Message Forums

We are about to get a new caravan which has an Alko stabiliser hitch.

We tow with a 2005 Mondeo

I know I have to change the tow ball to one of the type with an extended neck.

My question is, do I need to use a spacer behind the new tow ball to give clearance beteween the car and the stabiliser hitch?

Can anyone who tows with a Mondeo and has a van with an Alko stabiliser answer this one please?

Hi Trev

Did have a Mondeo till this year towed our f/camper with alko and our new van with alko both alko's where different models the one on the Folding camper about 3 years old and one on van new last year with van both fitted on no problem my Mondeo was a 53 hatch.

Gerry

I tow with a mark3 mondeo with a standard witter towbar and Alko ball with no added spacer. It's the best towcar I have ever had.

Quote: Originally posted by arc systems on 24/11/2007

---

I found I needed a 16mm spacer for the Alko hitch to clear my bumper protector while turning, otherwise it rubs on it and bends it back out of the way.

---

My Alko does not come anywhere near my stostop bumber protector. Are you sure that they fitted the Alko stabiliser ball? It has an extended neck to cope with those problems.

Bill, both an Alko and standard ball are the same distance from the mounting bracket, only the vertical clearance below an Alko ball differs from standard by roughly 10mm.

Mine had plenty of clearance when hitching up straight but I kept arriving on site to find the protector bend back, it was the scuff marks showed the 2004/3004 hitch was bending it en-route while turning.

It does not actually need the 16mm, probably about half that, to me my stainless protector instead of being straight, could have been made with a simply 'dog leg' bend in it's  neck to move it back out the way without the need of a spacer.

I tow with a 2004 TDCi Zetec estate that has a standard Witter bar & Alko ball and Alko stabiliser on the van.

The hitch is marked where, I believe, it used to scrape the previous owners protector plate. I don't have a protector plate and it clears the bumper no problem when towing. The only issue I get is that when unhitching after reversing the damper moves the hitch forward and the hitch can hit the bumper cover so I have a scratched bumper cover - which is a good argument for having a protector plate! If this is going to be an issue then I would agree that a 8-10mm spacer would be ideal.

I'm due a new company car in March '08 - Anyone got a new model Mondeo diesel yet?

Quote: Originally posted by Adams42 on 01/12/2007

---

 The only issue I get is that when unhitching after reversing the damper moves the hitch forward and the hitch can hit the bumper cover so I have a scratched bumper cover - which is a good argument for having a protector plate! If this is going to be an issue then I would agree that a 8-10mm spacer would be ideal.

---

Thanks for all of your advice.

I have tried it now with an Alko tow ball and there is sufficient clearance. I don't have a bumper protector fitted.

Trev