Hi there wonder if anyone can help as just about to buy my first caravan? I wondered What are the best companies for insurance and I need an alko stabilizer and wheel lock too but not sure which one. I have bought an elddis ex 2000 gulf stream so any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks Lizzie
Are you sure you need a stabilizer, if you have not towed it yet.
if the caravan is in good condition and loaded correctly you wont need one.
i think most insurance companies will accept sold secure wheel locks
Insurance prices vary so much by different companies and their security requirements. I was really surprised when I changed my van last year to a twin axle that my insurance provider (previously the cheapest quote I got for old van) wouldn't insure me without alarms and trackers etc. but I ended up with insurance for the new van cheaper than old van with the camping club because they offer really big discounts for storing in a CASSOA gold storage facility.
Are the caravan wheels made of aluminium alloy or steel? The wheel clamps can be different due to the fact that alloy wheels have recessed bolts whereas steel rimmed wheels don't. A typical example is the SAS wheel clamp as one of the wheel bolts are covered and secured so if the bolts are recessed then you need the appropriate clamp. If you decide on a wheel clamp that covers the whole wheel and tyre there's no need for concern regarding the wheel bolts but make sure that the clamp fits the size wheel on your caravan. Most new caravans have 14" alloy wheels but mine are 13" steel rimmed wheels so the clamps available are not as popular as modern designs. I use an SAS wheel clamp because it's not too big, easy to store and recognised by all insurance companies.
If you are going to fit a stabiliser hitch then you will also require a hitch lock too for security and insurance purposes but depending on the model hitch you fit there will be a difference in design so make sure you buy the appropriate hitch lock to fit. In other words a hitch lock for an Alko AKS 2000 won't fit the 1300 or 3004 model stabilisers.
I'm like you and new to caravanning, I was also looking at getting the Alko Wheel Lock. However after speaking to our dealer we decided to go for the Nemesis Ultra Wheel Lock.
The reason is that the Alko is apparently really difficult to fit without a motor mover, also the saving on insurance was less than the saving on getting the nemesis instead of the Alko.
Thanks very much guys for all your advice - very helpful. Another question for you hee hee. I am looking for a porch awening for the van I have just bought. Been looking at the more lightweight ones due to cost of just starting out. How do you work out what size awening you need or doesn't it matter with the new style porch awenings as they don't run along the side of the van like the more traditional styles. Thanks in advance.
Liz
Best to have it so that the ends don't come down over your windows. So measure what will suit and then decide what make of awning you want.
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Thank you for your help. Tango 55 it's an old caravan elddis ex 2000 gulfstream. No alloys so I assume steel rimmed. I looked at the technical data and wheel rim is 5 J 13 tyre size 175 x 13(94)n
Thanks
Lizzie
I did hear that if you park on soft ground the Alko can be a s*d to get off.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
We have an Alko, and had ours parked on our lawn whilst we had some building work done during the winter, the ground was soft and the caravan left an indentation in the lawn when we first moved it (took weeks to recover) but the Alko lock came of fine when we put it in its proper place.
Just back from the 2 caravan dealers at Catterick for hands on look at all 3.
Bought the Nemesis Ultra - much easier than the others plus no need to buy a different fillet to fit the wheel if you change the van (and since we are considering doing that in the next few months), its a factor as forking out another 100 quid for a different fillet is not tempting (that only applies to the Alko though).
thanks for re-assurance re soft ground Wibsey.
Nemesis seems to be as highly security rated as the Alko so I suppose in the end its whatever floats your boat.
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