ALKO stabiliser bar - is it too old?

[ISTIAWAN]

Hi - it’s me again! Person with no experience and loads of questions!!!
My van has an Alko coupling head and it looks so shabby?! Should I replace it or will it last forever xx ?
PS
Funds are tight !

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hitches couplings do tend to last a long time, but not without maintenance. Its frankly impossible for any one on a forum to give you definitive answer about yours, as we cant see or touch it. You would be best to have it checked first hand by a trailer specialist.

Yours could range from being absolutely fine to needing replacement, or it might just need a service.

 

[ISTIAWAN]

Hitches couplings do tend to last a long time, but not without maintenance. Its frankly impossible for any one on a forum to give you definitive answer about yours, as we cant see or touch it. You would be best to have it checked first hand by a trailer specialist.

Yours could range from being absolutely fine to needing replacement, or it might just need a service.

Thanks so much - not sure where I find one of those but I will go to trusted Google 🤣❤️

 

[audiorob]

If you want to replace with a stabiliser head there is a detailed description on Caravan Guard website - Fitting an Alko AK3004 stabiliser . As Prof says it is not possible to evaluate your hitch from pictures, and to update to a stabiliser type would generally be money well spent for safety and security. New seem to be about £350 and while you do see them advertised used it’s not a compromise I would consider.

 

[Woodentop]

Looks to me like it just needs a good clean - much of what shows is just surface corrosion of the aluminium from which most of it is made - that's what happens if you don't protect the head when its not in use!
Accepting that funds are tight I would suggest you find a local mobile caravan service agent and as him/her to have a look at it. Will likely be cheaper than going to a caravan dealer or towing specialist.
Note that if it needs new friction pads in the head there are two types, one for sideways movement and one for pitching (i.e. up down. ) You can change them yourself if you have a good set of general tools, but each set will cost you north of £30 even from eBay.

 

[JTQ]

It is specifically an AL-KO, AKS 1300.
Armed with that identity you can find a lot more info on line and in YouTube videos etc.

IMO it looks sound, the area you should really focus on is the condition of the friction pads
SEE manual HERE

 

[Damian]

Looking at the pictures of your coupling it is not too bad, I have seen worse.

Obviously it hasbeen left exposed to the elements for a long time, but all it needs is a good clean, lubrication where needed and the pads checking and replacing if needed

 

[Raywood]

I wood agree with Woodentop in that but should not be a problem once cleaned and examined thoroughly. Possibly the condition might suggest a lack of maintenance though, so do check it out or have a professional examine it.

 

[ISTIAWAN]

I wood agree with Woodentop in that but should not be a problem once cleaned and examined thoroughly. Possibly the condition might suggest a lack of maintenance though, so do check it out or have a professional examine it.

How do I clean up the metal ? Such an eyesore currently xxx

 

[Hutch]

A wire brush in a drill and then paint it. Basic.

 

[audiorob]

A matt Hammerite coating would be in keeping and protective of the underlying casting.

 

[ISTIAWAN]

A wire brush in a drill and then paint it. Basic.

Hi Hutch - I’m still at this renovation!
I have wire brushed and am painting with hammerite hammered black.
As you know I know zero about vanning 🤣 I’m learning but what’s this please? It spins too - can I paint it 🤣🤣🤣 literally I am painting EVERYTHING 🤣🤣