Lock and level

cabbiemick replied on 17/09/2018 19:37

Posted on 17/09/2018 19:37

can anyone tell me if lock and level work on a twin wheel van and what one to buy

richardandros replied on 18/09/2018 12:30

Posted on 18/09/2018 12:30

I've been using Lock 'n Level on our TA Barcelona for over three years and reckon I now have it down to five minutes to put on both wheel locks and level the van.  I simply wouldn't be without it.

I know they are expensive (you need the twin air bag version) but worth every penny in my opinion. You might also like to consider also buying the single air bag version as well - just in case you have to raise the offside to level.  They were being sold as a "Combo-kit" when I bought mine although I have to say - just by luck - I have very rarely needed the single air bag.

If you have motor movers fitted, you will probably not be able to access the jacking points to use a conventional jack (to fit the wheel locks) and this is where L&L comes into its own.  It also works just as well on soft ground where a conventional jack would be dodgy.

I've no connection with the company - just a very satisfied customer.

 

hywelsycharth replied on 20/09/2018 22:39

Posted on 20/09/2018 22:39

As the receiver for the Alko wheel lock and the wheel are both directly mounted on the stub axle/brake assembly why would the receiver and the opening in the wheel not ALWAYS face each other directly. In my experience they always do or have I just been lucky or am missing something

lornalou1 replied on 20/09/2018 23:26

Posted on 20/09/2018 22:39 by hywelsycharth

As the receiver for the Alko wheel lock and the wheel are both directly mounted on the stub axle/brake assembly why would the receiver and the opening in the wheel not ALWAYS face each other directly. In my experience they always do or have I just been lucky or am missing something

Posted on 20/09/2018 23:26

WOW. I would have put money on that being imposable to line both up every time without some sort of manoeuvring or jacking of at least one wheel to get aligned.

hywelsycharth replied on 21/09/2018 10:48

Posted on 21/09/2018 10:48

Mine is single axle and I have had no problems as I line up the gap in the wheel to the receiver by using the mover. I accept that if you wish to level on the any side this must be done before attaching the lock and both actions must be complimentary. To suggest that you must level a single axle (which might be already in that state) before locking the wheel (lock 'n level ad ?) is disingenuous. Twin axles are of course completely different animals.

PeterandJulieW replied on 29/09/2018 16:48

Posted on 29/09/2018 16:48

We are also interested in buying a Lock and Level which we saw advertised in the CAMC magazine. I am very fussy and like the caravan to be level and we are buying a new van which is twin axle. Any comments would be gratefully received.  thanks

Cornersteady replied on 29/09/2018 17:47

Posted on 29/09/2018 16:48 by PeterandJulieW

We are also interested in buying a Lock and Level which we saw advertised in the CAMC magazine. I am very fussy and like the caravan to be level and we are buying a new van which is twin axle. Any comments would be gratefully received.  thanks

Posted on 29/09/2018 17:47

suggest you look at the lock n level youtube videos for a twin axle? There are quite a few of them

Hope all goes well

richardandros replied on 30/09/2018 15:58

Posted on 29/09/2018 16:48 by PeterandJulieW

We are also interested in buying a Lock and Level which we saw advertised in the CAMC magazine. I am very fussy and like the caravan to be level and we are buying a new van which is twin axle. Any comments would be gratefully received.  thanks

Posted on 30/09/2018 15:58

P&J - I can assure you, you will not be disappointed with L&L. As I said above, I can fit twin wheel locks and level the van in about five minutes.  I put my spirit level on the worktop just inside the door and then, having fitted the wheel locks, either inflate the air bags a bit more - or let the air out whilst watching the spirit level and then either switch the pump off or close the release valve when it's spot on.

Having to raise the offside is a bit more involved since you have to use the twin air bag on the offside to level the van,  together with the single under the nearside to fit the wheel locks and then deflate it completely.  Fortunately, I haven't had to do this very often.

 

Cornersteady replied on 30/09/2018 17:10

Posted on 30/09/2018 15:58 by richardandros

P&J - I can assure you, you will not be disappointed with L&L. As I said above, I can fit twin wheel locks and level the van in about five minutes.  I put my spirit level on the worktop just inside the door and then, having fitted the wheel locks, either inflate the air bags a bit more - or let the air out whilst watching the spirit level and then either switch the pump off or close the release valve when it's spot on.

Having to raise the offside is a bit more involved since you have to use the twin air bag on the offside to level the van,  together with the single under the nearside to fit the wheel locks and then deflate it completely.  Fortunately, I haven't had to do this very often.

 

Posted on 30/09/2018 17:10

Fortunately, I haven't had to do this very often.

Regarding that, I use a ramp with the mover (it's only a single axle) but most times (and I can't really remember the last time) it is always the nearside that needs raising? why is this?

richardandros replied on 01/10/2018 06:07

Posted on 30/09/2018 17:10 by Cornersteady

Fortunately, I haven't had to do this very often.

Regarding that, I use a ramp with the mover (it's only a single axle) but most times (and I can't really remember the last time) it is always the nearside that needs raising? why is this?

Posted on 01/10/2018 06:07

You have got me thinking!  I reckon that in the last four years, I have only had to raise the offside on a couple of occasions and I can't think why, either.  I did think that perhaps the van might have a lean towards the nearside but bearing in mind all the heavy items - sink, cooker, fridge, gas bottles and wardrobe are all on the offside, that's going to be unlikely.

I will admit that if there has been a very slight lean towards the offside, I haven't bothered to correct it because of what is involved, but most of the time it's been the nearside that needs raising.  Just luck, I suppose.

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