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Hi

My present caravan has a standard hitch, im soon upgradeing to a newer model most of which have an alco hitch fitted, my concern is that has they are wider where they fit the ball hitch. My concern is when you are turning is it likely to fowl the bumper i do have a stainless steel guard to protect the bumper, must admit it does fit fairly flush to to the bumper   My tow bar is a witter 92a non swaneck fitted on a Mondeo 2ltr tdci o4 reg hatchback. Ps dont really want to fit a spacer as it obviously puts more leverage on the towbar any help comments etc welcomed.

If your van has an Alco Hitch, then you will need to fit an Alco Towball unless you are using a Swan Neck ball.

A spacer on to your standard ball will not work. You need the extra length of the Alco Ball to allow the clearance required on the Alco Hitch.

Many thanks Lobey

Phil

Hi

Have found the correct ball hitch on Halfords web site at £21 99 thought i would add that in case anyone else has a similar problem  Phil

Hi Phil, The main difference between an Alco towball and an ordinary towball is that the Alco one has a longer shank between the ball and the flange that bolts to your towbar. This allows the Alko Hitch room to move without it fouling the towbar or any guard that you may have fitted.

An Alco towball should not cost much more than a standard towball as it is exactly the same size apart from the longer shank.

Try some of the Ebay sites. I am sure you will get it cheaper there.

Remember to remove the black paint from the towball before you use it and NEVER grease or oil the towball when using an Alco Hitch.

Quote: Originally posted by philthesparky on 19/12/2009

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Hi

My present caravan has a standard hitch, im soon upgradeing to a newer model most of which have an alco hitch fitted, my concern is that has they are wider where they fit the ball hitch. My concern is when you are turning is it likely to fowl the bumper i do have a stainless steel guard to protect the bumper, must admit it does fit fairly flush to to the bumper   My tow bar is a witter 92a non swaneck fitted on a Mondeo 2ltr tdci o4 reg hatchback. Ps dont really want to fit a spacer as it obviously puts more leverage on the towbar any help comments etc welcomed.

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I have had an alko hitch on my van now for 7 years and it never interferes with anything on my 55 plate Mondeo. You will have no problems.

Many thanks

Have now got the alko hitch fitted and have removed paint as instructed towed my new van 2005 Abbey aventura 317 with it yesterday, first time ive towed with an Alco stabilizer hitch  it brilliant van is not  affected by  Hgvs overtaking van stays dead straight a pleasure to tow thanks for again advise wish everyone a great Xmas & a happy 2010

Phil

My towball is a swan-neck detachable, so no way to increase distance between ball and rear bumper.  When we upgraded to our 2006 caravan, it came with an Al-ko hitch as standard.

I was a bit concerned about the width of the Al-ko, and risk of it catching the bumper, so I had the dealer change it for the existing Winterhoff hitch on my outgoing van.  The Winterhoff also has a "soft-nose", so much less chance of scuffing the bumper if the hitch pushes up against it; like when unhitching with the caravan towing mechanism is still a bit compressed.

Bertie.