Hi
I'm new to caravanning - recently purchased a 97 Sterling Europa with Alko stabilizer fitted. However, I cannot get the lever on the stabilizer to go completely down. The hitch is fully engaged with the green bit on the button visible but the Alko lever sticking up about 45 degrees. Tows OK but I observe on other outfits that the lever appears fully down - any advice?
Cheers
sounds like you have the wrong tow ball fitted. is it a 50m ball? the pads are not locking on your tow ball if the arm isnt fully down. press down the arm with resonable force to lock it.
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There is an arrow on each of the outer discs just below the arms, when the arms are in the 45ยบ position these arrows should line up with the beginning (or slightly in front) of the indentations on the red centre this indicates a correct setting.
You need a fair bit of pressure to get the arms down from this position especially if the pads are new.
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Many thanks for the replies - a few points. I do have the correct Alko towball fitted. The lever cannot be forced down any further than about 45 degrees. One thing I didn't mention; when I first picked the caravan up from the vendor, when hitched onto my car, he applied the lever by hitting it with a rubber mallet! Again only to about 45Degrees, at that time my car had the standard 50mm ball not the Alko version - may this have caused some damage distortion? Any suggestions?
Cheers
Personally I'd take it to reputable dealer, and get it checked out. You have a problem.
The dealer who sent you on your way, with a non-alko towball is a criminal and a danger to the public. Using the wrong towball CAN UNCOUPLE YOUR VAN (this is the voice of experience).
The levers should push down to horizontal: its a tough push, but NOT a MALLET job. IF the dealer couldn't close it, then its wrong.
The reason they need to go to horizontal: the system "overlocks", if it doesn't close to horizontal, it can/will open again while you're driving.
As always: your stabilizer is not an essential bit of kit: BUT IF IT IS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY it is a potential hazard.
Please be sure to use your breakaway cable. You might save someone else's life.
If you remove the little red grommets from the side of the head you can tap the pads out with a screwdriver or a punch,one may have snapped,they go back in quite easily.
There could also be washers fitted behind the pads,take these off and refit the pads.There should be quite a bit of resistance when you push the lever down but you should not have to hit it.
An alko ball is the same diameter as a normal ball it just has more clearance for the head as it is bigger as it needs more room to rotate and this is what can cause it to lift it off a normal ball ,the pads just clamp on to the side of the ball.
It should not make a difference if the stabiliser is used or not the van should be safe on the tow ball.The stabiliser does not hold the van on to the car it just causes resistance to movement
There are also pads in the top of the head are these seating correctly when you first hitch up,try winding the jockey wheel back up once the van is on the car.
Whatever you do don't take it back to the numpty with the hammer.
Thanks for all the replies. Issue now sorted - I removed the friction pads and found 2 shims on one side, none on the other. Removed the shims, refitted the pads, checked the wear indicator OK and the stabilizer handle went down OK - needed a bit of effort but you could feel the over-centre effect. Problem solved I think.
It seems a previous owner may have had a worn tow ball, hence the shims but 2 on one side none on the other ??!!
Thanks so much for that piece of advice.. Have tried that before but for some reason not working this time.. will try again.. Am a bit scared to damage the unit by banging it with a hammer but will try again.. Many thanks. Lucien
Seems to be a re occurring theme here. I had a very similar issue. I tapped the 1300 relatively softly on the side with a mallet to release it.
I was on site at the time, which was worrying, as I needed to get back home that morning. I'll take a standard hitch with me on the next hol just in case.
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Topic: Alko Stabilizer query
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