Redundant GPS tracking has become an essential tool for modern fleet and asset management. Businesses rely on location data and telematics to improve efficiency, optimize maintenance, reduce theft, maintain accountability, and protect valuable vehicles and equipment. As GPS technology has matured, however, companies are realizing that effective tracking is not just about collecting more data—it’s about collecting the right data in the right way for all valuable mobile business assets and not just fleet vehicles.

This shift in thinking has driven growing adoption of a layered approach that combines real-time fleet tracking with lower-data asset tracking. The result is a more resilient, more secure, and more cost-effective way to maintain visibility across all business assets.

Understanding Redundant GPS Tracking

Redundant GPS tracking means using more than one tracking device across vehicles, trailers, equipment, or cargo so that visibility is preserved even if a primary tracker fails or is disabled. In practice, this typically involves pairing a primary real-time wired GPS tracker or OBD tracker with a secondary, independent asset tracker installed separately.

 These devices are not intended to perform the same role. The primary tracker supports operational management, while the secondary tracker acts as a safeguard—focused on security, recovery, and continuity of visibility. This distinction is what makes redundancy effective rather than redundant.

Full Fleet Tracking Where Real-Time Data Matters

For fleet vehicles and active heavy equipment, businesses depend on the Trackem Fleet Tracking Platform paired with a Trackem Wired GPS tracker. This system delivers high-resolution, real-time data that enables day-to-day operational control.

With real-time fleet tracking, managers can see live vehicle locations, review trip history, monitor driver behavior, reduce idling, receive speeding and unauthorized use alerts, and manage maintenance through mileage and engine diagnostics. This constant flow of data supports efficiency, compliance, and cost control.

Because this level of insight requires frequent communication, which translates into a higher amount of data, fleet tracking naturally sits at a higher service and data price point. For vehicles that are in motion throughout the day and central to operations, that investment is justified and valuable.

OEM-Provided GPS Tracking: Useful, But Not Enough on Its Own

Many modern vehicles and pieces of heavy equipment now include OEM-provided GPS tracking solutions. These systems can offer basic location data, usage insights, and diagnostic information, and they are often viewed as a built-in alternative to aftermarket tracking.

While OEM tracking can be a useful component of an overall visibility strategy, it should not be relied on as the only layer of protection.

Because OEM tracking systems are standardized and widely deployed, the methods used to locate, access, or disable them are well documented. All of these vehicles/equipment offer a wiring schematic or diagram that anyone can access. In many cases, a simple online search can reveal where an OEM tracking module is installed or how it can be disconnected. Thieves targeting specific vehicle or equipment brands frequently know exactly what to look for.

This creates a significant vulnerability. If an OEM GPS tracking system is disabled, visibility may be lost entirely unless an independent tracking solution is in place. For this reason, vehicles and equipment equipped with OEM tracking are actually prime candidates for redundant GPS tracking.

Adding a covert Trackem Asset Tracker provides an independent layer that does not rely on OEM systems, software, or hardware. Even if the OEM tracking is disabled or compromised, Trackem tracking continues to operate, preserving visibility and improving recovery outcomes.

Why One GPS Tracker Is No Longer Enough

Whether an organization’s tracking solutions are OEM-provided or aftermarket, relying on a single device introduces risk. Today’s thieves often expect assets to be tracked and understand they only need a short window of time to be successful.

Their focus is speed. They may identify, locate, and disable a known tracking system—whether OEM or aftermarket—within minutes. Once that happens, they typically move on, assuming tracking has been defeated.

Redundant GPS tracking takes advantage of this behavior. If one GPS tracker is disabled, a second, hidden device continues reporting location. In most cases, a thief is not searching for multiple trackers, especially if one has already been found and removed.

Asset Tracking: Lower Data by Design, Higher Security by Strategy

The Trackem Asset Tracker is designed to complement both fleet tracking and OEM systems. Asset tracking operates on a different data model that prioritizes efficiency and affordability.

