grandadrob Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Just got back from hols drove into caravan space won't unhitch!! Tried all the usual methods of reversing driving moving with caravan handbrake on to open damper but nothing is working. contacted highbridge our dealer who we bought this new coachman from there not interested said it was wear and tear and to get someone to come and see it! We have tried in vain to find anyone who can come out asap as we have no car!!! Surely the alkohiltch shouldn't pack in after 18 months?? We had the caravan serviced at highbridge in January. Please can anyone help we are in west Somerset . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesbunny Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 The dealer is fobbing you off. If you are not too far from Highbridge I would tow the van to them & demand they check it out. Quote Les. 2. 0ltr 150TDCi TITANIUM X KUGA + 2016 Elddis Crusader Mistral ( Misty ) " I could agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravon42 Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 I know you mention alcohitch, but is yours a Winterhoff? Quote 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2, Lago grey 2013 Freelander Dynamic Black, followed by a 2013 Elddis 574 Magnum GT white Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markt1891 Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Release the caravan handbrake then try to unhitch it. .. where are you in W. Somerset? Quote Bailey Unicorn 3 Barcelona Hyundai Santa Fe Premium 7 seater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VOLVOVANNER Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Try compressing the damper just slightly before winding the jockey wheel down (not too compressed so it releases and touches the bumper) but just enough to release any friction. I have to do this with my Winterhoff hitch (BPW chassis) if not it wont budge. Quote Powrtouch AWD Movers. E & P Compact Levelling System. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_B Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 I sometimes had that with my Al-Ko if the caravan wasn't level with the car. Quote Paul B . .......Mondeo Estate & Elddis Avanté 505 (Tobago) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keefmac Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 I always drive forward after reversing to take the tension off the hitch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandadrob Posted June 20, 2017 Author Share Posted June 20, 2017 Thank you for replies, it is an alkohitch. Have now managed to free hitch but friction pad fell out cracked in half. Now taking it to highbridge to get it sorted! The reason we couldn't drive it there originally was that we drove onto the caravan hard standing on the Farm, but have to use the motor mover to turn it around to get it back out! How long should friction pads last? I'm Not very mechanically minded so have to rely on everyone else!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borussia 1900 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 The friction pads should last years and/or thousands of miles, 18 months is not long at all and they certainly shouldn't crack, are you sure you had the pad release mechanism fully released the last time you hitched up? If it was serviced in January then I would expect the dealer to replace them and check the operation free of charge (it's only a 10 minute job). 1 Quote 2015 3. 2 Auto Mitsubishi Pajero tugging a 2016 Tabbert Pucinni 2. 5e Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Coachman Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 I've had my Coachman for over six years and never had to replace my friction pads. I do my own servicing and check them every year. In your case I would be paying the dealer a visit and asking why this has happened. Don't be fobbed off. Quote 2017 Mercedes Benz 220 CLS AMG design Shooting Brake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 I know you mention alcohitch, but is yours a Winterhoff? Have seen quite a few struggling with Winterhoffs like ours not realising that the handle has not been pulled up near vertical to its second position. 1 Quote Living the dream, well more of a nightmare if the truth be known ~ Griff Wheels at the front ~ Discovery 4 Towing Machine Wheels at the back ~ 4 of ‘em Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borussia 1900 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 My caravan's at the dealers at the moment having a few minor snags sorted, it has an Al-Ko hitch and whilst not difficult to disengaged I have noticed that it is extremely noisy (squeaky) the one on my last caravan was also an Al-Ko hitch and that was much quieter. It's the same car/tow ball that it's connected to so it must be the new hitch. I've towed it around 3000 miles from new and it's getting worse, I told the service engineer, he's going to check it Quote 2015 3. 2 Auto Mitsubishi Pajero tugging a 2016 Tabbert Pucinni 2. 5e Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinShack Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 We've had a squeaky hitch on various vans from time to time. Usually cleaning fixes it. Last year new van was awful! Tried cleaning ball & hitch in situ and no change. Removed pads and found them contaminated by a greased tow ball on dealers truck. Made dealer fit new ones and instruct technicians to clean ball before hitching Alko couplings. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandadrob Posted June 20, 2017 Author Share Posted June 20, 2017 Have been to Highbridge who have sorted the problem,. Apparently this is a rare occurrence as it was a plastic piece at the front of the hitch inside which had cracked and jammed! Nothing to do with friction pads. They were very good and sorted it immediately at a very small labour cost. Hopefully we will now be ok but no one can tell us why this happened only that it is rare! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverman Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 I gave up with the clowns at Highbridge service department. I now take mine to Northam Farm at Brean for servicing. Although last year was on a seasonal pitch in Devon and got it serviced on site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_B Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Have seen quite a few struggling with Winterhoffs like ours not realising that the handle has not been pulled up near vertical to its second position. I've seen them struggle to close the handle too, but that's because its not been couple to the ball correctly Quote Paul B . .......Mondeo Estate & Elddis Avanté 505 (Tobago) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancona Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Have been to Highbridge who have sorted the problem,. Apparently this is a rare occurrence as it was a plastic piece at the front of the hitch inside which had cracked and jammed! Nothing to do with friction pads. They were very good and sorted it immediately at a very small labour cost. Hopefully we will now be ok but no one can tell us why this happened only that it is rare! Removed our hitch lock at the weekend prior to leaving site and out fell 1/2 of the front friction pad managed to get it back in place to travel home, probably explains the creaking on the last couple of trips, happened on an 18 month old Bailey waiting for warranty claim to go through, never had this issue in the past so makes me wonder what's going on as I have now heard of 3 similar cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommanderDave Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Have seen quite a few struggling with Winterhoffs like ours not realising that the handle has not been pulled up near vertical to its second position. Handle upto near 12 o'clock position then wiggle it like mad and it lets go usually . Dave Quote Jeep Commander 3. 0 V6 CRD Isuzu D- Max Utah Auto Elddis Crusader Storm 2000 Kgs, Unipart Royal Atlas Mover . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve05 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Handle upto near 12 o'clock position then wiggle it like mad and it lets go usually . Dave Mine always sticks, tried all the tricks, moving back and forward, caravan handbrake on, even pulling the car back with the movers but the release never clicks in like it did on the old style hitches. Handle up, push it to the side and give it a thump seems to work. Quote Hymer 545 Luxusline hauled by Audi SQ5 plus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milkymarsh Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Have been to Highbridge who have sorted the problem,. Apparently this is a rare occurrence as it was a plastic piece at the front of the hitch inside which had cracked and jammed! Nothing to do with friction pads. They were very good and sorted it immediately at a very small labour cost. Hopefully we will now be ok but no one can tell us why this happened only that it is rare!Glad you got it sorted. Bit naughty that they charged you. If it wasn't a wear and tear item then surely it's under warranty? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_B Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Handle upto near 12 o'clock position then wiggle it like mad and it lets go usually . Dave I've not had a problem like that with my Winterhoff but like Griff I've seen then struggle when they haven't moved the handle into the final position Quote Paul B . .......Mondeo Estate & Elddis Avanté 505 (Tobago) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommanderDave Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 I've not had a problem like that with my Winterhoff but like Griff I've seen then struggle when they haven't moved the handle into the final position Unless completely under no tension I the they can be difficult to unhitch . Possibly due to the pads being at the front and rear . Dave Quote Jeep Commander 3. 0 V6 CRD Isuzu D- Max Utah Auto Elddis Crusader Storm 2000 Kgs, Unipart Royal Atlas Mover . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Handle upto near 12 o'clock position then wiggle it like mad. . . . . .DaveLeave that part to my wife Dave as she can wiggle it far better than me Quote Living the dream, well more of a nightmare if the truth be known ~ Griff Wheels at the front ~ Discovery 4 Towing Machine Wheels at the back ~ 4 of ‘em Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonky Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 I had exactly the same happen to me a couple of weeks ago. Thought it was me when the friction pad fell out broken in two with the front lug still attached to the screw. Replaced it at the weekend (not as easy as it seems!) so we'll see what happens this weekend. Didn't think to make a warranty claim. Then again, that would cost me more in fuel than the £25 the pad cost! Quote Discovery D3 HSE + Coachman VIP 575/4 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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