Hi can anyone tell me how hard these alko secure locks are to fit? I have heard they are hard to line up and I dont have the budget for a motor mover. The dealer told me just to keep the van hooked up on the car and then its easy to move the wheel enough to align it.
I would find it a nightmare without a mover with softstart. The positioning had to be very accurate.
The issue with using the car is you can't be in the drivers seat and by the wheel at the same time & the difference between it fitting & not is very fine.
Agree - has to be 100% lined up to fit, also if you have a twin axel you need a jack to line up the 2nd wheel, never had both of mine line up together. without a motor mover I wouldn't bother.
Tend to agree with Zafirai. Not had a problem with ours as such but we have the soft start mover. I guess it would be difficult without a mover and most definitely a two man job.
I have given up claiming the extra insurance discount for having it fitted because of lining it up on site and being level at the same time.
Our new van came with one and it was definatley a two man ( one man one woman job in this case) alot of yep no yep yep no yep!! But it is do able, we now have a MM fitted and it's alot simpler.
Your dealer was right, leave it fastened to the car. We line it up with me in the car and the wife directing, I then get out and have a look and sometimes its ok, sometimes I may need to move just an inch or two. We manage, and all this whilst sometimes pulling one wheel up levelling blocks too. Its no real hardship, and not worth the cost of a motor mover just to avoid it unless you need one for other reasons. Biggest tip I would give is also to fit the alko lock whilst it is still on the car as sometimes it will move a tiny bit when you unhitch which is really annoying. With the lock fastenen on it wont move at all.
Your dealer was right, leave it fastened to the car. We line it up with me in the car and the wife directing, I then get out and have a look and sometimes its ok, sometimes I may need to move just an inch or two. We manage, and all this whilst sometimes pulling one wheel up levelling blocks too. Its no real hardship, and not worth the cost of a motor mover just to avoid it unless you need one for other reasons. Biggest tip I would give is also to fit the alko lock whilst it is still on the car as sometimes it will move a tiny bit when you unhitch which is really annoying. With the lock fastenen on it wont move at all.
How do you manage to level as well, even with a mover I have a problem with this as when level the lock is not lined up, or when lock lined up van is not level, never seem to be able to get both together?
Tony ; For levelling I carry a load of old kitchen work surface cut into 6" squares, ( 12 bits I would think ) its about 1 1/2" thick. I lay out 4 bits behind the wheel, if that isnt enough to get a level put 4 more and build up to another layer on the 3 rear blocks, Ive never needed more than 3 layers, usually its 1 or 2. Of course you can use the blocks from the front as you reverse up them, but I tend to stop and check the level as we go. Once its level, and coz you are on blocks rather than a ramp you are on a level surface, so its easy to line up the alko lock.
yes it has to be in line luckily I got the old bulldog fitment before alko had a bluey with bulldog and forced it off the market even so this has to be fairly accurate but not as much
Have to admit, I gave up using ours and got rid of it on everyone's favourite auction site.
was just too much hassle.
I like to get set up and the kettle on as quickly as possible
We have a twin and just use one Alko lock as it too much of a pain to use two! ( have to jack up the second axle), but as has been said the wife does the "A bit more a bit more stop!!" so it goes on fairly easily, But they are worth putting on as they are more difficult to remove than a standard wheel clamp, so make it just that bit harder for the robbin B******s to get off!
Posted this earlier today on post about "Levelling":
With my twin axle, I keep my jack to hand, jack up the side thats too low and put blocks under both wheels. Also put on my Alco wheel locks at same time. People seem to think jacking a van up is a faff, but with jack and blocks to hand it takes minutes and no messing. Also for blocks my son (who was 9 at the time) whilst walking round a DIY shop with me, said "Dad, why don't you buy one of them planks and cut it to use for the caravan," pointing at decking boards. Cost around £8, cut into 8 pieces that fit perfectly in the space I have to store them in van, can use for levelling or under steadies, whether 1 at a time or 2 or more stacked. Also I tend to use 1 under the jack when lifting van, and I kneel on one too. Should patent it as "A Plank".
After a few times it will be second nature, and it leaves me feeling more relaxed about security.
Tony ; For levelling I carry a load of old kitchen work surface cut into 6" squares, ( 12 bits I would think ) its about 1 1/2" thick. I lay out 4 bits behind the wheel, if that isnt enough to get a level put 4 more and build up to another layer on the 3 rear blocks, Ive never needed more than 3 layers, usually its 1 or 2. Of course you can use the blocks from the front as you reverse up them, but I tend to stop and check the level as we go. Once its level, and coz you are on blocks rather than a ramp you are on a level surface, so its easy to line up the alko lock.
This is going to make me sound really stupid, but levelling? I have never put anything under the wheels to level the caravan..am I doing something wrong...or not doing something right?
Quote: Originally posted by sweetrunninggir on 12/5/2011
This is going to make me sound really stupid, but levelling? I have never put anything under the wheels to level the caravan..am I doing something wrong...or not doing something right?
Thanks for all your advice guys
If you've been lucky enough to find a level pitch each time then no worries!
The few places we go on a regular basis are near enough level pitches side to side so we don't have to level side to side, the odd other place we visit may need levelling to avoid "that wonky feeling" inside, and if you want to use the fridge on gas you need to have the 'van level.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Alko Secure Fitting
