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Quite right.  Always lift it a couple of times, use the jockey wheel if you have to. It certainly wasn't locked on properly, or that wouldn't have happened.

Always worth checking everything before you go.  After we have pulled out of the pitch, we always stop and have a walk round where we've been, just to make sure everything's OK.

Jim

Quote: Originally posted by Greendemon315 on 15/4/2009

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Always worth checking everything before you go.  After we have pulled out of the pitch, we always stop and have a walk round where we've been, just to make sure everything's OK.

Jim

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 A couple of minutes checking locks,roof vents and hitches can save a lot of heartache.  

Have you got an alko towball as well as an Alko hitch?  Lots of people don't realise that the ball is different.  It has a 'sharper' angle at the neck end and a longer neck, which allows the Alko hitch to grip properly.   If you don't have this, then it could possibly have allowed the hitch to jump off the ball, especially if it was knocked from underneath.

The normal 'globe-shape' towball has to be replaced when you get an Alko hitch -with the special Alko towball which you can buy at any caravan dealer.

We have an ALKO stabaliser and the dealer said the tow ball must be free of grease, could that be the cause.  As said in posts, to lift up the caravan drawbar to check it is on right is a good tip, we will certainly do that in future.  When we hitch I know my OH is thinking that other people will be watching and it does make you hurry a bit. When we hitched up last week the one-way site road was very narrow so we were blocking it and just like busses, no cars around and then two cars both wanting to come past at the same time.  My OH got in and reversed back to let them pass and therefore forgot to wind up the jockey wheel.  Fortunately our friends spotted that and told us or we may have driven home with it down.

Carol

happened to my dad a few years ago unfortunately it was an old van and hadn't been serviced and was damaged beyond repair

Had it happen with a boat on a trailer many years ago, the trailer passed me on the inside as I was slowing down to turn into my drive, it went over a front lawn and hit a tree, that stopped it!

Inthe days before breakaway cables were fitted , or the trailer did,nt have one.

Since then I have always checked the hitch by lifting the draw bar, it scared me all right.

I agree with karim, but it does worry me that the towball might be the wrong one & not the extended neck one needed, for alco's

Keith