If you’re thinking about investing in a tracking device for your car, you’re probably wondering where on the vehicle they’re installed. Well, the answer is, you can choose pretty much anywhere you like as long as it’s functional.
Here are some locations for you to consider installing your tracking device:
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Inside the boot.
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Inside the grill.
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Attached under the seats.
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Inside the glove box.
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On the underside of the vehicle.
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Behind the plastic internal door panels.
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Under brake light cover.
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Inside the rear or front bumper.
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Inside the speaker.
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Behind the radio.
There are a few things to consider when deciding where to have your device installed, such as security, discretion and power source. Here are some things you’ll want to think about...
What Type of Tracker Do You Have?
There are 3 main types of car trackers, plug and drive, battery-powered and hardwired.
Plugin trackers are the easiest to install, but they have to be in a certain spot. All you need to do is to find the location of the onboard diagnostics (OBD) connector and plug in your device. Because they’re easy to install, they’re also portable between vehicles but are also easy to remove, so that’s something you’ll want to consider before you make your purchase.
A hard-wired tracker, on the other hand, is a great option if you want to position your tracker in a hidden place. But it needs to be connected to your cars electrical system, making them difficult to install, so you’ll probably need a professional to do it for you.
Battery-powered trackers tend to offer the most flexibility and can be placed pretty much anywhere on your vehicle. However, it’ll need to be placed somewhere that has easy access to a power source for frequent charging.
Hiding Your Tracker From Thieves
If your tracking device is for anti-theft purposes, it’s essential that the tracker is concealed, making it hard to find and remove. Our installers at Trackerfit will choose a discrete and unique location for your device, so should your car be stolen, you will be able to track it down before thieves are even aware that they’re being tracked.
Is Your Tracker for Fleet Management?
If your GPS tracker is used for fleet tracking purposes, they tend to be installed on the dashboard through an onboard diagnostics (OBD) port. In this location, they can be used to give drivers real-time information driving routes, fuel efficiency, speed, and more.
When a vehicle is used by an employee for both work and recreational purposes, they’ll need to have access to the tracker in order to switch it off at the end of their shift, so bear that in mind.
Think About Functionality
When deciding where to put your GPS tracker you also need to think about its security, the weather and signal blocking.
The last thing you want is for your tracking device to move or fall off whilst you’re on the road, so consider using tape, velcro or a zip tie to hold it in place.
If you decide to choose a location on the outside of your car, you should choose a tracking device that can withstand harsh weather conditions, or buy a waterproof case for the tracker if required.
Since tracking devices use GPS satellites, they need to have a view of the sky. GPS signals can go through glass and plastic but not metal. So you’ll need to choose a place that is clear of any metal obstacles that could block the signal and stop your device from working.
How To Install A Vehicle Tracker
When it comes to installing your tracker, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Unless you have a basic plug and drive device. If you do want to give it a go yourself, check out our blog post - How Do I Fit A Car Tracker?