Towbar fitting, alko 1300

Sharktale
Sharktale Forum Participant Posts: 52
edited May 2021 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hi all, I'm just getting sorted with my towbar. I've been looking through and I see it says about the towbar with alko stabilisers. I have an alko 1300 stabiliser on my caravan so do I need to ask for a specific towbar? Some places ask and some don't so I'm a little confused. 

Many thanks

Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2021 #2

    It is not the towbar but you will probably need the extended hook to clear the Alko, hitch

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2021 #3

    As ever, Google explains it all.

  • Sharktale
    Sharktale Forum Participant Posts: 52
    edited May 2021 #4

    Thats how i became confused, I looked on Googleembarassed. Years ago we used to have a pennine pullman normal hitch. The company that delivered my caravan, pick up and drop off caravans all the time so will have some with stabilisers some not.

    I was hoping to get a fixed flange but have no idea now.

    Thanks

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2021 #5

    A fixed flange towbar is fine it just needs the Alko type  long hook should be fine they are designed to give more space 

    As tinny has posted

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2021 #6

    The ones shown above simply bolt to the towbar in place of the type you had before. There’s nothing to get confused about. 

    https://www.towbar2u.com/news/whats-the-difference-between-fixed-flange-ball-towbar-and-fixed-swan-neck-towbar/

     

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2021 #7

    Compare these two ....

    Standard 2 bolt flange

    Alko 2 bolt flange

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited May 2021 #8

    The extended AlKo style also accepts the other couplings, so is only one needed.  [ I'll not mention 2 inches ]

  • Sharktale
    Sharktale Forum Participant Posts: 52
    edited May 2021 #9

     

    I  can see it now, thats helped a  lot. I also didn't realise the alko one accepts both.

    Thanks

    Julie

  • commeyras
    commeyras Forum Participant Posts: 1,853
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2021 #10

    Would have thought that most fitters fit a tow hook suitable for an Alko stabilizer. Just ask the fitter for what you want.  Really quite simple.

  • geoffeales
    geoffeales Forum Participant Posts: 322
    edited May 2021 #11

    I'd guess something like 85% of vans are fitted with Alko stabilizers so most hooks will give sufficient clearance, if not, a simple spacer and a couple of longer bolts will do the trick for flange type tow-bars. Having just researched this I'd recommend a swan-neck which will almost certainly give the clearance you need and is far less likely to interfere with your reversing sensors. 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2021 #12

    Unless the law has recently changed again, Geoff, the once common practice of fitting spacers was outlawed several years ago as it contravened the type approval of the tow bar.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2021 #13

    That's not correct. Regardless of the legalities of spacers, an ALKO 2 bolt flange tow ball provides extra clearance UNDER the ball, not just behind it to provide enough articulation of the stabiliser hitch.

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