GPS trackers in 2025?

[GlacierGirl]

We are wanting to place a GPS tracker on our Ollie. The posts concerning trackers that I’ve seen on these forums all appear to be at least two years old. I’d love to know what trackers you folks are using now - and, of course, details on how you like them, the monthly/annual cost, etc. We have android phones.

Thanks,

Barb

Edited Monday at 11:31 PM by GlacierGirl

[CRM]

I have an Android phone hidden in the attic and use the Google "Find Hub" app to show the location. Have the phone on a Mint Mobile 5gb monthly plan for $15 per month for connectivity. Seems to work well and shows real time location, though it does have it's limitations. The phone can shut down if it overheats and can also possibly lockup at any point and need rebooting. So far neither has happened though I do reboot it fairly often.

I should probably move to a dedicated tracking device and look forward to hearing what others here are using.

[GlacierGirl]

That's a good idea, @CRM! I was looking into the Trak-4 tracker, and their subscription is $7 a month, after purchasing the device for around $15 on Amazon. So the phone would actually be a costlier method, but I like your ingenuity!☺️

[Patriot]

We keep it simple and just use an Apple air tag. No monthly fee, so far it works great and we just replace the battery each year along with all the rest of the batteries. We store our Oliver at our home not in public view.

Edited Monday at 11:11 PM by Patriot

[CRM]

Just now, Patriot said:

We use an Apple air tag. No monthly fee, just replace the battery each year along with all the rest of the batteries. We garage our Oliver here at our home.

I was thinking about doing that myself but I read if someone is traveling close to it for a while their phone will be alerted that there's an air tag near them.  

[Patriot]

Just now, CRM said:

I was thinking about doing that myself but I read if someone is traveling close to it for a while their phone will be alerted that there's an air tag near them.  

I suppose anything is possible. I removed the speaker from the tag, to make it very difficult to locate without hearing it. 

[CRM]

1 hour ago, GlacierGirl said:

We are wanting to place a GPS tracker on our Ollie. The posts concerning trackers that I’ve seen on these forums all appear to be at least two years old. I’d love to know what trackers you folks are using now - and, of course, details on how you like them, the monthly/annual cost, etc. 

Thanks,

Barb

Looks good, though for the $7 per month subscription you only get notified once per hour when it's moving. To get one minute notifications it costs $15 per month with a yearly contract. 

[GlacierGirl]

22 minutes ago, Patriot said:

 We store our Oliver at our home not in public view.

We feel safe when the trailer is at home, but we want tracking abilities when we boondock in isolated areas in Utah and leave the trailer while we go off hiking for the day.

[GlacierGirl]

14 minutes ago, CRM said:

To get one minute notifications it costs $15 per month with a yearly contract. 

Oh, I did not see that option on their website!

[CRM]

6 minutes ago, GlacierGirl said:

Oh, I did not see that option on their website!

Still a better option than mine. Same monthly price but you're getting a dedicated tracking device. 

[Sak]

Another option, although more expensive, is satellite based tracker like https://www.findmespot.com/en-us/products-services/spot-trace. This is good for areas that don't have cellular reception.

[Steve Morris]

We’ve had the solar version of the Trac-4 on Curiosity’s roof since the first few months of ownership. Having its own GPS and cellular unit works pretty well. Occasionally it looses its location and tells me it has left the home geofence, but that’s rare. 

The hourly report works for us. I don’t need immediate location. In fact, it is more install and ignore. But if it gets stolen, it should be easy to find once the thieves stop for a bit. 

Edited Tuesday at 03:19 AM by Steve Morris

[GlacierGirl]

1 hour ago, Sak said:

Another option, although more expensive, is satellite based tracker like https://www.findmespot.com/en-us/products-services/spot-trace. This is good for areas that don't have cellular reception.

That's a good idea since we often camp far away from cellular reception. Yes, it's more expensive, but not terrible. And, @Steve Morris, it's good to know that your Trak-4 has been mostly reliable most of the time. This is going to be a difficult decision!

[Geronimo John]

On 5/26/2025 at 1:15 PM, Patriot said:

I suppose anything is possible. I removed the speaker from the tag, to make it very difficult to locate without hearing it. 

Is it stashed inside the hull or outside the hull?  Thinking the inter hull insulation would act as a faraday cage. 

If they are weather proof, maybe behind the AC on the roof.  Your thoughts on placemenet?

 

[Patriot]

58 minutes ago, Geronimo John said:

Is it stashed inside the hull or outside the hull?  Thinking the inter hull insulation would act as a faraday cage. 

If they are weather proof, maybe behind the AC on the roof.  Your thoughts on placemenet?

 

I placed ours inside the inside or interior of the hull and it works fine. The idea is to allow it to be placed where another cell phone will pick up the signal the AT is sending. The inside AC might be good as long as the adhesive on the AT holder does not fail and you loose it. I have one hidden in my Honda generator, TV, car, as well. 

Edited Thursday at 07:17 PM by Patriot

[Patriot]

Here are the silicone AT holders I use. I use a zip tie to hold them in place where I hide them. I also use adhesive backed type holders. 
 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09468VZ5W?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_asin_image
 

 

[jd1923]

On 5/29/2025 at 1:15 PM, Patriot said:

I placed ours inside the inside or interior of the hull and it works fine.

I did the same. One inside the hull and it works fine. Faraday worries are solely for Airstream owners and anybody else who desires to camp in an archaic tin can! 🤣

I get constant notifications as soon as we drive away. Drive away from home and tells me everything I have left. Must have an iPhone family.

Bought the 4-pack, so I also have one hidden in the truck, and in our treasured GX470 and I purchased a key ring holder and this has found my keys, often misplaced!

https://a.co/d/29lrREf