View Full Version : al-ko tow hitch
Brink 4 pin tow balls are not compatible with AL-Ko tow hitches.
Brink sell a 4 to 2 pin adaptor which allows an Al-Ko ball to be fitted.
The arm to ball centre must be 60mm as opposed to the Brink one 56mm.
Al-Ko have an excellent fact sheet on their web site - AL-CO KOBER - SHOP ON LINE -CARAVANS - TOW BALL GUIDE.
AL-KO tow balls are usually black.
jims-terrano
17-02-2008, 12:12
That's worth knowing, it's a shame really as I liked the look of the 4 bolt towballs. The tow bars seemed to look stronger.
Jim T
And you can fit NATO hooks great for towing people out of mud!
(RIP) PLANK
17-02-2008, 15:39
i must admit i think these alko stabaliser things are a menace, it means you cant tow nothing else without keep cgreasing then cleaning the tow bal, and i dont think they make that much difference when towing! I took the one off our last caravan and may do the same to our present one, then you can use your own tow ball!
(RIP) PLANK
17-02-2008, 19:48
a small adition - TOWSURE sell an alko compatible (two pin) tow ball for £10.95, and have free delivery on orders over £20 at the moment.
Thomas-the-Terrano2
17-02-2008, 19:59
Brink 4 pin tow balls are not compatible with AL-Ko tow hitches.
Brink sell a 4 to 2 pin adaptor which allows an Al-Ko ball to be fitted.
The arm to ball centre must be 60mm as opposed to the Brink one 56mm.
Al-Ko have an excellent fact sheet on their web site - AL-CO KOBER - SHOP ON LINE -CARAVANS - TOW BALL GUIDE.
AL-KO tow balls are usually black.
sorry dont agree towed both alko 1300 and 200(0) for 3 years without issue other than getting lever on or off with spare wheel in place.
the bolt heads sometimes look close to the coupling but have never made contact.
(RIP) rustygates
17-02-2008, 20:50
I have a brinks towbracket with the 4 holes and have no problem with attaching the alko hitch with the spare wheel and stainless cover in place.
rustygates.
Have alko on buccaneer .After losing van with blade type would never go back .
(RIP) PLANK
18-02-2008, 19:23
its not just the clearance to the bolt heads that is an issue with a normal tow ball, I have one in the shed (brink) that was last used with an alko 3000 hitch and there is a clear shiny patch where the hitch has rubbed on the neck of the towball.
alko balls arent just spaced out furhter thay are also higher as the edges of the hitch come down further.
I hope that makes sense?
JonathanM
18-02-2008, 20:02
NArrower neck on the Alko hitch, to allow articulation of the coupling. The standard fat neck tow balls causes problems. Swan neck towbars are fine for an alko hitch.
i dont think they make that much difference when towing!
Funny you should say that. On the way back from a place called Clachtoll in Sutherland last year, we stopped at the big retail park in Inverness and had a burger apiece in Burger King. I've got a Burstner S500TS caravan with an Alko stabiliser hitch and was towing it with an Isuzu Trooper at the time (great towcar). Before we went for lunch, I fitted a Bulldog hitchlock - so the van wouldn't go walkies whilst we were away.
On return to the van, I removed the hitchlock but after putting it in the car, I forgot to press the stabiliser handle down again - so effectively, we were without stabiliser until we stopped next, at a motorway services on the M74 south of Glasglow, which is where I discovered my error. Did it make any difference to the towing behaviour ........ not a bit.
If you fancy a bit of bedtime reading, you might like to have a look at
this. http://people.bath.ac.uk/en8cjk/Caravan.pdf Basically, it says that stabilisers reduce small oscillations but have no effect on big ones - so they make the driver feel better (and hence drive faster) but don't stop snaking - which is pretty much what I thought was the case anyway.
The best way to tow safely is simply to use the heaviest towcar that you can afford; make sure that the caravan's laden weight is sensibly less than the towcar kerbweight (ideally keep to the CC's 85% matching recommendation), have a noseweight about 7% of the caravan laden weight if you can - and load the caravan sensibly.
Cheers
Andrew
Maybe I have not made my point clear.
