Towing a trailer - towball query

[LMH]

Hi

If you have a tow ball on your car for an Alko (dry) can you tow a trailer with the old type hitch (greased).

If so, when you come to put the van on the back of the car, is it just a question of thoroughly de-greasing the tow ball on the car?

Lisa

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello LMH

All towballs supplied now to the UK market should be 50mm diameter. As far as I know there are only two differences between the ALKO and most others

The Alko has a different neck formation to allow for the greater bulk of the hitch assembly to move without fouling the neck or body parts,

And secondly the ball must be grease free to enable the friction pads to work. Any grease or oil contamination will reduce or completely negate the function of the hitch as a stabiliser.

So if you need to swap hitch types, you must ensure the ball is grease free before using the Alko hitch.

 

[LMH]

Thanks John

So am I ok to use a trailer on the ball fitted for an Alko as long as I throughly de-grease the ball before fitting the caravan with Alko to the car's towball?

The type of trailer I am referring to is an older type prob about five foot long.

Lisa

 

[Lutz]

My dealer told me that if you tow for any appreciable distance with a greased coupling, the degree of contamination will be so great that it will be almost impossible to degrease adequately. The grease will get so deep into the metal that one would have to "cook" the towball in degreasing agent to boil the grease out. I can't confirm that I've had trouble when faced with the same situation though, so I guess it's just a matter of cleaning as thoroughly as possible and hoping for the best.

 

[RogerL]

It may depend on the grease used.

For MS types of grease, as I use on an old-style hitch, it really does cling and lubricate long after the visible presence has gone, in fact that's what MS types are designed for. I think Lutz's dealer is correct.

Interestingly, CC wardens and commercial site managers move caravans, with both types of hitch, regularly without even appearing to wipe the ball on their tractor! Although I understand the theory of Al-Ko stabiliser hitches, I wonder whether the majority are actually effective at all because of contamination, not by the owner but by caravan sites or dealers!

 

[Danny_5134221]

I would of thought for grease to penetrate a metal such as that of a hardened towball it would have to be pretty soft and therefore making it totally useless for its purpose, in time it would just wear away. If the ball were cast iron then maybe, but as its cast steel pretty impossible. I work in engineering and have never come across grease penetrating a metal ! A good spray with brake & clutch cleaning spray and a rub with fine emery paper should do the trick. The said caravan dealer should stick to what he knows, ie selling caravans !

 

[allen1]

It may depend on the grease used.

For MS types of grease, as I use on an old-style hitch, it really does cling and lubricate long after the visible presence has gone, in fact that's what MS types are designed for. I think Lutz's dealer is correct.

Interestingly, CC wardens and commercial site managers move caravans, with both types of hitch, regularly without even appearing to wipe the ball on their tractor! Although I understand the theory of Al-Ko stabiliser hitches, I wonder whether the majority are actually effective at all because of contamination, not by the owner but by caravan sites or dealers!

hi

I used to move caravans on and of pitches with a tractor when the wife and I worked for the c@cc, and it really did not matter if it was greased or not because we used thin plastic bags as a barrier against the grease,hope this helps

allen

 

[RogerL]

It may depend on the grease used.

For MS types of grease, as I use on an old-style hitch, it really does cling and lubricate long after the visible presence has gone, in fact that's what MS types are designed for. I think Lutz's dealer is correct.

Interestingly, CC wardens and commercial site managers move caravans, with both types of hitch, regularly without even appearing to wipe the ball on their tractor! Although I understand the theory of Al-Ko stabiliser hitches, I wonder whether the majority are actually effective at all because of contamination, not by the owner but by caravan sites or dealers!

allen - you must be the exception, I've never seen a CC warden or commercial site manager doing anything other than moving from one van to the next, regardless of hitch type fitted.

 

[RogerL]

The surface of smooth, machined metal is actually rough when looked at under a microscope. Grease remains within this roughness, particularly greases designed to do just this.

As an extreme demonstration, engines previously lubricated with MS-enhanced oil have been run for several 1,000 miles without any oil before seizing. This was due entirely to the microscopic "cling" properties of MS lubricant.

 

[Damian]

If you have to use the towball for dual purpose towing, greased and grease free, then a good clean of the towball with brake cleaner will remove all but the smallest residue, and a regular clean of the Alko hitch pads will keep them working fine.

 

[Steve L]

The wifes nail polish remover does just as good a job of de-greasing a tow ball. It evaporates within 10 mins so no residue is present.

Steve.

 

[DavidW1]

Lisa,

I tow the van, which has an Alko hitch, and on occasions a horse box and a large Ifor Williams trailer which have very manky greasy coupling hitches.

I just give the ball a thorough wipe with kitchen tissue after using the box or trailer and a rub with fine emery paper to remove rust if it appears - never had a problem with the Alko, it still functions properly and the pads have remained uncontaminated.

Taking extra precautions such as suggested by Steve probably won't hurt but beware of using cleaners that might leave an oily trace - brake cleaner is a good one but personally I wouldn't bother.

 

[LMH]

Thanks for all the replies, really useful. I've just missed the trailer I wanted.

So will look again.

Lisa