Growler /Vanbitz

[Tombola]

I have a Rapido 8094 df 2019, looking at proper immobiliser, tracker / alarm system that just "works" an all in one.

Vanbitz seems to be the dogs, can anyone advise on what systems they have fitted/recommend, how long to fit, rough costs etc.

Im in Merseyside but am due a trip out , its been a week or so now

 

[A S R]

I had a Vanbitz Growler and Non Starter fitted on my Burstner as soon as I bought it. Oh and the Meta tracker thingy too. I also got a fob for mine after about two years. Well worth the money in my opinion.

 

[Smiley13]

Growler and non-starter fitted by Vanbitz. Excellent workmanship and peace of mind. I also use a wheel clamp (at home) and steering lock for further visible deterrent plus the factory fitted tracker.

 

[Rob Turner]

I’ve got an Autowatch alarm and a Global Telematics Tracker. It covers the lockers, it’s got a bike loop, internal siren which is awfully loud and one flashing led as I didn’t want it to look like Blackpool.

Cracking piece of kit.

 

[Ejaydee]

I am sat on the Cornish Farm campsite in my new van, ready to visit Vanbitz tomorrow. In my previous van I had Strikeback, gaslow and lithium battery fitted by them, the service and equipment was second to none and that is why straight after picking up the new van from the dealer I came straight here yesterday

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[Toby2518]

Have had Growler/Strikeback and Non Starter since 2018 fitted at Taunton. Brilliant service then and similarly ever since. The App also does the job and nothing too much to ask. Telephone call to Vanbitz identified a door sensor fault earlier this year, replacement received two days later. Personally I cannot fault Vanbitz.

 

[ChrisL]

I had the Growler and metatrak immobiliser fitted, very happy with the installation and the walk through of how every thing works. The only issue I've had is when I accidentally pressed the panic button when outside the van and forgot that it has external sensors so if anyone (me in this case) are close to the van the alarm will keep going, once inside I could turn it off.

 

[PaulC70]

Growler here too, may well go back at some point for the non starter to be added, not decided.
Already also use a obd lock, steering lock and clutch claw.

 

[pjs25]

Have the Growler and non-starter ourselves. Excellent service not only whilst fitting but afterwards when asking advice re insurance renewals etc.

 

[Goff]

I have a Rapido 8094 df 2019, looking at proper immobiliser, tracker / alarm system that just "works" an all in one.

Vanbitz seems to be the dogs, can anyone advise on what systems they have fitted/recommend, how long to fit, rough costs etc.

Im in Merseyside but am due a trip out , its been a week or so now

Contact Van Bitz direct, unlike most businesses the phones are answered by people that are experienced in what they supply, ask your questions and get a instant answers, their product knowledge is unbeatable. Only one problem, due to demand you will most likely need to book weeks in advance but worth the wait.
After having a locked camper with a alarm, that was set, stolen from my drive in less than 5 minutes as shown on my security camera I now have peace of mind having had fitted by VanBitz their Growler alarm and Non Starter with mobile phone App.
With all external lockers covered, an extension lead for security of bikes, automatic immobilisation controlled by smart phone App and able to track the vehicle if required, 5 sirens, so that if triggered it cannot be ignored and very visual external lights that make it very obvious that the vehicle is professional alarmed I now feel safe and secure although I do worry about other campers close by that now look easy targets for any opportunist thief who will go for the easy targets

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[Blaydon]

Hi folks,
there is a great deal of very positive comment about Vanbiz across the Motorhome world. We had a system put onto our A Class when we got it. We had no end of trouble with false alarms and very angry neighbours. This went on for some time. I alway say you can tell the true quality of a company when things go wrong and how they deal with it. We had the vehicle back to Taunton a few times, to the point when we were being recognised by the coffee shop owners in the town.
Ian and the guys at Vanbiz were amazing. They kept at it, and eventually cracked the problem. None of this “we have tested it and there is nothing wrong, mate” that some providers say. Yes it is can be a long way to go to get an alarm system, and Yes, it is a long way to go back of there are problems. But, your van is very expensive, and you want to do all you can to prevent it being stolen. So in short, here is another recommendation for Vanbiz even from a punter who had problems. My only regret is is did not realise we could have got a discount for being MotorhomeFun members.

