While traveling around in your caravan, the last thing you want to worry about is someone trying to steal your caravan while you’re away from it. One of the most effective ways to protect your caravan from being stolen is to use a wheel lock. Although there are many different types of wheel locks available, the AL-KO wheel locks have been proven to be the most secure when it comes to protecting caravans.
In this blog post, I will be taking a closer look in to the AL-KO wheel lock and will be outlining the following:
What is an AL-KO wheel lock?
The AL-KO Secure Wheel lock is said to be one of the most secure wheel locks available. This is because it has ben proven to be an excellent caravan security device. It is available as a standard fitment to many 2006 caravans onwards and has also been tested to Diamond standard from SOLD Secure. The AL-KO wheel lock is the only wheel lock on the market with such a high level of security.
After years of research, design and development into the methods and practices carried out by caravan thieves, the product engineers at AL-KO designed this lock which ensures that AL-KO Secure protects your caravan. The AL-KO Secure Lock provides over 30,000 security combinations as well as a drill resistant lock and anti-pick tumbler mechanism. This keeps your caravan safe from any method that caravan thieves tend to use.
How does the AL-KO wheel lock work?
Like the majority of wheel locks, the AL-KO wheel lock works when it is tightly secured on to the wheel of your caravan. What makes the AL-KO wheel lock different from other types of wheel locks os that it has been designed to be resistant to any method a caravan thief may use, including lock picking and even drills. However, in order to ensure that your caravan is fully secure, you must make sure that the lock has been properly fitted on to your caravan wheel. Follow the steps below to ensure that your AL-KO wheel lock has be fitted correctly:
- Sight the caravan where you want it and leave it coupled to the tow car.
- With the caravan brake off, jack the caravan.
- Once the wheels are free to rotate, turn the wheels and then fit the barrel nuts as normal ensuring that they are tightened up. Do not fit the outer locks.
- Gently lower the caravan. Once fully lowered, remove the jack.
- Apply the caravan break and uncouple the tow car.
- Remove the wheel locks. The receivers will have moved slightly, therefore, it may require a bit more effort than when you fitted them. Once removed you will see that both of the receivers are no longer central but should still be aligned with each other.
- Engage the caravan mover and release the caravan brake. Use the mover to move the caravan to align the receiver with the centre position between the wheel spokes and fit the wheel locks.
- Reapply caravan brake and disengage the mover.
Which AL-KO wheel lock do you need?
The AL-KO Secure Wheel Locks are alloy specific so it is vital that you choose the lock that matches your caravan wheel. AL-KO wheel locks come in three components, kits, inserts and covers. I will explain what each of these components are below.
Kits:
These are used when a receiver is already present. The majority of caravans built since 2006 will already have the receiver fit in.
Inserts:
Inserts are used when changing caravans, enabling you to retain the locking parts for use with the new insert.
Covers:
These sit between the lock and the alloy. Covers are included in new kits but will need to be ordered separately for new inserts.
Alloy identification for AL-KO wheel lock
From the image below, find the alloy on your caravan and check which kit, insert and cover you need for your specific alloys.