It was that the ball must be compatible with the tow hitch,not whether the hitch was the the most functional.
Though the Bath information was interesting it does not address the problem directly as does the Al-Co fact sheet.
You can tow with any 50mm ball but any Al-Co / Brink guarantee will be void.
Though the Bath information was interesting it does not address the problem directly as does the Al-Co fact sheet.
It wasn't intended to. My post was a reply to PLANKs.
Cheers
Andrew
(RIP) PLANK
19-02-2008, 12:43
Jonantahn M, the alko ball is definately spaced higher not just slimmer, i fitted two last week and held them side wit normal onces to compare. by side to compare.
I agree with andrew K though i have towed many large caravans much heavier than the towing vehicle with no problems! and have always been disapointed by troopers towing ability, for a big car i expected them to be better!
i remember the big old gass windowd Romas and Buccaneers never swayed an inch depite being much heavier than the towing vehicle.
In addition to the advice given by Andrew K, I have allways found having the height of the caravan nose right helps. idealy it should be level or slightly nose down, with a nose weight close to the max allowed for the caravan, towing vehicle. Not over inflating tyres on towing vehicle and caravan also helps!
to be hnest i have never found 4x4's in general to make great towing cars, many have good toruque and performance but this means litte to safe towing, and speed causes more problems than it solves!
My towing favourite is a good old rear whlle drive transit van, the floor is level with the vcaravan floor saving 'under currents' from lifting the nose of the caravan, and the head on profile reduces wind drag (and hence swaying) along with it being wide enough not to need those silly add on mirrors that you can never actualy see anything in!
BUT bet advice of all, take your time, make a pint of staying calm and relaxed and ignore the idiots on the road! who drive up behind etc. etc.
you have as much right to be on the road as anyone else and can by safe driving set a good example, speed isnt everyhting, and it is virtualy the only objection i ever hear about caravans, that is usually unfounded when it is though about in a logical way!
and have always been disapointed by troopers towing ability, for a big car i expected them to be better!
Weird ....... your Trooper(s?) must have had a problem of some kind. I'm just hoping that the Patrol is anywhere near as good as my MKIV 3.0D Trooper was. It can't be better - in terms of stability, there ain't no such thing as better. Neither of the two vans I towed with it twitched at all under any circumstance.
I have allways found having the height of the caravan nose right helps. idealy it should be level or slightly nose down, with a nose weight close to the max allowed for the caravan, towing vehicle.
Yep - agreed.
Cheers
Andrew
(RIP) PLANK
19-02-2008, 19:22
the last 3 litre diesel, with the self destruct engine was the only one we didnt have, i understand they were very powerfull, but i never felt like taking a chance on one. the 2.8 td's were good but the 3.1 tdi's lacked the all round ability i would expect from such a big vehicle.
having said that if 4x4's is what your used to towing with you may not otice the difference as they are nearly all fairly unstable, and only benefit you once on the wet camp site. I think 4x4's do come into their own when towing very heavy trailers as they do have the tourque for it, but caravans arent really that heavy as trailers go. I basically a big empty box for the wind to blow around.
having said all that i do tow large caravans with 4x4's all the time so im not knocking them! its just be wary as they do seem to make for a more unstable caravan than some other vehilces!
(RIP) PLANK
19-02-2008, 19:28
out of interest ths is worth a look at!
http://www.whattowcar.com/
stick in your caravan and car combo and get their towing match opinion!
the last 3 litre diesel, with the self destruct engine was the only one we didnt have
Quite a few self-destructed, but in the end Isuzu paid for replacement injectors which fixed the problem. They also paid for new engines to replace blown ones - at least, they did if you asked nicely. It all got a bit easier when Caterpillar (who designed the injectors) accepted liability. Mine ran for 120,000 miles whilst I had it with no problem at all.
Powerful? Maybe - but I think that apart from being a bit gruffer sounding the 3.0Di in the Patrol just might be a bit better - more torque at lower engine revs and a bit smoother, not as strained at high speed. It'll pull 30mph in 5th on the flat or on a slight incline with no problem at all. I'd have been in 4th at 30mph in the Trooper.
