FREE Battery Master supplied and fitted when this item is ordered via Outdoor Bits. (Normal price £100)

2003: Caravan Industry Awards
Motorcaravan Security System of the Year

2004: MMM Accessory of the Year Award
Highly Commended

As a motorcaravanner, or potential motorcaravanner, you will no doubt realise that a motorcaravan is a very special vehicle indeed. Some people use their vehicles as everyday transport and some only use their vans for leisure. Many people will use them for work, as a minibus, a spare room, a shopping wagon, the list is as numerous as the owners are individual. But one fact is common to us all (yes, we are motorcaravanners ourselves), our vehicles are special. We derive enjoyment from owning and using our vans and, as motorcaravanners, we tend to be slightly adventurous, independent, and perhaps from time to time enjoy 'getting a way from it all'

It is however a sad fact of life that in this day and age crime is on the increase. Not just property theft, but personal violence is also unfortunately more prolific. This need not deter and should not dissuade motorcaravanners from enjoying the countryside and their vehicles as most crime is opportunist, carried out on the spur of the moment. But it should make people aware that they have a responsibility to take basic steps to protect their vehicles, their belongings and, of course, themselves.

One of the most common excuses we hear for not having a security system fitted is: "You cannot stop a really professional thief so what's the point of a security system anyway?". Our answer is that a good thief can easily pick a lock, but you wouldn't dream of going on holiday and not taking the precaution of locking your home, but if the above argument holds true, what is the point? The facts are that there are different types of crime and different levels of professionalism amongst thieves. It is true that a really good professional thief can be hard to stop, but if the system that is fitted to your vehicle is of a high standard and correctly installed, it follows that it would take a top rate thief to overcome the system. In many cases a professional thief will recognise that the system will take time to overcome and look for an easier target. We will go into some of the many impressive defensive devices in more depth later in this information. But remember, the weight of evidence is against anyone who tells you that alarms do not work. But it must be the right product for the job!

Vanbitz Alarm Components - Click for Larger Image

One only has to read any newspaper or magazine to see an array of personal safety and vehicle alarms advertised. Some will be good, some bad and some indifferent. Some will offer a good personal security, whilst leaving the vehicle at risk, and some will offer vehicle protection at the cost to personal security. Most will be advertised, sold and fitted by people who have possibly never even seen the inside of a motorcaravan. If this is the case, then it is natural to assume that a system which is ideal for your car, boat, home, office, caravan, motorhome, garage, etc. etc. will not necessarily offer the best protection for any one application. We have found in the past that just trying to explain to non-motorcaravanners exactly what it is that appeals to us about owning and using a motorcaravan is difficult enough (try explaining to one of the non-specialist insurance companies what the vehicle is, what it does, what is in it, and you will see what we mean). So, to be fair to the uninformed, why shouldn't a system that can protect your garage protect your motorcaravan? After all, it's only a van with beds in, isn't it?

It is also a mistake to assume that thieves are stupid ignorant people. It must be obvious to a thief that a Motorcaravan from another area or country is going to be a target worth going for, probably full of the goodies that people want with them when they are travelling or on holiday. Just take a second now to think about what you normally carry in your van whilst away. Start with money and credit cards and go on from there. Once you sit and think about exactly what you carry and how much it would cost to replace it, if you could replace it, it is frightening.

So, what is the solution ? short of turning your van into a mini Fort Knox? A good, well tried and tested security system that is easy to use, protecting you, the base vehicle, the interior and its contents and, when necessary, your external accessories (bicycles for example). Equally, you must also think of what you do not want. You no more want wires and boxes all over the van than you would want in your home because, when you are using your van, it is your home. It should not be difficult or complicated to use, it should not be ridiculously expensive and, last but by no means least, you do not want a system that thieves would find easy to beat. Advertised systems that you can easily take from vehicle to vehicle, with no wiring problems and it's own power source usually means a system that sits on the dashboard. It has no wiring problems because it is powered by a small 9 volt battery. It would be of little value sitting in a hedgerow pipping it's little head off with a thief driving your van away to rifle at a quiet location many miles away. Another consideration should be long-term service. Don't forget that many dealers will contract out alarm work to local auto-electricians. The system that they install today may not be serviceable in a couple of years' time when you may need batteries or spares!

