Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Towball size Post Reply Post New Topic
Personcjward2
via mobile 05/7/2019 at 9:31pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View cjward2's Profile View Profile   Reply to cjward2 Reply   Quote cjward2 Quote  
Joined: 05/7/2019

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   6
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Hi, very new to this. I have bought a 1999 Pennine Fiesta folding camper. My dad had a tow bar fitted to find he had to change the towball for an Alko one. The camper I have purchased is a 4h drive away. Can anyone advise on the correct size towball. Don't want to arrive and not be able to hitch up. Thanks in advance for any comments. (I assumed a towbar would tow anything)


PersonGrampian91
05/7/2019 at 11:23pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Its not the towball size but the longer neck required if the trailer has a stabiliser hitch fitted.

Stabiliser you need the longer neck and no grease, standard non stabilised hitch either will work and you grease the ball.

Dont let grease get near the stabiliser hitch and clean the paint off.




mondeoman.50webs.com/towballs.jpg





Picture not showing?

http://mondeoman.50webs.com/towballs.jpg









Post last edited on 05/07/2019 23:30:44


Personcjward2
via mobile 06/7/2019 at 9:01am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View cjward2's Profile View Profile   Reply to cjward2 Reply   Quote cjward2 Quote  
Joined: 05/7/2019

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   6
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Ok thanks. So if I just fit an Alko one I am guaranteed to be able to tow the camper?


Personalbomatty
via mobile 06/7/2019 at 12:48pm
 Location: Keyingham East Yourk
 Outfit: Geist 633 motorhome View albomatty's Profile View Profile   Reply to albomatty Reply   Quote albomatty Quote  
Joined: 22/8/2006

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   181
Site Reviews Total: 8
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 6
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 11
Site Nights 2018: 0
Yes , the Alko tow ball just gives extra clearance to accommodate the stabilizer hitch if fitted.


PersonDarrenElbrow
via mobile 06/7/2019 at 8:17pm
 Location: Poole Dorset
 Outfit: Conway Challenger 1997 View DarrenElbrow's Profile View Profile   Reply to DarrenElbrow Reply   Quote DarrenElbrow Quote  
Joined: 30/7/2016

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   188
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
It’s very unlikely that a Fiesta has a stabiliser type Alko hitch on it. They only weigh 5-600kgs. I’ve only ever seen one on the larger 6 berth campers. Even then they’re not really necessary. I’d get the seller to send you some pictures of the hitch. Alko make most of the chassis for the campers and some folks get confused with the two hitches. We had a standard tow bar on our last car and towed our Conway Challenger with no issues. Our current car has a detachable swan neck type due to the shape of the rear bumper. The Challenger and Fiesta are pretty much the same camper. They tow really well without a stabiliser hitch, which are designed for the poor aerodynamic stability of a caravan


Advertisement



PersonGrampian91
07/7/2019 at 1:45pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Dont know why they bother making the old style towball.

OK its a big more compact than than the one required for a stabiliser but if thats an issue there are plenty of options for a detachable towbat these days.

Found a few detachable towbars thar were cheaper than fixed flange towbars. Maybe a clearance/sale item? But not a huge price gap for most cars.


Personcjward2
via mobile 07/7/2019 at 5:56pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View cjward2's Profile View Profile   Reply to cjward2 Reply   Quote cjward2 Quote  
Joined: 05/7/2019

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   6
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Thanks for your replies everyone. Will just get the newer Alco compatible towball.


Personjosey60
14/7/2019 at 7:29pm
 Location: Blackpool Lancashire
 Outfit: Conway countryman. View josey60's Profile View Profile   Reply to josey60 Reply   Quote josey60 Quote  
Joined: 08/7/2010

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   819
Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 7
Site Nights 2022: 8
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Quote: Originally posted by cjward2 on 07/7/2019
Thanks for your replies everyone. Will just get the newer Alco compatible towball.


At least if you have an Alko hitch fitted and the Fiesta turns out to have a standard hitch you will still be able to tow it.


-------------
Exercise every day and Die Healthy....

JOSEY60


Personnavver
14/7/2019 at 8:05pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4663
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I have an Alko hitch stabiliser and a standard tow ball. It all fits and works and hasn't caused any problems at all.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

7191 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder