Some help and advice from the wise please!

[mdhuxford]

Hi All,
So here we are 6 months into our new caravan adventures in our new Pegasus Verona and i have to report all is going well, but i have just one problem i need to address.
With the aid of a mover we are able to park/store our new van besides our home which is great. Our security for the caravan is an Alko wheel lock that bolts through the alloy wheel into the chassis along with a hitch lock and security post that the hitch couples on top. Our insurance company wanted three security devices so that's what we chose. I know other companies want less, but i guess they were being fussy as we are new to this game.

Because we have a young family we have only had five trips out so far. When we return the caravan to its spot next to the house i have the same problem aligning up the hitch post and wheel position so the wheel lock goes through the alloy wheel. So i have been fumbling around with jacks to lift the van to rotate the wheel into the correct position. Quite honestly its the last thing anyone needs at the end of a nice trip away, and frankly its fraught with danger. Its also worth mentioning that even if i didnt have the security post shuffle room is limited around the caravan.

Has anyone stumbled across a gadget that will safely lift the caravan by the wheel, allow the wheel to be rotated and then lower the wheel to the ground again?

I'm also convinced that i have missed a trick somewhere.

Guidance greatly appreciated
Mark

 

[Dustydog]

Mark
1. Purpleline's orange jack brackets are superior to the original Al-ko.
2. I use the cars 2 ton bottle jack on our ta.Both wheels are lifted in seconds. No hassle.
Some people use inflatable air bags but these take time getting it all out and the compressor etc.

 

[PaulT]

Hi Mark, I use a 2 tonne trolley jack to lift my TA Cartagena. Takes about a minute. So long as the jack is on something solid there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

A reminder that you MUST NOT put a jack directly under the chassis member as it will distort. You must only jack on a designated reinforced area ie the axle tube plate or a specialised jacking point affixed to the chassis in a designated place.

 

[Dustydog]

A reminder that you MUST NOT put a jack directly under the chassis member as it will distort. You must only jack on a designated reinforced area ie the axle tube plate or a specialised jacking point affixed to the chassis in a designated place.

Sir WC Fully agree about the axle tube but we must be careful with the Al-ko chassis mounted plate. It is only single sided and has a propensity to fail without warning especially when used with a trolley jack.
You will recall the photos I posted a few years ago.

the photos I posted a few years ago.

 

[Gagakev]

Ditch the hitch post and go for a Security Post just think how easy that would be

 

[Britdaz]

Out of the box thinking,

You can buy relatively cheaply a set of rollers that allow rear motorbike wheels to rotate whilst on the stand. Ebay.

 

[RayS]

Consider buying Sold Secure chain for use instead of Alco wheel lock at home. I have one as one of the three required by my insurer and they are happy with it.

 

[waffler]

You are not alone!!! I gave up years ago trying to fit the Alko lock in confined space and on the rally field for the reason you quote of having to jack the van. There is a bolt through the wheel devise that does something similar to Alko but can fit wherever the wheel is. When you renew the policy shop round to see what other insurers want. Mine wants one wheel clamp. The last one wanted a hitch lock. We store on a gold storage site though.