If you’re parking your vehicle long-term or are a caravan or trailer user, you might be considering a wheel clamp to beef up the security of your vehicle. Clamps can be an excellent security device — both as a visual deterrent and an actual preventative — but you need to ensure that you get the right one for your needs.
This article aims to give you all the information you should need to buy with confidence. Before proceeding, it is essential to note that if you are operating a private car park or are looking to use a clamp as a punishment measure, you should know that this practice has been largely outlawed since 2012.
Suppose you are simply clamping your vehicle because it is in long-term parking, or you only use it very occasionally. In that case, you might want to sacrifice ease of use for more robust construction and greater wheel coverage —so a larger clamp that completely hides all wheel nuts might be a good option.
In contrast, if you are on the road – on a touring holiday, for example, or are likely to make a few stops with your caravan or trailer – you’ll want to emphasise ease of use, as you will be putting on and taking off the clamp much more frequently.
Simpler models are available for this purpose, with quick deployment/removal that makes them very well suited for short-term parking at motorway services (for example) and for longer periods when you reach your destination.
Wheel Clamp Construction
While any clamp will provide a visual deterrent to some degree, it also needs to be well constructed in case you have the misfortune to come across a particularly determined thief. Look for a combination of strong materials and dependable construction methods.
Suitability for your Vehicle
There’s a huge variety of wheel and tyre sizes on the roads, so make sure the clamp you buy suits your specific needs. It must cover at least one wheel nut, preferably more/all, and be the correct size (diameter and depth).
Most wheel clamp models available are adjustable, so you just need to ensure your wheel falls into the advertised range.
Finally, consider the weight of the clamp. It generally follows that a heavier clamp is a more secure option, but if you struggle to lift and position it correctly, then it can become inconvenient very quickly.
What next?
If you need further advice or have questions about wheel clamp usage, you can chat with the experts at First Mats by phone or e-mail at info@firstmats.co.uk.
See our full range of Safety and Security Products for more.
Richard O'Connor is a Director at First Mats. He has deep knowledge in areas like Manufacturing, Warehousing, Marine, and Health & Safety. Richard's insights have been featured in well-known publications such as Bloomberg Business, The Sun, and Reader's Digest. His blend of industry expertise and passion for sharing makes him a sought-after voice in his fields.