As we stated earlier, we are motorcaravanners ourselves and, as such, realise that most of the technology used in motorcaravans is borrowed from allied trades such as the caravan or car industry. There was not a comprehensive alarm system on the market specifically manufactured to suitably protect a motorcaravan and we decided many years ago that to install a system to offer the special needs of a motorcaravan, we would need to approach the problem with a degree of innovation. We studied the market and decided that we would need to select a highly sophisticated system for the vehicle part of the motorcaravan, and supplement the technology with products from the domestic security market to protect the caravan side.

After many years specialising in motorcaravan security, we felt that our experience and reputation warranted taking this situation further. In conjunction with the manufacturers specialising in electronic vehicle security we developed the Vanbitz STRIKEBACK T range of Motorhome Security Systems.

To help you understand the benefits of our systems we have compiled the following notes, but if you feel that you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be delighted to explain further. Easy Options One, Two & Three have been produced to satisfy many aspects of motorhome security which have emerged over the last three to four years offering paging systems. The additional external and internal sirens have proven extremely effective since their launch some six years ago.

As we have stated, we are Motorcaravan Security Specialists and as such do not undertake work on cars or caravans. We use and understand all types of motorcaravans. All work is carried out to the highest standard. All wiring is "lost". All connections are fully "loomed" and soldered (except where it is physically impossible, the fuse board connections for example or where an alternative superior connection is justified) and, where necessary, the "loomed" wires are run through flexible conduit. We are constantly aware that our reputation is the best advertisement that we will ever have. This is borne out by the level of repeat orders we receive as our customers change their motorhomes and by the enquiries we receive due to personal recommendations from existing customers. To this end we offer a no quibble two year warranty as standard on all our components and workmanship, and a lifetime warranty on the Electronic Control Unit.

Insurance Approval

Thatcham in Berkshire is the home of the ABI (Association of British Insurers) 'Motor Insurance Repair and Research Centre' MIRRC. The engineers at MIRRC (known as Thatcham) test the quality of alarms systems against a given set of criteria. However, although guidelines are issued for the correct fitment of the alarms, there is no 'policing or checks' on the installations. Consequently, many 'Thatcham' alarms are installed by inexperienced or inept installers who get away with charging good money for poor work. Worse still is the engineers at Thatcham state very clearly that passenger car systems [Cat 1, 2-1, or 3] are not appropriate for installation onto diesel vans. A Category L1, L2-1 or L3 should be specified. Now imagine the scene; your insurance company tell you that you have to have an alarm system fitted and you ask if they can recommend a system? You're told A Thatcham alarm is required. You then get talked into having the Cobra or the Toad or the Sigma from the dealer and quite reasonably, assume that everything is OK because it is Thatcham. Being Thatcham approved is only of any use if the correct fitment policy has been followed. All three of the above produce great car alarms but it doesn't help you if the fitter is rubbish and allowed to fit car alarms unchecked. Worse still, say the unthinkable happens and your motorhome is stolen and you're asked to provide proof that a suitable alarm system was fitted. You then find out that the underwriter has a copy of the Thatcham list and tells you that as you have had an inappropriate alarm fitted, your insurance is invalid! I accept that this scenario is extreme, but think it through! The ABI (the insurers) own and maintain MIRRC (Thatcham) whose engineers say that a passenger car alarm is inappropriate for fitting to a diesel van. If they wanted to be difficult it would be very easy for them to do so. Do you really want to run the risk?

The Thatcham listing can be viewed by anyone on their website - www.thatcham.org

Strikeback T is Thatcham tested and listed correctly in the Light Commercial Vehicle listings which are, of course, appropriate for the majority, if not all motorhomes.

After reading the following information, if you are unsure which system would be best for you, please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.

STRIKEBACK Motorhome Alarm

A compact integrated radio control alarm system manufactured by one of Europe's largest vehicle electronics specialists Meta. Meta are a quality orientated manufacturing company who decided some years ago that their success would be based on manufacturing products that would meet and exceed some of the highest and most stringent quality checks in the world. Once armed, the system monitors thousands of times per second the motorcaravans' cab, bonnet, caravan and selected locker doors.

