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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: car-nut on 17 June 2011, 21:52:15

Title: Question about a faulty Alko Stabilizer Hitch.
Post by: car-nut on 17 June 2011, 21:52:15

I have a caravan with a hitch that has the built in anti snaking technology. It hitched onto my car perfectly 3 weeks ago. And now all olf a sudden it wont hitch up to anything as the gap from the sides is too small on the hitch itself. What could be causing this fault?

Title: Re: Question about a faulty Alko Stabilizer Hitch.
Post by: Tonka. on 17 June 2011, 22:06:37

Sounds like the pads are in the 'stabiliser' position for travelling.
If its a 1300 the pad setter thing on each side of the head may need unwinding with a bit of persuasion.  ;)

Title: Re: Question about a faulty Alko Stabilizer Hitch.
Post by: car-nut on 18 June 2011, 00:22:06

How do I do that?

Title: Re: Question about a faulty Alko Stabilizer Hitch.
Post by: car-nut on 18 June 2011, 11:04:09

There is only one thing sticking out on one side of the head that looks adjustable. I will fiddle with it later. But if I can't get this sorted I am stuffed as it means I can't move the caravan! :'(

Title: Re: Question about a faulty Alko Stabilizer Hitch.
Post by: hercules on 18 June 2011, 14:58:05

sounds like an aks1300,as you facew the caravan the left side is a handle that ratchets when screwed in,usually the problem with them is if you unscrew the handle too far to release the system it rides over the clip that holds the pad in.if you look at it from the side in the centre of the handle you will see the end of the pad and the clip,to release it you need to get a 13mm socket so that it goes over the clip and bray it with a hammeruntill the handle turns and remember that when you unscrew it to get the van off the vehicle to stop when you feel the resistence.also the other handle when you lift it up and down that the pad on that side is free.im not telling you how to suck eggs but dont grease it or spray wd40 or similar as some folk have done in the past  ;D

Title: Re: Question about a faulty Alko Stabilizer Hitch.
Post by: car-nut on 18 June 2011, 21:35:47

luckily it is not stuck on the car. I can't get it to hitch up to the car anymore. I will take a photo of the hitch tomorrow. But as you face the front of the caravan the handle the you push down once hitched to the car is on the right hand side. It is quite old and has lost most of its red paint lol.

Title: Re: Question about a faulty Alko Stabilizer Hitch.
Post by: car-nut on 18 June 2011, 22:23:56

I just had a search through my computer and found a photo of the hitch I took before I took it off my old caravan and fitted it to my current caravan.

This is the hitch I have got:

(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m624/crowej1/General/DSC03811cropped.jpg)

Title: Re: Question about a faulty Alko Stabilizer Hitch.
Post by: hercules on 18 June 2011, 23:00:13

Quote

I just had a search through my computer and found a photo of the hitch I took before I took it off my old caravan and fitted it to my current caravan.

This is the hitch I have got:

(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m624/crowej1/General/DSC03811cropped.jpg)

jesus,car nut half that hitch is missing.do you not realise how important the hitch is and if that is how you are towing your van around and its how you are mechanically minded how have you stayed out of prison and not killed anyone(all these mods you do to your cars  are they safe)bloody ell repair that hitch or bin it :o

Title: Re: Question about a faulty Alko Stabilizer Hitch.
Post by: car-nut on 18 June 2011, 23:30:32

What is missing on it? I have had this caravan with the hitch in the picture fitted to my current caravan at a caravan specialist who never said anything about it.

That pic was taken when it was fitted to my old caravan which I towed for about a year with no problems.

Title: Re: Question about a faulty Alko Stabilizer Hitch.
Post by: car-nut on 18 June 2011, 23:37:08

Just looked at 2 identical hitches on Ebay and there is no difference between them and mine! Apart from they are not as tatty! So have no idea what you are on about. I am beginning to wonder if you know what you are on about!

I found this hitch on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=110700374703

Same as mine and can't see the difference!

As for it not being safe I know that is rubbish as it used to hook on the tow bar and be solid and secure.

So if you can enlighten me. I am prepared to listen.

Title: Re: Question about a faulty Alko Stabilizer Hitch.
Post by: car-nut on 18 June 2011, 23:43:12

Are you on about this part?

http://www.tauntontrailers.co.uk/al-ko-aks-1300-stabiliser-replacement-ratchet-wheel-721-p.asp

Title: Re: Question about a faulty Alko Stabilizer Hitch.
Post by: hercules on 18 June 2011, 23:54:22

Quote

Just looked at 2 identical hitches on Ebay and there is no difference between them and mine! Apart from they are not as tatty! So have no idea what you are on about. I am beginning to wonder if you know what you are on about!

I found this hitch on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=110700374703

Same as mine and can't see the difference!

As for it not being safe I know that is rubbish as it used to hook on the tow bar and be solid and secure.

So if you can enlighten me. I am prepared to listen.

trust me i do it for a living to city and guilds standards and qualified.if a specialist fitted that hitch head and said it was ok dont go to him again.if you had an accident with that hitch in that condition you would be screwed and yes you may of towed with it like that and in the position when its not tensioned up to stabilise it is a hitch and you can tow with it but you havent got a complete hitch there so in the eyes of the law and safety you have a defective hitch

Title: Re: Question about a faulty Alko Stabilizer Hitch.
Post by: hercules on 18 June 2011, 23:55:51

Quote

Are you on about this part?

http://www.tauntontrailers.co.uk/al-ko-aks-1300-stabiliser-replacement-ratchet-wheel-721-p.asp

thats the baby

Title: Re: Question about a faulty Alko Stabilizer Hitch.
Post by: car-nut on 18 June 2011, 23:56:23

You still haven't answered my question? What is missing?

Title: Re: Question about a faulty Alko Stabilizer Hitch.
Post by: hercules on 18 June 2011, 23:59:46

Quote

You still haven't answered my question? What is missing?

ermmmmm that ratchet part

Title: Re: Question about a faulty Alko Stabilizer Hitch.
Post by: car-nut on 19 June 2011, 01:10:11

As it turns out, there is a design fault on the AKS 1300 and AL-KO will send out a new Ratchet Handle and the other little bits to fit it. In theory its free as it is an issue they advertised about. I have emailed them and am waiting to here back. So will have a new handle soon in theory. But if not I will buy a 2nd hand caravan hitch and fit it for now to use. Unless the trick in this link works http://www.eribaforum.co.uk/eriba%20amiga/pdf/Alko_ratchetjam.pdf