GPS tracking with updates for precise location monitoring.
- Automatic immobilisation if your motorhome is stolen.
- Driver ID tags to ensure only authorised drivers can operate the vehicle.
- Real-time tamper alerts and motion detection.
- Nationwide 24/7 monitoring service with direct contact with the Police.
What sets the ScorpionTrack S5 apart, we think, from other trackers is its driver ID feature.
The system will only allow your motorhome to start if the authorised driver has the proper identification tag, meaning that even if the vehicle is stolen, the thief won’t be able to drive it away.
This tracker provides the ultimate security for your motorhome.
Choosing the Right Tracker
If these trackers aren’t suitable, then it’s important you know what you’re looking for. When selecting a motorhome tracker, it’s equally important to assess your individual needs and budget. If buying a tracker is new to you, then here are some other key factors to consider:
- Insurance Requirements: Make sure the tracker is approved by your insurance company to ensure you qualify for any discounts or reduced excess amounts. You may also require that the tracker is fitted by a professional installer (like us) for the insurance to be valid.
- Coverage Area: If you frequently travel abroad, opt for a tracker with European coverage.
- Response Time: The faster the tracker updates its location, the easier it will be to recover your motorhome.
- Additional Features: Decide if you need extra features like immobilisation (as offered by the ScorpionTrack S5+ (With Immobilisation) or driver ID tags (like the iTrack Ultimate Motorhome Tracker), which can provide enhanced protection but may come at a higher cost.
Conclusion: Protecting Your Investment
For anyone with one will tell you, a motorhome is more than just a vehicle – it’s a mobile home, it’s an investment and it’s a fantastic source of freedom. As such installing an insurance-approved motorhome tracker is one of the best ways to ensure that your investment is protected.
The rise in motorhome thefts across the UK makes it imperative for owners to take proactive steps, and a reliable tracker is one of the most effective solutions to keep it safe.
Whether you choose the SmarTrack Motorhome Protector S7, the iTrack S7, or ScorpionTrack S5 Motorhome Defender (or any of the other fantastic trackers we supply and fit), each of these devices offers excellent protection, peace of mind and potentially lower insurance premiums.
Don’t leave your motorhome’s security to chance – invest in a high-quality tracker and enjoy your adventures with confidence.
If you’re in the market for a tracker for your motorhome, car, motorbike or van, then we are here to help. If you need help or advice or to book an installation, just give our dedicated customer service team a ring on 0330 043 3993 between 9am and 6pm (Monday to Friday) are we’d be delighted to assist you.
With the cold winter weather starting to ease, our minds can start to turn towards the warmer days, lighter evenings and summer nights. With more and more people choosing to take their holidays at home, motorhomes have become a very viable option for those looking to take in the sights of this glorious nation.
For all the vehicles available to you, one of the most popular at the moment is Fiat’s Ducato motorhome. Not only is this one of the most popular and affordable motorhomes available, it’s also becoming quite the collectors item. It has won the “Best Motorhome Base Vehicle 2023” voted for by Promobil readers for the 15th consecutive year, so it’s clearly a hit!
Whilst motorhomes, including the Ducato, offer a freedom to go where you want and stay how you want, they also offer thieves the opportunity to steal something they want, but that doesn’t have to be the case. If you have a Fiat Ducato motorhome now, or are looking to buy one in the future, or any motorhome for that matter, then keeping it safe and secure will be your number one priority, but how do you do that?
What’s available to protect your motorhome from theft? Let’s take a look.
It’s worth noting that all these fantastic devices work well on any motorhome, van or truck, they aren’t specific to the Ducato. We can install them for you no matter what type of motorhome you have.
SMARTRACK MOTORHOME PROTECTOR
The Motorhome Protector from leading security company SmarTrack is one of the most affordable vehicle tracking systems available. Not only does it use the latest tracking technology incorporating GSM, GPRS, GPS and LPS frequencies, it also comes with a free dedicated smartphone app to help you manage your device on the go.
This tracker also gives you access to SmarTrack’s own control centre, offering 24/7 access should you need them. They will be able to help locate your vehicle and even liaise with the police to ensure that it’s not only found, but recovered as quickly and painlessly as possible.
As you would expect, access to the app also gives you a range of alerts and notifications to help you stay informed about every aspect of the device. You’ll get alerts if the battery is disconnected or if motion is detected. It also comes with European coverage straight of the box, so if you’re planning on travelling abroad, then we’ve got you covered.
PHANTOM ITRACK S5 MOTORHOME TRACKER
Phantom Tracking will be a common name to many of you, but they now trade as ‘Moving Intelligence’, which is a very fitting name as anyone buying this tracker will have made an incredibly smart decision. They have been a force in the leisure vehicle security industry for over two decades, so their knowledge and reputation for quality speak for themselves.
The iTrack S5 Motorhome tracker is one of the very best systems for your home on wheels, Ducato or not. With it reaching Thatcham’s highest S5 classification, you can rest assured that you’re getting a premium product. The S5 moniker means that you’ll enjoy the very latest in security technology with the Driver ID tags.
These tags are small enough to store on your keys, your wallet or in your pocket and give you an extra level of security. If the tags aren’t in close proximity to the vehicle, then it simply won’t start, giving you peace of mind that while you’re out and about, your vehicle will be staying put.
It’s worth noting that they also offer an S7 version, if you’re looking to spend a little less. It may not have all the features of the S5, but it’s still a fantastic tracker.
SCORPIONTRACK S5 MOTORHOME DEFENDER
If you need a motorhome tracker that is approved by the insurance industry to satisfy the requirements of your policy, then the S5 Motorhome Defender from ScorpionTrack might be perfect for you.
Not only is it insurance-approved, it has also been designed and manufactured in the UK to the Police’s own Preferred Specification. As such it comes with protections against many of the tricks used by the modern car thief including key cloning, OBD (On-Board Diagnostic) hacks and key theft.
Like the previous offering from Phantom (aka Moving Intelligence) this is an S5-rated tracker, so comes with the Driver Recognition tags and all the alerts and notifications you would expect from this exceptional device and its dedicated smartphone app.
Should it be stolen, the Defender also comes with a remote immobilisation option to stop your motorhome dead in its tracks.
⚬ Whether you drive a Fiat Ducato or any other motorhome, protecting it is key to using it.
⚬ Don’t let the joy of an open road open up a world of pain by not securing your vehicle.
⚬ We have a vast range of other trackers designed for any motorhome on our website. Click here for more details.
Before you embark on your latest road trip, make sure you speak to our team, available for you from 9 am – 6 pm, Monday to Friday, on 0330 043 3993. We have years of experience and can help you find the best tracker for your motorhome so you can enjoy it the way it was designed.