Cars are small, so car alarms cannot cope effectively with internal movement within a motorcaravan. Even if they could, leaving the heating on when you go out for a walk in the evening or leaving a roof vent open for ventilation, could play havoc with the car derived ultrasonic movement sensor (leaving you to apologise to the warden or the angry occupants of the motorhome on the pitch next door!). You may be told that a system has intelligent ultrasonics or smart ultrasonics. In practice, this just means that they are less efficient or have to see something several times before they respond to an intruder. Strikeback T uses an extremely effective radio system. This small unit can be mounted covertly usually behind the dashboard. With this unique sensor we can protect vans up to forty feet in length - safely and reliably. At the rear of the motorcaravan, an external socket is mounted under-floor to provide plug-in protection for bicycles or towed cars etc. The powerful siren 'crashes' into action should the alarm be triggered (the siren has its own permanent, automatically charged ni-cad battery - the siren will sound if the battery is disconnected) and the twin LED's (flashing red lights one inside and one outside) ensure a thief knows what he's dealing with even if all of the curtains and blinds are drawn. After all, what's the point of an alarm being on at night if those that are up to no good don't even know it's fitted?

The alarm can be armed in a 'sleep' mode maintaining perimeter protection whilst you sleep in your motorhome. This will, in addition to giving you peace of mind when you are camping in less secure surroundings, allow complete freedom of movement whilst you are in the motorhome using any of the internal appliances. If a potential thief decides to try his luck opening any of the protected doors, lockers, bonnet, tampering with your bikes or trailer, he will immediately regret it as he triggers the system. As an option we can install a gas detector that will link to your alarm to help prevent the gas attacks that people succumb to whilst asleep at night when camping in France. We can offer a van to mobile telephone link that will phone you should the alarm be triggered with the added deterrent that the 'Devil's Wail' internal siren will make the thief think twice about staying in the motorhome.

Motorhomes are not cars! A simple statement. Yet it is surprising how many owners will allow a dealer to install a car alarm into their new motorhome. Cars are small, vans are big. Every time you arm the system an autotest function is automatically carried out on all protected zones. The system will clearly alert you if any irregularities exist, eg a locker door left open. If, while you have been away from your motorcaravan, the alarm has been triggered the system has an intrusion indicator memory to alert you, telling you which zones have been violated. The radio control of the system uses a high security programmed radio key utilising unique software driven random encryption method to defeat scanners and grabbers. This is totally effective as the system never uses the same code twice (72 million billion combinations!). The key fobs have been designed ergonomically to eliminate the problem of accidental arm/disarm. Internally, the easily replaced lithium batteries have an expected life of three and a half years.

The system will arm and disarm without an audible tone so you won't upset your neighbours late at night. For additional security reasons and guaranteed customer satisfaction, Van Bitz have invested in additional computer hardware and software from Italy to ensure that spare and replacement radio keys (we do lose things after all!) can be programmed to your system's unique code and can normally be dispatched the same day.

These are a few of the many features of our systems. The following pages explain in more detail the benefits and level of protection once the system is installed. We have tried to explain the system in detail, but please do not think that the system is hard or complicated to use. On a day-to-day basis all you have to do is push a button to turn it on and again to turn it off. Once the installation is complete we explain the system fully. We prepare comprehensive instructions and we note technical information pertaining to the individual motorcaravan in our own records. This means that we can continue to maintain your security system for many years to come.

Strikeback T is manufactured within the EEC by Meta Systems. You will not see Meta alarms on the shelves of the major high street car accessory retailers as Meta products are not primarily designed for DIY installation. In fact, Meta control the supply of their products and certain components in their range are only available to those installers who meet certain high installation standards and genuinely believe in the long-term benefits of customer care and satisfaction. Meta view this elitist group as suitable to receive intensive training courses and testing, on-going technical instruction and expect in return that the products are installed to the standards they set. Our customers may rest assured that in addition to the STRIKEBACK T Motorcaravan Security System, we have full access to any of the products in the range which, as one of Europe's most innovative electronics manufacturers, is extensive. Maserati, Ferrari, BMW, Saab, Mazda, Alfa Romeo, Renault, VW, Audi, Fiat, Peugeot are just a few of the impressive names that Meta are proud to supply with electronic components and security systems.

