Video: Fitting axle wheel locks to a twin axle caravan

At Caravan Guard we’re huge fans of the AL-KO Secure axle wheel lock and we offer a caravan insurance discount for owners who have one fitted to their tourer.

Sometimes our customers tell us on how difficult it can be to fit, particularly if you’re trying to fit two locks on to a twin axle caravan. But if it’s difficult to fit – then it should be difficult for a potential thief to remove.

If you’ve listed this as a security device on your caravan insurance policy, you will need to fit it every time your caravan is detached from your tow vehicle and left unattended.

In this video, we use a couple of pieces of kit to make it easier to fit an axle wheel lock on a twin axle caravan.

Aligning the caravan wheels

The caravan’s wheel needs to align perfectly with the AL-KO receiver to allow the lock to pass through the wheel and secure into place. This is fine on level ground but on uneven ground where one side of the caravan needs to be raised, the process of moving forward and backward can cause the levelling of the caravan to be undone.

Here are some helpful pointers from AL-KO on how to fit two axle wheel locks to a twin axle caravan. They recommend the use of their side lifting jack to lift the caravan wheels off the ground. If using this device you’ll need jacking points installed on to your caravan.

Using the AL-KO side lifting jack

• Firstly, move the caravan back and forth until the front wheel apertures are aligned perfectly with the axle receiver in the centre of the aperture. You can move your caravan by using your tow vehicle. It’s a good idea to have another person watching the wheel to make sure everything is lined up. You’ll also need to keep your caravan coupled to the tow car with the caravan handbrake off.
• Make sure the tyre valve is not obstructing the path for the front axle wheel lock, and then fix this in place.
• Using wheel chocks now chock the three wheels that will remain on the ground. This will be the front two, and the rear wheel on the right-hand side of the caravan.

• Place the AL-KO side lifting jack behind the rear axle on the left-hand side of the caravan and begin to jack the caravan up just enough so the wheel can turn.

• Turn the axle until the wheel is perfectly aligned to the receiver to allow the second axle wheel lock to be fitted.
• Once installed, lower the caravan back onto the ground or levelling blocks and remove the wheel chocks.

If the thought of jacking the caravan is daunting or you have a four-wheel-drive motor mover blocking the jacking points, the Lock ‘n’ Level is another accessory which can be used.

Lock ‘n’ Level is an airbag inflation system which fits under the wheels of your caravan. It’s designed to help when levelling a caravan, and can also help when fixing a puncture, and when installing the AL-KO Secure wheel lock. It’s faster than using the side jacking system and also requires less effort. Here’s how…

Using the Lock ‘n’ Level

• Firstly, move the caravan so the front wheel lock receiver is aligned, just as before. However, don’t install the first lock just yet. Instead, position the Lock ‘n’ Level next to the caravan so the wheels are central to the inflation bags.

• Next, move the caravan forward enough so you can slide the Lock ‘n’ Level behind the caravan’s wheels and allow the caravan to move back on to the inflation bags using the yellow marking as a guide. Stop the caravan once the first lock receiver is perfectly aligned.

• With the caravan wheels on the Lock ‘n’ Level and the wheel lock receiver aligned perfectly on the front wheel, apply the caravan handbrake and attach the first axle wheel lock.

• Chock the wheels on the opposite side of the caravan and release the caravan handbrake.
• Isolate and inflate the front airbag of the Lock N Level to raise the front wheel. Inflate enough so the rear axle is just clear of the floor and can be rotated by hand.

• Like before, rotate by hand to line everything up and install the second axle wheel lock.

• Once complete, open the release valve to remove all air from the Lock ‘n’ Level device. Or if you need to level the caravan, open the isolation valve to equalise the pressure in the airbags.

If you’re looking for a Lock ‘n’ Level to help you fit your axle wheel lock to your twin axle caravan then see our latest giveaway.

Remember we do offer a caravan insurance discount for fitting an axle wheel lock to your tourer and in some cases, we will ask for an axle wheel lock to be fitted and another piece of security if there is no barrier at the home or storage address. This could be the second axle wheel lock.

It’s also important to make sure you fit an axle wheel lock and other security devices when in storage to prevent caravan theft.

Over to you…

Have you got any tips to share for fitting an axle wheel lock to your caravan? Feel free to add them to the comments box below.