Alko tow hitch

davetom
davetom Forum Participant Posts: 39
edited June 2018 in Caravans #1

Hi, I have a Alko AKS 2004 stabiliser hitch fitted to my Abbey Aventura caravan. On returning home after a week away I went to fit my Alko hitchlock. Normaly when inserting the red plastic safety ball into the coupling head the coupling handle springs down into the locked position. This time it wouldn't. I needed to give the handle a sharp tap with my hand to close the coupling handle. My question is :- Is there a problem here and if so how can I overcome it ? Any advice I would be grateful for. Thanks David

 

Comments

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,431 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #2

    well from my own experience, over two vans in that I have always had to press the handle down to get it to engage while holding the ball in place. I now don't know if mine or yours is at fault?

    Yes when the van goes on it springs on by itself, and I've just had the friction pads changed.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #3

    On our fist van ours would not stay in the raised position for hitching, you had to keep it held up. They fixed it on its first service and ever since on that and our second van, you have to push it down from that position. Or as CS says it clicks down on hitching.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,431 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #4

    maybe it's the nose weight that forces it to click down automatically? or the plastic ball isn't the same size as a 'real' tow ball?

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited June 2018 #5

    Carry some brake cleaner and use on coupling head after a couple of trips ,it is suprising  how much "muck" is "washed" outsurprised

  • davetom
    davetom Forum Participant Posts: 39
    edited June 2018 #6

    Thanks for your replies. I've got some brake cleaner. I'll give it a good flush out and try it back on the car again to see if it operates ok on the towball.  

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited June 2018 #7

    The handle shouldn't go down on its own,  it's correct that it should need a thump to hold onto the red ball.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,431 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #8

    what makes it go down without help with the van on it? 

    (serious question)

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited June 2018 #9

    I assume there's a trigger/latch that's nudged by the ball .... never really looked.

  • xtrailman
    xtrailman Forum Participant Posts: 559
    edited June 2018 #10

    A little lubrication can be used  it does make a difference, handle should hold up and drop down when put on the towbar, its not required to do that just by placing a plastic ball inside.

  • johnathome
    johnathome Forum Participant Posts: 101
    edited June 2018 #11

    I think it's called nose weight

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited June 2018 #12

    sealed   there's always one ..... 

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited June 2018 #13

    don't bring up the "nose weight" debate again. haha. wink

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