Alko Secure Wheel Lock?
Hi All,
I am in the process of purchasing a new caravan that will have alloy wheels and a secure lock receiver. I wasn't sure if it is worthwhile getting the actual Alko Lock or not, I've read stories of them being difficult to put on level the caravan etc. Can these issues be helped by using a Milenco Aluminium leveler?
I currently have a Milenco 'original' Wheel clamp and find it very difficult to put on and off and I'm really not keen on something that is as bad or worse!
Thanks,
Laura
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Good morning
we have a twin and first Akko is easy to put on, just use the mover to fiddle about, second requires a jack.
you just use the jack to lift the wheels, turn and add the alko lock. Have got it down to under 10 min to park up add lock, steadies down and hitcklock on.
I have seen some wheel locks called nemises which are a lot cheaper, can fit any caravan and are insurance approved. If I was buying again theses would be on the list to look at
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Our Alko wheel lock came with both our last and current 'van included in the purchase. I personally like them as I find it easy to use with a motormover (a PITA without a mover though in my view). We dont use with a levelling wedge and instead use timber blocks about 15'' long. Line up lock position (roughly) place block alongside wheel as reference, move caravan forward slightly and position block. Motormove onto block, adjust minimally with mover (sometimes swing caravan slightly with mover to line up) and fit lock. With arthritis in my spine I find it very easy. Used to have a wheel clamp but decided insurance discount not worth the effort after a few uses.
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https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/192185025337?chn=ps
well under half the price of the alko lock and seconds to fit. well worth it.
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Have a look at Lock 'n Level. I've been using one for 3+ years on our TA Barcelona and I can fit both locks and level the van in 5 minutes. Single axle version works just as well. It works just as well on soft (grass) pitches as well as hardstandings which can't be said for some of the other levelling devices.
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Helpful tips here. Amazing what you learn however simple.
The Alko wheel lock is not cheap to buy but is a great deterent but why is it fitted on the awning and skirt side where it is hidden from view initialy.
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Maybe so it can be fitted while on a road of some sort without needing to risk life and limb?
Yes, I know that only applies in the UK but they are UK manufactured vans.
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I am in the process of buying a 2019 Swift Challenger 530. At the moment I have a Bailey Unicorn which came with a Al Ko wheel lock. I am aware that by buying an insert for the Swift Challenger I can use my existing locking mechanism thereby saving myself over £100. Or so I thought. Yesterday I phoned Swift Customer Service and spoke to an ever so pleasant young man who told me that he couldn't tell me the insert number and that the only way to purchase an Al Ko wheel lock for my new caravan was to buy the complete kit from Swift via a Swift dealer as they have the copyright not Al ko. If anyone can tell me the number of the Al Ko wheel lock insert for a 2019 Swift Challenger 530 with a Lux pack (alloy wheels) I would be awfully obliged if they could tell me. Whatever happens I won't be buying a complete kit. Many thanks.
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try looking at Duncan caravans web site.They are currently offering the Alko kit for £100 mail order.They are Swift dealers so should be able to help. can you not get the insert "thrown in" as part of the deal?
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Thanks JVB66 - Al Ko told me to get back to them in 2 to 3 weeks time when I emailed them. Thank you too dsweetman for your input - much appreciated and no my local dealer wouldn't play ball either. Trying to find the wheel lock number is harder than winning the lottery (I haven't done that either!).
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I have found mine a bit of a fiddle - but it gives a healthy discount on the insurance for my new van. The older van came with one but I never mastered fitting it luckily it hasn't been stolen yet.
Check the terms (and discount) of your insurance. That might help you decide.
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Can you take a photo of the wheel and put it here to help in identifying the required insert?or does your dealer have a catalogue produced by Grove products whic used to show pictures of the different wheels .(that was a couple of years ago,before I retired).Further thought.........join Swift Talk forum and somebody on there will know the insert number....they are a very helpfull (and polite) group.
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bought a lock and level in feb from the NEC for our Barcelona by the man who invented it and it is brilliant very easy to use and to fit both alko locks no messing with jacks which i had used previously. He ask me to let him know what we thought next time we go so will be seeing him in October. I would highly recommend its well made and lifts our twin axle with ease.
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Hi,I’ve always used Al-Ko secure wheel locks, we bought a brand new swift challenger Hi Style 880 14 months ago and it came with the Al-Ko lock already supplied.A little bit of a fath to put on but secure when it’s on.However recently I could not get it off due to the key not being able to turn.What a complete nightmare.I phoned Al-Ko they told me that the lock is only guaranteed for 12 months and I need to buy one from Lowe and Fletcher of Wednesbury.£59 plus vat.
It states in the book it is guaranteed for 3years but that’s not the case with wheel locks the lady from Al-Ko told me.
The local locksmith got it off thank god. The lock has now gone on the dustbin and we will never buy Al-Ko again. What we thought was a great lock once we registered it and so forth has turned out to be a nightmare.Get the Nemisis it’s got the same insurance and it’s 10 times easier to put on!
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