Al-Ko problem

[Mark1962]

Hi all,
I‘m away touring Ireland at the moment and have encountered an issue with my Al-Ko. In a nutshell: when towing the handle that you push down to lock the system on the hitch gradually rises. Power is on, green light is on and nothing obvious is wrong. Any advice gratefully received.

Mark

 

[otherclive]

It could be dirt in stabiliser head, or on towball. Having power isn’t an issue as the stabiliser is independent of power to the ATC system. I would spray the tow ball with brake cleaner and wipe it clean. Also get underneath and spray the stabiliser hitch head with brake cleaner. Then with some light Emery cloth, or kitchen pan scourer pad clean the stabiliser friction pads. Then reapply a good squirt of brake cleaner whilst moving the stabiliser lever.

Are your pads still within limits for wear as shown in the stabiliser handbook, and the markings on the top side of the stabiliser head when you apply the stabiliser.

ALKO issued advice that the stabiliser handle may contact the handbrake cable and cause the former to rise when towing. The advice was to “tease” the handbrake lever 5-10mm away from the stabiliser handle. IE bend it gently.😱

 

[Mr Plodd]

Is there any appreciable resistance when you push the handle down? (There should be)
Sounds like perhaps one of the friction pads has broken/fallen out. Either way it needs looking at.
Don't panic though, the hitch won't come undone and the ATC will still function

 

[Dustydog]

Way back in 2005 there were a few similar problems. It seems the Al-ko handle was touching the handbrake. Road movement and the friction caused the disengagement experienced here. Check both for signs of rubbing. Carefully bend the hand brake lever away and see how it goes.

 

[Mark1962]

It could be dirt in stabiliser head, or on towball. Having power isn’t an issue as the stabiliser is independent of power to the ATC system. I would spray the tow ball with brake cleaner and wipe it clean. Also get underneath and spray the stabiliser hitch head with brake cleaner. Then with some light Emery cloth, or kitchen pan scourer pad clean the stabiliser friction pads. Then reapply a good squirt of brake cleaner whilst moving the stabiliser lever.

Are your pads still within limits for wear as shown in the stabiliser handbook, and the markings on the top side of the stabiliser head when you apply the stabiliser.

ALKO issued advice that the stabiliser handle may contact the handbrake cable and cause the former to rise when towing. The advice was to “tease” the handbrake lever 5-10mm away from the stabiliser handle. IE bend it gently.😱

Thank you

 

[Mark1962]

Way back in 2005 there were a few similar problems. It seems the Al-ko handle was touching the handbrake. Road movement and the friction caused the disengagement experienced here. Check both for signs of rubbing. Carefully bend the hand brake lever away and see how it goes.

Thank you

 

[otherclive]

Thank you

Hope that you get it sorted, it would be great if you could update us on the outcome.

 

[Mark1962]

Thanks folks. After examination: There are faint witness marks on the AlKo handle that are perfectly in line with the brake handle! I’m deducing that it was the brake rubbing against the stabiliser handle and causing it to disengage. I’ve given the brake handle a pretty hefty tweak to the left so hopefully all sorted. This trip is the first Ive undertaken on small winding roads so 🤞