RV Security System

[tboyer55101]

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

[bcsdguy]

Nope. Would not buy one.

[n7bsn]

This is one of those "if there was a cost-effective solution, it would be on the market problems"

[gbopp]

It would not interest me.

[ScottG]

My thoughts are that it is too expensive for this market and that it would still require lots of power or at least more than a battery could provide over several weeks.

[downtheroad]

Halmfamily wrote:

This is what insurance is for. As I've said if someone wants it bad enough they'll take it regardless of the alarm.

Times two.
...and, I've come to believe that if someone steals it, I don't want it back because it will probably be trashed anyway.

[Halmfamily]

Honestly I would never purchase nor install an alarm on our coach. We've also felt 100% safe in it and when parked if someone is going to break in it they will and I doubt an alarm is going to stop them. While camping our two large dogs are with us and I'm always armed.

Not concerned about someone stealing my coach either. I have lock on the pin and you would need a big truck to haul it away, something I'm thinking most criminals don't have.

This is what insurance is for. As I've said if someone wants it bad enough they'll take it regardless of the alarm. Maybe someone with high end class A DP would want an alarm, don't think your average RV'r would. Good luck though.

[Gdetrailer]

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

RED FLAGS..

"Dealer Install"
"MSRP under $1000 (IE $999.99)"
"Monthly access fee"

On top of that you are "expecting" a RV battery to support your system(s) without solar power..

Depending on the RV it could have only ONE Group 24 battery or it could have 10 or more very large capacity batteries.. A group 24 in a typical TT will only last 2 weeks IF you are lucky with the battery connected to the RV.. Propane detector, fridge control board, radio, water heater control board ALL present a drain to the battery..

You are kidding yourself on your dream list.. It is over featured and over complicated along with majorly over priced..

You do realize there ARE other systems out there that can be easily adapted to a RV?

LOJACK is one that offers "Theft Recovery" if the RV is stolen?

You can buy plenty of security camera/PVR systems for $200 that offer WiFi access and have MOVEMENT DETECTION.. Just need to setup a WiFi/cell hotspot which can be done for as low as $10 per month..

Good luck..

[pianotuna]

Hi Thomas,

Edison was once quoted as saying he would never again invent something for which there was no need.

The local storage yard here has two guard dogs that roam the grounds when the gates close.