Bailey Nemesis Wheel Lock
Purleline Nemesis Ultra / Full Stop Security wheel lock
Like many UK manufactured caravans, when our Bailey Unicorn left the factory in 2011 it was supplied with an AL-KO axle wheel lock. Because of the very nature of them, these highly-rated security devices often enable you to claim a discount with your insurance provider, but they require the wheel to be rotated to a near millimetre perfect position to allow the lock to line up with a receiver bolt behind the wheel. With the alignment needing to be so precise, it often added an unwanted hassle when pitching up at a campsite, which was made worse by bad weather, arriving in the dark or having to level the caravan across the axle.
We found a solution to these problems when we purchased our Prima Leisure Nemesis Wheel Lock a few years ago. Incidentally, this lock had been provided when we borrowed the Bailey Pegasus Grande for our Grande Christmas Tour and with the Bailey Phoenix for our Phoenix in Autumn trips, so we had some experience using the lock and knew it was the right choice for us.
How Does The Nemesis Wheel Lock Work?
It works by replacing one of your caravans wheel bolts with a receiver bolt which is left in place when the lock is not in use. The lock is then attached to the receiver bolt with a bar going through the gap in the spokes of the wheel, preventing the wheel from rotating. The lock can be installed whatever position the wheel is rotated and can be done very quickly - but don’t be fooled by the manufacturers claim that it can be fitted with one hand in as little as 10 seconds, as even with experience this doesn’t happen.
Positives
Very quick and easy to use - Because it is so simple to put in place, we find ourselves using it in situations we might not have otherwise, for example, a quick rest break at a service station.
It can be fitted whatever position the wheel is in - We no longer have to nudge the caravan back and forward to have the wheel lined up to the millimetre. We just arrive on our pitch and on it goes.
It can be used alongside the AL-KO wheel lock for double the protection - When staying on a campsite we feel comfortable just using the Nemesis wheel lock, after all, a campsite is probably the least likely place that a caravan will be stolen from. But if we are leaving the caravan in storage for any period of time we will use both. This is not because we need to for our insurance requirements, but it gives us that added peace of mind.
It is compatible with our spare steel wheel - This means that we can still secure the caravan even if we had a puncture on our alloy wheel and need to replace it, whereas an AL-KO lock wouldn’t fit.
Negatives
The initial set-up takes a bit of time - This is because the wheel lock comes with a number of spacers and receiver bolts so that you can set it up to fit your wheel perfectly. This is a little bit of a faff, but once it’s done it’s done.
It may slightly increase your insurance cost - In the eyes of a caravan insurance provider, this lock is considered a wheel lock and not an axle lock, therefore, we needed to inform our provider of the change. This resulted in a small charge and admin fee to make the amendment to our policy, but we considered this to be minimal given the ease of use the new lock would give us.
Top Tips
Periodically use a spray oil to keep the lock in good condition - Ours started to get stiff but this made a big difference.
Read the instructions thoroughly when setting it up for the first time. This will give you a clear picture of how to set it up correctly using the different spacers and receiver bolts, and ensure that you get it right the first time.
Overall Verdict
We think the positives far outweigh the negatives on the Bailey Nemesis Wheel lock. For us, the safety and security of our caravan is highly important, and this lock gives us that peace of mind while also being easy and convenient to use.
Where Can You Buy This Wheel Lock?
We purchased our Bailey Nemesis Wheel Lock from the Prima Leisure website, but you can buy others from Amazon which are identical if not for the different colours/branding. The Purpleline Nemesis Ultra is a good choice if you’d like a slightly cheaper option, but please do shop around as the prices seem to vary.
*Please note: There may be Amazon affiliate links within this article. It won’t cost you any extra, but should you choose to make a purchase after clicking a link then we’ll get a few pennies towards our next trip! All of our “Adventure Kit” write-ups express our honest opinions, but what works for us might not work for you, so please do shop around and make sure you’re getting the best item and value for money.