Hitch lock - towing whilst fitted?

OnlyJen
OnlyJen Forum Participant Posts: 146
100 Comments
edited April 2018 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

Hello

Some of you may remember me as "solo granny with camper" but now quite often "Granny with Camper accompanied by sister and towing her caravan"...

Not new to towing but it was so long ago now that time and my defective memory means that I might just as well put myself firmly in the "newbie" category laughing

so newbie question number 1.

I have always felt uncomfortable towing with the hitch lock in place.

Until Sunday.

We found ourselves parked next to another Eriba at Gloucester services and getting into  conversation he questioned why I was removing my hitch lock as we prepared to resume our travels. He then went on to say it's quite unnecessary, leave it on until you need to unhitch.

Should I or shouldn't I?

Eriba with winterhoff S3000 stabiliser and winterhoff hitch lock.

Thank you,   Jen

 

 

Comments

  • OnlyJen
    OnlyJen Forum Participant Posts: 146
    100 Comments
    edited April 2018 #2

    Oh!

     

    Good start!

     

    Posted in the wrong section!  Should be "New to touring" section.  Can a mod please move for me,  or at least tell me off in the nicest possible way cool

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2018 #3

    It’s not a technical thing, OJ, but a safety matter. In the event of the unthinkable happening, the emergency services could well need to separate the van from towing vehicle. They strongly recommend that you never lock the hitch when towing.

    You were right.

  • OnlyJen
    OnlyJen Forum Participant Posts: 146
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    edited April 2018 #4

    Thank you TW,  that was my thinking. Why make life difficult for others when you may want them to move very quickly.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2018 #5

    Exactly. 👍🏻

    Welcome back.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2018 #6

    Welcome back Jen.  Sound advice from Tinny.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited April 2018 #7

    does the hitch lock not restrict the stabaliser lever from closing fully hense not  doing its job correctly. never tried it when connected to car.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,302 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2018 #8

    Ours certainly closed OK on our old van, before being advised as above  and stopping fitting it.  

  • OnlyJen
    OnlyJen Forum Participant Posts: 146
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    edited April 2018 #9

    Thank you xx

  • harryb
    harryb Forum Participant Posts: 1,536
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    edited April 2018 #10

    A hitchlock is a secrutiy device to help prevent theft. If the van is being towed it can't be stolen so the hitchlock doesn't need to be on.

    Also agree with others about releasing in an emergency.

  • bill
    bill Forum Participant Posts: 388
    edited April 2018 #11

    Worth fitting if at a motor services but never when towing for the reasons given.

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