RV Security System

tboyer55101 wrote:
Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a very nice semi-custom wheeled ice-house that is also a summer crossover RV. I am both worried about leaving the RV in storage and to some degree when I am in it. I don't like the package systems that I've seen online mainly because the power consumption requires the RV is AC plugged at (nearly) all times (can't do that in the storage yard) and also the high monthly network cost.

I'm thinking about designing and selling a better mousetrap, in this case an RV security system. I'm a wireless hardware design engineer in real-life.

Here's what technology I think I can reasonably field - Is it worth investing retirement savings into?

- Tamper, Intrusion and tow-away detect alarms
- email alerts on alarm
- GPS breadcrumb tracking on alarm (Insurance discount)
- Photo captures of intrusion
- Uses IoT or device cloud network (cheaper)
- Certified access thru major carriers (ATT or Verizon)
- Will monitor continuously off RV battery 200+ days (unique)
- Recharge automatically when under-tow or AC applied
- Monitor Battery level
- daily alert on <20% battery
- Internal backup battery switch-over on tamper detect
- Run 5+ days on internal battery
- External antennas for better range
- Switch to internal antenna(s)on tamper
- Stores data while out of cellular coverage
- Auto update of stored data when coverage avail.
- Panic button (unique)
- 2-way voice communication on panic button (unique)
- Capture current photo from phone app
- Check current location from phone app
- Locations shown on Google Maps
- In Storage alarm mode (intrusion, tamper, GPS, Cameras)
- Under-Tow alarm mode (intrusion, tamper, GPS)
- Owner Occupied alarm mode (intrusion, tamper, panic button)
- audible alarm and running light flash
- smoke detect
- remote thermostat control with cell app
- monitor temperature/fuel levels, cell app
- purchased and installed @ a dealer
- Suggested retail list price less than $1000
- Monthly access - less than $20/month

Thoughts and honest feedback is very welcome! Would anyone buy this? What would need to be different to make you say "WOW, I gotta have THAT"!

Thank you - Thomas

Q. "Is it worth investing retirement savings into?"

A. Resounding...NO !!

You asked.

.

The alarm sounds interesting and high tech and it may be useful for some... but for me, it is pointless:

If my rig is being stored, the cameras will get a picture of some guys with hoodies kicking in the door, grabbing stuff, and running off, all within 30-60 seconds at the most. The alarm will do nothing other than maybe goad the meth-heads into smashing a window or a wall out of spite, and by the time the law arrives, the bad guys will be well far away.

Even if the bad guys are caught, here in Texas burglary of a vehicle (A RV counts as a vehicle, not a residence if unoccupied) is a misdemeanor (unless it is a railroad car... then it is a felony here in Texas), so at worst, the person spends a night in the county can, and is back on the street again. Yes, Texans tend to be armed, but not many will risk going to jail for firing a gun in a city unless it is an act of self defense... and often the bad guys will shoot back.

This alarm won't provide me with any real security, and IoT devices allow the RV to be attacked from anywhere on the Internet... so no on that. The gauges and such are interesting, but the security risk involved with putting a device on the Internet to upload those figures is too much.

Instead, I prefer to use more effective protection for my rig:

1: It is insured. If it winds up a meth lab, theft insurance and gap insurance deal with it.

2: I use BAL X-chocks, security chains and Abus locks on the wheels, then a token lock on the hitch. The lock on the hitch is worthless but it makes a would-be trailer thief stop and notice the wheels are well secured. Yes, they can pull out an angle grinder, but my goal is not to be the fastest in the herd, but not to be the slowest in front of the bear.

3: I store it well out of Austin, 20-30 miles away from any significant highways, and miles from a paved road, behind a locked gate. Out of sight, out of mind... and not even the meth-heads will jump a fence in rural Texas.

If I -had- to store the rig in Austin, I'd probably buy an alarm that uses strobe lights and fog like the "dragon" car alarm that is on my old F-150. The fog is harmless, but one isn't going to see very far while standing in it, and the strobe lights don't help either. This not just denies a burglar access... but fog billowing out of a vehicle gets a lot more attention than just another audible siren going off.

PS: I love those black GSDs in the above picture. I'd love to adopt one eventually once life settles down for me.