The other day I read through some of the caravan handbook ( I must have been ultra bored) It states in there that, in order to unhitch, the button on the hitch must be depressed before raising the handle this refers to to small handle on the coupling and not the stabiliser. I always thought that this button was purely an indicator, to show that the drawbar had dropped and fully engaged on the ball. In all my caravanning years I can never remember pressing this button before raising the handle - all I have ever used it for is to ensure the green is showing when hooking up. I just wondered how many others thought that this button is just an indicatior?
Button on coupling
- Thread starter RodOne1
- Start date
Rod One. Surely what youare referring to is the wear indicator for pads on hitchlock Im sure it shows part red and part green?When you cant see the green you need new pads in the hitch.
Sir Roger
Sir Roger
hi RodOne, yes mine has one it is an indicator to show the hitch is coupled don't know why you are supposed to press it before lifting the handle, as it would be tight against the ball and unable to move, after lifting the handle does make some sense though as if the indicator was sticking it could show green when in fact it was not secure,
Hello Colin,I did send a second post yesterday, but it has"gone". After my first post I went out and looked at the hitch, and, along with the wear indicator button on the top of the coupling, there is a second rectangular shaped button on the front of the actual handle, which also shows either green( locked) or red ( free ). I can only think that because of its location, I must operate it with my thumb when I hitching without being aware that I am doing so. As you rightly point out, the other round button on the top could not be pressed down as the tow all would prevent it.Perhaps Bailey and other manufacturers need to clarify to help avoid confusion especially for those new to caravanning
Hello RodOne ,I have just had a look at my aks 2004 hitch stabiliser ,the green 'button' is a safety indicator ,according to the alco handbook .I would be inclined to keep my fingers off the square thing as there is a very strong spring down there!
The actual wording in the book is, 'WARNING The coupling is correctly engaged when the green edge of the safety button is visible' No where does it say to press it .( ' don't know why two indicators are needed ) hope this helps .
The actual wording in the book is, 'WARNING The coupling is correctly engaged when the green edge of the safety button is visible' No where does it say to press it .( ' don't know why two indicators are needed ) hope this helps .
Arryvanpulla said:
There are two indicators for two different reasons as detailed by Al-ko.
One is a friction pad wear indicator.
One is to show the hitch is correctly secured to the tow ball.
Both are very important!!!
Hello Dustydog, ,Senator Vermont S 6 2009 (last of the breed!) This is what it says in the Bailey book of words" Operate the button on the hitch head and move the handle forward to release the mechanism Serious damage will occur unless the button is depressed first and the handle lifted forward before the caravan is lifted manually. This prevents the nose weight being transmitted through the button."
unless Alko have changed their system, the way to check pad wear on the stabiliser was by moving the stabiliser operating arm up and seeing where the point of resistance begins on marks on the side. using the small arrow mark that is on the casting. The round button on the coupling head pops up showing green when the tow ball is correctly located in the safe to tow position. I do not think it indicates anything to do with the stabiliser.
ifthe button shows red it means that the van is not located correctly on the tow ball and should not be towed until corrected. Wear on the stabiliser pads does not prevent the van being towed safely/ carefully.
unless Alko have changed their system, the way to check pad wear on the stabiliser was by moving the stabiliser operating arm up and seeing where the point of resistance begins on marks on the side. using the small arrow mark that is on the casting. The round button on the coupling head pops up showing green when the tow ball is correctly located in the safe to tow position. I do not think it indicates anything to do with the stabiliser.
ifthe button shows red it means that the van is not located correctly on the tow ball and should not be towed until corrected. Wear on the stabiliser pads does not prevent the van being towed safely/ carefully.
RodOne said:
Rod
My Senator S6 Wyomoing handbook is different to yours!
Are you sure you are not reading a section from the Discovery model??
When I get back from my travels I'll post the Wyoming hitch guide.
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