Hi All
When I had my old caravan, it was fitted with an AKS 1300 stabiliser. I could lock this to my car using a long thin bolt, which was key locked. So, it could be locked whilst parked and taken out when towing.
I have now bought another caravan which has an AKS 3004 stabiliser but this does not have the same facility. How does everyone else lock there caravan to their car, whilst popping in for a coffee at service stations.
Your help in this is greatly appreciated
Irvine45
not tried this but if you have an alko hitch lock you should be able to lift the big lever that clamps the friction pads down then fit the hitch lock.
obviously you cant tow like this but it will prevent thieves from accessing the locking handle and getting the hitch off the ball.
my insurance says that as a condition of the insurance i must fit the hitch lock and wheel clamp if leaving the car and caravan at services. until now we one of us stayed with the van whilst the other fetches the food or whatever. then sit in the van and eat it.
------------- First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Most hitchlocks can be fitted while caravan is hitched to car. If you already have a hitchlock suitable for that hitch then try it while hitched to car.
On out old trailer tent we had a similar hitch lock to the one you describe. I think they are still available on the Alko web site, however I think that they are replacement locks but only if you have the relevant fitting to mount them.
Dave
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
The lock pictured is the same as I have. This can be fitted when the caravan is on the tow ball but I don't think you could fully clamp the friction pads with it in place.
------------- First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
I understand that the emergency services are very much against the practice of towing with hitchlock attached, as they need to be able to separate car and trailer quickly in the event of an accident. Makes sense to me. Like others have said, one of us stays with the outfit at service areas.
'Fraid we like to have coffee together, in a cafe/boulangerie .... try to park where we will be able to see the rig, but not always possible.
Hitchlock key is kept on the vehicle key ring ... so easy to find in an emergency.
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Emergency services would look for keys in ignition, first ... for safety reasons ... should then be pretty obvious.
However ... if it's the risk of having my rig stolen, or attempted theft ... against the, probably, much lower risk of a major accident ... then I'll go for the perceived higher risk action.
Not that I have any figures of Car/Caravan accidents against caravan thefts/attempted thefts whilst attached to a towing vehicle.
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Topic: Locking AKS stabiliser
