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Subject Topic: Buying an Elddis caravan new hitch advice
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Personiank01
29/9/2017 at 1:29pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Fortyfoot on 29/9/2017
Coachman VIP 530 2008.

Fortyfoot

Coachman is not an Elddis caravan and I am fairly sure that it is on an ALKO chassis?


PersonPaul_B
29/9/2017 at 4:51pm
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With the Winterhoff hitch you will need to clean the ball of all grease and any coating and use a spacer behind the towball, you'll probable need new bolts too.

for the alko hitch you'll need a alko type towball then clean off all coatings before using it


PersonFortyfoot
29/9/2017 at 5:07pm
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So probably best to buy the new Alko ball and should then do for both types of hitch?


PersonColin21
29/9/2017 at 6:26pm
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Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 29/9/2017
I am sure that hitch is the hitch on the BPW chassis. It also requires a different type of hitch lock. What year is the caravan as I think they only switched to the ALKO chassis last year.


Elddis have used an Alko chassis for many years, at least on some models. I have a 1992 Elddis Wisp on an Alko chassis, and my 1988 Tornado XL had one too.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


Personiank01
30/9/2017 at 9:28am
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Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 29/9/2017
Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 29/9/2017
I am sure that hitch is the hitch on the BPW chassis. It also requires a different type of hitch lock. What year is the caravan as I think they only switched to the ALKO chassis last year.


Elddis have used an Alko chassis for many years, at least on some models. I have a 1992 Elddis Wisp on an Alko chassis, and my 1988 Tornado XL had one too.

We have a Buccaneer and it is on a BPW chassis and I am fairly certain that prior to 2016 all Elddis were on a BPW chassis however maybe they only used the BPW chassis for a few years?


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PersonColin21
30/9/2017 at 10:06pm
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Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 30/9/2017
Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 29/9/2017
Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 29/9/2017
I am sure that hitch is the hitch on the BPW chassis. It also requires a different type of hitch lock. What year is the caravan as I think they only switched to the ALKO chassis last year.


Elddis have used an Alko chassis for many years, at least on some models. I have a 1992 Elddis Wisp on an Alko chassis, and my 1988 Tornado XL had one too.

We have a Buccaneer and it is on a BPW chassis and I am fairly certain that prior to 2016 all Elddis were on a BPW chassis however maybe they only used the BPW chassis for a few years?



Interesting! It's got me curious now. Maybe Elddis did switch, and switch back again, or maybe they used different chassis for different models? I don't know the answer, does anyone else?

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


PersonOpensauce
01/10/2017 at 11:16am
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Over decades Elddis have used both BPW chassis which usually have Winterhof stabiliser hitches fitted although I think now these hitches are branded as BPW & at other times Alko chassis & hitches. Currently BPW are used afaik. Most but not all Alko stabiliser hitches can be fitted to BPW chassis. New Alko hitches bought as an aftermarket kit include bolts & spacer to allow fitting to BPW chassis. So it is possible to have Elddis with BPW chassis & Alko stabiliser hitch.


Personiank01
01/10/2017 at 11:29am
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BPW have been bought out by ALKO.


PersonOpensauce
01/10/2017 at 11:39am
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Or more accurately Alko US parent company has bought BPW. Here. BPW have always manufactured larger commercial trailer chassis as well so maybe only the Alko brand will be seen on caravan chassis in future?


PersonFortyfoot
01/10/2017 at 12:44pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Fortyfoot on 29/9/2017
So probably best to buy the new Alko ball and should then do for both types of hitch?

Yes or no?

Thanks
Fortyfoot


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PersonColin21
01/10/2017 at 6:15pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Fortyfoot on 01/10/2017
Quote: Originally posted by Fortyfoot on 29/9/2017
So probably best to buy the new Alko ball and should then do for both types of hitch?

Yes or no?

Thanks
Fortyfoot



To be on the safe side, maybe buy an Alko ball, which I believe will be fine with anything. That's what I would have done when having my towbar fitted, had I known there was a difference. Not that it would have made much difference, as both the caravans I have had since have had standard hitches, not stabiliser hitches.


-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


PersonGrandad Kenny
06/10/2017 at 9:28pm
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Fortyfoot, an alko towball has more space between it and the towing vehicle. You can put any hitch onto it, winterhoff, alko etc. If you are renewing the towball go for alko as it can accommodate any hitch, whereas an alko hitch on a standard towball could cause problems when turning due to the lack of space between hitch and towing vehicle. Hope that helps


PersonCyberCynth
04/11/2017 at 4:37pm
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Crumbs, a bit of a minefield, this towball issue. I have recently bought an old Elddis Whirlwind, which just has a standard hitch on it. When I asked the chap who looks after my caravan which stabiliser he recommended he said the Winterhoff. However, they're more expensive than what I would have bought: an Alko AKS 1300, (I'm also more familiar with this type as I had one on a previous Elddis I owned) but it seems, since following this thread that I need to change my towball to an Alko make.

Issue No.2: Hitchlocks for stabiliser hitches seem very expensive. I have in my shed a Milenco lightweight hitchlock but at present I can't use it because it won't fit over the handle of the hitch that's on the caravan at the moment. (the handle is too long, with a curl shape at the open end) I'm wondering whether it will fit an AKS 1300 hitch, or will it foul the handle that clamps down parallel to the hitch? Any ideas or comments welcome. Thanks.

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Life without dogs? I don't think so!


PersonFortyfoot
04/11/2017 at 4:43pm
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This is what I am expecting to put on my car when I decide on my van.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Towball-Tow-Ball-Kit-for-ALKO-AKS-Stabiliser-Hitches-with-Cover-Long-Reach/130474083004?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

Fortyfoot


PersonOpensauce
04/11/2017 at 6:00pm
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Save your money. You don't need a stabiliser hitch. Provided caravan is loaded properly with enough noseweight it will tow perfectly on the standard hitch you have. If caravan wobbles on a standard hitch then it is no answer to fit a stabiliser hitch. No stabiliser should be used to correct a badly loaded caravan.

Before you spend anything tow the caravan with standard hitch. With proper loading & correct tyre pressures it will tow straight as a die.

If you use a stabiliser hitch then you will need compatible hitch lock which is expensive. A standard hitch will take a cheap box type hitch lock.


PersonColin21
04/11/2017 at 6:38pm
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As is quite often the case I agree with Opensauce. I didn't have a stabiliser hitch on my last Elddis, and I don't have one on this one. There is no substitute for having the caravan set up properly (suspension checked, tyre pressures ok etc) and having it loaded correctly. I have always believed that if caravans needed a stabiliser, they would come with one as standard. To me they are an expensive and unneeded luxury. I have done a lot of towing in my life, both caravans and trailers large and small, and I have never had or needed a stabiliser.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin



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