Saracen Gullwing AKS ALKO Hitch Lock

penguinpete
penguinpete Forum Participant Posts: 38
edited February 2016 in Caravans #1

 I have purchased a saracen gullwing AKS ALCO hitch lock for my caravan, thinking that i could leave it on the hitch to deter people stealing it if i stop in the services. However i was told today that caravans are desighned to unhitch from the car if it
gets in to difficulty, but i was told that if you travel with a lock on it will take the car with it, is this true does anyone know.

Comments

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2016 #2

    Afaik it will take the car with it whether it is locked or not.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #3

    With our old van we always used to leave the hitch lock on when traveling. However, we were told when we picked the new one up they were not really designed with this in mind. So now don't. I suppose in the unlikely event of a caravan fire it would be much
    quicker to unhitch the van and remove the car. It does not take to long to put on at the services if required.

  • TimJim
    TimJim Forum Participant Posts: 162
    edited February 2016 #4

    However i was told today that caravans are designed to unhitch from the car if it gets in to difficulty..............

    Caravans are most definitely NOT designed to unhitch !! Just about any caravan has the potential to overturn the towing vehicle if it gets really out of shape. Once hitched very little if anything will cause it to unhitch. Unless of course its not hitched
    up correctly in the first place that is.

    Tj

  • penguinpete
    penguinpete Forum Participant Posts: 38
    edited February 2016 #5

    So i have to ask, do many of the caravaners out their travel with a hitchlock attached. I feel this is one i need to get right.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #6

    I have not been able to find any definitive information. So I look  at it that you do not need to have it on to tow safely, so I leave it off. As I say it does not take long to put it on at a services if required.

  • Jeepman
    Jeepman Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited February 2016 #7

    I have one and tow without it fitted. If you have an accident the emergency services cannot un hitch and move your van if you are incapacitated. As you say it is easy to fit at the services.

  • Sir Bruin
    Sir Bruin Forum Participant Posts: 90
    edited February 2016 #8

    As already stated, I fit the hitch lock when using services and remove it for towing

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585 ✭
    1000 Comments 250 Likes Photogenic
    edited February 2016 #9

    The accident point is the only one relevant but it is pretty remote. It is up to you but if you have a hitchlock that allows towing I would leave it on. Frankly I would only use a hitchlock if it is locking the caravan to the car when at services. A hitchlock
    is easily bypassed by a length of stout rope or by the professionals with a purpkse built frame.

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