Factory Alarms . . .

[RV72 SAM 🏴]

Why is it that a lot of coachbuilt and A Class moho's don't get a factory alarm system installed from new???

 

[Lenny HB]

Why is it that a lot of coachbuilt and A Class moho's don't get a factory alarm system installed from new???

A class's sre not UK built vans so the alarms they offer on the options list are not Thatcham approved.
Same applies to non UK coach built vans.

 

[Nikwilko]

Most EU built Ducato pvc don't have an alarm as standard fit, as I found to my disappointment.

 

[Barriesimpson]

A class's sre not UK built vans so the alarms they offer on the options list are not Thatcham approved.
Same applies to non UK coach built vans.

Ok, I understand that, but in other countries where Thatcham does not matter?

 

[AshVanBitz]

Lenny is absolutely correct about the European systems. As they are not Thatcham approved the UK insurance companies would not accept them and it would be a complete waste of money to have one installed.
The reason why the UK convertors do not install alarm systems is because they would have to put a warranty on them. Most alarms on the market are CAM-BUS "plug and play", straight into the OBD port systems and utilise a fully normally open circuit. This means, if you have a fault with the system, after the initial 30 second arming procedure they will simply trigger over and over again. If that is the case and the central locking is connected into the circuit (like most are), you then find that you are unable to lock the doors using your fob. And this is just on panel van conversions.
It then gets worse when it is a "C" and "A" class motorhomes as you also need to protect the habitation and locker doors as most of these are not connected into the central locking. As the alarm is "plug and play", the only option for these are wireless sensors and being that they are battery operated, they go flat without warning and to make matters worse, they can be blocked easily.
So with all the issues that come with these types of alarms, the converters simply choose not to install anything as it then can't come back to bite them on the bum. If there is a warranty, there is a higher chance that the end user can hold them accountable. The converters like to hide behind the dealers as they "supplied it trade" and this is just another way to do that.

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[Odd-no-more]

The problem with factory fitted alarms is they are standard on all the vehicles in the range, so the thieves know where to look and how to disable them. Much better with a good after market system

 

[yorkiebar]

Our series 9 Ducato came with a factory fitted alarm. We didn't spec it, was fitted as part of the van package the converters get in.

 

[Pausim]

Our series 9 Ducato came with a factory fitted alarm. We didn't spec it, was fitted as part of the van package the converters get in.

Need to check it is shown on the Thatcham approved list if you need it for insurance purposes. I think some of the Sargent ones are listed but they are not factory fitted but installed by the converter. I think it makes more sense to leave alarms and trackers to individual choice and installation, otherwise you could well be paying for something that doesn’t meet your needs. Factory fitted immobilisers are standard and usually Cat 2 Thatcham approved.

 

[yorkiebar]

Need to check it is shown on the Thatcham approved list if you need it for insurance purposes. I think some of the Sargent ones are listed but they are not factory fitted but installed by the converter. I think it makes more sense to leave alarms and trackers to individual choice and installation, otherwise you could well be paying for something that doesn’t meet your needs. Factory fitted immobilisers are standard and usually Cat 2 Thatcham approved.

I checked that the insurance answer I gave about an alarm was just "factory fitted" and didn't mention/require Thatcham. There were other answer options which did mention Thatcham but I didn't select those.