Al-ko security hitch lock advice please

[mandy_5114266]

We have purchased one of these hitch locks to protect our caravan when we bought we were told we could keep it on whilst travelling. But when we recently had our caravan serviced they said it is illegal to travel with one on. Please could you tell me who is right as we don't want to break the law!

Cheers mandy

 

[RichardS1]

As far as I am aware it is not illegal to travel with the lock fitted, but it is good practice not to as in the invent of an accident the caravan may need to be unhitchedquickly by the emergency services. In any case it only takes a couple of seconds to fit/remove the alko hitchlock.

 

[MikeP]

In the old days some people used to tow with an appropriate hitchlock on, as it gave an added measure of security against the hitch somehow jumping off the towball. But now that so many use friction hitches such as Al-Ko, there is no real advantage. Have you ever tried to lift the hitch off without having released the pads? Exactly.

If stopping at a UK motorway service area in the main season, then having a hitchlock on won't help much if someone "eyes up" your outfit as you drive in. If you leave your outfit unattended and they really want it, they will be off with it before you've finished your coffee.

 

[MAM]

In the old days some people used to tow with an appropriate hitchlock on, as it gave an added measure of security against the hitch somehow jumping off the towball. But now that so many use friction hitches such as Al-Ko, there is no real advantage. Have you ever tried to lift the hitch off without having released the pads? Exactly.

If stopping at a UK motorway service area in the main season, then having a hitchlock on won't help much if someone "eyes up" your outfit as you drive in. If you leave your outfit unattended and they really want it, they will be off with it before you've finished your coffee.

Hi Mike P,

Are you suggesting that the hitch lock is not a useful deterent in a Services area?

 

[MikeP]

In the old days some people used to tow with an appropriate hitchlock on, as it gave an added measure of security against the hitch somehow jumping off the towball. But now that so many use friction hitches such as Al-Ko, there is no real advantage. Have you ever tried to lift the hitch off without having released the pads? Exactly.

If stopping at a UK motorway service area in the main season, then having a hitchlock on won't help much if someone "eyes up" your outfit as you drive in. If you leave your outfit unattended and they really want it, they will be off with it before you've finished your coffee.

It can be a useful deterrent. But to someone who is determined to steal your caravan from a service area, it is little more than a 30 second delay.

 

[Lutz]

Depending on the design of the hitchlock it could interfere with the proper function of the caravan's overrun brake. I wouldn't take the risk of that happening.

 

[MikeP]

Point taken, hence my term "appropriate" hitchlock. There weren't many about that were safe to use whilst towing, but some did the job OK. As I said before, with a friction hitch and the little green button popped up, there is no need to worry about the car and caravan parting company. As long as your towbar is fitted correctly with the bolts at the correct torque.