Can't remove my Alko Secure Wheel lock - HELP!!!!

[JohnnyV]

Lining up the spoke hole with the receiver is easy with one wheel (either with or without a mover) its when you have to line up two in the case of a T/A - then the only option is to jack up the van and rotate one wheel by hand.

The fit is great, and does provide a definte feeling of security - like many my insurance carries a substantial discount for using these - however I agree that there should be a means of providing some movement (perhaps on the receiver) to avoid having to jack the van - it is a real chore, particularly if you have just nicely levelled the van!

I guess if it takes this much effort to fit, how much more does it take to get it off as a thief?

Jon

 

[JohnnyV]

Dusty Dog,

I must have posted at the same time so missed your comments - why didn't I think of that !!!!!

You usually only have to turn the wheel a few mm to get the second receiver lined up so this would work - brilliant.

Only question is - does this movement cause a real strain on the already locked up wheel/receiver?

You obviously do this so I guess it hasn't caused you any problems?

Regards

Jon

 

[Sedo]

Hi

Just happened on this post.

We've had the wheel-lock for nearly 2 years now without any problem.

Don't really have any trouble fitting or removing, don't have a mover so we check when we're nearly in position, unhitch and whether on grass or hard use chocks on the wheel until lock just fits nicely.

As stated by someone else keep the lock and screw lubricated so no sticking.

By the way it's a Bailey Pageant Burgundy so it's not too light.

We find it so useful that we've dropped the use of the Nemesis wheel clamp, which we are now going to sell.

Best regards

Tomo

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Jon

This was someone elses idea and yes it really works without causing any damage to the wheel , receiver or lock. It is very important to fully tighten the bolt and as others say keep both well lubricated.

I only do it where the locked wheel will slide easily, eg wet wood , grass , gravel. It will work on concrete but that seems a bit too harsh even for me , There again when I did last pitch up on concrete? Can't remember.

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Dustydog]

Morning Paul,

I missed your earlier thread. Thanks for saying something on the forum.

The jacking up is very tedious on a TA and does entail the carrying around of a hydraulic trolley jack. The Al-ko jack supplied with my Bailey Senator Wyoming is impossible to use without great effort.

Thus I and others have resorted to the "slippage method". I can guess your answer will have to cover your backside , but that apart what do you think of the various suggestions?

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Paul_374295060]

Dustydog,

There are a number of effective ways to fit the wheel lock, although our recommendation is to jack the vehicle to allow the wheel to rotate freely to line up the components easily.

This method allows fitment without undue stress and strain on the axle and swing arm assembly. When its time to remove the lock, again our recommendation is to jack the vehicle to relieve any movement that may have occured whilst the caravan is on site.

We know that a lot of people line the receiver up by eye using a mover or getting some to watch as the vehicle is positioned and all of these work fine.

It would only be right for me to warn of the dangers trying to slide the vehicle. Whilst it may be a way to do it, there is a possibility of the vehicle sustaining damage, which could prove costly to repair. We naturally wouldnt recommend this process.

What some people do with TA is to line the front wheel up first and fit the lock. Then jack the vehicle up to fit the back lock. Doing it in this order means less lifting as the back wheel leaves the ground quicker due to the angle of lift.

I hope this goes some way to answering the question.

Kind regards,

Paul

 

[wayne_374451869]

Hi, Does anyone have any practical advice for fitting an al-ko secure on uneven ground?! If you put your van on a ramp on one side to level it, you have to apply the handbrake to keep it on the ramp, so how do you then jack it up & turn the wheel to align the lock??!!! Seems to me like a good basic idea but doesn't work in practical terms! Thanks, Sam

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

The only recomended way to jack the van is as Paul has already stated is

position the van on ramps etc and whilst still attached to the car, jack up the required wheel.

This is the only safe way to jack a van and prevent the van rotating

Then unhitch the van and level back to front

 

[marlot]

the best way to use the alko on sloping ground is to use the fiamma lego-type blocks. You can get the height, then move the van back or forward to align the locks (single axle). For a single axle yu need to sets of blocks (you need the two top plates)

 

[marlot]

the best way to use the alko on sloping ground is to use the fiamma lego-type blocks. You can get the height, then move the van back or forward to align the locks (single axle). For a single axle yu need to sets of blocks (you need the two top plates)

should read...

for a single axle you need TWO sets of blocks...

 

[JohnnyV]

Hi Dustydog - have just got back from the Lakes & can report I tried your 'slippage' method - Worked like a dream !

I was on slightly damp grass so wheel slid easily (only had to move about an inch anyway) - it was so easy I tried again when fitting on my drive at home (my drive slopes up & then down so after fitting the rear lock the wheel had virtually no weight on it anyway), again piece of cake !

Brilliant dodge - thanks for the tip.

Jon

 

[otherclive]

I had always suspected the rationale of the Alko secure wheel lock and this correspondence convinces me that the caravan industry is still at the 'cottage level'. Agree with Ray....jacking the van up to secure it!!!

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Graham

On uneven ground I use the Fiamma levelling blocks which are like big Leggo and can be arranged with a long flat top to allow centering of the wheel clamp

My first Alko clamp on the Senator was much more user friendly than the one on the present Ace

The wheel spokes on the Bailey are closer together so more spaces to align ,on the Swift as well as having bigger fewer spaces between the wheel spokes the lock tool is a slacker fit in the bore and so doesn't line up as easily

I have improved this by wrapping thin metallic tape round the tool to ensure a snug fit and have painted red alignment marks on the lock tool and lock bolt

The wheel balancing weights also make fitting tight and so that means 2 awkward spaces out of 5 including the valve

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Graham

On uneven ground I use the Fiamma levelling blocks which are like big Leggo and can be arranged with a long flat top to allow centering of the wheel clamp

My first Alko clamp on the Senator was much more user friendly than the one on the present Ace

The wheel spokes on the Bailey are closer together so more spaces to align ,on the Swift as well as having bigger fewer spaces between the wheel spokes the lock tool is a slacker fit in the bore and so doesn't line up as easily

I have improved this by wrapping thin metallic tape round the tool to ensure a snug fit and have painted red alignment marks on the lock tool and lock bolt

The wheel balancing weights also make fitting tight and so that means 2 awkward spaces out of 5 including the valve

http://www.campervanaccessories.co.uk/fiamma-multi-levelling-blocks-p-72.html