Discovery: GPS tracking

[Fleetwood40]

Hi all. Anybody know if or how to tell if gps tracking is possible on my coach.
2015 fleetwood discovery 40e. It has the rand McNally Nav system, wondering if it’s able to be tracked in the event of theft. TIA

[Tskadberg]

We have a pepwave which has gps tracking built in. So if you are looking to improve your cellular data capacity then you’d get both at the same time. But not cheap.

[MtCamper]

Why don't you just stash an apple air tag where it isn't easily found?

[alank]

Originally Posted by Fleetwood40

Hi all. Anybody know if or how to tell if gps tracking is possible on my coach.
2015 fleetwood discovery 40e. It has the rand McNally Nav system, wondering if it’s able to be tracked in the event of theft. TIA

Generally speaking, a GPS is a radio frequency receiver, and it is designed to receive signals sent out from the GPS satellites.

In order to be tracked, a unit has to transmit a radio frequency signal which your McNally unit doesn't do.

[nvs4602]

You would have to buy a GPS tracker and install it. Most if not all charge a monthly fee. Here's a link to one. I don't own one nor can I recommend one. This one has a lot of reviews on Amazon.

https://a.co/hbn9NX5

[Fleetwood40]

Thanks for the reply’s all. I didn’t think the nav system was built that way, just thought I’d ask cause there’s additional discounts for insurance if the unit is traceable. Not sure if they would accept an apple tag. But good idea I’ll check in to it

[AnotherMike]

As the previous responders have said your existing navigation system is receive-only and won't do tracking.

As to AirTags.... An AirTag is NOT a true tracker but it fakes it VERY well. AirTags take advantage of the fact that a large percentage of the population has iPhones on their belt or in their pocket. Each and every iPhone has a GPS tracker in it that can instantly phone home over the cellular data connection that it's owner pays for monthly.

Every tag has a unique serial number. All the AirTag does is trigger a nearby iPhone to phone home and pass a message containing the serial number and the current location (the latitude and longitude) of the iPhone. The owner of the phone has no idea that his phone is used as a proxy by each and every AirTag he walks by. Those frequent updates are what causes the dot on the map to "move". This function is part of the iPhone internal programming and does not require the iPhone owner to install an app.

The "Find My" app translates the serial number to whatever name you've assigned to the Tag and that name appears as a dot on the map.

Recently my wife and I took a long trip and we had an AirTag stashed in each piece of luggage. We were able to watch the luggage getting loaded on the airplane, and then after landing we watched them make it to the luggage carousel courtesy of the frequent anonymous proxy updates.

Now as to your need: There are several low-cost trackers out there. Every one that I've found requires a subscription fee... monthly, quarterly, yearly, whatever. It's the old "buy the cheap razor, we'll make the money on the blades" marketing method.

An acquaintance has the 12 volt version of this: $29 purchase plus $7 a month for service.
https: // www.amazon.com/stores/Trak-4/page/705032FD-DC8D-4B75-A5F2-186110B21197

If the insurance discount is more than the $84 a year service charge then it may be worth spending the $29 (plus shipping, which might be free).
Just connect the tracker to the house battery (before the disconnect switch so it's always live) and position it where it has an unobstructed view of the sky... perhaps directly under the dash where it can "see" through the windshield? Or inside a rooftop air conditioner shell? (the unit is NOT waterproof, so make sure it doesn't get rained on)

Mike

[NXR]

Originally Posted by Fleetwood40

Thanks for the reply’s all. I didn’t think the nav system was built that way, just thought I’d ask cause there’s additional discounts for insurance if the unit is traceable. Not sure if they would accept an apple tag. But good idea I’ll check in to it

Do you keep a cellular hotspot in your RV? We do. Each cellular hotspot has a unique cellular phone number. I keep that in my phone's Contacts because we all know that law enforcement can locate someone with just their cell number.

In addition, I use the Calyx Institute's Inseego M2000 hotspot. It has a GPS built in. Using their app I can see the location of my motorhome in the app.

Ray

[Fleetwood40]

Originally Posted by AnotherMike

As the previous responders have said your existing navigation system is receive-only and won't do tracking.

As to AirTags.... An AirTag is NOT a true tracker but it fakes it VERY well. AirTags take advantage of the fact that a large percentage of the population has iPhones on their belt or in their pocket. Each and every iPhone has a GPS tracker in it that can instantly phone home over the cellular data connection that it's owner pays for monthly.

Every tag has a unique serial number. All the AirTag does is trigger a nearby iPhone to phone home and pass a message containing the serial number and the current location (the latitude and longitude) of the iPhone. The owner of the phone has no idea that his phone is used as a proxy by each and every AirTag he walks by. Those frequent updates are what causes the dot on the map to "move". This function is part of the iPhone internal programming and does not require the iPhone owner to install an app.

The "Find My" app translates the serial number to whatever name you've assigned to the Tag and that name appears as a dot on the map.

Recently my wife and I took a long trip and we had an AirTag stashed in each piece of luggage. We were able to watch the luggage getting loaded on the airplane, and then after landing we watched them make it to the luggage carousel courtesy of the frequent anonymous proxy updates.

Now as to your need: There are several low-cost trackers out there. Every one that I've found requires a subscription fee... monthly, quarterly, yearly, whatever. It's the old "buy the cheap razor, we'll make the money on the blades" marketing method.

An acquaintance has the 12 volt version of this: $29 purchase plus $7 a month for service.
https: // www.amazon.com/stores/Trak-4/page/705032FD-DC8D-4B75-A5F2-186110B21197

If the insurance discount is more than the $84 a year service charge then it may be worth spending the $29 (plus shipping, which might be free).
Just connect the tracker to the house battery (before the disconnect switch so it's always live) and position it where it has an unobstructed view of the sky... perhaps directly under the dash where it can "see" through the windshield? Or inside a rooftop air conditioner shell? (the unit is NOT waterproof, so make sure it doesn't get rained on)

Mike

Thanks for the info mike. I’ll look in to it

[Fleetwood40]

Originally Posted by NXR

Do you keep a cellular hotspot in your RV? We do. Each cellular hotspot has a unique cellular phone number. I keep that in my phone's Contacts because we all know that law enforcement can locate someone with just their cell number.

In addition, I use the Calyx Institute's Inseego M2000 hotspot. It has a GPS built in. Using their app I can see the location of my motorhome in the app.

Ray

I never thought of that. Tks. We do have a stealth portable wifi that works off 3G

[pasdad1]

Originally Posted by Fleetwood40

I never thought of that. Tks. We do have a stealth portable wifi that works off 3G

I hope it’s not working on 3G. All the cell networks are shutting down 3G service permanently within the next few months

[Fleetwood40]

Originally Posted by pasdad1

I hope it’s not working on 3G. All the cell networks are shutting down 3G service permanently within the next few months

Tks for the info, I just checked and in Canada we have until Dec 2025