ALKO Hitch Handle won’t lock in open position

[EuroOz]

Our Alko 2004 (red handle) small black hitch handle won’t lock into the open position when hitching up - it springs vs m down so you have up manually hold it open while raising/lowering jockey wheel - anyone know how to fix this?

 

[Damian]

The handle pulls the locking tongue back but it does require occasional cleaning and lubricating.
You could try using brake cleaner(NOT brake fluid !!) to give the whole insides of the hitch a good clean, especially the locking tongue and its moving parts, then a squirt of copper grease only on the locking tongue.
Do NOT get the grease on the friction pads.

Some units just need a really good pull into the open position.

 

[EuroOz]

The handle pulls the locking tongue back but it does require occasional cleaning and lubricating.
You could try using brake cleaner(NOT brake fluid !!) to give the whole insides of the hitch a good clean, especially the locking tongue and its moving parts, then a squirt of copper grease only on the locking tongue.
Do NOT get the grease on the friction pads.

Some units just need a really good pull into the open position.

Thanks Damian, I’ll give that a try

 

[EuroOz]

Thanks Damian, gave it a good flooding with brake cleaner which did the trick nicely. I’ll try to track down some copper grease at an auto store - thanks again!

 

[Woodentop]

Thanks Damian, gave it a good flooding with brake cleaner which did the trick nicely. I’ll try to track down some copper grease at an auto store - thanks again!

3-in-1 do an aerosol copper grease - and lithium grease for that matter.

 

[Hobbyt600]

Rather than use grease on the locking tongue, you might instead try WD-40 PTFE spray

https://www.wd40.com/products/dry-lube/

This is generally available (Screwfix, Toolstation, etc.) for around £7 for the 400ml size and - as the WD-40 advert says - has no oily/greasy residue on which muck can collect.