 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Alko caravan towbar position? |
 
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324  
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If it's a proper Alko compatible tow ball then the length of the neck should be sufficient to provide the necessary clearance. The bolt heads won't be in the way - the closest point will be on the centre-line of the tow ball.
The nominal height for a tow ball that suits the majority of modern caravans is 450mm from the ground to the centre of the ball. On that basis, I think you've got it too low. I'd be tempted to move it up one set of holes on the drop plate. We tow a van with my wifes' DII, which has a fixed height swan neck tow ball set at about 450mm as above, and that's been fine on the last two vans. They're twin axles too, which are a lot less tolerant than singles. Hope this helps. Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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12th Jan 2012 3:23pm |
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| Paul_1978 Member Since: 08 Nov 2009 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 384  
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My standard tow bar would not fit to a alko hitch, but a tow bar with a drop pin would.
The critical bit is the distance between the ball and the back plate, should be fine if you have a proper tow bar. |
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12th Jan 2012 3:54pm |
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| Zagato Site Supporter Member Since: 08 Jan 2011 Location: Billingshurst West Sussex Posts: 5013
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I wouldn't tow like that
 Definitely move the drop plate up BUT you will probably find putting the tow ball on the slider is fine if you have a normal ride height - mine was, if not going over hillocks  . You can fix it up when you go and pick the van up. Just size it up at the time and don't forget your spanners 
The Alko site gives you a diagram with measurements for fitting - you will be fine, it's the rear spare wheel that becomes a problem for some. i.e. you cannot raise the Alko lever as the wheel is in the way hence the reason the do an extended Alko hitch for 4X4's
Lorrymans your guy on all this 
Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  Last edited by Zagato on 12th Jan 2012 5:12pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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12th Jan 2012 4:55pm |
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| WarPig Member Since: 04 Dec 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1748 
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Thats the problem, its still too high on the slider, hence the drop plate. I agree the drop plate should be higher, Ill have a play with it.
Fortunately I carry mine in the rear.
I know, but Ive already pinched his towing mirror idea . Where are you Brian?  |
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12th Jan 2012 5:12pm |
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| Zagato Site Supporter Member Since: 08 Jan 2011 Location: Billingshurst West Sussex Posts: 5013
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Mine is on uneven ground -Yeah in the bloody garage
 but it measures 50cm (maybe miles out!) and it's fine for towing, can measure tomorrow for you Looking at yours it will go up to 50cm without using a drop plate!
Make sure the Alko friction pads are OK, they cost a fortune better still go back to a standard hitch |
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12th Jan 2012 5:16pm |
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| Laurie Member Since: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Sussex, England Posts: 2897 
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19" from the ground to the top of the ball is about standard for caravans.
I wouldn't tow a camping trailer with the arrangement in your photograph. Too many stressed weak points. Move the drop plate up and use all four holes. |
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12th Jan 2012 5:26pm |
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| WarPig Member Since: 04 Dec 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1748
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Thanks Paul, this is the one ive fitted so should be ok? And this is the drop plate. Ive been out and adjusted the drop plate, just need to get two more bolts to secure it. The tip of the towball now measures 48cm from the ground. Click image to enlarge With my previous caravan it would tow nose high with the slider on the lowest setting, hence the drop plate. I just need to get the new caravan home safely, then I can re-adjust everything. Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated |
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12th Jan 2012 5:58pm |
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| WarPig Member Since: 04 Dec 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1748
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Thinking of swapping my single pin slider to one of these...
Hoping the double pin might stop it clunking? Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated |
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12th Jan 2012 6:07pm |
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| ginjez Member Since: 18 Sep 2011 Location: huddersfield Posts: 1767 
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I use a spacer on my setup but don't require any drop plate with the dixon bate adjustable slider. if you have a door mounted spare you will need to have the rear door open inorder to mount the Al-ko hitch.
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12th Jan 2012 6:17pm |
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| IanW Member Since: 12 Jun 2011 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 172 
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Top of the tow ball on our 110 csw is about 20 ins from the ground, which tows our twin axle Abbey[Swift Group van] pretty much perfectly. Thinking about mounting the ball on an NAS step to avoid the door opening and closing necessary as you hitch up. Best vehicle I've towed with so far. Ian One wife - livid
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12th Jan 2012 6:26pm |
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| WarPig Member Since: 04 Dec 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1748
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Maybee it was just a feature of my old 1989 Compass Shadow caravan that made it tow nose high? I guess theres a chance with my new caravan I might not need the drop plate?
My main concern was the clearance between the back of the tow ball and the drop bar or slider. Think I'll do as zag suggested and take my sockets & spanners with me, then I can adjust as necessary. |
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12th Jan 2012 7:09pm |
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| Laurie Member Since: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Sussex, England Posts: 2897
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I've used a 16mm drop plate as a spacer on my DB adjustable hitch too. Lets the rear door just clear the jockey wheel handle. |
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12th Jan 2012 7:14pm |
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| rossy Member Since: 29 Nov 2010 Location: Co. Roscommon Posts: 1296  
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Warpig apologies if you are already aware of this but you will also need to sand all the paint off the towball or it will destroy the friction pads on your stabiliser and at the very least render them useless. They need contact with bare rust free grease free metal in order to work
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12th Jan 2012 9:36pm |
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| WarPig Member Since: 04 Dec 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1748
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Thanks rossy, I did read to sand with emery cloth. So I assume they come painted so they dont look rusty in the shop?
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12th Jan 2012 11:46pm |
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