I've only towed the caravan a couple of times with the Patrol - from home to Todmorden & back, to take the van in for a service at MG Caravans. Not much of a test - but I'm pretty optimistic. I'm going to Cruachan Farm on Loch Tay for Easter - towing 600 miles round trip should give me a much better feel both for how the Patrol tows and for diesel consumption.
having said that if 4x4's is what your used to towing with you may not otice the difference as they are nearly all fairly unstable
I'm sure this is a wind-up. :smile: :smile:
I towed the same Lunar caravan with four different motors over a period of 14 years - three of which were NOT 4x4s. The Trooper was several classes better than the next best, which was a (newish) Peugeot 406 saloon. So much better in fact that I gave away the Bulldog 200Q stabiliser I used with the Pug. It no longer had a purpose (if it ever really had anyway). Did you ever consider replacing the dampers in any of these wobble-boxes that you've owned?
i do tow large caravans with 4x4's all the time so im not knocking them! its just be wary as they do seem to make for a more unstable caravan than some other vehilces!
Like I said, maybe your Trooper(s?) were not on top form - but mine was actually better with a van on the back than it was solo. Slower - but less roll and less understeer on corners. Some 4x4s are relatively unstable towing caravans but they're mostly made in the midlands - not in Japan. :smile:
Cheers
Andrew
(RIP) PLANK
19-02-2008, 21:20
i'm never going to hear the end of this am i AndrewK? Is this a wind Up?
just pointing out a simple factbased on experience of towing different caravans with different vehicles on a weekly sometimes daily basis, if you dont agree thats your choice :wink:
i ran two 2.8tds good trucks but no where as good as a nissan 2.7td let alone the 3.0l.
good on izuzy on there 3l recall our local dealer was full of em,wheras nissan deny any fault with navara d22 2.5 engine chargin 8k for new engine
good on izuzy on there 3l recall our local dealer was full of em
They replaced the injectors FoC on every Trooper in the UK with the Euro2 3.0D engine over a 2 year program. Mine had already done 100K miles when the new injectors were fitted.
Cheers
Andrew
more than nissan are doing there still denying the problem using every trick in book to wriggle outve warranty 1k over service sorry sir warranty void!
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/WARSTAFFS/SelectionNavaraBigEnds
more than nissan are doing there still denying the problem using every trick in book to wriggle outve warranty 1k over service sorry sir warranty void!
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/WARSTAFFS/SelectionNavaraBigEnds
I didn't know there was a problem with the Navara engine. I knew about the early 3.0Di Patrol engines melting pistons.
Isuzu owners had a big problem for several years. Isuzu didn't accept liability either. It was Caterpillar who designed the injectors and funded the recall costs. It was only after Caterpillar accepted liability that Isuzu arranged the recall - which, AFAIK, has completely fixed the problem.
Cheers
Andrew
just pointing out a simple factbased on experience
I always thought it was opinion that was based on experience - not fact. My opinion appears to be different from yours, because it is based upon different experiences. It is based upon towing the same caravan with a number of different vehicles including an Isuzu Trooper, all of which were new (or almost in the Troopers case) when they first towed the van - so the caravan was a constant and differences in towing behaviour were down to the towcar only. The towcars were all serviced by franchised main dealers irrespective of cost (three of the towcars were company cars) and in two cases had shock absorbers changed (inc the Trooper) when needed.
My opinion, FWIW, is based upon samples of the towcars known to be in good condition. On that basis, a MKIV Trooper is an excellent towcar and IMHO is not likely to be significantly beaten by any other passenger car that I am aware of or ever likely to own. Having said that, the Patrol seems good too - but I've only towed with it a couple of times, so I'm not sure yet quite how good.
Have fun
Andrew
oh yes navaras even the latest ones have had numerous faults the enginge letting go at low milages is denied at all costs,my trucks engine was rebuilt by nissan with 4 new pistons at cost of over two grand with 43k on the clock! im dreading the odometer hitting 86k lol
oh yes navaras even the latest ones have had numerous faults the enginge letting go at low milages is denied at all costs,my trucks engine was rebuilt by nissan with 4 new pistons at cost of over two grand with 43k on the clock! im dreading the odometer hitting 86k lol
The Trooper's mode of failure was quite different. The problem was that the seals in the injectors were inclined to fail. When they did, diesel just ran uncontrolled into the combustion chambers - and the engine just revved until it bust. Switching the engine off had no effect and it usually wasn't possible to stall it before it expired, even if you realised what was happening.
