Alko hitch woes :-/

(RIP) PLANK · 06-08-2013, 19:06

one of the pads has fallen out of my hitch, the shaft part has snapped off. Is it safe to tow it with one? I am in New Quay in Wales and have no idea where to get spares

Lazy-Ferret · 06-08-2013, 19:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLANK

one of the pads has fallen out of my hitch, the shaft part has snapped off. Is it safe to tow it with one? I am in New Quay in Wales and have no idea where to get spares

The main thing will be that you have no stabiliser, as the pads are what clamp the towball and provide the friction for the stabilisation. The other thing is, with out the second pad, and bearing in mind there is no lubrication, it might put a lot of friction and wear on the side the pad has snapped.

You should be able to get them from most caravan places, as they are a wear item, and do need changing.

See if any of these guys are near you.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_od...+pads&_sacat=0

(RIP) PLANK · 06-08-2013, 20:12

the stabilizing effect is crap anyway, just don't want it to come unhitched

Lazy-Ferret · 06-08-2013, 21:05

I think Zippy is the man to answer that bit.
Personally, I can't see that they actually hold it onto the towball, just apply pressure to the sides. I would still think there is a nice big Pawl that slides under the bottom of the ball to actually hold the van on as not everyone would notice that it had worn out or snapped.

(RIP) rustygates · 06-08-2013, 22:22

They play no part in attaching the hitch to the ball and only act as the stabilizer,best replace them before you come home though.
rustygates.

(RIP) PLANK · 06-08-2013, 22:40

i agree, the worst part is that I have a whole new hitch at home and another caravan - i never seem to carry the right spares lol

(RIP) PLANK · 06-08-2013, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustygates

They play no part in attaching the hitch to the ball and only act as the stabilizer,best replace them before you come home though.
rustygates.

I won't be back at my.house for another month and I have a lot of miles to do between now and then .

firebobby · 06-08-2013, 22:49

If you can't get a replacement where you are, just take it steady on the home run, caravans never had them years ago...just take it easy.
I once came home with my ALkO stabiliser in the up position, can't say I noticed much difference.

(RIP) PLANK · 06-08-2013, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebobby

If you can't get a replacement where you are, just take it steady on the home run, caravans never had them years ago...just take it easy.
I once came home with my ALkO stabiliser in the up position, can't say I noticed much difference.

as I said, it's not the stabilising effect i'm worried about (i have been know to remove alko type hitches) it's the risk of it not staying hitched. Plus, I have. lot of journeys to do over the next few weeks. it looks like finding a caravan parked up and borrowing some lol

firebobby · 07-08-2013, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLANK

as I said, it's not the stabilising effect i'm worried about (i have been know to remove alko type hitches) it's the risk of it not staying hitched. Plus, I have. lot of journeys to do over the next few weeks. it looks like finding a caravan parked up and borrowing some lol

As others have said then, it will not affect the actual hitching part of the head and you will fine to tow with it, the locking part is the part you lift and then it should lock once you hitch up, once locked, you should be able to lift the back of the car when you wind the jockey wheel down...but then you know that.

PM sent

06-08-2013, 19:06	#1
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	Alko hitch woes :-/ one of the pads has fallen out of my hitch, the shaft part has snapped off. Is it safe to tow it with one? I am in New Quay in Wales and have no idea where to get spares

06-08-2013, 22:22	#5
(RIP) rustygates Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: N wales Vehicle: 1997 swb + 2003 swb tdi Posts: 672	They play no part in attaching the hitch to the ball and only act as the stabilizer,best replace them before you come home though. rustygates. __________________ 1997 Terrano 2.7tdi se red/silver swb. 130k . A-frame+spots, privacy glass, tyres 235-70rx15 BF Goodrich a/t ko pulling a 2005 Bailey vendee series5 with powrtouch mover. 2003 Terrano 2.7tdi se ruby red/silver 74k

06-08-2013, 20:12	#3
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	the stabilizing effect is crap anyway, just don't want it to come unhitched

06-08-2013, 21:05	#4
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	I think Zippy is the man to answer that bit. Personally, I can't see that they actually hold it onto the towball, just apply pressure to the sides. I would still think there is a nice big Pawl that slides under the bottom of the ball to actually hold the van on as not everyone would notice that it had worn out or snapped.

06-08-2013, 22:40	#6
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	i agree, the worst part is that I have a whole new hitch at home and another caravan - i never seem to carry the right spares lol

06-08-2013, 22:49	#8
firebobby Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South Bucks Vehicle: Terrano 3.0 SVE 2005 Posts: 3,499	If you can't get a replacement where you are, just take it steady on the home run, caravans never had them years ago...just take it easy. I once came home with my ALkO stabiliser in the up position, can't say I noticed much difference.