Message Forums

hi all we are getting ready for the first camping trip of the year and the first trip with a trailer what do people use to lock there trailer to the car when they park up at the service stations ??

any help on this would be good thanks

We don't leave our trailer unattended - we take it in turns to go to the services!

ok cool thanks for the help 

 i think we will take it in turns at the service station

Hi,

The Alko security device fits over the hitch release handle making it impossible to remove the caravan or trailer from the vehicle. A great device stationary with the hitch ball fitted or on the move.

Although people can still get things out of the trailer,it can't be removed from the vehicle. Not cheap, my Alko ak160/300 model cost £100 but far cheaper than the other option. Highly recommended bit of kit.

Quote: Originally posted by pjb62 on 28/6/2012

---

Hi,

The Alko security device fits over the hitch release handle making it impossible to remove the caravan or trailer from the vehicle. A great device stationary with the hitch ball fitted or on the move.

Although people can still get things out of the trailer,it can't be removed from the vehicle. Not cheap, my Alko ak160/300 model cost £100 but far cheaper than the other option. Highly recommended bit of kit.

---

has any one used one of these  for securing the trailer to the car we will still be parkiing next to the window so we can see the car or leave the oh in the car to scare people off ?

also does any one have a photo of the chain that i am ment  to use to attach the trailer to the car people have been menching that the chain has a big loop on one end that gos over the tow ball befor the trailer hitch gos on as the chain that came with the trailer is just a standard chain which i can conect up to the tow bar via the hole for a brackaway cable.

 thanks again

The hitch lock you have linked to in your last post is for placing on the trailer when not attached to the car. The ball part goes into the cup of the trailer hitch and the arm fits over the top to lock it in so that you cant fit a tow ball in there to tow it.

The chain you asked about is the secondary link (required by law) between the trailer and the tow vehicle. So if your tow hitch were to slip off the ball , or fail the trailer would still be linked to the car by this chain that is placed over the tow ball behind the hitch. I think this chain is supposed to be short enough to not allow the tow arm to touch the tarmac if the hitch fails and the tow arm drops.

http://youtu.be/caj4euGyoHA

Watch this video from Highways Agency it will explain it all to you .

As for securing your trailer in services etc.....  you could do all sorts to glue it to your car and it would still be there when you had finished your tea...... it might be empty though !  Perhaps look for wheel clamp to keep it waiting for you both at home and when your out for the day away from the campsite.

ok cool thanks thats saved me a few quid i wont be getting one of them

ok cool i think i have worked out the best way to use the chain i have and keep on the right side of the law

thanks