One of the changes in the 3.0Di Patrol engine, intended to fix it's provclivity for melting pistons, was an increase in the engine oil capacity & size of the sump by a couple of litres. Guess what - Westway Nissan at Stockport, when they serviced the Patrol that I bought from them (before delivery), put two litres too little engine oil in when they changed it. It wasn't even showing on the dipstick. I think you'd be right if you were to surmise that they won't be servicing it again!!
So, some Nissan engines are a bit delicate and sometimes blow up. If they don't blow up, their franchise dealers will do their best to make them do. Oh .......... was it really such a good idea to buy a Nissan?
Mmmm ......... I'll let you know in due course, but at the moment, I'm still very positive about the Patrol.
Cheers
Andrew
it aint nissan anymore its reno and lot navara fellas saying theres the down fall cost cutting to try recoup there outlay and streamline the buisness,even so d still buy nissan there more powerfull than anything else out there!
(RIP) PLANK
20-02-2008, 14:18
just pointing out a simple factbased on experience
I always thought it was opinion that was based on experience - not fact. My opinion appears to be different from yours, because it is based upon different experiences. It is based upon towing the same caravan with a number of different vehicles including an Isuzu Trooper, all of which were new (or almost in the Troopers case) when they first towed the van - so the caravan was a constant and differences in towing behaviour were down to the towcar only. The towcars were all serviced by franchised main dealers irrespective of cost (three of the towcars were company cars) and in two cases had shock absorbers changed (inc the Trooper) when needed.
My opinion, FWIW, is based upon samples of the towcars known to be in good condition. On that basis, a MKIV Trooper is an excellent towcar and IMHO is not likely to be significantly beaten by any other passenger car that I am aware of or ever likely to own. Having said that, the Patrol seems good too - but I've only towed with it a couple of times, so I'm not sure yet quite how good.
Have fun
Andrew
Andrew, i dont know why you keep up with the wordy reoplies, my opinion of late troopers was simply this, I wasn't prepared to take a chance on one so never owned one, simple as that! and your based on it being yours and your bought brand new pride and joy, which is fair enough!
I was simply pointiong put this fact ot others as there does seem to be a miscinception regarding 4x4's and caravans! Not a personal attack on you or your troper which i am sure was fantastic as were all the others so no need to be so defensive!
despite this generaly speaking, 4x4's are not neccesarily the best and most stable towing vehicles for towing caravans, a fact backed by my experience the experience of many others and virtualy all tests done be caravan and camping club, caravan club etc. As basicalyy they were designed for off road driving with big ground clearance and suspension articulation, bouncy tyres andsuspension for soaking up off road bumps. the caravan was not! and doesnt sit as comfortably behind many 4x4's as it does behind many other vehicles.
4x4's fpr towing caravans have become more popular in recent years and caravans size to weight ratio has reduced, and there are more diffferent makes of stabilisers on the market than ever! I wonder why?
I would say most members here have older cars that have not had main dealer service histories (though who checked the oil wouldnt affect towing would it?) and probably oder caravans to go with them, and many are first time caravaners or new to 4x4 towing. The other group is those who have never towed with anything else so can't compare.
sensibly approached most cars can tow most caravans adequately, but all have their own charecteristics as do caravans, The Lunar you pointed out is a good example, they have allways been very stable caravans despite being some of the lightest on the market, however do suffer a bit from the dreaded damp! but everythng is a compromises just like a 4x4 realy, dont you think?
on road ability compromised by off road ability and visa versa? and this compromise also shows when towing! paticulary towing a caravan.
it aint nissan anymore its reno and lot navara fellas saying theres the down fall cost cutting to try recoup there outlay and streamline the buisness,even so d still buy nissan there more powerfull than anything else out there!
If you are into pickups, the 3.0D Isuzu Rodeo Denver double-cab is supposed to be the business (different engne - not from the Trooper) - at least, the mags say it's the most car-like of the pickups. I had an automatic one for a day as a courtesy car when the Trooper was in for service. It was ......... not very good. Slow, very noisy, small (inside), poor ride and rather uncomfortable.
