GT60 Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Hi we have an alko tow ball and want to tow a Standard trailer also. Do we need to change tow balls in order to do this? Thanks Quote Bailey GT60 540/6 and Santa Fe style 2010 Private Parking charge notice's are a Scam. Never pay a private parking ticket, ignore it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianI Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Hi we have an alko tow ball and want to tow a Standard trailer also. Do we need to change tow balls in order to do this? Thanks No, the Al-Ko ball will fit anything. Its only the neck section that is slightly longer. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Father Ted Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Depends, in my mind. Do you have an Alko hitch on your van? Is your trailer hitch greased? I swap towballs if I'm pulling my trailer so as to not contaminate the Alko stabiliser. For the sake of 5 mins, I figure its easier than having to clean / replace the pads. Quote 2003 Volvo V70 2. 4 gas guzzler. 2011 Bailey Olympus 534. Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they're not out to get me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianI Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Surely its easier to clean and degrease the ball? However nothing wrong in changing the ball although I doubt if many people have a large enough spanner and torque wrench to do it. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjimmy Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I am with you on that one Brian. Moving all the vans round on our site (as I do) with the tractor and with all of them having AL-KO or similar friction hitches fitted and then having to move my builders trailers that have good old greased hitches, it would be impossible to keep on swapping the hitches over, so I clean the ball each time and it only takes seconds to do, furthermore if you kept swapping the hitches over it wouldn't be all that long before you would be well advised to change the bolts because of metal fatigue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT60 Posted September 15, 2011 Author Share Posted September 15, 2011 Thanks for the replies i will get some more brake cleaner from work to clean the hitch Quote Bailey GT60 540/6 and Santa Fe style 2010 Private Parking charge notice's are a Scam. Never pay a private parking ticket, ignore it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LodgeFarmLeisure Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 According to ALKO brake cleaner or other solvent can be used to clean the ball and stabiliser 'cup'. We have found that solvent based thinners works best - brake cleaner is OK, but you can still get creaking, use thinners and creaking is very rare! Happy caravanning! Quote Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 (2015) towing Adria Adora Danube (2013) Caravan & Motorhome Servicing & Repairs in Gunthorpe, Nottinghamshire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gump Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 put a plastic bag on tow ball first (only on the builders trailor) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirker Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Another vote for 'clean the ball'. I tow a mobile hearing testing unit Monday to Friday which needs the ball to be greased but keep a pack of Tesco's disinfectant wipes in the back of the car and when pulling the caravan just clean the ball down until no more grease is present. Works a treat. (No need for the 'disinfectant' bit - just that they are quite handy to have in the car anyway). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyG Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 (No need for the 'disinfectant' bit - just that they are quite handy to have in the car anyway). you must have the most hygienic ball in the caravanning world LOL :lol: Quote Tony G Kia Sorrento 2. 5 CDi 59 plate Towing 2011 Swift Conqueror 645 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommanderDave Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Another vote for 'clean the ball'. I tow a mobile hearing testing unit Monday to Friday which needs the ball to be greased but keep a pack of Tesco's disinfectant wipes in the back of the car and when pulling the caravan just clean the ball down until no more grease is present. Works a treat. (No need for the 'disinfectant' bit - just that they are quite handy to have in the car anyway). I would check if they have lanolin in them if so you could be leaving the ball as slippery. 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...
Shirker Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I would check if they have lanolin in them if so you could be leaving the ball as slippery. They're fine - leave it squeaky clean and slightly creaky. And always handy for when the site proves to be about 5 minutes further than the dog is prepared to handle. .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Some years ago we were on a farm CL where a number of caravans were also stored in a barn. The Farmer had a small sit-on mower/tractor, that had a greasy towball at the rear that he used for a small trailer or caravans with a wet hitch, and a clean Al-Ko one at the front that he used to move customer's dry-hitch caravans out of the barn with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Father Ted Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I suppose, as I have suitable socket and kept the oriignal, non Alko tow ball, it is no great shakes to change. Especially as it only happens once in a blue moon. Quote 2003 Volvo V70 2. 4 gas guzzler. 2011 Bailey Olympus 534. Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they're not out to get me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthetooth Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Simplest yet -2 tow cars 1989 Mk1 Pajero with greasy ball for allotment/livestock transporter [raise our own pigs] trailer and the Honda CRV for Alko on Van . Two 4X4 s Phew will have to watch out for the greens chasing me . Could reduce to one 4x4 the pigs would love it on the sofas, but the wife wouldn't be so keen . Keep wiping those balls in the meantime!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyPoole Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Can you fix a Dixon Bate tow hitch to your car? if so with two plates you can just swap the towballs over which would be the quickest way Quote Bailey Pageant Bretagne Series 6 - LR Discovery Td5 Auto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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