Does anyone lock the van to the car while travelling? Sometimes when I'm parked up a side street I often wonder how safe is my van. Doesn't take a lot to unhitch. I tow a trailer behind a motorcycle which I lock together using a heavy duty padlock via the safety chain. It will not stop someone who is determined (and prepared) to nick the trailer but it does give me some peace of mind.
SouthernComfort said
08:18 AM Aug 29, 2018
Yes, when parked but not while running.
Dougwe said
08:45 AM Aug 29, 2018
I use a snap spring hook while travelling to prevent the little clip from coming open. If aluminium teepee is on car and I am stationary for any length of time and away from car I put a padlock on instead of the hook. Just a little help, as if anyone really wants the teepee they will get it anyway.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Possum3 said
12:41 PM Aug 29, 2018
I have been putting a small padlock on mine for about six years - ever since we were parked in a small town in western NSW, went to local shops and came back to find a couple of teenagers pulling the coupling back just to see if van came off as we travelled on. Small padlock a couple of dollars, peace of mind priceless.
denmonkey said
09:50 PM Aug 30, 2018
ditto to a small padlock through the hitch.
I guess you also need to consider that they could just remove the ball assembly (hitch) from your receiver and stick it in their own :)
Depends on your set up though and type of towbar.
I think the small padlock would only deter the opportunistic theif rather than someone dedicated to the task
Desert Dweller said
05:39 AM Aug 31, 2018
We've been putting a small padlock on our boat trailer, camper trailer & caravan for over 20 years, good insurance.
Last time this subject came up someone suggested it was illegal to do so because if there was an accident the need may arise to separate the caravan from the tug quickly.
No proof was shown though.
SouthernComfort said
08:32 AM Aug 31, 2018
Desert Dweller wrote:
We've been putting a small padlock on our boat trailer, camper trailer & caravan for over 20 years, good insurance.
Last time this subject came up someone suggested it was illegal to do so because if there was an accident the need may arise to separate the caravan from the tug quickly.
No proof was shown though.
That was my understanding too, but never verified. I leave the padlock on but unlocked when driving, lock it when parked.
LLD said
09:43 AM Aug 31, 2018
Unfortunately I have one of these and it is proving difficult to secure whilst travelling. Met a chap on my travels recently who had one and changed it to the normal coupler for security. However he said he misses the quietness of the ALKO coupling. No noise when travelling.
Praps I am mistaken, or not observant, but how is this noisier than the one you show ??
Obviously, it is assumed that neither have WDH utilised because it just might be the "noise" of the WDH bars etc.
Cheers - John
LLD said
12:09 PM Aug 31, 2018
John.
The ALKO clamps tightly onto a special ball. It's much quieter than what you noted above. I had that setup on a Jayco camper. It could be other things but my ALKO makes virtually no noise. Unfortunately I cannot use an of-the-shelf guide. Making one is like making a round tuit.
Does anyone lock the van to the car while travelling? Sometimes when I'm parked up a side street I often wonder how safe is my van. Doesn't take a lot to unhitch. I tow a trailer behind a motorcycle which I lock together using a heavy duty padlock via the safety chain. It will not stop someone who is determined (and prepared) to nick the trailer but it does give me some peace of mind.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
I guess you also need to consider that they could just remove the ball assembly (hitch) from your receiver and stick it in their own :)
Depends on your set up though and type of towbar.
I think the small padlock would only deter the opportunistic theif rather than someone dedicated to the task
Last time this subject came up someone suggested it was illegal to do so because if there was an accident the need may arise to separate the caravan from the tug quickly.
No proof was shown though.
That was my understanding too, but never verified. I leave the padlock on but unlocked when driving, lock it when parked.
Unfortunately I have one of these and it is proving difficult to secure whilst travelling. Met a chap on my travels recently who had one and changed it to the normal coupler for security. However he said he misses the quietness of the ALKO coupling. No noise when travelling.
Gday...
Praps I am mistaken, or not observant, but how is this noisier than the one you show ??
Obviously, it is assumed that neither have WDH utilised because it just might be the "noise" of the WDH bars etc.
Cheers - John
John.
The ALKO clamps tightly onto a special ball. It's much quieter than what you noted above. I had that setup on a Jayco camper. It could be other things but my ALKO makes virtually no noise. Unfortunately I cannot use an of-the-shelf guide. Making one is like making a round tuit.