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Topic: Towbars!!

lexie

23/9/2007 at 5:59pm
Location: Barnsley
Outfit: Bailey Pageant Magenta CD

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Long time no speak... Just ordered my new car (Ford Mondeo Ghia Estate) and those nice people at Ford are fitting a fixed towbar with dual electrics for FREE!!! This will mean that I need to transfer my Alko hitch from my current car to the new one when it arrives. Is this a job I can do myself or do I need the experts?

Please help!!

Thanks, Lexie

motley

23/9/2007 at 6:26pm
Location: Weardale
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Depends on how handy you are i guess!!

raymcm

23/9/2007 at 6:29pm
Location: None Entered
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Its an easy job if you have the right tools and half an ounce of common sense, but when you do it you MUST use NEW bolts and washers and not re-use the old ones.

lexie

23/9/2007 at 6:56pm
Location: Barnsley
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Thanks for that. What are the right tools and where do I get any common sense from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

motley

23/9/2007 at 7:14pm
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If you're not too sure, it would be peace of mind to pop down to your local garage. It won't cost much, maybe if it's a small garage, take the new bolts with you.

Otherwise you will be forever looking in your rear view mirror!

billy

23/9/2007 at 7:25pm
Location: North Essex
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If its a standard Ford towbar it will be a swan neck so you wont need to--if it is a bolt on ball just ask em to put an alko one on --it better than messing about with somthing you know nought about-seems odd after paying all that for a new car you want to mess about like that for the sake of a few pounds--

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billy

23/9/2007 at 7:36pm
Location: North Essex
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Heres a suggestion-go to your Ford dealer, ask if they are fitting a swan neck towbar(imho looks much neater than the bolt on ball type)if they are-no problem it will be long enough for your Alko hitch--if they arnt & they are unwilling to get you an extended bolt on type go to your local caravan shop, buy one & give it to them to fit--

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Every day should be a holiday!

AndrewK

23/9/2007 at 7:49pm
Location: Oldham
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Quote: Originally posted by lexie on 23/9/2007
Long time no speak... Just ordered my new car (Ford Mondeo Ghia Estate) and those nice people at Ford are fitting a fixed towbar with dual electrics for FREE!!! This will mean that I need to transfer my Alko hitch from my current car to the new one when it arrives. Is this a job I can do myself or do I need the experts?

I assume you mean transfer your Alko towball to your new car. Yes, you can do it - but you'll need new bolts and a 3/4 drive torque wrench, as the bolts have to be tightened to about 180 lb.ft.

Cheers
Andrew

Bill Lord

24/9/2007 at 12:14am
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The towbar they fit will probably be a swan neck but if it is not if you ask they will put an alko ball on for you or failing that they will also take the ball off yours and transfer it to the new one. It's not a difficult job to do but you need some serious sized spanners and sockets and a very big bar.

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Bill

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