After-market Alko Secure Wheelclamp

[Neal_5041160]

I don't know if this will be allowed on the forum or not!

Anyone any ideas about how to safely remove the "receiver bolt" that is fitted to new 'vans that come with a receiver but no clamp? (It is fitted by Alko to make you have to purchase their lock rather than another aftermarket one - my car comes with a CD player but I don't have to ask Honda for their permission / pay a premium to fit someone else's after I have bought the car!!)

Thoughts to save me being held to ransom?

Neal

 

[Rogerdraper]

I am told by my local dealer that there a few other makes that can be used. One make i have looked at is by Bulldog {MAX} about

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I am having a problem with the Alko wheel lock and a new caravan that is to be delivered tomorrow but wheel clamp is not expected to be in stock at Swift for 2 weeks

On another website Swift customer care are looking in to it tomorrow

I have emailed Bulldog to see if there is a way of fitting the lock but in conversation at a dealers today the people in the shop were totally fed up with Alko and the situation they have created and could not sell me the Bulldog as I wouldn't be able to fit it to a new van

They told me that there are 15 options for the removal tool/key

I did wonder about using a stud extractor but don't know yet how it locks into the reciver

My own feelings are incredulity that my new van may have no wheel clamp for 2 weeks and I have emailed C & CC insurance for their comments

No way do I intend to buy a new wheelclamp for 2 weeks use.

If I do buy a new wheelclamp I won't be buying the Alko as weLl and Alko could well lose a lot of people in the same way

 

[Clive_374342604]

Watson

I am using a Bulldog Max on my 2007 Bailey S6 Pageant Bordeaux with great success. Its not fiddely to put on and you don't have to be so accurate with position as the Alko.

Have the recent Alko chassis been changed to only accept their own lock?

Clive S

 

[Sedo]

Hi Neal

I purchased the Alko secure a few months ago, took me a couple of months to get it from Bailey through my dealer.

I bought because the Nemesis I use was a bit cumbersome to lug round for security and I must admit the Alko secure is really a nice piece of kit, just like most things in caravan security you pay way more than the unit is worth.

The bolt in the receiver, just needs a male tool of the same profile to fit into the female receiver, I expected it to have some kind of key lock .

Saying that if you're pretty handy with tools, for example a punch and hammer I reckon you could remove it without too much trouble.

Best of luck.

Tomo

 

[S-MaxJon]

Do you need to remove the receiver bolt ? I haven't got one myself so not sure of the configuration.Do they interfere with anthing when not being used.?

 

[Sedo]

Hi Jonathan

The "receiver bolt" is removed to facilitate the fitting of the locking unit. The locking unit fits in the gap in the alloy spokes and then a long bolt is pushed through this and is screwed into the receiver unit.

A plastic cap is fitted into the receiver to stop dirt getting into the thread once the locking unit is removed.

The factory fitted "receiver bolt" is not used again, unless you want to charge the next owner unlocking fees when you sell it on.

Best regards

Tomo

 

[Paul_5064559]

Neal, I bought a new Senator last year which came with the Alco clamp and after one season I wouldn't walk across the road for a free Alko wheel clamp!

Reason for this is that (fortunately) I have a mover but without this I would just be unable to fit it due to the precision required to line up the bolt with the receiver. My advice to anyone considering paying good money for one of these is forget it and get yourself a good wheelclamp instead.

 

[Sedo]

Hi Paul

I go for the old stoneage method with a wedge for the wheel, behind or in front using guess/judgement technology until the lock just slips in. Alternatively I go high tech if I'm feeling frisky and use a Kojack. Moved far bigger and heavier machines than caravans with these methods with more accuracy too.

Best regards

Tomo

 

[Clive-Cardiff]

Just a thought for Neal and John, how do AL-KO identify which unlocking tool you need. Is there some sort of identifier marked on the blanking screw?

If there was some means of describing the shape it might be possible to advertise for the unlocking tool on this website.

If there are only 15 variants this should be possible

 

[Sedo]

Hi Clive

There is a code on the sticker over the receiver bolt, you pass this number on along with your caravan chris number to the dealer who then get in touch with caravan manufacturer, who then contact Alko.

As I've, already stated though, I don't think it would be that hard to remove anyway, it only screws in. Like needing an allen key to remove an allen screw, there are other ways. Did read of one guy on another forum who did without much trouble.

Leave it with you, pay the money or------------?

Best regards

Tomo

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Clive I would love to be able to fit the Bulldog at less money and easier to use but a couple of things prevent this

One the locking coded grubscrew that I was told has 15 different keys at least available.

Two the C & CC give a big discount for the Alko but not the Bulldog---I spoke to them on the subject today

 

[Clive_374342604]

Watson

Just for interest I have just insured my van with Towergate Bakers and they gave me a

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Watson

Just for interest I have just insured my van with Towergate Bakers and they gave me a

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Sorry posted this as a comment by mistake

Clive I've seen the discount leaflet in the shop but I couldn't use the Bulldog as I've got the receiver with the coded lock fitted so I must get the "key" fron Alko

C & CC gave 20% discount for the Alko but not the Bulldog when I insured 10 months ago.

That was

 

[Neal_5041160]

All,

Thanks for the comments so far. I've tried removing the "coded stud" with long-nose pliers, a small socket that fits the spaces etc but no luck. As commented on, you really need to pay Alko for the "special tool" to remove it after providing them with (extortion) code provided with the new 'van.

As above, I have no love for the Alko, but it is the one that gets the discounts!

I have thought of trying one of the multi-size universal sockets that get advertised - you know - you'll only ever need two for the rest of your life as these will fit all nuts using the internal pins, but this is an expense that may not work!

Really, it's down to not wanting to be forced to do something by a manufacturer that is annoying me more than anything else - any further thoughts on removing the stupid thing welcomed!

Neal

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I got the key to remove the stud after intervention by Swift

It seems that the caravans are marketed with the receiver fitted but if you want to collect the van with the lock then you have to order from Swift who seem to carry no stock so they have to order from Alko who send the lock to Swift who send it to your dealer!!

Mine didn't arrive in time (its still in transit) but the dealer "leant" me one in the end

The "stud" is cleverly designed and Alko won't send it to you until you quote the code no from the lock kit as well as the code no from the receiver

I tried with the receiver no and they wouldn't supply me even though 3 phone calls from Swift to Alko had been made

I later had a call from my dealer to say that Alko were sending me the key

This duly arrived but as we were out a trip to the local parcels office was then needed to collect it

The locking stud key has a shape like a starfish outline but there is a raised pyramid shape in the middle of the stud to make drilling difficult

My key is numbered "F"

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