Alko Hitch Wear

andytyneandwear
andytyneandwear Club Member Posts: 115 ✭
First Comment
edited January 2016 in Caravans #1

I have a Bailey Unicorn Valencia just over one year old owned from new. Its possibly covered 1500 towing miles and at its first service the dealer recomends new hitch friction pads is this usual?

Comments

  • DougS
    DougS Forum Participant Posts: 327
    edited January 2016 #2

    I have a Bailey Unicorn Valencia just over one year old owned from new. Its possibly covered 1500 towing miles and at its first service the dealer recomends new hitch friction pads is this usual?

    Was any reason given as I believe I've read the life is 30 000 miles (providing no obvious faults that damaged pads) Even contamination with oil etc. should be able to be cleaned off?

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2016 #3

    The'yre not expensive & take minutes to fit, so I'd guess the dealer is just being cautious while the caravan is in his hands.

  • DougS
    DougS Forum Participant Posts: 327
    edited January 2016 #4

    £25 for a few pieces of plastic is expensive IMHO especially if there is no real need?

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #5

    The little red and green arrows show if they are worn or not as you press the handle down. Clearly it will not show contamination, which could require changing. Our last van was 9 years old and still on its first set.

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
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    edited January 2016 #6

    It’s not the distance that wears them out, it’s the turning. Clocking up miles on the motorway will make next to no difference but twisty lanes and reversing onto pitch will cause more wear. 

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
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    edited January 2016 #7

    I tend to change mine frequently to ensure good grip Is maintained. Is £25 really that expensive for what is a safety issue? 

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585 ✭
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    edited January 2016 #8

    Whatever the roads 1500 miles is far too short a time. Unless there is some reason to believe there was co tamination then I would be suspicious.

    Contamination would be either oil from a tow ball used to tow something without this type of hitch or possibly paint off a new tow ball although there could be others.

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited January 2016 #9

    I`ve done around 11000` on current pads mostly off autoroutes with no sign of wear on the pads (I do regularily clean them) so there must be another reason, personally I would find out why even if its only to avoid a reoccurrence.

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #10

    Yes it does look a little soon.  Check the wear by pressing down the handle and seeing when the pads grip; covered in the hanbook. Changed mine on my 2009 van last year after many long European trips; but at £25 may be safer to follow engineers advice.

  • AndyNYorks
    AndyNYorks Forum Participant Posts: 144
    100 Comments
    edited January 2016 #11

    I have a Bailey Unicorn Valencia just over one year old owned from new. Its possibly covered 1500 towing miles and at its first service the dealer recomends new hitch friction pads is this usual?

    Which dealer is it. This sounds like it may just be a way of extracting cash from you for unnecessary work. Tell them to leave ihem alone and check the wear yourself. They are very easy to change if they do need it and if they are worn so soon it indicates
    a possible problem elsewhere.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited January 2016 #12
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Kerry Watkins
    Kerry Watkins Forum Participant Posts: 325
    100 Comments
    edited January 2016 #13

    We replaced our friction pads a few months ago. Very easy to do. If I can do it anyone can!

  • fur ball
    fur ball Forum Participant Posts: 155
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    edited January 2016 #14

    As everyone on here is saying very easy to change however I presume when people are quoting the price of 25 pounds that is just for the side pads as its another 25 pounds for the front and rear. 

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