AL-KO Tow Balls

[GordonN_5040466]

My van has an AL-KO hitch. I usually change my tow ball when I want to tow my trailer which does not have an AL-KO hitch. Question - Is this really necessary?

 

[Mike_5041089]

Gordon - you only need to do this if your Alko hitch incorporates a stabilizer, which as you may know clamps the ball to damp lateral and vertical movements. It is therefore essential to keep this ball completely grease free to avoid contaminating the friction pads. Your trailer ball may be greasy.

 

[BigAl1]

No need to swap towballs for trailer towing but be sure to clean all grease off before connecting your 'van.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I would just clean the grease off with thinners or brake cleaner etc

 

[Lutz]

Al-Ko towballs are universal and can be used with any other coupling but not necessarily vice-versa.

 

[JohnE1]

While on this subject, if you break down and are recovered, make sure the recovery operator does not connect your stabiliser type coupling to their greased ball without cleaning it first.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

According to this months CC mag (so it must be true!) "Green Flag which operates the Club's own Mayday recovery service is well aware that its vehicles must be fitted with the right towball when rescuing caravaner's with Al-Ko stabilisers.The towball must be free of grease and must have sufficient clearance " So there we are--problem solved.If I had emoticons on this site it would be a Knowing wink !!