I am picking my new caravan up on thurs and I forgot to look at the hook up (it had a cover on) the sellers think it is an alko one. I have an alko tow bar but if it is just a normal hook up can i tow it with a alko ball.
While we're on the subject, could someone help please? I have yet to couple up my van and tow it(long learning curve coming up!!)
Sorry in advance for the silly question, just that I thought I'd better check and ask the question anyway.
I have a westafalila SSK stabilizer fitted to my van and the instructions say 'suitable for use with towing hitch bar diameters of 45mm and 50mm'. I have no idea how to check whether the tow hitch and towball on my car is the right one for the 'van, how do you measure them? It came with the car so I've no idea if its the right one. My dad towed it home after I bought it and it was ok with his hitch.
I read in another post that someone had the wrong towball and their caravan kept coming off on every speed bump!!!
As stated in an earlier post the AL-KO bolt on ball will fit all situations so if you have a flange type tow bar on your car(ie cast metal towball fixed with 2 large bolts thru a flange)fit an AL-KO ball & you will be definately ok.
If your car has a swan neck towbar you will be ok for any hitch as there will be sufficent clearance. European ball size is always 50mm diameter whatever type of towbar you have.
Once you have coupled up, before stowing jockey wheel, always wind jockey wheel hard onto ground & watch back of car rise up with hitch to check you are coupled.
An Alko hitch will in most cases "fit" on a standard tow ball in a straight ahead position.Possibly making you think things are ok.
Its when you try turning that the Alko needs greater clearance between the ball and the towing vehicle.Its at this point you can do expensive damage to a plastic bumper, or the van is forced off the hitch.
Or Both!
I think most will agree that, when fitting a new/first time tow hitch to a vehicle, always fit an Alko type as it will serve all situations, and possibly will work out a lot cheaper in the long term.
------------- I started out with nothing and I've still got most of it left - Seasick Steve 2008
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Topic: Tow bars
