Security or GPS Tracker Recommendations?

pauljygrant

pauljygrant

Well-Known Member
Apr 1, 2015
279
463
63
Adelaide
Hi All,
Getting excited about taking delivery of our new Basestation this weekend.....will post photos etc once we have it and as we add mods and upgrades, etc.
We currently have a Swan and didn't generally worry about the risk of theft. It's obviously much cheaper, kept in a locked shed at home, and when being used would take a reasonable effort to collapse and fold up before being stolen. The Basestation on the other hand costs considerably more therefore has a greater risk of bring stolen, has a bigger insurance excess, and could be removed from a campsite far quicker.
Whilst insurance will provide the greatest level of financial protection, and it will still be kept out of sight in a shed at our house, I am interested to hear of any recommendations to improve security or traceability at a reasonable cost.
I know that ebay has hundreds of trackers from under $20 to several hundred dollars - no idea where to start or what to look for.
Likewise, are there any insurance or industry recommended hitch locks or other physical locking devices, or what do you recommend? It will have a standard hitch since I don't plan to take it off road, and also tow 3 other trailers.
Interested to hear from you.
Paul
 
Bellbirdweb

Bellbirdweb

Well-Known Member
Jan 24, 2014
1,921
2,746
113
Sydney
Hi @pauljygrant very exciting getting the new van !

I have fitted one of the GPS trackers off eBay, cost me $38.

It's fitted with a prepaid Aldi SIM and has numerous functions including texting several numbers with the google maps location if moved, or by calling it directly.

I also have it hooked up to a reed switch on the door and have a loud screamer inside so it doubles up as a local alarm.

If armed using the remote control or by texting the arm command to it, and the door opens the siren goes off and it sends a text to the nominated phones.

For what it does and what it costs, it's a really great unit.

This is a pic of it installed in my van. It's hidden away with the GPS and 3G antennas on the roof. image.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: The Wadamses, Drover and Delano
pauljygrant

pauljygrant

Well-Known Member
Apr 1, 2015
279
463
63
Adelaide
Thanks for your reply. I also found your original post and link but with so many Chinese listed units, I don't know if it's just a gamble getting a decent one?
The price point certainly makes it a low cost form of additional insurance.
Cheers.
 
Crusty181

Crusty181

Well-Known Member
Feb 7, 2010
6,854
13,971
113
Mentone, VIC
Our vans safe in the factory, parked behind the truck, but im paranoid about it going walk about when we're away in it ... particularly free camping when we leave it. Whilst I can see the benefits of GPS trackers, id prefer it not to disappear over relying on watching some turd hooning around on google maps with it in tow

Ive got a purple line hitch lock, which im welding the top section of a car stand to. Ill insert the bottom section of the car stand when we set up level and then remove and lock the jockey wheel in the car to make it hard to both get to the hitch and raise or lower the van. Ive welded the hitch nuts so they cant remove the hitch.

High tensile chain around both wheels on one side (maybe both sides, havent decided yet .... yeah i have. Just decided, both sides)

Next ill work out a way to put a padlock the stabiliser legs so they cant be wound in ... ill lock up which ever two legs on each camp site slope that makes it impossible to tow out of with the legs down.

Each of those interferences to theiving is quick and simple to apply and i can use any or all depending how comfortable im feeling. With all attached, it will take some time and a lot if noise, and hopefully theyll either not bother, give up or get interupted. Ill be looking into that Alko thing dingy too
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Delano and yabbietol
ShaneT

ShaneT

Well-Known Member
Jul 24, 2014
291
308
63
W.A
Local caravan repairer had the new alko gps system on the sales counter. Don't know how it works but the unit would rattle around inside a match box it that small.
http://alkoats.com.au/
 
Axl

Axl

Well-Known Member
Dec 23, 2014
384
890
93
Brisbane/Bayside
Another option here http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=29806.0 when I get the time I am going to fit one of these units, along with the Co and LPG detectors.

All I have at the moment is one of those basic hitch locks that I use both when at home and when away but when the Expanda is at home a would be thief needs to unbolt the front fence that I had to cut into two sections to get the van in the yard, this consists of removing six 5/8 bolts and placing the two 50 odd kilo panels aside then they need get the hitch lock off (all of which is doable but potentially noisy).

Then they need to get past the 67kg Bull Mastiff that they will wake up (not sure if this is doable and it will be very noisy:scared:) to get the van hitched up and out of the front yard.

1 olympus 130.jpg


He likes his ice blocks in summer.....:cool::cool::cool:, but alas he cant travel with us nor will he be around forever so fitting the tracker in the thread attached is cheap insurance on my outlay I reckon.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: The Wadamses, dagree, Smirke and 1 other person
ShaneT

ShaneT

Well-Known Member
Jul 24, 2014
291
308
63
W.A
I like the bull mastiff idea better, at least you know they will receive the correct punishment for trying to steal your van, unlike a tracker which just puts them in the hands of the courts for a slap on the wrist.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Smirke, Crusty181 and dagree
Curryhouse

Curryhouse

Active Member
Apr 8, 2012
179
195
43
Newcastle
Bellbirdweb said:
Hi @pauljygrant very exciting getting the new van !

I have fitted one of the GPS trackers off eBay, cost me $38.

It's fitted with a prepaid Aldi SIM and has numerous functions including texting several numbers with the google maps location if moved, or by calling it directly.

I also have it hooked up to a reed switch on the door and have a loud screamer inside so it doubles up as a local alarm.

If armed using the remote control or by texting the arm command to it, and the door opens the siren goes off and it sends a text to the nominated phones.

For what it does and what it costs, it's a really great unit.

This is a pic of it installed in my van. It's hidden away with the GPS and 3G antennas on the roof.View attachment 34501
Click to expand...

Hi @Bellbirdweb, can you provide any info on the ebay supplier you got your unit from? I found one like @Holden_man has spoken about but I'm liking the price of the one you have. Even better if it's 3G.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom