Insurance Quotes

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register  Log In  Search  Latest Posts
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email
Subject Topic: Tow bar spacers with alko hitch
Post Reply
31/3/2006 at 6:47pm
 Location: Ashford Kent
 Outfit: BMW X4. No van :-(
View Di+Glyn_W's Profile View Profile   Reply to Di+Glyn_W Reply   Quote Di+Glyn_W Quote  
Joined: 08/7/2005

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   857

Site Reviews Total: 20
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 1 
Site Reviews 2021: 2 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 1
Site Nights 2021: 7
Site Nights 2020: 0

Just to return briefly to a topic visited many times before, a quick query.......

Alko do the handle modification for 4x4's fitted with rear mounted spare tyre.

Can the 'fouling' problem be cured by using a spacer on the towbar, as I understand that for some vehicles (in particular the Freelander) the problem is only a matter of an inch or so (story of my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Or am I barking up the wrong tree????

ta.



-------------
Glyn W.


What if the Hokey Cokey really is what it's all about....?


31/3/2006 at 7:51pm
 Location: Northumberland
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Provence 5 Ford Kuga
View shielsy's Profile View Profile   Reply to shielsy Reply   Quote shielsy Quote  
Joined: 17/5/2003

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1696

Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

Hi Glyn.

Im sure there has been a topic about spacers before,,,,,,,,, i wouldnt have thought it would be a good idea, with the spacers in it would put extra strain on the bolts, I think i'd be either chucking the spare in the boot or caravan rather than mess with the manufacturers guidlines of fitting the towbar.

Thats my opinion 



31/3/2006 at 8:15pm
 Location: N.Ireland
 Outfit: vw passat 2.0tdi estate argente 550 4
View tnb1's Profile View Profile   Reply to tnb1 Reply   Quote tnb1 Quote  
Joined: 04/2/2007

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   298

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

Hi Glyn, I have a Terrano and have difficullty hitching up at home due to the angle of my driveway. If I hitch up straight on there's no problem. My solution is to undo the handle of the stabilser with an allen key, hitch up then replace the handle again. It doesn't take long and is cheaper than buying the retro- fit handle for use with 4x4's

Try It

Paul

 

 

 



31/3/2006 at 8:44pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold
View michael's Profile View Profile   Reply to michael Reply   Quote michael Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   23517

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

hi by the time you have bought a spacer and longer bolts required,also having to remove the towball and fittings,i would think it cheaper to buy the alko handle.the new towbar rules say that some towbars must not have a spacer unless designed to take one.you would have to check with your towbar maker.ie witter/brink whatever.PS we have the 500/5 too,great van.love it.[:o)]



-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


31/3/2006 at 11:01pm
 Location: Ashford Kent
 Outfit: BMW X4. No van :-(
View Di+Glyn_W's Profile View Profile   Reply to Di+Glyn_W Reply   Quote Di+Glyn_W Quote  
Joined: 08/7/2005

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   857

Site Reviews Total: 20
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 1 
Site Reviews 2021: 2 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 1
Site Nights 2021: 7
Site Nights 2020: 0

Thanks for the info people,

obviously not as straight forward as I first thought!!!!

 

Michael......only got our van at the end of last year, first outing 8th April, really can't wait, and kids are raring to go!! Not heard any negatives, and always good to hear positive views of it!!

 



-------------
Glyn W.


What if the Hokey Cokey really is what it's all about....?


Advertisement



01/4/2006 at 6:39am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View thebill's Profile View Profile   Reply to thebill Reply   Quote thebill Quote  
Joined: 09/4/2005

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   209

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

I just bought a KIA Sorento and asked the garage to fit me a tow bar and he did ask if I had a alko hitch .He said it was a different fitting so I suppose each vehicle has its own method of dealing with it .


01/4/2006 at 10:56am
 Location: Middlesex
 Outfit: Sterling Searcher Isuzu Trooper
View Brit's Profile View Profile   Reply to Brit Reply   Quote Brit Quote  
Joined: 03/9/2003

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   114

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

I use the retro fit handle and its simple to use. I think it only cost about £25 which is worth it for a no-hassle solution. The arms with the handle removed only just miss my Toopers spare wheel metal cover but thats all it needs to do.

-------------
If at first you don't succeed then sky diving is not for you


01/4/2006 at 11:19am
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold
View michael's Profile View Profile   Reply to michael Reply   Quote michael Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   23517

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

Michael......only got our van at the end of last year, first outing 8th April, really can't wait, and kids are raring to go!! Not heard any negatives, and always good to hear positive views of it!!

they will love it.we are off to blackpool south on the 10th of this month and taking our 2 year old grandson for the week.hes like a wild duck let loose when we get to the camp sites.keep us young though,i think.[8D][:o)]



-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


01/4/2006 at 9:28pm
 Location: East Midlands
 Outfit: Coachman VIP 575.Santa Fe
View misterg's Profile View Profile   Reply to misterg Reply   Quote misterg Quote  
Joined: 09/12/2003

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1538

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

The dealer I bought mt Bailey from fitted quite a wide spacer to my tow bar.

What makes me annoyed is that AlKo have created nice side line from what is a design fault in the first place.



-------------
Mister G


02/4/2006 at 3:29pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold
View michael's Profile View Profile   Reply to michael Reply   Quote michael Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   23517

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

like thetford sell you a toilet top tank fluid that gives you black spots then sells you one to get rid of it.good business[;)]

-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


Advertisement

Roofbox


02/4/2006 at 4:57pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Chalkie56's Profile View Profile   Reply to Chalkie56 Reply   Quote Chalkie56 Quote  
Joined: 28/1/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1741

Site Reviews Total: 7
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

Michael you are not supposed to drink it..............


02/4/2006 at 6:01pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold
View michael's Profile View Profile   Reply to michael Reply   Quote michael Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   23517

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

LOL[8D] now you tell me[xx(]

-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

     Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...












    Upcoming Event

UKCS Meet Motorhome and Campervan Show Exeter 20/11 to 22/11

A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets


6940 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Special Offers]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Tent Reviews] 

[Contact Us] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026


Advertisement


Advertisement

Advertisement