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mine is hard to put down,would worried if it was not. not sure which you have

http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/support/AKS3004Handbook.pdf

Personally I'd take it to reputable dealer, and get it checked out. You have a problem.

The dealer who sent you on your way, with a non-alko towball is a criminal and a danger to the public. Using  the wrong towball CAN UNCOUPLE YOUR VAN (this is the voice of experience).

The levers should push down to horizontal: its a tough push, but NOT a MALLET job. IF  the dealer couldn't close it, then its wrong.

The reason they need to go to horizontal: the system "overlocks", if it doesn't close to horizontal, it can/will open again while you're driving.

As always: your stabilizer is not an essential bit of kit: BUT IF IT IS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY it is a potential hazard.

Please be sure to use your breakaway cable. You might save someone else's life.

Soory to be such a ray of sunshine,

Iain

If you remove the little red grommets from the side of the head you can tap the pads out with a screwdriver or a punch,one may have snapped,they go back in quite easily.

There could also be washers fitted behind the pads,take these off and refit the pads.There should be quite a bit of resistance when you push the lever down but you should not have to hit it.

An alko ball is the same diameter as a normal ball it just has more clearance for the head as it is bigger as it needs more room to rotate and this is what can cause it to lift it off a normal ball ,the pads just clamp on to the side of the ball.

It should not make a difference if the stabiliser is used or not the van should be safe on the tow ball.The stabiliser does not hold the van on to the car it just causes resistance to movement

There are also pads in the top of the head are these seating correctly when you first hitch up,try winding the jockey wheel back up once the van is on the car.

Whatever you do don't take it back to the numpty with the hammer.

Andy 

http://www.eribaforum.co.uk/eriba%20amiga/pdf/Alko_ratchetjam.pdf 

if you look here it tells you how to fix the fault with your alko 1300

Hi, i have the alko 1300 and my ratchet wheel is stuck in the locked position, any ideas on how to free it? Thanks Phil

Seems to be a re occurring theme here.  I had a very similar issue.  I tapped the 1300 relatively softly on the side with a mallet to release it.

I was on site at the time, which was worrying, as I needed to get back home that morning.  I'll take a standard hitch with me on the next hol just in case.

Tony B