ball & pin vs high reach alko type ball hitch

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 10-09-2019, 23:22

Anyone used a ball/pin hitch with an Alko stabilizer caravan coupling?

Believed Alko balls were longer reach but also high reach.

Looking at ball pin hitch where the ball is separate to the pin, most look
pretty high reach by design and also longer reach out from bracket.

Lazy-Ferret · 11-09-2019, 08:48

You may want to read the "Lazy Ferret" thread you started, I put my woes on using the wrong one in there.

I have always used a dixon bate (ball and pin) type coupling, but hit big problems when I changed to the Jeep. You can actually buy a Dixon Bate ball and pin designed for Alko couplings, but it is very expensive. It's the way I ended up going, but only after the origanal one cost 9me an arm and a leg, and nearly the car and caravan.

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Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 11-09-2019, 09:47

Saw that but what came into contact as surely leading edge of trailer coupling is no where near car or hitch. Is the height of the ball then in a yawing action or even a rolling action. Noticed the alko dB one has place to store pin away from usual so is that pinch point as thinking could remove it when towing.

Yawing seems most likely cause but then would only expect it to come into play on extreme ramp unless car suspension bottomed out too?

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Lazy-Ferret · 11-09-2019, 13:07

I did wonder if I had removed the pin, if I would have been ok, but at £300 odd a time for the Alko coupling, I was not willing to risk it a second time... not to mention Suz was very unhappy about the whole incident, so I needed to be able to reassure her everything was now perfect.

The suspension did not bottom out, but compared to the T2, the suspension is a lot softer on JGC. Also the distance from rear wheels to the towbar is greater than the T2, so theres a lot more leverage.

I had noticed in the past though, that even on the T2, the bottom of the Alko levers had a few marks where they had rubbed, presumably on tight turns, and again on the pin.

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Banshee · 11-09-2019, 13:12

The T2 will always be the superior tow vehicle of choice for me

Lazy-Ferret · 11-09-2019, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banshee

The T2 will always be the superior tow vehicle of choice for me

I honestly think the T2 is the best tug I have ever used. Having used several Volvos, a car that won countless towing awards, I feel the T2 was infinitely better, but the JGC is up there with it.

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10-09-2019, 23:22	#1
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	ball & pin vs high reach alko type ball hitch Anyone used a ball/pin hitch with an Alko stabilizer caravan coupling? Believed Alko balls were longer reach but also high reach. Looking at ball pin hitch where the ball is separate to the pin, most look pretty high reach by design and also longer reach out from bracket. __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

11-09-2019, 09:47	#3
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	Saw that but what came into contact as surely leading edge of trailer coupling is no where near car or hitch. Is the height of the ball then in a yawing action or even a rolling action. Noticed the alko dB one has place to store pin away from usual so is that pinch point as thinking could remove it when towing. Yawing seems most likely cause but then would only expect it to come into play on extreme ramp unless car suspension bottomed out too? Sent from my EML-L09 using Tapatalk __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

11-09-2019, 13:12	#5
Banshee Moderator Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: West Midlands Vehicle: 04 2.7 SWB Terrano II Van Posts: 13,526	The T2 will always be the superior tow vehicle of choice for me __________________ Moderator 04' Terrano II SE 2.7 TDi SWB Commercial in Silver - Project Thread Toyo Open Country M/T 33's on 10J Steels, Super Strong Steering Job Navara D22 Snorkel, Front LOKKA, Maunal Hubs, EGR Blank TunitII ECU Chip, 3" Body Lift, 2" Suss Lift, Heat Exchanger Black Interior, 3.0 Borg&Beck Clutch, Eckes Heated Fuel Filter 99' Y61 Patrol GR SE 2.8 TD6 LWB in Blue/Silver - Project Thread Engine Transplant - In Progress!!!

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11-09-2019, 08:48	#2
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	You may want to read the "Lazy Ferret" thread you started, I put my woes on using the wrong one in there. I have always used a dixon bate (ball and pin) type coupling, but hit big problems when I changed to the Jeep. You can actually buy a Dixon Bate ball and pin designed for Alko couplings, but it is very expensive. It's the way I ended up going, but only after the origanal one cost 9me an arm and a leg, and nearly the car and caravan. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

11-09-2019, 13:07	#4
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	I did wonder if I had removed the pin, if I would have been ok, but at £300 odd a time for the Alko coupling, I was not willing to risk it a second time... not to mention Suz was very unhappy about the whole incident, so I needed to be able to reassure her everything was now perfect. The suspension did not bottom out, but compared to the T2, the suspension is a lot softer on JGC. Also the distance from rear wheels to the towbar is greater than the T2, so theres a lot more leverage. I had noticed in the past though, that even on the T2, the bottom of the Alko levers had a few marks where they had rubbed, presumably on tight turns, and again on the pin. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk