Hitch lock recommendations

[PH5121]

I need to get a hitch lock sorted before we collect our caravan in a couple of weeks.

The 'van has an Alko hitch, I have done some searching and can see that Alko and others such as Milenco make them that will fit. I have also read negative things about both of these brands.

Can anyone give me a recommendation based upon their own experience about which is a decent one, or if there are others I should consider.

Thanks.

Edited by PH5121 on Thursday 24th March 13:25

[smashie]

Sorry I cannot recommend anything for an Alko hitch as I have a winterhoff. I however have a Milenco hitch lock.
I would suggest looking at the Sold Secure Website and go for something that is at least Gold approved.
Don't forget the wheel clamp. Again you can look at the same site. I have a milenco compact wheel lock, but there are many options. Again look for at least gold.

[Rosscow]

I have this one:

http://www.milenco.com/products/hitchlocks/super-h...

Gold secure, does the job. Not too expensive, either.

I don't bother with a wheel clamp, but I do have an old motorcycle heavy duty chain lock that I chain around a couple of the wheels as an extra deterrent.

[Huffy]

I've got one of these

http://www.towsure.com/stronghold-sh5412-alko-cara...

Pretty sure I didn't pay that much for it though so worth shopping around

[surveyor]

http://www.towsure.com/al-ko-aks1300-hitch-lock

Have one of these. Like that it can be used on the car - caused me no hassle. To date it's not been nicked..

[shovelheadrob]

IMO a hitchlock is pretty much a complete waste of money, it won't stop thieving scum from taking your caravan as they use a tow ball that goes on the jockey wheel clamp, as I found out a couple of weeks ago! Far better to wind down the rear steadies & fit a lock to them, wind down the front steadies & remove the jockey wheel & clamp bolt. Another idea is to fit a socket on the caravan for the lighting cable, which you would keep with the towing vehicle, meaning that unless they came with a trailer board they would be more likely to get noticed with no lights at night. All a bit late in my case but food for thought for others.

[Andy Zarse]

I use this Bulldog, designed to fit with AlKo hitch head stabilisers. Good value, well made, easy to use and British to boot...

http://www.bulldogsecure.com/view/bulldog-dks-hitc...

That said, the hitchlock will only prevent opportunist theft. If you have an AlKo chassis then get an AlKo wheel lock. Even that won't stop them dragging it onto the back of a truck and sodding off. Really, all theft prevention is about playing the percentages game and making life as difficult as possible. The backstop is a decent insurance policy!

[littlebasher]

As already mentioned, a hitchlock won't stop anyone towing away the caravan. They can just wrap a chain around the hitch and drag it away

This, although a bit of a faff would be a far more effective deterrent

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/none-highlander-winter...

Going to take time to get around that, plus they'd need to bring a wheel with them.

[smashie]

Whilst a hitch lock and wheel clamp will not stop your van getting nicked, a lot of insurance companies specify that you need to have both in place if the caravan is left unattended and therefore should it get stolen you will at least get a pay out.

[surveyor]

smashie said:

Whilst a hitch lock and wheel clamp will not stop your van getting nicked, a lot of insurance companies specify that you need to have both in place if the caravan is left unattended and therefore should it get stolen you will at least get a pay out.

And what a ball-ache that would be say at the services. I deliberately chose a more reasonable insurance company who only insist on this if left for more than 8 hours unaccompanied.

[littlebasher]

surveyor said:

And what a ball-ache that would be say at the services. I deliberately chose a more reasonable insurance company who only insist on this if left for more than 8 hours unaccompanied.

I never left my outfit unoccupied at the motorway services. Almost did, once....But the van attracted some "unwanted attention" and it was quite fortunate that i turned back to look before i went inside the shops.