towing electrics

[cupcake]

That can't be legal surely? Well, not in this country I would've thought

 

[96terrano]

That can't be legal surely? Well, not in this country I would've thought

no idea, think it was in Spain or somthing

 

[96terrano]

ohh yeah, always remember to keep your tow bar ball well lubricated.. :thumb2

 

[cupcake]

ohh yeah, always remember to keep your tow bar ball well lubricated.. :thumb2

Seriously? What do I have to... er... rub it with to keep it lubricated?

And is this in general or just when towing?

 

[rustic]

Seriously? What do I have to... er... rub it with to keep it lubricated?

And is this in general or just when towing?

Normally a thin covering of grease.

The tow ball cover, basically stops grease from getting on your clothes, and stops the ball from rusting.

However when in use, when you take the cover off, place it in an old plastic carrier bag as it tends to put grease on your carpet, or anything else in your boot.

When you disconnect the trailer, caravan etc, put the cover on straight away, I have many pairs of trousers that were marked with thick black grease as you always touch them when you go into the boot:doh

Rustic

 

[cupcake]

Got it. Thanks for the tips, much appreciated :thumbs

Not sure if/when I'll ever get around to using it, but it helps to know what I'm doing should the need arise

 

[rayf3262]

Normally a thin covering of grease.


Rustic

Unless you have an Alko stabaliser hitch, then it MUST be kept grease/oil free..

 

[rustic]

Unless you have an Alko stabaliser hitch, then it MUST be kept grease/oil free..

Yes good point, but this looks like the standard ball, how is the Alko ball different, does it have a longer neck?

The standard 50 mm ball has a small flat on the top, mine has ISO stamped on the top. Is the Alko one different, I have never used one?

 

[96terrano]

thats what youre tow ball should look like:thumb2......i used multipurpose grease ..........this is the one im fitting to my Hyundai

 

[rayf3262]

Yes good point, but this looks like the standard ball, how is the Alko ball different, does it have a longer neck?

The standard 50 mm ball has a small flat on the top, mine has ISO stamped on the top. Is the Alko one different, I have never used one?

The ball is the same, some of the Alko tow balls have a longer neck to allow greater clearance of the stabaliser lever from the rear of the tow vehicle, stops the lever fouling on spare wheel etc. not always needed though.

 

[96terrano]

Yes good point, but this looks like the standard ball, how is the Alko ball different, does it have a longer neck?

The standard 50 mm ball has a small flat on the top, mine has ISO stamped on the top. Is the Alko one different, I have never used one?

no, we have a alko stabilizer hitch on our caravan, and it fits a normal tow ball

 

[96terrano]

finished my towbar electrics today :thumb2

 

[rustic]

no, we have a alko stabilizer hitch on our caravan, and it fits a normal tow ball

I guess the tow ball when used with the alko friction stabiliser would need greater inspection, as it is designed to increase friction. The pads in the hitch will wear out, and the diameter of your ball will get smaller

So you need to inspect your ball regularly then.
I know there are wear limits, but difficult to check without a decent micrometer, or vernier.

I know the tow bar and electrics are now part of the MOT, but I can't see them measuring your ball...

Rustic

 

[96terrano]

I guess the tow ball when used with the alko friction stabiliser would need greater inspection, as it is designed to increase friction. The pads in the hitch will wear out, and the diameter of your ball will get smaller

I know the tow bar and electrics are now part of the MOT, but I can't see them measuring your ball...

Rustic

thats true, as you need a beeper legally now

 

[96terrano]

thats true, as you need a beeper legally now

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

DOH... sorry, I see this has been covered...

ohh yeah, always remember to keep your tow bar ball well lubricated.. :thumb2

That does depend on what you are towing.... a lot of caravans, and now some of the bigger trailers are using stabilised hitches, that use pressure friction pads to grip on the towball to help control snaking, and must never be put on a towball that has seen even the slightest bit of grease.

 

[rustic]

View attachment 4470

For Cupcake's benefit, or anyone else that has never towed, this device is wired into the wiring for the socket for the tow bar.
It is usually placed behind a panel in the boot area.
It normally beeps only when the trailer indicators actually flash, this is a legal requirement, as it tells the driver...
1 The bulb on the trailer is still workink when you indicate.
2 That the trailer is still there and you haven't lost it.

It shouldn't beep when no trailer is attached.

It can be irritating though if you have a bike rack, with a second tail board and numberplate tied to the bike when the original number plate and or lights are obscured by the bikes.

 

[96terrano]

For Cupcake's benefit, or anyone else that has never towed, this device is wired into the wiring for the socket for the tow bar.
It is usually placed behind a panel in the boot area.
It normally beeps only when the trailer indicators actually flash, this is a legal requirement, as it tells the driver...
1 The bulb on the trailer is still workink when you indicate.
2 That the trailer is still there and you haven't lost it.

It shouldn't beep when no trailer is attached.

It can be irritating though if you have a bike rack, with a second tail board and numberplate tied to the bike when the original number plate and or lights are obscured by the bikes.

What he said ^

Really cheap to buy too, they can get annoying as Rustic said, but better to be annoyed than illegal:lol, really winds the dog up :lol

 

[cupcake]

So mine should already have one of those wired in? Presumably wouldn't pass the MOT without it if it's a legal requirement?

 

[cncfabs]

So mine should already have one of those wired in? Presumably wouldn't pass the MOT without it if it's a legal requirement?

Been legal requirement for years but only just come into mot this year