towballs

[BarryB_5039906]

My present car is fitted with a ball suitable for the Alko AKS 2004 stabiliser. This has a longer reach than the normal ball. My current 'van has the Winterhoff WS3000 stabiliser fitted, and this has been fine and without any problems. I am due to collect a new car and I would like to know if the Winterhoff requires the longer reach ball or not as the new car will be fitted with a standard ball. Should I go with this or fit the special ball. Any comments would help.

Thanks and Happy Travels

BarryB

 

[mcghee]

I too am looking at the winterhoff stabiliser and wondering the same. I can only assume that as winterhoff don't produce a long neck towball it mustn't be required.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi,

You are right, the Winterhoff stabiliser does not require the special ALKO "long neck" tow ball.

If you buy a swan neck or detachable tow bar, then an ALKO compatible tow ball is always fitted.

If you for some reason you prefer the flange / bolt-on tow ball, remember the thief only needs a spanner to undo the two bolts and steal the van when hitched to the car, then it may be a good idea to fit an ALKO ball anyway - just in case you need to tow someone else's van for whatever reason.

Robert

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Many swan neck towballs are mounted on the same towbar with two 17mm bolts sideways so you may have a false sense of security. Certainly Brink use this method

I never leave the van unattended while hitched unless its on a ferry and would be thieves would have a problem making a getaway there !!

 

[gary]

I don't know if the Winterhoff needs the extra clearance but I expect not due to it's narrower head, however the clamping action will still tear off the soft zinc coating on the standard ball which is not present on the Alko. Once this becomes embedded in the friction pads it will I think become a source of noise much the same as any other contamination.