Just had van ( 2010 Bailey ) serviced and
they recommend I return it for a more detailed check of my Alko Hitch due to
vertical movement. They say it may require new one fitting. The van has only
done aprox 2000 miles, has stood for the last year and the issue was not picked
up then. I’ve mailed Alko for some advice and to see if there any standards to
which should be applied, ( i.e. amount of movement allowed ) There’s about 10mm
vertical movement at present. Anyone had this fedback before? Any advice..looking like an expensive repair otherwise
This will show what's involved. It could be the bushes are worn. They can be replace but a dealer will probably just fit a new hitch head for a couple of hundred squids.
I had this problem... it was due to lack of grease, van had also just been mobile serviced, called the guy and explained that the hitch was wobbling vertically, told me that he probably hadn't put enough grease through.... I got the grease gun out, and cured it in three or four pumps.
Been absolutely fine since,Give it a go.
Hi, Cheers for the posts. Apparently they have removed the grease and re packed it with new grease. I am looking at more and more people stating their hitches are the same.
I plan to visit a new showroom soon to check out a new one before i give them the go ahead to check it out.
Alko as of yet, have not repsonded to my email so still waiting on that side.
Are you talking about greasing the nipples on hitch damper draw tube or the hitch receiver that goes into towball? Is it a standard hitch you have & not a stabiliser hitch that should not be greased? If its a standard hitch then new part is only £30odd & 10min job to replace so if you think its worn then replace it.
Sounds odd though because standard hitches often last the life of the caravan 20yrs. There should be no up & down movement of draw tube bushes. Draw tube should be smooth sliding fit. If new bushes are required they usually need reaming. Job would take a couple of hours in workshop.