Which tow ball?

[Touring1]

We have a Hyundai Santa Fe on order and the dealer is fitting a fixed tow bar. Last time we caravanned (6 yrs ago) we had a standard ball and hitch, but this time it will be the new alko set up on the van. What tow ball should I ask the dealer to fit? I think I've heard that a bigger gap is needed between hitch and bumper and therefore a specific tow ball is required.

Thanks.

 

[RogerL]

Detachable and swan neck towbars are fine with Al-Ko stabiliser hitches - it's the bolted ball type of towbar that need to have the "Al-Ko extended neck ball" fitted.

 

[peter_374333863]

IF YOU HAVE A AL-KO STABLIZER ON THE VAN THE THE WAY FORWARD IS A SWANS NECK EITHER FIXED OR ONE THAT CAN BE REMOVED ALL NEW SWAN NECK TOWBARS ARE OK WITH THESE AL-KO STABLISERS

IF YOU HAVE A STANDARD 2 BOLT FITTING ON THE CAR YOU WILL NEED TO CHANGE THE TOW BALL AS THE AL-KO SITS LOWER ON THE NECK OF THE BALL THE COST TO BUY A AL-KO TOWBALL IS AROUND

 

[empee]

Hi Peter

We are about to get a towbar fitted to our Grand Voyager.

Was planning a Witter removeable bar but it appears the removeable one would not allow the use of towbar mounted cycle racks etc. so it will have to be the bolted one. Did not notice any reference to different arrangements for an Alko hitch though - I'd better check again!

 

[Lutz]

There are cycle racks available for use with swan neck towbars, although not together with the caravan at the same time. However, as the Grand Voyager only has 80kg max. permissible noseweight, having a bike rack and bikes on the towball would not leave you with enough noseweight to ensure a stable outfit.

 

[tigger2]

Hi Graham

If you look in your manual thingy about AL-KO stabilisers it gives you the min clearances you will need.

We had trouble getting the right towball for our Navara, in the end we highlighted this information and gave the book to our dealer. He ended up getting a towball from towsure.

We also got him to put the new 13 pin electrics while he was at it in case we get a newer van.

 

[tigger2]

sorry me againg ingnore all that just looked at date (long night with gin)