Cheers
Andrew
The Lunar you pointed out is a good example, they have allways been very stable caravans despite being some of the lightest on the market, however do suffer a bit from the dreaded damp!
Mine certainly did.
Cheers
Andrew
(short reply)
(RIP) rustygates
25-02-2008, 15:27
Hi
getting back to the original post, (seems a long time ago) and having visited ALKO stand at the NEC last wed the alko rep said it was really a precautonary measure to get people to check various measurements for clearance's between bottom of alko hitch against brinks 4 hole ball and not a compulsory order to change 4hole brinks to a 2hole alko ball.
rustygates.
essjaybee
17-06-2008, 23:01
Hi all
The original post regarding the Brink four bolt tow plates not being OK for al ko hitches concerned me a bit as my Terrano tows a big caravan with Al Ko hitch. I therefore sent photos of my four bolt kit in situ on the vehicle to Al Ko and requested a definitive answer, they replied very promptly and have told me that the said tow bracket is not suitable. A local towing company have also told me that there is no components that can be bought as an approved add on that will make the Brinks 4 bolt OK to use. I am sure there are many miles being covered perhaps without problems but I am changing mine to be safe.
Regards to all
Thomas-the-Terrano2
29-06-2008, 08:51
i must say i have struggled to find this 4 bolt to 2 bolt
adaptor.
just done about 600 miles towing in 2 weeks with the
alko 2700 on the brink/witter 4 bolt no problem.
mind not had spare on back door which certainly eases
connecting up and unhitching.
sometimes used to get a situation where caravan wouldnt
come off car easily, maybe stabiliser lever wasnt fully up
as would foul on spare.
for record father in law has what i believe is alko ball
on his scenic and alko 1300 on van, my father also
runs a 2700 but has a gold ball on his pug 406 is this
any different to an alko ball.
my long term plan is to redesign the tow bracket to a
receiver system, which will then use a 2 bolt but not
an alko but a ball/jaw combo so where to these fit into
alko's way of thinking....
an alko but a ball/jaw combo so where to these fit into
alko's way of thinking....
The problem with any ball other than the Alko (so far as I know) is that the Alko hitch is bulky and can foul the sides of the towball assembly in circumstances where either the towcar or caravan are on a side-slope and hence the caravan hitch is rotated around the ball. The Alko ball has a taller and narrower neck to prevent that happening. I used to use an African Hoe 3500kg combination ball/pin on an Isuzu Trooper I had without any problem - but it could, theoretically, have fallen foul of the problem that Alko highlight in the technical note about towballs on their website - as I suspect will any of the other combos.
Cheers
Andrew
Thomas-the-Terrano2
30-06-2008, 09:01
The problem with any ball other than the Alko (so far as I know) is that the Alko hitch is bulky and can foul the sides of the towball assembly in circumstances where either the towcar or caravan are on a side-slope and hence the caravan hitch is rotated around the ball. The Alko ball has a taller and narrower neck to prevent that happening.
so could this explain the alko hitches seemingly welding them selves on to to the ball or was it down to stabilizer lever not fully releasing?
(RIP) PLANK
30-06-2008, 18:37
so could this explain the alko hitches seemingly welding them selves on to to the ball or was it down to stabilizer lever not fully releasing?
I have had this a lot with alko 'stabilising' (allegedly :wink: ) hitches, most dealers say its down to worn out pads in the hitch, or the wrong ball, but even with both in top order i often find it a struggle. I have found winding the jokey wheel down and then bouncing on the rear end of the car frees them.
I have a theory that there are moving parts in the hitch that need lubrication but the constant emphasis on degreasing everything in site makes them stick, what does every one else think?
JonathanM
30-06-2008, 21:45
so could this explain the alko hitches seemingly welding them selves on to to the ball or was it down to stabilizer lever not fully releasing?
I have had this a lot with alko 'stabilising' (allegedly :wink: ) hitches, most dealers say its down to worn out pads in the hitch, or the wrong ball, but even with both in top order i often find it a struggle. I have found winding the jokey wheel down and then bouncing on the rear end of the car frees them.