Instead of transmitting constant real-time updates, asset trackers use custom scheduled GPS pings, such as once per day, once per hour, or any timeframe necessary. The device wakes up, reports its location, and then returns to a low-power state to conserve batteries, which can last up to 10 years. This minimizes data usage and allows asset tracking to operate at a lower service price point than real-time fleet tracking.

This makes asset tracking ideal for:

• Redundant backup tracking

• Vehicles and equipment with OEM GPS already installed

• Trailers, equipment, and cargo that move intermittently

• Expanding visibility without expanding costs

Wireless, Covert, and Hard to Defeat

Asset trackers are wireless and battery-powered, meaning they operate independently from vehicle power or OEM systems. Cutting wires, disconnecting or dead vehicle batteries, or disabling OEM modules does not affect them.

Because they require no wiring, asset trackers can be installed in covert locations that are difficult to locate quickly. If a thief disables an OEM tracking system or a visible wired or OBD device, the hidden asset tracker continues to operate unnoticed.

This layered design aligns with real-world theft behavior, where time pressure makes exhaustive searches unlikely. And it is not only for theft, but for instances where disgruntled employees, or workers who resist tracking, might disconnect GPS trackers in an effort to work without oversight. 

Recovery Mode: Escalating When It Matters Most

One of the most powerful aspects of Trackem’s asset tracking as a redundant layer of protection is its ability to escalate intelligently during a primary GPS tracker disconnection or theft event.

Even if a Trackem Asset Tracker is configured to ping only once per day under normal conditions, it can be placed into Recovery Mode if an asset is missing or stolen. In Recovery Mode, the tracker increases its reporting frequency to as often as every three minutes, providing detailed, near real-time location data to support recovery efforts.

This allows businesses to keep data costs low during normal operations while still having high-frequency tracking available exactly when it’s needed.

Redundant Tracking Beyond the Vehicle

Redundant tracking is also commonly used to extend visibility beyond the primary vehicle. For example, a truck may be tracked in real time, while a trailer is monitored using scheduled GPS pings. Construction equipment, rental assets, and mobile containers can be tracked the same way. 

Furthermore, inside the trailer might be valuable equipment or cargo that can also be tracked. In the past, with only one tracker, we had to assume that any assets traveling with the primary vehicle were always with it. We know that is not the case as equipment, tools, and cargo are constantly moving away from the primary vehicle. 

This approach ensures that every asset has appropriate visibility without forcing all assets into the same data and cost model.

Matching Data Usage to Asset Behavior

Redundant GPS tracking allows businesses to align tracking intensity with asset behavior. High-movement assets receive real-time data, while low-movement assets receive scheduled updates and escalation capability when needed.

This strategy prevents overpaying for connectivity while dramatically improving resilience against theft and tampering.

Trackem: Built for Layered Tracking

Trackem’s ecosystem is designed to support layered tracking strategies that work alongside OEM solutions, not in competition with them. The Trackem Fleet Tracking Platform provides real-time operational insight, while Trackem Asset Trackers deliver affordable redundancy, covert protection, and powerful recovery capabilities.

Together, they give businesses confidence that visibility will not disappear just because one system is compromised.

Redundancy Is About Resilience, Not Duplication

Redundant GPS tracking isn’t about tracking the same asset twice—it’s about ensuring visibility survives real-world problems and threats. OEM tracking, wired tracking, and asset tracking each play a role, but no single system should stand alone.

By layering Trackem GPS tracking on top of OEM solutions and combining real-time and scheduled data intelligently, businesses create a tracking strategy that is harder to defeat, easier to scale, provides greater operational visibility, and is cost-effective.

Full asset visibility doesn’t require full-time data everywhere. It requires a smarter, layered approach.

Ready to Build a More Resilient Tracking Strategy?

Trackem can help you design a redundant GPS tracking solution that works alongside OEM systems, protects against tampering, and balances visibility with cost.

Track smarter. Protect everything. Recover faster. Trackem GPS.

Asset Tracker for Indoor / Outdoor Tracking

$249.99

The Solo GPS Tracker is a very small and reliable GPS tracking solution offering daily updates for up to 10 years on one set of batteries. Designed for discreet use, it has no external lights, features a temperature sensor, and… read more

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