The system we offer is extremely comprehensive in the facilities that it uses to protect you and your vehicle but, once installed, again it is simplicity itself to operate.

Please note:

Strikeback T is exclusive to Van Bitz and our fitting agents. If it is not supplied by an approved fitting agent or Van Bitz, then it is not STRIKEBACK T. If we thought that Cobra, Sigma, Laserline, Clifford, Autowatch or any other alarm was better, we would simply buy them off the shelf and avoid the huge financial commitment of ordering Strikeback T 1000 at a time. So if you are offered a 'really good alarm' as part of a deal, please use the comparison chart at the back of this brochure to establish just how good it is!


GLOSSARY OF TERMS

ARMING AND DISARMING THE SYSTEM

A high security pocket-sized transmitter, which is built into a key fob, turns the system on or off at the press of a button. The keys are 'ANTI SCAN' and 'ANTI GRAB' making it impossible for a thief to use a grabber to turn your system off. There are over 72 million billion code combinations. The transmitter never uses the same code twice making it very secure indeed due to the 32 bit resonator transmitting at 433.92 MHz. All replacement radio keys are programmed by Van Bitz to ensure total security and customer service. In the event of loss or theft of a radio key fob, the owner of the motorcaravan can lock out the lost/stolen key allowing single radio key operation to stop a thief from using it. Van Bitz can supply a replacement radio key which is unique to your motorhome and will allow the user to lock in the existing and new radio key permanently, therefore deleting the lost/stolen key.


SILENT ARM/DISARM SIGNAL

To arm the system is extremely simple. A brief press on the radio key fob will arm or disarm the motorcaravan. The motorcaravan lights will flash to confirm (the arm and disarm flashes are different for ease of recognition). An audible tone will be heard when you arm the system if the alarm detects any abnormalities (see automatic autotest).


SAFETY CIRCUIT

A safety feature is built in to prevent accidental operation of the system whilst driving.


BONNET SENSOR (if applicable)

The system will be triggered if the bonnet is forced or opened as an encapsulated tilt switch is fitted. This should not be confused with the much less reliable and cheaper pin switches used in car alarm installations which are, in our opinion, totally unsuitable for prolonged reliable use in the engine area on motorcaravans. They tend to go rusty so the owner sprays them with oil which causes road dirt to clog up the switch and you either get false alarms, or the switch becomes inoperable leaving the bonnet vulnerable to attack.


NIGHT-TIME FACILITY/PET MODE

The system allows you to sleep in your motorhome with the alarm turned on. The system shuts down the internal sensor when arming the system in the sleep mode. Getting up in the middle of the night to get a drink or to use the loo will not affect the alarm but, a thief trying to break in or force a locker or to steal the bikes or trailer protected with the external security loop, would. This mode maintains perimeter protection giving you peace of mind and added safety. This is particularly reassuring when you are forced to make unplanned overnight stops in service areas for example. This facility is also useful if you intend to leave a pet in the motorcaravan but wish to have the alarm on. A simple extended press of the radio key fob when you arm the system will initiate this mode. To make it doubly easy, there is a visual signal to confirm correct operation of the night facility. This is extinguished after thirty seconds (saves keeping you awake at night!). Strikeback T has twin LED's so even when the blinds and curtains are drawn, the external flashing warning light makes it doubly clear to leave your van alone, helping to keep you safe.

SELF-POWERED SIREN

The system will monitor its own power source and, if a thief were to interrupt the power source, (eg disconnect the battery) the alarm will sound using its own permanently charged built-in ni-cad battery. If the thief tries to reconnect the battery to silence the siren, the system will automatically re-arm and, if necessary, trigger again. Even if a thief was brazen enough to try to ignore the sirens briefly thinking he can make it into the vehicle, find the ECU and rip out all the wiring or disconnect the ECU's power supply, the siren would switch to its own internal supply, thus gaining you valuable time but wasting the thiefs.

