AirTag for tracking stolen rig?

[BelgianPup]

I am badly electronically challenged , so please keep any responses as simple as possible.

I just ran across something called an AirTag, that you can use for tracking. Could it be used for a van or RV if it's stolen?

 

[GotSmart]

In theory.

You will need help as well as having the proper iPhone to get it set up. After two months we are still trying to figure our tags out.

Major limitations on access. Only one tracker per tag.

 

[BelgianPup]

Okay, thanks. Probably too electronically complicated for me.

 

[Sasnak]

It’s very simple to setup. Using a AirTag might help locate a stolen item. How I understand it the airtag has to receive Bluetooth from another iPhone.
I think it’s worth the $25.

 

[Ripper238]

I always highly reamend a full alarm system with tracking like the Compustar T13. As with anything you want layers of deterrent/protection.

Its super easy and works with any smart phone but will be a bit of an investment.

 

[Malamute]

I heard of a stolen motorcycle recovered with one. I dont recall the details, but he started getting pings from people that came near it, it was only a few blocks away from where it was stolen.

Another possibility is to buy one of the GPS tracker and ignition cutouts the used vehicle and financing outfits use. Its wired in under the dash and both can send a GPS location and cut out the starting circuit when activated.

 

[BelgianPup]

Thank you.

 

[Termite]

Cheapest would be a battery shutoff. It is easily put on the positive side of the battery and you can turn it on and off yourself manually. They do make ones that shutoff by your phone but thats to complicated for me.i have one on my rig and I turn the battery off whenever "I" want to.FYI

 

[BelgianPup]

Termite, Are they hidden, so they're not easily spotted?

 

[CosmickGold]

Termite, Are they hidden, so they're not easily spotted?

It's The green on/off dial that sits on your battery, so hidden only as well as your engine battery is hidden.

 

[Malamute]

I just saw this bit about airtags not being the best idea for vehicle theft prevention. I didnt read it in detail yet, so form your own conclusion. At the very least it can point out some potential downsides of them as opposed to other setups.

https://www.advrider.com/monimoto-advises-against-airtag-use-to-secure-motorcycles/

 

[BelgianPup]

Thanks, CosmicGold and Malamute!

 

[NomadCat]

Cheapest would be a battery shutoff.

Cool! Thanks for the idea!

 

[Termite]

That's it Belgian pup. Like in the pic. Under the hood can't see it. 10 bucks at autozone etc.

 

[Camper]

I have a real GPS tracker that I pay $10 a month... if the truck starts moving I get a text immediately.

But, the best thing I've found is to pull the fuel pump fuse and mine won't start.

 

[Marcos989A]

The best vehicle anti-theft device IMO is to install a hardened steel eyebolt through the cab floor with an attachable square hardened steel chain ~1m that is locked to the steering wheel. Personally, I prefer it permanently attached to the eye thus only one padlock is required. Its heavyweight keeps it out of the way once stowed.
Hardware including top-quality locks ~$100-300.
Advantages:
1. Visible, if they don't have a cutting torch and\or grinder it's not coming off and odds are they won't bother breaking in unless they do.
2. Applied and disconnected from inside, the best security for you.
3. There are high-security padlocks designed not to be picked or easily cut.
4. Square chain >3/8" in. can't be cut by a bolt cutter.
5. Hardware doesn't break, one-time investment, and vehicle transferable.
I also think it wise to use a laminated message velcro to the window warning what your theft redundancies are. The primary goal should be to prevent them from attempting to enter your vehicle and if they do what they will encounter. There is no reason you need to be honest. Claim levels of protection you may not have such as auto video recording saved digitally and to the cloud with remote alerting system to a smartphone.
When I can I plan to also use a remote trail camera.
I have been robbed\burgalized so many times I expect it.
Failure to plan is planning to fail.
This may not be the most elegant but it is the most reliable.

 

[Camper]

delete

 

[BelgianPup]

Hadn't thought of anything like that! Thanks, Marcos!

 

[ohbejoyful]

View attachment 31579
It's The green on/off dial that sits on your battery, so hidden only as well as your engine battery is hidden.

Hmmm - 2013 Sprinter here, and the battery is under a floor panel behind a fastened side panel under the floor mat under the driver's floor. It takes two different Torx to get to the battery. So a manual battery cut-off doesn't seem to make sense, unless I'm missing something obvious. What situation do you use yours in?

 

[CosmickGold]

Hmmm - 2013 Sprinter here, and the battery is under a floor panel behind a fastened side panel under the floor mat under the driver's floor. It takes two different Torx to get to the battery. So a manual battery cut-off doesn't seem to make sense, unless I'm missing something obvious. What situation do you use yours in?

Boy! That's complicated! Seems like you could hardly use jumper cables to give someone a start, going through all that first. In my 1998 Chevy Express (pictured left) I just pull the hood release lever inside by the driver door's hinges, then raise the hood outside. My engine battery sits on top under the hood on the passenger side.

I've never seen a modern rig like yours. There are remote-controlled battery kill switches like this one. But I don't trust things that complicated. What if it stopped working one day when you really needed to get going down the road? So I suggest talking with your Sprinter-savvy mechanic about the best options. I don't have a good answer for you.

You may already have a battery disconnect built into your rig at the factory, and so do not need to add another.
I found this video -- for several makes including Sprinter -- which explains it.