HI I'm a returnee to caravaning last towed about 20 yrs ago.A short time ago the car and caravan parted company the indicator on the al-ko was green and I tested with jockey wheel.Luckely we were only doing about 10-15 mph but the issue I have is that the caravan did a right turn acrossthe road into a driveway ,fortunately damage was minimal.I thought the emergency brake stopped the 'van in a straight line but repairer said this was normal ! has anyone had any experience or information on alko's coming unhitched or emergency braking
al-ko
- Thread starter aitchy4219
- Start date
I can see that the van not stopping in a straight line might be common if not serviced correctly but I can't see that it is "normal" or what you should expect. Surely the braking should act on both wheels more or less equally? Otherwise in an emergency stop when connected the caravan would tend to pull the car to one side.
An update on un-hitching.I 've discovered that al-ko hitches need an al-ko towball,could this explain un-hitching.Al-ko's website warns this could happen with standard ball
The only reason the AL-KO AKS hitch head needs a matching towball is because it has more clearance and is machined underneath to be a bit taller.
Anyway, even using an AKS hitch on a non AL-KO ball would not let it unhitch itself. It would only be at risk of damage and poor articulation in extreme circumstances.
Just because it was showing as "green" does not necessarily mean it was correctly hitched. It is very easy to get a mis-hitch, one of my major gripes with the AL-KO system. The Winterhoff is vastly superior IMHO since the stabiliser part cannot be engaged unless the hitch is correctly located on the towball. Anyway, I digress.
I find the best way of hitching the AL-KO is to test it by trying to lift it off with the jockey wheel after it has locked. Yes, it's a pain and yes, I consider it essential for peace of mind with this less than perfect system. In an ideal world the Winterhoff hitch head would fit the AL-KO chassis.
As regards the matter of the van not pulling up straight, things like loading and road surface all have a bearing on this. In a car we have the steering wheel to prevent this.
Dom.
Anyway, even using an AKS hitch on a non AL-KO ball would not let it unhitch itself. It would only be at risk of damage and poor articulation in extreme circumstances.
Just because it was showing as "green" does not necessarily mean it was correctly hitched. It is very easy to get a mis-hitch, one of my major gripes with the AL-KO system. The Winterhoff is vastly superior IMHO since the stabiliser part cannot be engaged unless the hitch is correctly located on the towball. Anyway, I digress.
I find the best way of hitching the AL-KO is to test it by trying to lift it off with the jockey wheel after it has locked. Yes, it's a pain and yes, I consider it essential for peace of mind with this less than perfect system. In an ideal world the Winterhoff hitch head would fit the AL-KO chassis.
As regards the matter of the van not pulling up straight, things like loading and road surface all have a bearing on this. In a car we have the steering wheel to prevent this.
Dom.
Dom, I thought the WS3000 would fit Alko chassis, seem to recall they are supplied with differing 'collars' to allow fittment to most units. I may be wrong but if anyone is thinking of changing it is worth checking.
Graham, if that's true (winterhoff fits ALKO chassis) are you able to point me at a document or something which confirms this please? I'd be forever indebted if you can. I've had 4 "Professional" opinions, 2 said no, 1 said yes and 1 wasn't sure.
If it's possible without compromising safety then I would do it in a flash.
The 'van is a 2011 Coachman Amara 640/6 and has the ATC system fitted. The current hitch head is the ALKO AKS3004
Thanks
Dom
PS, sorry for thread hijack
If it's possible without compromising safety then I would do it in a flash.
The 'van is a 2011 Coachman Amara 640/6 and has the ATC system fitted. The current hitch head is the ALKO AKS3004
Thanks
Dom
PS, sorry for thread hijack
Dom
My Hymer is on a ALKO chassis ( 1600 MTPLM ) & when i bought it, it had a ALKO aks 2000 fitted.
As i was unsure how much use it previously had i swapped the original ALKO hitch for a
Winterhoff ws3000 stabiliser i have had no problem fitting or using it for the last three years,
The old ALKO is now fitted on my trailer.
Here is the Assembly and operating instruction link
My Hymer is on a ALKO chassis ( 1600 MTPLM ) & when i bought it, it had a ALKO aks 2000 fitted.
As i was unsure how much use it previously had i swapped the original ALKO hitch for a
Winterhoff ws3000 stabiliser i have had no problem fitting or using it for the last three years,
The old ALKO is now fitted on my trailer.
Here is the Assembly and operating instruction link
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