I have a theory that there are moving parts in the hitch that need lubrication but the constant emphasis on degreasing everything in site makes them stick, what does every one else think?
Times that this has been a problem for me tend to coincide with towing in the wet, and if the car & van are not mostly straight when tryiing to unhitch - had it happen from new, so the theory of worn pads or wrong ball just doesn't seem to fit in my cases from 3 years ago. Now, yes, worn pads could be an issue.
(RIP) PLANK
01-07-2008, 15:03
i have experienced this when wet and dry, and wehn in a perfect straight line! sometimes i helps to put the brakes on the caravan and the reverse the car and inch to compress the hitch head or pull it forwards a little if you have reversed into a space.
I think andrewK and i have covered this before, but i am also not convinced that the alko hitch actualy does a lot to improve stability!
I use the term caravan as oppoesd to van as if you are towing a caravan with a comercial vehicle they are then both vans and it gets a bit confusing :?
Thomas-the-Terrano2
01-07-2008, 21:16
i too have reversed to remove pressure with varying results.
concern is with hitch compressed, once of ball can move forward
onto car with possible damage.
its bizarre, wonder if the other brand, name escapes me thats
blue handled has same issues. had wondered about changing
before as believe handle is set back and would foul spare wheel
though now its off the door probably wont bother.
will monitor it and if locks on again report back.
(RIP) PLANK
01-07-2008, 22:33
is it a winterhoff?
wel i have a couple of spacers in the tow bars on our vehicles to clear the door mounted wheels etc, but you can buy a 'stuby' handle for this purpose i believe they are about £25?
alternatively just take the silly theing off and put a proper hitch back on :wink:
I bet you wont notice the difference when towing!
Thomas-the-Terrano2
02-07-2008, 22:49
thats it winterhoff, cheers.
cant do spacers it a 4 bolt witter.
alko alternative lever is only for 2004 model
not 2700 :cry:
the spares in the boot, or in garage when 3rd
row seats needed.
noticed tonight, and yes came straight off when
compressed slightly that hitch only twists few
degrees left or right. perhaps when unhitching
in rough ground of back garden this restricts
release? with such limited 'roll' wondering if
strain possible in extreme ground.
I think andrewK and i have covered this before, but i am also not convinced that the alko hitch actualy does a lot to improve stability!
I've probably said this in another post - but on a couple of occasions now, I've forgotten to press the Alko stabiliser handle down after removing a hitchlock that I fitted whilst parked at the motorway services. It's actually quite easy to forget if you remove the hitchlock and then put it in the rear footwell on the drivers side - then just get in the drivers seat and away you go.
Last time, I drove over 100 miles down the motorway with no effective stabiliser and didn't notice any difference to towing behaviour. (The outfit was a MKIV LWB Isuzu Trooper Citation towing a Burstner S500TS caravan (1500kg MTPLM).
I've probably also pointed folks before to the research carried out at Bath Uni on this too. See: http://people.bath.ac.uk/en8cjk/Caravan.pdf - but just in case. :smile:
Cheers
Andrew
(RIP) PLANK
03-07-2008, 16:56
i have just checked the link and it is 71 pages long! and i have the attention span of a goldfish :lol: :lol: (interesting but research at plymouth uni suggests goldfish are fairly intelligent and can recognnise shapes colours and even tell the time!)
have you a condensed version, do they think alok stabalisers are 'pants' or what? :lol:
have you a condensed version, do they think alok stabalisers are 'pants' or what? :lol:
You only really need to read the executive summary which is at the front and much shorter. However ............
The bottom line is that the research shows that stabilisers significantly reduce the small oscillations that affect towing comfort but have no effect on larger oscillations that might become full blown snakes. They can neither prevent snakes nor do they assist in recovering from one. They do not increase the road speed at which a combination will become unstable. Yes, the report says that stabilisers are pants.
I have heard that the Bath research was the trigger for Alko to develop the ATC (Alko Trailer Control) see: http://www.al-ko.co.uk/info-detail.asp?ID=900
My worry has always been that drivers may have an unwarranted confidence that a stabiliser is going somehow prevent snaking and then drive faster because they feel safer. The research reinforces my worry - and I think the development of ATC just might be a recognition from Alko that stabilisers really are pants - OTOH, it might just be another money making scam.
