Twin Axle Al-Ko Wheel locks

connahsquay
connahsquay Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited May 2019 in Caravans #1

Can you please advise me if there is a Wheel Lock that I can use on my twin axle van that still complies with the Insurance Companies Requirements and does not need the wheels lining up. I have the Al-Ko axle type locks on my twin Bailey Unicorn Cardoba and it is no problem to line up one axle to fit the lock. The problem comes that to fit the second lock the van has to be jacked up in order to spin the second wheel. This is not always practical and not always safe for the user. To be honest I do find it a bit frightening when the van is rocking on the jack.Secondly in order to spin the wheels by hand the hand brake needs to be off which is another danger when the van is on a jack. I am surprised I have not heard of anyone being hurt. My guess is that it is not doing the caravan much good structurally either to be lifted up and down every time it is taken away. I know it is no problem when on site because the Insurance says only one needs to be fitted. So why not allow one Al-Ko and another "Sold Secure Aprroved " type of wheel clamp to be used when not on site.I hope you have a solution to this unsafe situation the insurance companies are putting members.

Comments

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited May 2019 #2

    Ring you're insurance company first and ask will the Nemisis Ultra be ok on one wheel. I did this and they said yes as the wheel lock is approved so I fit the front Alko lock and the nemesis to the rear wheel without the need to align the wheel. easy job.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2019 #3

    I say the same - speak to your insurance company.

    We had a T/A van some years back which was insured with this club. We told them the Alko wheel locks would not be used so paid a bit more on our premium. In other words, we did not claim the Alko wheel lock discount. It was a small price to pay for not having to fight the abomination.

    There’s another thread about Alko wheel locks running -

    https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-together/discussions/welcome-hobby-talk/caravan-motorhome-chat/alko-locks-on-twin-axles/

     

  • Simon100
    Simon100 Club Member Posts: 666 ✭
    500 Comments 100 Likes
    edited May 2019 #4

    I also don't use the locks on my twin axle. The discount is minimal when compared with the hassle of getting both on the wheels!

    On site, and in storage, I put just one on as a deterrent to opportunist. thieves

  • cabbiemick
    cabbiemick Forum Participant Posts: 297
    edited May 2019 #5

    i use a little bottle jack much safer and easy to use 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2019 #6

    I'd question it being safer .... a bottle jack has a very small base, they don't allow for the small arc of travel of the vehicle they're lifting & they easily topple.

  • crusader
    crusader Forum Participant Posts: 299
    100 Comments
    edited May 2019 #7

    cool The trick is to get your levels right but don’t unhitch from your car that way the van is going nowhere even with it’s handbrake off 

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,684 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2019 #8

    If you do apply for the wheel lock discount (and it's significant in my case), then this club's insurance requires two Alko locks to be fitted at all times on a TA - with the exception that when on site, one can be used providing another type of lock is fitted to a wheel on the other axle.

    Lock 'n Level is the answer to your problems.  I have been using this device for 5 years and wouldn't be without it.  It allows for perfectly safe lifting, particularly on soft or uneven ground and I reckon it takes me no more than 5 minutes to both fit the locks and level the van.

    As far as the danger of the van moving when the handbrake / motor mover is disengaged, chocks under the other set of wheels will prevent this.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2019 #9

    Hi Connahsquay, I would just shop around for another insurance company which doesn't have such stringent requirements about those wheel locks.

  • NutsyH
    NutsyH Forum Participant Posts: 534
    edited May 2019 #10

    We use one lock only and don't claim the discount - club insurance.

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