GPS tracking devices are being used for a number of applications. Parents are using them to track their kids, travelers are using them to track their luggage, and police departments are using them to locate stolen cars. Several automobile manufacturers are installing GPS tracking devices in new cars, which begs the question, “Do RVs Have Tracking Devices?”
Even high-end RVs do not come standard with tracking devices. While many auto manufacturers are equipping their vehicles with GPS tracking devices, the RV industry has been slow to follow suit. However, you can purchase a tracking device for your RV for a nominal cost and a nominal monthly fee. This gives you the security of knowing that your RV stays where you park it.
Read on to find out how a GPS tracking device can give you peace of mind with your RV.
How GPS tracking works
A GPS tracking device installed in your RV captures a signal from satellites. Information from the tracker is transmitted to a cellular provider. That information is stored in the “cloud.” The cellular provider, in turn, delivers the information to you in the form of an app.
How can I track my stolen RV?
When your RV is stolen, a GPS tracking device sends you an alert, normally on your phone. The alert is triggered by vehicle movement. The tracker will then track the vehicle location so that you can notify the police. The police can, in turn, recover the stolen vehicle.
A GPS tracker must have a “view” of the sky in order to receive a signal. One way that thieves can hide an RV is to store the RV inside a building. Often, if there is no sky view, the GPS tracker won’t work. The GPS signal can’t penetrate into the interior of some buildings.
GPS Tracking Features
There are several important features that you need to consider when choosing a tracking device.
Real-Time Tracking
You’ll want to know the location of your RV at all times. That’s why It’s important that your GPS tracker have the real-time tracking feature. Real-time trackers are highly accurate. In addition, Real-time tracking allows you to get frequent notifications or alerts on your mobile phone.
Many units allow you to program the tracker with how frequently you would like to have tracking performed. If the device is battery operated, the more frequently the device tracks, the shorter the battery life. Real-time tracking allows you to check the location of your RV at any time.
Notifications
If you’re RV moves, you want to know. GPS trackers let you know if your RV moves locations. It’s important to note that notifications are sent to you and you alone. If your RV is stolen, it’s up to you to contact the police.
Geo Fence
A geo fence, safety zone, or geo zone is a defined area or virtual perimeter that you can put around your RV. If the RV enters or exits the geo fence, you can set an alert on your tracking device. This will let you know if your RV has entered or exited the area that you defined.
Power
There are three ways that GPS trackers can be powered; hardwired, plugged in, and battery operated. The best option to power your device is to hardwire or plug the device into your RV house battery. These devices don’t use that much power (1-20 mAh). As a comparison, your iPhone battery holds a charge of about 1,440 mAh.
If you have the device powered by it’s own battery, you’ll have to choose between tracking frequency and battery life.
Securing Device
There are several options for securing the tracking device. Some devices come equipped with magnets. Others use Velcro or belt clips to secure to the RV.
Installation Considerations
GPS tracking devices can be mounted anywhere inside or outside of your RV. But they should not be mounted inside a steel enclosure since the signal would not transmit.
Top Tracking Devices for RVs
RVers weighed in on the tracking devices that they have. Here are the top anti-theft GPS tracking devices that RVers like.
Traki
Traki is one of the least expensive RV tracking devices on the market. Since it’s so small, it’s difficult to visually detect. Keep in mind, though, that any tracking device can be detected using an expensive detector. In order to use Traki, you must sign up for a subscription plan.
Traki works on GPS or cellular networks and WiFi when out of GPS range. One of the unique features of the Traki is that it has an embedded sim card that provides coverage in 185 countries.
Traki is easy to install with the included magnet. This makes it easy to remove and recharge. If you don’t like using the magnet, Traki comes with a belt clip to secure it to your RV.
With Traki, you can set up a geo fence perimeter. You’ll be notified if your RV goes outside the perimeter or if your battery is running low. An app installed on your phone provides alert notifications. It also allows you to track your RV in real time.
This device has a replaceable battery. If you have the device tracking once per day, the battery life is three months. More frequent tracking, like 1-5 times per minute, reduces the battery life to 2-3 days. Movement reduces the battery life. If you’re traveling in your RV, be sure you plug in your Traki to keep the battery charged.
Trak-4
Trak-4 is more expensive than Traki, but both tracking devices are reasonably priced. Like Traki, Trak-4 requires a subscription plan to use it. At the bottom of the page, I’ve listed the costs and subscription fees for each device listed.
Trak-4 is a little bigger than the Traki, about the size of a pack of cigarettes. Many RV owners hide it in a closet and have reported that it works great.
The Trak-4 app can be installed on either your android or iPhone. The app is user friendly and highly reliable. If you have issues setting up the device, Trak-4 customer service is very helpful.
Device owners report that the battery will last for one year before recharging when the tracker reports once per day. Once the RV starts moving, Trak-4 provides location information once per hour. Some RV owners keep the device plugged into their house battery via the 12v charging cable. The cable is comes in the box with the system.
Trak-4 communicates primarily with GPS satellites. When satellites are not available, it communicates through cell towers via the 4G network. As with other trackers, you can set up a geo fence so that you are notified when the RV exits the geo fence.
GPS and Track
In July of 2021, a trailer owner had his trailer stolen in Texas. He was able to locate the trailer, even though it was inside a building with the GPS and Track.
The initial cost of the tracker is far more expensive than the competition. But there is no monthly or yearly fee to run the GPS and Track.
Like the other trackers I mentioned, the GPS and Track is small enough to be inconspicuous. It comes with a magnetic mounting case or can be permanently mounted.
A free mobile app reports the tracking information to your iPhone or Android device. That way, you know your RVs location at all times. Like the other devices, GPS and Track will give you Geo Fence alerts.
The company purports that the device has a 5-year battery life.
WhereSafe MagTracker
WhereSafe MagTracker is a GPS tracking device that uses a 10000 mAh Rechargeable Li-ion battery. It also comes with a standard USB charging cable. The MagTracker saves battery by tracking only every eight hour when the vehicle is not in motion. However, when the vehicle is in motion, the device starts tracking at two-minute intervals.
The company says that the average battery life is between 2-6 weeks. The more you travel, the shorter the battery life.
The MagTracker connects via GPS. When GPS is not available, the MagTraker connects to the 5G network.
This tracker has a handy, user-friendly app. The app works with both iPhone and Android. It gives you detailed location information for today and yesterday.
You can view details in the app by clicking on a location. The app gives you the time that the RV was at a location, speed of travel, and duration of stops made along the way.
This tracker gives both text and email alerts. The sim provided card covers the US and Canada.
One of the things that I like about this tracker is that it has a battery life indicator.
The MagTracker comes with the option of strong magnetic or adhesive mounting. It also has a tamper sensor. The tamper sensor is activated if the device is removed.
Want to find out some ways to prevent your RV from being stolen?
How much does a GPS tracker cost per month?
Below are the device prices and the subscription costs.
| Tracker | Cost | Subscription Cost |
| Traki | $18.88 | $19.99/mo |
| Trak-4 | $48.80 | 83.88/yr |
| GPS and Track | $255 | None |
| WhereSafe MagTracker | $109 | $120/yr |
Conclusion
A GPS tracking device will give you peace of mind when you have to leave your RV behind.