Auto Levelling without locking wheel nuts

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hallhmik

Joined
May 21, 2023
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Dethleffs T7057DBL
I have a 2022 dethleffs on a Fiat base vehicle which does not have locking wheel nuts and the Fiat centre said that locking wheel nuts are not available from Fiat. I am thinking that with auto levelling (which I don't currently have) that it is asking for trouble. A vehicle jacked up with all 4 (or at least 2) wheels off the ground and no locking nuts is surely an easy target for thieves.

It appears that Amazon sell locking nuts but without knowing the nut specification (which Fiat could not/or would not give me) it is difficult to know which would fit.

Any thoughts.
 
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Never thought of it. Had E&P levellers in my previous van without locking nuts. I rarely had to park it so that wheels were off the ground, and when I did I was usually in the van or it was in a safe place. Unless you'll have some of the wheels off the ground when parked up at home for long periods I would have thought the risks are quite low.
 
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Blimey, where do you park up. Never think you’d need them, would delay any thief about 30 seconds a wheel.

Might be that you’ll need one of these as well 🙄😇

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LesW said:
If wheels are off the ground and spinning freely, it's not easy to undo wheel nuts... (without an air tool).
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I was thinking the same.🤔

Ian
 
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Locking wheel nuts are only hard to take off if you intend on using them again. Most are very easy to defeat if you don't mind destroying them in the process... and thieves aren't too bothered about reuse.
 
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The wheels may be off the ground but I think the levelling systems say the hand brake should be applied so the wheels may not be spinning freely.
 
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Guigsy said:
Locking wheel nuts are only hard to take off if you intend on using them again. Most are very easy to defeat if you don't mind destroying them in the process... and thieves aren't too bothered about reuse.
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Can confirm, our old rx-8 had locking wheel nuts with rotating collars, no key.
Bought a removal tool for about 15 quid, hammered it on, a quick ugga-ugga and it was off.
 
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Don’t think I’ve found an aire or camping pitch that is that unlevel that any of the wheels were off the ground. Normally there’s enough play in the suspension that the limited levelling required means all 4 wheels will still have significant contact with the ground. OK if you park on some where really steep then yes maybe 2 of the wheels may be fully in the air but certainly not all of them.

This is a 7% incline (Tour de France this year) and only front 2 wheels off the ground) it’s not often you park on the side of a mountain.

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hallhmik said:
The wheels may be off the ground but I think the levelling systems say the hand brake should be applied so the wheels may not be spinning freely.
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On my E&P system it won't actuate UNLESS the handbrake is engaged. If I'm jacked up and release the handbrake, the jacks automatically retract.
 
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Understood, thanks!

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hallhmik said:
I have a 2022 dethleffs on a Fiat base vehicle which does not have locking wheel nuts and the Fiat centre said that locking wheel nuts are not available from Fiat. I am thinking that with auto levelling (which I don't currently have) that it is asking for trouble. A vehicle jacked up with all 4 (or at least 2) wheels off the ground and no locking nuts is surely an easy target for thieves.

It appears that Amazon sell locking nuts but without knowing the nut specification (which Fiat could not/or would not give me) it is difficult to know which would fit.

Any thoughts.
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We have an Elddis Encore 2023 on a Fiat Ducati Chassis and are about to have a levelling system put on… bought locking wheel bolts 16mm x 1.5 thread with a 30mm shaft maker is McGard which are a great fit for our rig and were from WHEEL PARTS DIRECT. Com … not cheap but essential for peace of mind👍🏻
 
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hallhmik said:
I have a 2022 dethleffs on a Fiat base vehicle which does not have locking wheel nuts and the Fiat centre said that locking wheel nuts are not available from Fiat. I am thinking that with auto levelling (which I don't currently have) that it is asking for trouble. A vehicle jacked up with all 4 (or at least 2) wheels off the ground and no locking nuts is surely an easy target for thieves.

It appears that Amazon sell locking nuts but without knowing the nut specification (which Fiat could not/or would not give me) it is difficult to know which would fit.

Any thoughts.
Click to expand...
I got my locking wheel nuts from Adam’s Morey fiat dealer at Portsmouth. On display in reception so routinely available!
 
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hallhmik said:
I rang Adams money in Portsmouth initially and they were the ones who told me they did not do any.
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Try adams Morey Southampton then? They also have the advantage they are NCC approved whereas Portsmouth are not. Also as a thought using the menu at Portsmouth did you get through to the van section rather than trucks?

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Johnchudson said:
Try adams Morey Southampton then? They also have the advantage they are NCC approved whereas Portsmouth are not. Also as a thought using the menu at Portsmouth did you get through to the van section rather than trucks?
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I will give them another try. Thanks for the info.
 
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hallhmik said:
I will give them another try. Thanks for the info.
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Good luck. I reckon it’s best to get official fiat ones if you can as bolt length and head shape vary so I would be carefull about other sources!;

while you are contacting them I suggest you also consider a tow hook as the one RAC lent me and used to tow me off some mud bent under the weight!
 
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Buy the best you can from Amazon if that’s the only available source. That’s what I’ve done. And as for those talking about handbrakes and never having been off the ground that’s just not helpful.
I’m sitting in my van at bonterra park and the left hand side of my van is several inches off the ground. Were I able to get on the pitch by reversing on the two front wheels would be off the ground. Happens frequently at good campsites and aires the like. If you want a good nights sleep get some
 
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hallhmik said:
The wheels may be off the ground but I think the levelling systems say the hand brake should be applied so the wheels may not be spinning freely.
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I apply the handbrake just enough to put the light on, probably one or two notches, imo you’re overthinking this.
 
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