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Subject Topic: al ko tow ball Post Reply Post New Topic
18/6/2007 at 1:10am
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Lots of Tents both big and small
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hi there( a friend ) just got a new al ko tow hitch and ball fitted to their car, somewhere im sure i read that you have to "sand" down the tow ball to remove the graphite. is this true and if so please can you explain it all to me so i can pass info on! 

Post last edited on 18/06/2007 07:32:04

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If life gives you lemons throw them at someone :)


18/6/2007 at 1:19am
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Elddis Crusader Cyclone + BMW X5
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Yes use emery cloth or a wire brush on a drill

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Regards

Mick + Tina

Good Bye To Our Abbey Spectrum 520, Hello To Our Elddis Crusader Cyclone


18/6/2007 at 9:37am
 Location: NW of Glasgow
 Outfit: Sterling Searcher 2008 Volvo XC90
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I think they are painted red when they are new, you need to remove the paint.  OH used sandpapery stuff on our new towball.

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Jennifer


18/6/2007 at 9:31pm
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I just ordered an AKS1300. Glad I stumbled on this. What are they like to fit? (Complete hitch, not just the ball)


18/6/2007 at 10:54pm
 Location: St Helens Lancashire
 Outfit: Eriba 540 Mazda CX5 SEL
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I've just fitted an AKS 3004 and in the instructions it mentions; "Towballs coated (with paint or similar) must have this surface completely removed (use 100 or 120 grain emery paper). If this is not done, increased towball wear will occur". I think it is also worth mentioning,to remove grease the use of thinners, white spirit or brake cleaner is recommended.
For SoundsDigital, have a look at my web site under Other jobs/Replacing overrun damper and hitch head, might give you a better insight,

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Lawrence


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19/6/2007 at 5:29pm
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Looks as lear as mud to me, Lawrence. I'm sure it'll be straightforward when I have the van and hitch in front of me. Is there anything I should watch out for like the damper springing out when the bolt is removed?


21/6/2007 at 8:36pm
 Location: south wales
 Outfit: Avondale Eagle 2005 + Mondeo TDCi
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have a look here   some good advice .!


22/6/2007 at 3:31pm
 Location: Luxembourg
 Outfit: Esprit Panache Citroen C4 Grand Picass
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I've just bought the Al Ko 3004 triple pack. I've heard that as my hitch 'falls over' it may not be suitable, i've sent a mail to Al KO but not heard back yet.

 

anyone know if we'll have to change the hitch over??



22/6/2007 at 5:25pm
 Location: NW of Glasgow
 Outfit: Sterling Searcher 2008 Volvo XC90
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Did you read the stuff on the Alko site about rotating hitches?

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Jennifer


22/6/2007 at 8:28pm
 Location: Milton Keynes
 Outfit: Pennine Pathfinder + Rhyno Lite
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Just bought an Alko (black) towball and was amazed to find that the paint has to be removed from it!!

It seems amazingly stupid that Alko towballs need to be worked on to work with Alko hitches!



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Paul


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22/6/2007 at 9:41pm
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I guess it stops them rusting while sat on dealers shelves.


23/6/2007 at 2:22pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: http: www.arcsystems.biz
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Quote: Originally posted by SoundsDigital on 22/6/2007
I guess it stops them rusting while sat on dealers shelves.
It's precisely the reason, can you imagine the conversation in the shop if the ball was not looking like new... this balls secondhand, it's all rusty..how much you going to knock off??


25/6/2007 at 8:51am
 Location: Luxembourg
 Outfit: Esprit Panache Citroen C4 Grand Picass
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I've just checked the alko site, they have a link that says, the Al Ko stabiliser will not function as anything more than a coupling head, and that there is no benefit from fitting the AKS stabiliser. They give a telephone number for advice if customers intend to convert the overrun (What is an overrun please? is it the end bit that I call the hitch?). 

Guess We are not either looking for advice on how to convert our rotating hitch to a non rotating, or what type of stabiliser we can have to fit a swan necked removeable brinks towbar?? any offers?

 




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