Alko 3004 Install Question

Keith and Eve
Keith and Eve Forum Participant Posts: 9
edited September 2020 in Caravans #1

Hi   I am having to replace the 3004 Alko hitch on my caravan and have a question regarding the dowel that has to be inserted into the second bolt hole.The kit has two dowels, one is 35mm long the other is 50mm 

The theory is that a dowel is knocked into the second bolt hole to push the bolt out and retain the damper  The old hitch is then pulled off and the new one pushed on The internal width of the hitch is around 50mm which means that with the longer dowel in place the hitch  is fractionally too narrow to be pushed over the dowel.  The narrower dowel would hold one side of the damper but, not the whole.

Should the 50mm dowel be ground a mill shorter to fit or am I looking at this wrong?

Thanks for any help   Keith

Comments

  • Phishing
    Phishing Forum Participant Posts: 597
    500 Comments
    edited September 2020 #2

    Have a look at 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vlug2qZDfY

    Shows how to use the pins and bolts.

  • Keith and Eve
    Keith and Eve Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited September 2020 #3

    Thanks Phishing, that definately shows the longer dowel being used. My problem is that the longer dowel is too long for the hitch to slide over it, so I will grind it down to fit as in your link.

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2020 #4

    I would, but have to question why the dowel is made too long, is it simply an error?

    I made mine from an off cut of studding or an old bolt I can't remember which. The tube wall is quite thick and all the dowel needs to do is find a "landing" on each side of the tube, so it requires no great precision provided not being over long so the body can't be removed..

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