 

[Derek’soldvan]

I’ve an older van & visited them earlier this year for the works fitted.
You asked how long, takes a day & Taunton isn’t that far for a meander or just chill around the site.
Like others above, I’m a fan, peace of mind as it works with the remote immobiliser allows me to know that my “expensive” toy is safe

 

[Tombola]

I alway say you can tell the true quality of a company when things go wrong and how they deal with it.

very true

 

[Gunn1707]

thanks Revolvor I will talk it through with them and they do seem a decent set up, but I was also hoping for specific MH fun recommends, advice from the mouth of real world users.

Hi I have a Growler and it’s fantastic! Simple to use, you can immobilise the internal sensors if you need to leave the dog in the van, or at night when you’re sleeping. I also had a detachable security wire loop alarm for our bikes, equipment etc.
It was fitted in a day and you can even stay over on their site in taunton. Only a ten minute walk into town.
I can 100% recommend them

 

[MartinH]

To give you an idea of the level of service from Vanbitz following a 3year old Strikeback, Metatrak and battery master install, a couple of years ago the 4g signal became non existent where we were parked and 2-3 days notified for repair to the site - of course this is discovered on a Sunday afternoon 10 minutes before departure at about 4pm so cannot turn off the Metatrak immobiliser.

Placed a call to Vanbitz and got an answerphone - BUGGER! left a message with the issues and started planning additional days

6 minutes later my phone rings and its Eddie from Vanbitz - knows what the problem is but doesn't know where the relevant part is in my van, not an issue says he I'll go to the office.

10 minutes later Eddie is back on the phone telling me what tools i need and where the relevant module has been secreted and then walks me through how to override the non starter part of the Metatrak.

Van started and home I go

That is the kind of service that Vanbitz supply and I will recommend anyone take their van their - may be a trip but isn't that what the vans are for? and when I replace guess where my first stop will be.

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[Abacist]

We have the Growler, Metatrak and Trackstar, the flashing lights, bicycle extension loop and every door/locker on the van alarmed apart from the loo cassette. One little push button device on your keyring to set and unset, interior mode if you have dogs or want to set at night. 2 Apps so that you immobilise your engine and set up a Geofence for your Tracker. You get immediate notification your van has moved if you go to the motorhome point on a site! Excellent system and first class service. I also had solar panels, solar controllers and an inverter fitted with a battery master as well.

I am booked in again in a few weeks for a new charger, B2B and 2 Lithium batteries. I hope that explains the trust that I have in VanBitz.

Quote your Fun membership number for 10% discount off some of the bill. Fitting takes a day so they book you into the campsite the night before for free so they can start first thing next morning. They will drop you into Taunton for the day if you'd like while the work is being done.

My alarm work was done 3/4 year ago so out of date now and the invoice is not to hand anyway

 

[helzie2020]

I have a Rapido 8094 df 2019, looking at proper immobiliser, tracker / alarm system that just "works" an all in one.

Vanbitz seems to be the dogs, can anyone advise on what systems they have fitted/recommend, how long to fit, rough costs etc.

Im in Merseyside but am due a trip out , its been a week or so now

We had the following installed by VanBitz in December last year. We stayed the night before installation on their campsite (free) as we drove down from Scotland.

1. Growler
2. Shadow VTS S5 Tracking System
3. Upgrade of Shadow VTS with Non Starter Kit

The Growler is their top alarm system; it's very loud and has extra LEDs.

SHADOW VTS is a S5 Thatcham approved GPS tracking system. When the engine is started, SHADOW VTS will check that the driver identification device is present (Van Bitz supply two). Should this ID Tag not be present, SHADOW VTS will immediately contact the National Control Centre.

The Non Starter Kit allows you to immobilise the engine when you leave the vehicle using a phone app (MetaTrak Plus) — even with the key and the ID Tag, the engine won't start until you use the phone app to unblock the engine again.

The MetaTrak Plus phone app requires a 4-digit code to log in (so that's additional security in addition to your phone security). It includes a map showing the current location of the van and can tell you how long it has been parked. It tells you the current voltage of your engine battery. It lists the history of every time you start, drive and stop the van: start time, end time, duration and mileage.

Our insurance required a Thatcham-approved alarm and a Thatcham-approved tracker (1 and 2) but we find the Non Starter gives the most peace of mind!

We are very happy with the three items. The only thing I would say is that the information and documentation on the VanBitz website is quite confusing; I spent a long time reading everything and cross-checking to try to get to grips with what everything was and how the various systems differed.