CARAVAN AND LOCKER DOOR PROTECTION

The caravan and locker doors can be protected by small discreet contact switches. These should not be confused with pin switches which, when added to a door that was not designed to accept them, tend to be unsuitable as they break very easily, are unreliable and look most unattractive. The contact switches we use will trigger the alarm immediately if the doors are forced or opened whilst the alarm is activated (the switches can also be installed on other doors where necessary gas locker or generator cupboard doors for example).


EXTERNAL PROTECTION CIRCUIT (BIKE/MOTORBIKE COVER)

External accessories can be protected. Bicycles on or off a rack (or the rack itself!) for example. We mount at the rear of the motorhome, usually behind the rear skirt, a small resin bonded socket. We also supply a resin-bonded plug that comes with two fly leads. On the ends of the fly leads are a male and female connector. When you wish to protect external accessories simply plug the supplied security loop into the socket and connect the two leads around the item you wish to protect. If the loop is broken or the plug pulled out, the alarm will trigger (if armed). When you do not wish to use the loop simply remove the plug and loop and disable the circuit from the system normally by way of a small dashboard mounted switch. Many of our customers have expanded on this simple but effective security idea and use their security loop system to protect sail boards and surfboards on the roof, back boxes, 'A' frames and small towed cars etc.

ARMED STATUS LIGHT (LED)

A motorcaravan is a very vulnerable vehicle. Highly visible flashing LED's (red flashing lights in people talk) deter thieves, warning them that the vehicle is protected and armed. With STRIKEBACK T the lights have a dual function. When normally armed the lights will flash at a slow steady rate and extinguish when the system is disarmed. If the alarm has been triggered in your absence, the LED's will continue to flash a coded flash after you disarm the alarm. The flash code will determine which motorcaravan alarm zone has been triggered. This has the benefit of giving you peace of mind that 'everything was OK while we were out' and if not, what was tampered with (see diagnostic report). The internal LED is extremely bright, flashing in excess of 3400 Mcd. This means little to most of you until you consider that most car alarms are around 200 Mcd virtually useless during the day.

EXTERNAL WARNING LIGHT (LED)

To ensure that at night (when your windscreen may be covered by screens) any potential thief knows that your motorcaravan is alarmed, a second LED is mounted externally either in a lighting unit or in the bodywork using a flush mounted waterproof LED. The position of the external LED will be determined by ourselves, for maximum effect.

INTERNATIONAL WARNING STICKERS

When used in conjunction with a good security system, warning stickers can provide a good first line of defence along with a visible LED warning light as a deterrent. However, a professional thief can spot a dummy LED and has a good knowledge of which stickers are genuine and those that are available in every High Street car accessory shop. Also, it must be considered that a sticker on a motorcaravan stating 'car alarm installed' also sends another message to the thief. When your system is installed we provide stickers stating: WARNING! THIS MOTORCARAVAN IS
COMPLETELY PROTECTED BY A SOPHISTICATED SECURITY SYSTEM. The stickers aslo have a warning in German French Italian and Spanish.

INTERNAL MOVEMENT SENSOR

A covert interior movement sensor sets up a 'radio wrap' inside the motorhome. Once set, the alarm is instantly triggered if internal movement is detected. This sensor is designed to be covert so we can normally install it behind the dashboard (where possible). Motorhomes up to forty feet in length can be protected internally using a single sensor. This sensor should not be confused with Ultrasonic sensors that are designed primarily for cars. Once the system is armed, this invisible sensor will see the full length of the motorhome. One of the biggest causes of false alarms in car derived systems is the unsuitability of ultrasonic movement sensors. They operate on a totally different system and will see insects moving and heat sources causing air movement (blown air heating and electric fan heaters for example!)

The sensors can be switched off to allow a pet to be left in the motorcaravan, or to allow you to sleep in it with the security system on without the nuisance of triggering the system if you get up in the night. Most modern installations permit us to hide the sensor completely. This also makes it impossible for a potential thief to break in, disable the sensors and work without the alarm triggering. Many times we see car alarms fitted to motorhomes where the ultrasonic sensors have been fitted to the pillars either side of the windscreen and normally just a few inches away from the cab curtains. These of course will partially block the sensors when open, and make them useless when drawn, thus leaving the interior of the van with no protection at all!

