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Standard Tow ball

M

merseydave

Hi all, I am getting my van ready for a trip at the end of Oct, now with a standard 50mm tow ball should this be greased or not.

Regards Dave.
 
If you have an old Dixon-Bate coupling on your van then Yes, it needs grease. But if your van is comparatively new with an Alko or Winterhoff coupling with built in stabilizer pads then No. In fact the ball should be wiped with a rag moistened with brake cleaner to give it grip and keep it quiet.
 
Remember to remove the paint from the tow ball hitch. If you have the Alko hitch , then it is nessacary to have an Alko compatabile tow ball with the deeper throatl

Hutch.
 
Or a clean standard ball with a two inch spacer in place. If swapping between van with hitch stabiliser and a trailer without, a good strong plastic bag greased on the outside over the ball can be a quick answer to the problem of having to clean it each time
 
Thanks to all, as it's the old type of hitch I will now get it greased before our trip. This is what is great about this forum lot's of help and great advice from a great membership.

Best Regards Dave.
 
I've never heard of that one! I always thought the problem with ALKO hitch and "standard" ball was the lack of clearance between the ball and the neck- which a spacer wouldn't solve? Also is fitting a two inch spacer legal in these days of type approval for towbars?
 
MikeG2 said:
Also is fitting a two inch spacer legal in these days of type approval for towbars?
Click to expand...

I doubt it (unless the spacer is also type-approved as an accessory for the towbar, or is on a vehicle first used before 1998)

AFAIK - the issue is clearance "around" the ball for the extra "bulk" of the stabiliser head - I.e between ball and vehicle / bracket.
 
Abinitio1989 said:
AFAIK - the issue is clearance "around" the ball for the extra "bulk" of the stabiliser head - I.e between ball and vehicle / bracket.
Click to expand...

Correct this varies according to the stabiliser.

AKS 1300 = 65mm
AKS 2004 = 67mm
AKS 2007 = 60mm
AKS 3004 = 68mm
 
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