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Topic: Alko tow ball

slapheadgeoff

17/12/2012 at 6:54pm
Location: Bristol
Outfit: Bailey Pageant Champagne & C-max

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Hi, I have bought a tow ball to take an Alko hitch.

Can anyone tell me, please, if I need to scrape off the black coating on the new ball before I connect the caravan. The Alko hitch works byfriction and I'm a bit worried that if this coating is paint that it might destroy the friction properties in the hitch.

On the same vein, as I have bought a secondhand van, would the used hitch pads need adjusting to fit the new ball properly ?

Thank you in advance for any replies.

Geoff

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slapheadgeoff

millermicm

17/12/2012 at 6:58pm
Location: west country
Outfit: None Entered

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Just a light rubbing with sandpaper or "wet and dry" paper, steel wool or anything similar. It comes off very easily.

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nathplummer

17/12/2012 at 7:01pm
Location: Halesowen West Midlands
Outfit: Swift Rapide 4 Berth & Renault Scenic

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Hi Geoff,

I have just been through this myself. Yes you will need to remove the paint from the ball part using a fine emery paper. Some people dont bother doing this.

You should be able to adjust the pads accordingly. There should be a visual gauge/markers on the hitch to give you a guide to how worn your pads are.

Hope this helps

geoff+emmy

17/12/2012 at 7:08pm
Location: Huddersfield
Outfit: swift conqueror 645+jeep commander

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Then give it a quick wipe with brake cleaner to make sure its grease and dirt free

slapheadgeoff

17/12/2012 at 7:12pm
Location: Bristol
Outfit: Bailey Pageant Champagne & C-max

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Thank you all, It's off to B&Q now then !!

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slapheadgeoff

G7ACU

17/12/2012 at 8:22pm
Location: West Mids
Outfit: Swift Ace Statesman & X-Trail 2.0

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Hi Geoff.

You don't mention which Alko hitch, but I assume it's the AKS3004. The previous comments are correct with regards to removing the paint etc., however officially there's no adjustment available on the friction pads.
If you haven't got a copy, you might find the user guide useful for the hitch; you'll find a copy by clicking here

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Paul

Every day's a school day!

tango55

18/12/2012 at 12:44am
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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When you have removed all the paint from the towball it is advisable to spray the towball with clutch and brake cleaner as 'geoff+emmy' has said but also spray inside up inside the hitch too onto the pads to remove any contamination. When you drop the hitch onto the towball you will see a small red/green peg rise up, this is to indicate that the hitch is fully connected when the green shows. If the green peg doesn't show then it's an indication that the internal friction pads need replacing.

Highlander09

18/12/2012 at 1:39pm
Location: Wigtownshire
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I have a small bag with a bit of wire wool, a tin of brake cleaner and some paper wipes so that I can clean the ball before hitching. I've been amazed how much rust a "clean" ball can get in a week on site next to the sea (even with a tow ball cover fitted).

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David

slapheadgeoff

18/12/2012 at 11:13pm
Location: Bristol
Outfit: Bailey Pageant Champagne & C-max

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Thank you for all your contributions, especially yours G7ACU. Having read the download I now understand how the system works and I'll feel a lot better picking up the van on Thursday.

Happy Christmas to all of you.

Geoff

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slapheadgeoff

slapheadgeoff

18/12/2012 at 11:13pm
Location: Bristol
Outfit: Bailey Pageant Champagne & C-max

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Thank you for all your contributions, especially yours G7ACU. Having read the download I now understand how the system works and I'll feel a lot better picking up the van on Thursday.

Happy Christmas to all of you.

Geoff

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slapheadgeoff

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