Hitch jammed on towball.

[Anseo]

Alko hitch, friction pads etc. all in good condition.

I just had a new towball and electrics kit fittedby a towbartowballelectrics company, I have used them in the past and have been pleased with their workmanship and quality.

I am not at all sure that the new towball is an Alko brand, and indeed that does not particularly concern me, I can tell that it is of the 'Alko' type.

Hooked up the caravan for the first time today on the new towball, checked all electrics function OK and set off, everything worked as expected.

Went to un-hitch and the hitch would not depart from the towball, the towball had been removed of paint and cleaned prior to hitching up.

Car goes up in the air numerous times as I raise the hitch with the jockey wheel, double and tripled checked that I was doing everything 'right', no joy.

Eventually, and in a little desperation, I kept winding the jockey wheel downwards until, with a slight 'snap,crackle and pop' the hitch and towball parted company.

First time I have ever encountered such a problem, I have not re-connecteddisconnected as yet, so do not know if the problem will recur.

Any ideas folks :S

 

[carper2]

I had that happen on a Caravan Club site and I was reversing onto the pitch. The Caravan wouldn't come off and a kind gentleman said pull forward about a foot then try it again I tried it and hey presto the van came off easily.

Les

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Yes, the hitch needs to be 'relaxed' on the ball. If the hitch damper is fully compressed or fully extended then you will have trouble parting the two.

 

[Gagakev]

Had the same thing happen on Thursday, also happened two or three times previously, I am convinced with my outfit at least it always happens when the ground isnt level, on this occasion i reversed onto pitch, pull it up the ramp to get sideway's level then tried to un hitch.................not a chance!!!
so chocked the rear of the caravan wheels , put truck into reverse and moved back enough without loosing too much of my level it seemed to take pressure off and yes it freed and was able to release.
{Take note the back to front level was that far out that the A frame is on the floor at the front and my steadys wont touch the ground without concrete blocks at the rear. }

 

[Parksy]

Alko hitch, friction pads etc. all in good condition.

I just had a new towball and electrics kit fittedby a towbartowballelectrics company, I have used them in the past and have been pleased with their workmanship and quality.

I am not at all sure that the new towball is an Alko brand, and indeed that does not particularly concern me, I can tell that it is of the 'Alko' type.

Hooked up the caravan for the first time today on the new towball, checked all electrics function OK and set off, everything worked as expected.

Went to un-hitch and the hitch would not depart from the towball, the towball had been removed of paint and cleaned prior to hitching up.

Car goes up in the air numerous times as I raise the hitch with the jockey wheel, double and tripled checked that I was doing everything 'right', no joy.

Eventually, and in a little desperation, I kept winding the jockey wheel downwards until, with a slight 'snap,crackle and pop' the hitch and towball parted company.

First time I have ever encountered such a problem, I have not re-connecteddisconnected as yet, so do not know if the problem will recur.

Any ideas folks :S

I've had this happen a few times in the past.
If you can remember (sometimes I don't) before you reverse the caravan onto your pitch lift the Alko stabiliser handle to release the stabiliser, reverse back and then pull forward to relax the hitch damper as mentioned previously.
If you use levelling ramps try to drive rather than to reverse onto them.
If all else fails and you haven't got a short crowbar (which I carry in my holiday toolkit), lower the jockey wheel to raise the back of the car on it's springs then sit down hard on or forcibly press the rear of the car, handy if you have an opening tailgate.
Don't forget to apply the caravan handbrake before you do it to avoid yet another Woosie point

 

[Anseo]

Thank you all for the really helpful replies, most reassuring,now that I know that I do not have a defective towball or hitch.

Parksy, lifting the Alko stabiliser handle prior to docking the caravan makes sense, great tip, and I will certainly be trying it out.

Cheers all.

 

[Jeff_Lon]

I have seen caravanners in the past actually striking the hitch with a hammer to disconnect the hitch. I advised them to apply the caravan handbrake---draw the car forward gently to STRETCH the coupling, then try again to disconnect. Hey presto---it worked. That's the secret>>>caravan handbrake on>>>draw the towcar forward very gently.