Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the unit installed on my vehicle?
Do I have to visit your office to have the system installed?
How large is the unit and will it affect any other system on my motorhome?
Will this T8 system drain the power on my motorhome?
Can the T8 system be installed in a static or towed caravan?
Where can I travel with this system?
How many designated drivers can I have?
What if I inadvertently set off an alarm? What happens?
What are the main components of the T8 system?
What is Thatcham Category 5 and what does it mean for me?
Q - Where is the unit installed on my vehicle?
A - The unit is installed by a registered vehicle security systems engineer and will be placed somewhere within the engine compartment. The unit is a sealed black-box that cannot be tampered with and cannot be disconnected without specialist knowledge.
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Q - Do I have to visit your office to have the system installed?
A - No - our Installation Engineer will come to a site which is convenient for you. The only thing we ask is that the motorhome is parked off the road and that the Engineer has safe and easy access to it.
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Q - How large is the unit and will it affect any other system on my motorhome?
A - The T8 unit was initially designed for installation on motor-bikes so it is one of the smallest security systems in the marketplace. Its heritage also means that is has been designed to work in some of the most hostile motoring environments and is water and dust resistant. The installation will be independent of all other on-board systems so there will no impact on any of these.
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Q - Will this T8 system drain the power on my motorhome?
A - The system will need to be connected to the vehicles power supply but it needs only a very small ongoing electrical feed and will therefore have no impact upon your motorhome and its other systems.
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Q - Can the T8 system be installed in a static or towed caravan?
A - The T8 solution is built upon the Thatcham Category 5 specification for motorised vehicles. It is not designed to be used in static/towed caravans as these do not have their own form of motorised power.
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Q - Where can I travel with this system?
A - As described elsewhere, a key component of the solution is the Secure Operating Centre. T8 have partnered with G4S which is one of the largest security companies in Europe and they have active response centres across the Continent. Your system will therefore work for you in all of these countries and you will be supported by the local emergency services in case of any problems. For the latest geographical coverage, please refer to our coverage page .
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Q - How many designated drivers can I have?
A - The basic ‘system’ incorporates two driver tags which can be assigned to anybody you choose. If you need more tags, these are available for a small fee.
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Q - What if I inadvertently set off an alarm? What happens?
A - ‘False alarms’ are an unwanted but accepted part of these systems. Experience has shown that most people will only make this mistake once or twice before they begin to carry their tags as a matter of routine. If an alarm is raised, the SOC will initially liaise with you to see if it is genuine. If not, no further action will be taken. However the SOC will monitor the number of false alarms raised and may look to raise additional service charges if this becomes an ongoing problem.
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Q - What are the main components of the T8 system?
A - There are 4 inclusive and essential elements in the T8 solution.
- Hardware - the black-box and driver tags form the active part of the system.
- Installation - is handled by a professional installation engineer.
- Support - the SOC provides ongoing support whilst you own your motorhome.
- Upgrades - T8 are continuing to develop additional capabilities and will deliver these automatically to your unit as part of the ongoing Support Agreement. These updates will require no involvement from your or your family.
Q - What if I sell my motorhome?
A - If you choose to sell your motorhome, you can sell it with the system installed to increase the value to the prospective owner. Thereafter the new owner simply needs to sign the Service Agreement to receive an uninterrupted support service. If you plan to purchase another motorhome, we will provide you with a new unit and tags at a preferential customer rate and will simply continue your existing Service Agreement.
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Q - Who are Thatcham?
A - Thatcham was established in 1969 by the UK insurance industry and is currently independently funded and operated by insurer members. They have defined a number of categories for all vehicle security devices (from alarms and immobilisers through to after theft tracking systems). In each category, third party security products are evaluated against “The British Insurance Industry’s Criteria for Vehicle Security”, using specific tests to indicate the effectiveness of the product.
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Q - What is Thatcham Category 5 and what does it mean for me?
A - Without the keys, most modern cars are harder to steal. Criminals have responded to this by stealing the keys in order to steal the car. To tackle this trend, Thatcham worked with the Police and other partners to develop a range of solutions, including the Thatcham Category 5 classification for after theft recovery systems.
This specification applies to the installed device PLUS all aspects of design, installation, maintenance and operation, with the highest standards for quality and security being defined and audited for each activity. These standards ensure that only those manufacturers, installers, operators and repairers that meet and maintain these criteria can achieve and maintain their Thatcham certification.
At present, Thatcham Category 5 approved devices are the only category that qualifies for a Police level 1 response. See www.thatcham.org for further details.
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