Cheers
Andrew
(RIP) PLANK
03-07-2008, 20:04
AndrewK is doesnt happen often but i agree with you, there is no substitute for a correctly set up and loaded towing combination as we have discussed before.
I have never been keen on stabalisers of any brand or description, i have 3 or 4 bulldog blade type systems in my shed that are going for scrap before the end of the week unless some one wants to collect!
We do a lot of caravaning, at home and abroad three to four months each year since I retired seven years ago. We have a 12ft caravan and I used to have a blade type damper. which i found a nuisance having to remove before reversing, noisy and when the plastic blade holder snapped for the forth time I removed it. Because there are only the two of us we have lots of room in the car so we carry nothing in the caravan that isnt part of living in the van, we just open the door and walk in. when I see the stuff that is brought out of some vans it makes me sweat. Any caravans that I have seen destroyed have been on down hill situations and I think that it is most important that the outfit is slowed on downhill sections and not allowed to run away. I dont have an alko stabilizer so have no trouble connecting even with two bikes fitted to a custom made bike rack on the spare wheel. I like a near max nose weight. regards.....bri
(RIP) PLANK
03-07-2008, 22:26
good points wildbri, i see some junk being hauled from some caravans, its a wonder where they put it all! we travel with people in the car and the caravan contents in the cupboards not all over the place, so the caravan is usable.
I think though for many who have to keep the caravan in stoarage and take all their possesion to an from the storage facility this may be difficult, bu the amount of stufff people cart around for even short breaks and weekends amazes me.
examples:
microwave
deep fat fryer
freezer
satalite dish
3 or 4 water porters
etc etc,
where (and why) do they put it all?
I like to be able to pull up wind the legs down and thats it! job done!
I think though for many who have to keep the caravan in stoarage and take all their possesion to an from the storage facility this may be difficult, bu the amount of stufff people cart around for even short breaks and weekends amazes me.
examples:
microwave
deep fat fryer
freezer
satalite dish
3 or 4 water porters
etc etc,
We keep ours in storage - and only take one of those away with us - the satellite dish, which is stored in the gas locker anyway (fastened to the spare wheel). We did once take a couple of bicycles. The oddest thing we've ever taken is probably a bread maker. :smile:
Cheers
Andrew
this year I fitted an on board water tank in the front locker, its great I can adjust the nose weight with some water and there is always water on tap and no groveling to connect or fill up, just use a watering can with two trips to the tap. I realize how lucky I am because my van is in the garden with the electric on, we sometime us it has a bed room and I can often be found having an afternoon siesta or listing the radio in peace...bri
(RIP) PLANK
04-07-2008, 20:41
wildbri a man after my own heart! mine is in the garden and just an extra room of the house too! Great for a bit of peice and quiet!
zippy656
01-09-2008, 19:00
hi ive the Brink 4 pin tow hitch on my T2 us to tow my baily caravan i dont have any stabiliser at all. ive not had any trouble or wobble..
but do you i should have some?/
Steve
I too have the Brink 4 hole ball, I made a plate to fit a blade type stabilizer, but as posted have removed it. Loading and speed are the answer....regards...bri
robobone
02-09-2008, 08:26
And you can fit NATO hooks great for towing people out of mud!
you know all about that dont you big jim :lol: :lol: :lol:
certainly do? but i was the wrong end of the hitch :lol: :arrow: :!:
robobone
04-09-2008, 07:12
certainly do? but i was the wrong end of the hitch :lol: :arrow: :!:
true :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
peter277
23-03-2010, 23:09
I have a brinks towbracket with the 4 holes and have no problem with attaching the alko hitch with the spare wheel and stainless cover in place.
rustygates.
hi have just boght a 05 terrano having sold my 99 model when i wanted to put alko hitch onto car had to always have door open even fitted a spacer between towbar and ball but still no good.does the brink towbar stick out further as need a towbar for new terrano?
zippy656
24-03-2010, 07:02
ive a NISSAN one with 4 botls, not got an alko hitch. not sure you can get them with 4 bolts.
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