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Hi all,

Posted this earlier today but like several other posts it has disappeared down the cyberspace plughole.We have just arranged to buy a new van that has an Alko 2004 Hitch.I also use a small trailer fairly regularly. The hitch on the trailer is liberally coated in grease.I know that the Alko should be dry so that the friction pads work the stabiliser.

What I want to know is; Assuming I degrease the small trailers hitch, will it cause any problems in using it without the grease and could it cause damage to the towball.

Thanks in advance

Hiya emmit,

It would appear that what Wildie is saying is true.  The old type of hitches had plenty of fresh grease on them to avoid 'metal to metal' friction.  The Alko works dry because it has friction pads preventing swing, but also avoiding metal to metal contact.....your trailer, on the other hand, if it was dry would create a metal to metal situation and thus damage both parts of the hitch.

Good Luck,

Les Wilson

What sort of grease should you put in, & is it best to plaster it on the ball or shove it in the cup?

There doesn't seem to be any grease on the ball or in the cup at the moment on mine, completely forgot to think about it before, doh! Shouldn't the dealers have done this when they serviced the camper?

Hi Again,

Thanks for the replies. You have confirmed what I suspected in that the two trailers are incompatable. On the grounds that the Caravan and hitch are expensive items 'we' have just discussed the options. We have decided to totally degrease the small trailers hitch.To avoid the metal to metal contact we are going to cover the ball with a piece of plastic sheet prior to connecting up. We have done this before to stop towball 'chatter' and, over the short distances we tend to use it, it seems to work. I do take on board the necessity of making absolutly sure that before we use the 'van we make sure there isn't any grease on the ball. Thanks to Ethel in particular for her suggestion of Meths. to clean the ball We have a bottle in the garage. I will transfer it to the front locker with a rag.. 

Dear Scampi,

Thanks for that. It is brand spanking new. In fact, as I type this, it isn't yet built. Apparently they start building it on week commencing 4/7.Nice to see a Loiner thinking about money. This Loiner is doing missionary work down here in the West Country!!!.

Does no-one other than Jan have any idea what sort of grease I should use?

Jan I know the sort you mean, it's what we've always had and I've got a few pairs of jeans that will still prove it, but what the heck is it called?

Quote: Originally posted by bordercaz on 28/06/2005

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Does no-one other than Jan have any idea what sort of grease I should use?

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It doesn't really matter........
Whatever is available or cheapest!!!

If I remember I'll have a pot of grease in Daisy for Elvaston and let you have a splodge for your towball........

Aw thanks Fruit Boy. I owe you one.

It's not something I've ever had to do before 'cos the dealers always seem to supply caravans with the hitch already greased.