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Subject Topic: Trouble hitching van
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Personjennygirlx
08/2/2015 at 8:48am
 Location: Dumfries
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Hello, couldn't see anything on this so thought would post.
I have a 2004 van which has been looked after very well be previous owners.
So, I have a new tow bar, a thule detachable (horizontal) type. I have removed the paint from the ball as I have an alko 3004 hitch.
The issue arises in that it is an absolute nightmare to get the hitch on to the ball. I don't mean engaging the friction pads, I mean getting the ball to engage correctly. We managed it yesterday after plenty of wiggling but I don't think I'd be able to do it myself which is a problem being the able bodied one!
Any ideas?
I have thought of taking it into work and getting a bit taken off the ball, but then thought what if too much is removed? Is not clever is it really!
Thanks in advance


Personromany girl
08/2/2015 at 9:27am
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It could be the positioning of the hitch over the ball before you start to wind down which is causing you the problem. With the old style hitches it was easy to see where the actual hitch coupling was on the drawbar and line it up easily. With our Winterhoff hitch, l find that this is set further back with about 2cm of plastic trim before the actual socket is located.

I now find that l have to feel with my fingers where the socket within the hitch head is, and make sure its allignment with the towball is correct before winding down onto it. There is a knack to using this type of hitch, and it did take us a few times before we could use it with ease.

Julia

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Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife

Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!


PersonTaylor56
08/2/2015 at 9:47am
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Make sure all the handles are in the upright position and as romany girl says make sure the coupling is lined up spot on.We have an Alko and its not easy to see what you are doing,having no grease on the ball may make make it stick until its been used a few times but do not put any on.
Do not alter the ball or the hitch,maybe have the friction pads looked at as they may not be seated properly.
After 15 years of caravanning ours still wont drop unless it is in the correct position.
Also when you unhitch make sure the hitch is not compressed after reversing as this stops it lifting,just drop forwards slightly.


Personmillermicm
08/2/2015 at 10:16am
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Whatever you do, do not take anything off the ball. This could ultimately result in unplanned detachment. Something is not right. It should slip on quite easily.

Do you have an ALKO ball to match your ALKO hitch? If not it could be snagging. Otherwise it is probably worth investing in help from a friendly knowledgeable local or a srvice engineer. It's a bit of a shot in the dark without seeing it.

Checking the obvious - you have not got the jockey wheel up too high to let it down have you?

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Steve


PersonGreendemon315
08/2/2015 at 10:43am
 Location: Blackburn Lancashire
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Just feel around inside the hitch. Maybe one of the friction pads isn't seated right, or there is some other problem.
If that is clear, make sure you are right over it, and lift the handle as far as it will go. Not the stabiliser, the smaller one.
Otherwise, just get someone with experience to have a look. They should tell you what is wrong straight away.

Jim


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PersonLlaniDavis
08/2/2015 at 4:18pm
 Location: Llanidloes Powys
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What do you mean by a "horizontal type"?
Have you ensured that the pads inside have properly disengaged?
Have both the handles been completely raised?
Do NOT machine the ball!! That would be highly dangerous!!

Link to the handbook and Instruction, which might help:
www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/handbooks/aks-3004-handbook.pdf


Personnanashirley
08/2/2015 at 5:04pm
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Is the Thule tow ball suitable for an Alko Hitch?
Have a look at an alko tow ball
http://www.al-ko.co.uk/pages/towball.html
and compare with your Thule tow ball.


Personjennygirlx
08/2/2015 at 5:44pm
 Location: Dumfries
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Thanks, I managed to get it hitched on my own on the way back and had a good look at the situation.
I got the ball spot on and could see it positioned correctly, it may not be an alko ball, though the fitter is decent and knew what he was on about (I spoke to several). Ultimately I stood on the hitch and gave it a 'jump'...
Had some creaking so think I'll take the pads out and give them a buff see if that helps. Thinking the dealer might have got grease on them at some point? The pads still have plenty of wear in them too.
Hmmm tows well and I am SURE it's not coming off as have the same problem detaching too!


PersonDaveS1
08/2/2015 at 7:16pm
 Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex
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Hi jennygirl.
At the risk of stating the obvious there is something wrong!
You should be able to hitch and unhitch without using any great deal of force. You certainly should not need to jump on it.
For your own peace of mind why not get your local dealer to have a look. It wouldn't cost much and if there is a safety problem it can be sorted there and then.
Daves1


PersonBoston600
08/2/2015 at 10:59pm
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I would get this looked at asap. Don't take any chances with a tow hitch.


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Personjennygirlx
09/2/2015 at 9:15am
 Location: Dumfries
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Right, have emailed the c&cc technical as i'm not even sure who to go back to at this stage.
Incidentally I seem to have the same trouble getting the alko safety ball in when putting the hitch lock on so i'm thinking its the hitch pads not disengaging or the tension being too high.
I'll wait to hear back from the club and give the guy I bought it off a ring have a warranty issue with the fridge anyway.


Personjennygirlx
09/2/2015 at 9:16am
 Location: Dumfries
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Erm, a few weeks for the club to get back he he
I'll just ring the dealer


PersonTaylor56
09/2/2015 at 10:00am
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The safety ball should go straight in and fall out when you lift the handle.
Definitely have it looked at.


Personnavver
09/2/2015 at 2:53pm
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Have you lifted the handle right up. Mine tends to feel as if it is but a good tug lifts it a bit more.


Personjennygirlx
10/2/2015 at 3:11pm
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Update: Got the dealer over and I don't want and name and shame as he is a small guy but the problem was lack of lubrication on the hitch as it had been sitting and water had got in. He took about an hour taking is to bits and stuff so should be ok now. Still tempted to get my usual mobile engineer to have a peek really . So much for pre delivery checks etc...
The C&CC technical however got back to me within 24h though, and their diagnosis was spot on!


Personkazo2014
10/2/2015 at 4:50pm
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what? lubrication? I thought that this was about an alko hitch? in that case you do not use lube of any sort on the tow ball or the stabiliser wont work! your towball needs to be totally clean of rust/paint so rub it over with some emery paper and then a quick spray of brake cleaner before hitching is all that's needed, but NO LUBE AT ALL



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