DTI APPROVAL AND EUROPEAN DIRECTIVES

The remote controls operate on frequencies approved for use in all EU member states and all EFTA-/EAA states the main control unit meets any current legislation. The radio key conforms at the essential requirement of the directive R&TTE (1999/5/EC Directive). This may seem unimportant but it is illegal now to operate radio equipment in Europe that does not meet and is not marked to this standard.

AUTOMATIC RESET

If triggered, the system will operate on a 25 second cycle. At the end of 25 seconds the system will shut down for 3-5 seconds as it carries out a system check. If the condition that triggered the alarm has stopped, the alarm will automatically re-arm itself to deter further interference. If however, the thief is still violating one of the protected zones, the system will start up again. Whilst the system is carrying out its 3-5 second system check the engine immobilisation is still active. Local authorities and police forces throughout the country now have the legal right to enter and silence alarms that are causing a nuisance. The auto-reset and false alarm control facility will prevent any inconvenience or expense that this could cause.

FALSE ALARM CONTROL FACILITY

Whilst every care is taken in the installation of the system, and the components used are made to a very high standard, sensor malfunction and/or user error is possible, albeit however remote. The system will recognise a repeated false alarm situation. This need not necessarily be a malfunction. We have known cases in the past where a pet has been left in the motorcaravan and the owner has forgotten to set the alarm in the correct mode. Without the control facility, the alarm would detect the pet every time it moved around the van and the alarm could be sounding on and off for several hours. The owner then returns to the vehicle and finds a distraught pet and camp warden and annoyed, hassled neighbours. The control facility would prevent this happening because, after a pre-set number of incorrect triggers, it would shut down the offending sensor but still maintain protection for the rest of the motorcaravan.


AUTOMATIC AUTO TEST

When you arm the system automatically a protection zone self-test is carried out. If any irregularity is found by the system, you will hear four distinct audible warnings one second after you see the normal arming flash. This will ensure that not only is the system functioning correctly, but also that the motorcaravan owner has not left any doors or lockers open.


OWNER SYSTEM TEST

Every time you arm the system a function test is carried out automatically. However, you can test the system yourself if you wish, quickly and without noise. Once the system is armed, simply open any of the protected doors or lockers and the vehicle lights will flash recognition. Movement within the protected zone in the motorhome will also cause the lights to flash. At the end of the last test the system will revert back to its normal arming sequence and set as usual 25 seconds after the last test.

HIGH SECURITY OVERRIDE

The siren has it's own internal battery back-up in case of unauthorised disconnection or tampering. However, the system is coded and will only react to the vehicle battery being disconnected or the siren being disconnected when the alarm is armed. This means that servicing and maintenance is hassle free.

DIAGNOSTIC REPORT

If the alarm is triggered in your absence, the LED will change its flash code. The alarm will divide the motorhome into four alarm zones: the following is an example of how they zones may be split

1. internal sensors
2. cab doors
3. locker and caravan doors, bonnet & loop
4. ignition

To ensure that you are aware of an alarm condition, the system will continue to flash the diagnostic codes until you are aware of them and deliberately re-set the diagnostic process.

INSTALLATION AND RELATED MATTERS

The installation of the system usually takes one full working day (or half a day with two fitters working).

Once the installation and testing is complete we never leave you in the lurch as a full explanation is given and we demonstrate the system to you. The electronic control unit (the really expensive bit!) carries a lifetime warranty and, of course, all parts and labour are fully guaranteed for a minimum of twenty-four months from the date of installation. If you wish, you may extend your warranty for a third year

To endeavour to make choosing the right system for the job easier, we have compiled Easy Options One, Two and Three. Please choose whichever system is relevant to your motorhome.

THE PRICE IS CALCULATED ON ONE EXTERNAL LOCKER
NEEDING PROTECTION STRIKEBACK T FITTING CENTRE

The fitting will be carried out an one of our fitting agents throughout the UK.