Towbars & Stabilisers

[Gerry07]

As a total newcomer to caravanning,my first pleasures have been tempered somewhat by the incompatibility of the Alko Stabiliser on my new Sterling Sapphire Van to the detachable Witter towbar which I had fitted. Witter apparently are aware of the incompatibility and blame Alko...but they did not ask before fitting which type of van I was getting...they did know the towbar was for a van as I had dual electrics fitted.

I am about to embark on a round Ireland Trip in the van (brave -eh??)...is my safety compromised and has anybody any tips on how to resolve (without me paying even more money out !!!)

 

[Lutz]

The most important thing to check regarding the compatability of the AlKo stabiliser is for adequate clearance between the bumper and the towball. The AlKo requires at least 80mm.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Have a look here for what Alko say about clearances

http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/support/AKS2004Handbook.pdf

 

[Gerry07]

The most important thing to check regarding the compatability of the AlKo stabiliser is for adequate clearance between the bumper and the towball. The AlKo requires at least 80mm.

Thanks Lutz.....this I found out when we went to collect the van and hitched up for the very first time. I just feel that Witter and the fitter (poetry eh ? ) could have been more informative and knowledgeable in guiding me before taking my money and then abdicating accountability....in Witters case...totally ignoring my correspodence !!!

The fitter advises changing the hitch/stabiliser to a Winterhoff...however this will obviously cost me even more money when if a few extra questions had been asked presale by the 'experts'...I might not be feeling a little edgy about towing long distance.

Other alternative is to ditch the Witter detachable and fit another to match the Alko stabiliser fitted originally to the van by Sterling.....more cost !

 

[Gerry07]

Have a look here for what Alko say about clearances

]http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/support/AKS2004Handbook.pdf

http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/support/AKS2004Handbook.pdf[/quote
Appreciate this John... I was being quoted EU directives as a defence for Witter.....this however, on initial quick scan makes me think that I'm being bluffed !

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Have a look here for what Alko say about clearances

]http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/support/AKS2004Handbook.pdf

http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/support/AKS2004Handbook.pdf[/quote
I am amazed that Witter with all their experience should be producing a towbar that is incompatible with a coupling that is fitted to the majority of new UK vans.

They should at least replace it for you F O C assuming the fitter has fitted it properly.

 

[Gerry07]

I am amazed that Witter with all their experience should be producing a towbar that is incompatible with a coupling that is fitted to the majority of new UK vans.

They should at least replace it for you F O C assuming the fitter has fitted it properly.

That's what I was hoping for John....but in the absence of any acknowledgement from them to my correspondence, I am afraid that the UK's 'leading towbar manufacturer' leaves me wanting....

 

[WatsonJohnG]

It would be worth phoning them as they may be on 2 weeks holiday like Alko.

You would at least know one way or another if you phoned

 

[Gerry07]

It would be worth phoning them as they may be on 2 weeks holiday like Alko.

You would at least know one way or another if you phoned

John...gave them the benefit of the doubt on this initially....my mails have been directed at their Sales Manager....fortnighly for the past 5 weeks...and no mails bouncing back undeliverable.... so I guess perhaps he has a cracking van and even more cracking holiday entitlement !!!!!

 

[WatsonJohnG]

That is dreadful`

I wonder if trading standards have such long holidays

Good luck with it

 

[rayc]

Gerry, I would buy a Winterhoff stabaliser hitch and sell the Alko. You could buy and sell on ebay and I would expect the cost to be neutral to you.

I realise that this may not be attractive to you and Sterling might make unreasonable objections if the van requires warrenty work but in the long run it would solve your problem.

 

[Bay343]

I've just read your post with interest as I am having a new witter detatchable towbar fitted tomorrow and my van has an alko 2004/3004 stabiliser hitch. Could you tell me what you mean by 'incompatability'.?

When I booked my car in I mentioned that my van had an alko hitch, No problem was the reply.

Cheers Mike

 

[Gerry07]

I've just read your post with interest as I am having a new witter detatchable towbar fitted tomorrow and my van has an alko 2004/3004 stabiliser hitch. Could you tell me what you mean by 'incompatability'.?

When I booked my car in I mentioned that my van had an alko hitch, No problem was the reply.

Cheers Mike

Mike,

It's only (only he says !) incompatible from the point of clearance between the absolute front of the hitch/stabiliser to the bumper of the car on the turn (refer to the trails from Lutz and the link provided by John to Alko). The stabiliser as standard fit on my van was clearly going to cause damage to the bumper....interestly the fitter of the towbar stated long after fitting and recognising the problem.... that a standard towbar would have been fine !

I hope yours works out better than mine.

Maybe best to print off the Alko operating instructions provided by John's link before you go.

 

[Gerry07]

Gerry, I would buy a Winterhoff stabaliser hitch and sell the Alko. You could buy and sell on ebay and I would expect the cost to be neutral to you.

I realise that this may not be attractive to you and Sterling might make unreasonable objections if the van requires warrenty work but in the long run it would solve your problem.

Thanks Ray....I had thought about this but you are right...this might lead me to a bigger issue with Sterling and warranties ....who said this game was easy?....it should be better than this I feel.....somewhere I have innocently or ignorantly made the wrong choice....the van is great so I think I might know where I've gone wrong !!!!

 

[Gerry07]

That is dreadful`

I wonder if trading standards have such long holidays

Good luck with it

John, I'm just hoping that maybe....just maybe ...he might join in on this forum and see this topic and feel a little bad....before I go to Watchdog....God Forbid Nicky whatshisname should grace my Van !!!!