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Subject Topic: Almost there with TLC
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Personichiefeet
21/10/2014 at 10:06am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Avondale Argent 460 2 View ichiefeet's Profile View Profile   Reply to ichiefeet Reply   Quote ichiefeet Quote  
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The mobile fitter came yesterday and fitted a new shiny handbrake - Breakaway cable and changed the offending grey cable to restore the 12v side successfully.

So, we're almost there as I have a new front cover for the fire on order and have sought out replacement rims for the wheels. I'll leave the old ones on as advised as winter wheels.

The old girl is now back to her former glory but for this one slight niggle that I'm having trouble understanding.

This ALKO 1300 hitch. Should I/Can I, change it for an up to date one? Do I need to?
I'm not even sure how this works. Should the attachment procedure be - Attach to van with the lever up then press home, as that's how I did it but there didn't seem to be any resistance. Have the fitter replace the pads if there are any? I'm a bit stumped.


Personleon copa
21/10/2014 at 11:27am
 Location: seaham co durham
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hi you can still get the pads off ebay if look . lift the handle in the middle up and other handle as well turn the handle or what ever you want to call it off a bit .it says if am wrong on or off .turn a couple of times to off then lower onto tow bar .the handle in the middle will drop down as in pic the button at the front will go green . then push other handle down then turn handle on other side to on .you will see handle on other side start to move towards the middle I give mine about six turns or so . taking it off the tow bar do the oppitse .I have used mine like that for last 3 years and never come off or had a wobble on when on the roads


Personichiefeet
21/10/2014 at 11:48am
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Thank you. I wondered what that was for. I'll try that on the car as soon as this monsoon is over. I really had no idea how to correctly operate the thing.


Personmadasaman
21/10/2014 at 4:09pm
 Location:  Wales
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When you turn the wheel at the side, the hitch moves to the side till it touches the towball both sides. The ratchet should then come into play when correct pressure is attained, you will hear it clicking.

-------------
74,going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder


Personichiefeet
21/10/2014 at 6:34pm
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Quote: Originally posted by madasaman on 21/10/2014
When you turn the wheel at the side, the hitch moves to the side till it touches the towball both sides. The ratchet should then come into play when correct pressure is attained, you will hear it clicking.


Thank you. That's another job done. My fire front cover arrives tomorrow so we're ' almost ' finished restoring her to her best. All we need now is some weather to go with all the work, so we can try it all out.


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Personleon copa
21/10/2014 at 7:38pm
 Location: seaham co durham
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if u get board u can come fix mine theres a few little jobs


Personichiefeet
22/10/2014 at 9:40am
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Quote: Originally posted by leon copa on 21/10/2014
if u get board u can come fix mine theres a few little jobs



Always up for a visit to the Land of the Prince Bishops.


Personichiefeet
22/10/2014 at 2:16pm
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Another step forward. That's the new cover front for the gas fire delivered and fitted. All working as it should.

So my mind turns to a simple question:

Why would the previous owner NOT give the van the tlc and maintenance it needed? These things didn't go wrong overnight prior to it coming to us. A faulty fire, a faulty grey [ 12v ] cable and a faulty handbrake. What was he thinking I wonder? Their final caravanning experience in her must have not been that great.

Still she has a new lease of life and at only 11 years old she's almost like new again. Once the weather clears I'll get the cover off and a real clean and polish, will put her finally to rights. Just need somewhere to show her off now.


Personleon copa
22/10/2014 at 4:12pm
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hi ichiefeet have you tryed your van o
n your car yet

Post last edited on 22/10/2014 19:33:30


Personichiefeet
23/10/2014 at 9:31am
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Quote: Originally posted by leon copa on 22/10/2014
hi ichiefeet have you tryed your van o
n your car yet

Post last edited on 22/10/2014 19:33:30


Yes Leon. Everything is fine now that I understand the mechanics of the hitch. The fitter is booked to come back and change the friction pads on the hitch and the brake shoes once the weather tidies up. This is a great place to learn about the new systems. We started in a Ci Sprite nearly 30 years ago.


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Personfreckles63
23/10/2014 at 9:46am
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http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/handbooks/aks1300stabiliserlr.pdf

Hope this help, we acquired this stabilizer with our recently purchased caravan and didn't have a clue either.

-------------
"Close your eyes and pretend it's all a dream, that's how I get by"

DEB


Personichiefeet
23/10/2014 at 10:22am
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Quote: Originally posted by freckles63 on 23/10/2014http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/handbooks/aks1300stabiliserlr.pdf

Hope this help, we acquired this stabilizer with our recently purchased caravan and didn't have a clue either.


Thank you. I have that now. Its quite a good guide too. Specially for those who are a bit challenged like me. [ Age wize ].




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