The Hidden Costs of “Free” RV GPS Trackers: Understanding Subscriptions and Long-Term Savings

Congratulations on your new RV! Did you know that over 11 million U.S. households now own an RV? It is undoubtedly one of the most convenient ways to enjoy the mountains, beaches, and popular tourist attractions whenever you want, without giving up the comforts of home. You’re probably excited to hit the road and explore, but are you aware of the hidden costs associated with your ‘free’ pre-installed GPS tracker?

While you may think that it’s a useful addition to your vehicle, you need to remember that the ongoing subscription fees needed for the tracker can significantly impact your long-term budget. Let’s dig deeper into “free” GPS trackers for RVs and what other options are available.

The Illusion of “Free” RV GPS Trackers

While it is not common, some motorhomes in the U.S. come with built-in RV GPS systems. Pre-installed trackers are more popular in the UK. As theft prevention becomes more and more important, manufacturers started equipping motorhomes with GPS trackers into their vehicles.

Sargent Tracking in the UK is the most common proactive GPS tracking system installed in RVs and caravans. In order to take full advantage of the system and use it to secure your RV, a yearly subscription is required and costs about 100 GBP.  Because the device is proactive, it will alert the owner and the operating center of unauthorized movement. Even if a vehicle is stolen when the tracker is unarmed, a phone number is provided to report the theft direct to the monitoring centre, who will arm the tracker and communicate directly with the police.

In the U.S., some manufacturers may offer an optional security package which includes an RV tracker, it all depends on the specific model and dealership. Manufacturers like Winnebago, Enegra Coach, Newmar, Tiffin Motorhomes, and Thor Motor Coach, to name a few, offer additional upgrades and aftermarket GPS security devices. The cost of such trackers varies between $200-$500.

The Cost Trap of Subscriptions

What initially looks like a small yearly fee can quickly become a financial burden over time. To illustrate the situation, let’s take a scenario where you must pay an annual fee of $120 for a pre-installed RV GPS tracker. At first glance, it looks like $10 per month is a small cost to pay for security, but over the course of five years, the cost builds up to $600.

We didn’t take into consideration an increase in the subscription fee or any other hidden fees, so the cumulative cost might be even higher. On top of that, some subscription plans may require you to lock in a plan for a specific amount of time.

A Smarter Solution with Transparent Pricing

As we mentioned earlier, not many RVs in the U.S. come with built-in GPS tracking systems. This is why it’s important to ensure that your valuable asset is protected and invest in an anti-theft GPS tracker. With so many trackers available on the market, you can compare different options to find the one that fits your needs and budget.

Monimoto GPS tracker for RVs is a great choice for RV owners, offering reliable protection and a transparent pricing model with no hidden fees. Monimoto costs $169 RRP and comes with an embedded eSIM card that works globally with 2 months of free SIM data included. After that, you only need to pay $49 per year. That’s it! No other hidden fees.

You will get a phone call as soon as any suspicious movement is detected so that you can react quickly and stop theft in its tracks. If your vehicle is stolen, you will be able to track it down in the RV GPS app and share this information with authorities to facilitate the recovery.

Now let’s compare Monimoto’s lifetime value with a pre-installed RV tracking device.

*The sum of the Monimoto GPS tracker device + subscription fee

Even though you have to pay a bit more to get a standalone GPS tracker and purchase the subscription, the cost over 5 years ends up being much smaller compared with the pre-installed RV tracker.

Making an Informed Decision

Even though “free” trackers may look like an attractive additional RV feature, they often mask the true cost of ownership. The hidden costs add up and can quickly become a financial burden, whereas transparent pricing models offer more control.

When choosing a GPS tracker for your RV, always pay attention to subscription fees and if there are any additional costs involved. If you’re looking for a cost-effective and user-friendly RV GPS tracking device with transparent pricing, Monimoto is a great choice. It offers reliable and affordable security for every RV owner.