The Caravan Owners Club

[Doc]

Right folks, I've been asked to re-post this information by another member whose post got 'disappeared' somehow!

This Co. http://www.fleetonline.net/fol/uk/en/ has a service whereby they will locate the position of a mobile 'phone (within a few kms down to 50m, on a map on your PC). You need to register the mobile (cheap one-off fee) and then pay a fee each time you do a location request.

I haven't delved too deeply into it myself, but with a mobile phone, on charge, in the 'van and hidden somewhere, it does provide a very cheap form of 'tracker' device. Of course it doesn't 'phone you to say it's moved position, or that the 'van's been broken into etc, like some of the other SMS/GPS security systems. But then they cost £300 and up and Phantom & Tracker require an annual fee as well.

Presently this fleetonline service seems confined to the UK at present.

[keith]

At £1.75p to register and 25p for a position report seems like a good deal Doc. Works in Spain Germany and UK at the moment and soon to include Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and France. Think I'll search out an old mobile and put a £10 pay and go sim card in it.

[Chubbs]

So the mobile needs to be left switched on obviously.
How do we link up the mobile to the 12v battery to keep it working for more than 5/7 days? Any suggestions anyone, orhave I missed that somewhere?

[Doc]

Chubbs, I guess you just keep it connected to an in-car cigar-lighter type connection. My mobile is permanently ON in the car and connected to the 12V charger gizmo. So I suppose I could use it as a 'tracker' for my car!!

Thanks for your more detailed 'reading' Keith. I think the connection to Europe does depend on your 'roaming' provision of the network you're on. I'm with Virgin and that's not on the list!

[Chubbs]

Of course - the cigar lighter socket thing. But they are very 'P.C.' in my car...........it's called an "Accessory Socket" now.

Yes I guess that's the best solution - but one that's hidden away of course.

Thanks again Doc.

[keith]

Chubbs, I guess you just keep it connected to an in-car cigar-lighter type connection. My mobile is permanently ON in the car and connected to the 12V charger gizmo. So I suppose I could use it as a 'tracker' for my car!!

Thanks for your more detailed 'reading' Keith. I think the connection to Europe does depend on your 'roaming' provision of the network you're on. I'm with Virgin and that's not on the list!

I always new you to be extremely virtuous Doc but don't be afraid to roam occasionaly

[nigel129]

[quote="keith"]At £1.75p to register and 25p for a position report seems like a good deal Doc. Works in Spain Germany and UK at the moment and soon to include Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and France. Think I'll search out an old mobile and put a £10 pay and go sim card in it.[/quote]

Just had a look at their web site. Looks to me that subscription charge is £6.95 per month, or am i missing somthing specifically for us caravanners? please advise....

[keith]

The pricing has changed for 2005 however YOU DO NOT NEED TO PAY £6.95 / MONTH. This is for people who are using it often. If you opt not to pay the subscription rate of £6.95 the tracking call is between 38p-45p per tracking report. Hopefully you will never need to track your van but if you do 10 tracks for a fiver wont break the bank methinks.

[nigel129]

[quote="keith"]The pricing has changed for 2005 however YOU DO NOT NEED TO PAY £6.95 / MONTH. This is for people who are using it often. If you opt not to pay the subscription rate of £6.95 the tracking call is between 38p-45p per tracking report. Hopefully you will never need to track your van but if you do 10 tracks for a fiver wont break the bank methinks.[/quote]

can qiite see your logic in your last line, as to my reconing it still works out £80 + per year, and you would need to use the service unless it was niked. Better if they offered a premium rate on locations only as then wed only pay to find/locate it. Still I agree it doesnt seem a bad service, just a bit strapped for cash after buying the awning.

[Garry]

A few more details can be found here in the brochure.

A daily txt saying my caravan hasnt moved whilst in storage sounds a great idea to me and better still an immediate txt to say it is moving sounds brilliant especially when I get a final txt saying where its stopped - assuming of course the boys in blue will assist in the apprehension of the villains!!

http://www.fleetonline.net/fol/uk/en/downloads/trimtrac_brochure_060105