Alko Towball

[Gagakev]

I'm about to embark into the Alko Hitch/Ball/ Stabaliser scenario, for the first time.
So the question is ,after cleaning all the paint off the towball with I presume a fine wet and dry paper, how do you keep it clean, surely it will start to gain surface rust etc even with a cover over it? Surely its not rubbed over everytime you hitch up?
Also is there any thing specific I need to know about this set up?
Thanks
Kev

 

[Damian]

Clean all the paint until bright and shiny then clean with Brake Cleaner.
Keep covered when not in use and clean EACH TIME before hitching up with brake cleaner and a scouring pad if only light contamination or fine wet & dry if more. Finally a squirt of brake cleaner to remove any bits.
Do not use any grease at all anywhere on the towball or hitch head.
Occasionally give the friction pads a clean with brake cleaner too.

 

[Gagakev]

Thanks Damien, off to the shops tomorrow to stock up, cheers
Kev

 

[Mel]

Hi Do you have the right towball. If it is a fixed ball, you need one with an extended neck.
mel
BTW do you have a hitch lock that fits an Alko stabiliser. I have one surplus to requirement. (bought a new van with a winterhoff stabiliser
mel

 

[Gagakev]

Hi Do you have the right towball. If it is a fixed ball, you need one with an extended neck.
mel
BTW do you have a hitch lock that fits an Alko stabiliser. I have one surplus to requirement. (bought a new van with a winterhoff stabiliser
mel

Hi Mel, yes have got the genuine Alko Tow ball being delivered this week.
When I looked at the van there was a hitchlock on the van but the dealer said it was there own. So i argued that it was on the van when I looked at it, so it should stay on it!!!! The sales assistant then blabbed on about waiting for the manager to return (from the NEC) before making a decision.
So I still dont know if I have one or not!!!!
But I will keep in mind about your one and then perhaps we can contact one another a bit later when I know the answer,
Thanks again for the offer
Kev

 

[iansoady]

So the question is ,after cleaning all the paint off the towball with I presume a fine wet and dry paper, how do you keep it clean, surely it will start to gain surface rust etc even with a cover over it? Surely its not rubbed over everytime you hitch up?

Kev

I'm quite surprised how little rust appears on mine, even after a winter with just a simple cover. A quick rub with Scotchbrite usually brings it up fine.

 

[Mel]

Hi Mel, yes have got the genuine Alko Tow ball being delivered this week.
When I looked at the van there was a hitchlock on the van but the dealer said it was there own. So i argued that it was on the van when I looked at it, so it should stay on it!!!! The sales assistant then blabbed on about waiting for the manager to return (from the NEC) before making a decision.
So I still dont know if I have one or not!!!!
But I will keep in mind about your one and then perhaps we can contact one another a bit later when I know the answer,
Thanks again for the offer
Kev
[/quote]

No problem. If your haggling comes to nowt get Parksy to send me your email and I can send it on.
mel

 

[Gagakev]

Mel, thanks for that, going to try and ring them tomorrow to get an update, will let you know how I get on.
Kev

 

[Gagakev]

Hi Mel, are you still there??
Spoke to the manager today and got him to see it my way, they are to supply the hitchlock so I should'nt be needing yours, but once again thank you for your kind offer.
Kev

 

[Mel]

Glad you got it sorted Kev. Anyone else need an Alko compatible hitchlock?
mel

 

[hpipaq]

hi mel,new to caravanning,could do with alko if you still have it.read about these & seem to be an awesome piece of kit.
thanks

 

[Mel]

I think we still have it, I'll check Are you sure we are talking about the same thing though. I am on about a hitchlock (fits on the hitchhead under the ALKO stabiliser handle and stops anyone hitching up (in theory). The reason I ask is that it is not really an awesome piece of kit and I wonder if you are thinking of an Alko wheel lock (considerably more awesome) but different. You are stillwelcome to the hitchlock if OH hasn't pased it on elsewhere. Let me know.
mel

 

[ProfJohnL]

Interseting one Kev,

The dealer has a duty of care to protect his stock, and from the insurance companies point of view he may be required to fitt a hitch lock to vans on display It may not have been part of the caravan sale.

Are you also claimibg the flagpole and flag that some dealers drop into the jockeywheel clamp - and if so you do realise you caravan will not have a jockeywheel !

 

[Gagakev]

Interseting one Kev,

The dealer has a duty of care to protect his stock, and from the insurance companies point of view he may be required to fitt a hitch lock to vans on display It may not have been part of the caravan sale.

Are you also claimibg the flagpole and flag that some dealers drop into the jockeywheel clamp - and if so you do realise you caravan will not have a jockeywheel !

Yes certainly an interesting one Prof, my van was a second hand £10k van, on display amongst all the brand new £15k plus vans.
Wonder why my van was the only one with the lock? But I won the battle and got the lock!!!

Now the flag pole question should have been directed at Parksy, he would have chosen the flag pole

 

[hpipaq]

hi mel sorry didnt read properly,already have lock.thought it was hitch itself.
thanks