Tow Bar and Stabiliser

Just looking at an "Al-Ko" Stabiliser for towing. I have a Land Rover Factory fitted detachable tow bar fitted to my Freelander (1 - MkIII) and wondered if anyone knows if the clearance required by "Al-Ko" is available. i.e. with the handle up, is it clear of the spare wheel. The 60mm and 68mm is clear arond the ball but I wondered if I needed to remove the spare wheel or not to connect the tow bar.

Any takers?

I have a standard tow bar with alko ball. the alko stabiliser doesn't totally clear the spare wheel, but can be reaosnable easily taken off with a bit of jockey wheel skill.

trick is, when putting it on, tip the stabiliser handle at an angle away from the spare wheel. as you lower using the jockey, nudge the handle closer to upright, then when all the weight is on the ball, but the hitch isn't engaged, pull the hitch release handle, and the whole thing will drop and engage.

once this is done, push the stabiliser handle down.

taking it off slightly trickier, but if you can, and reasonably good at reversing, try to end up with the vehicle at an angle to the left. that way you have more room to unhitch.

do mine all the time single handed with no traumas.

I have the alko ball on mine, aswel as the tow hitch on the caravan. From what has been said about hitching on, regardless of which tow ball you have, it's all the same with the **** about of the spare wheel.
It's easy enough, just see if I can still hitch up with the raiser I just bought?!?

Ok, I bought my 2001 td4 in january, hence I haven't towed the caravan with it yet, my caravan has an alko stabiliser as well, my td4 has a standard tow ball (with about 1/2" spacer behind it), will I have clearance problems with the standard tow ball and stabiliser?, I ask because the caravan is in storage (in my parents) 120 miles away.

Mcgyver said:

Ok, I bought my 2001 td4 in january, hence I haven't towed the caravan with it yet, my caravan has an alko stabiliser as well, my td4 has a standard tow ball (with about 1/2" spacer behind it), will I have clearance problems with the standard tow ball and stabiliser?, I ask because the caravan is in storage (in my parents) 120 miles away.

Click to expand...

Where abouts are you? Is there noone close that has the alko that could let you test it. I would imagine, that with the spacer fitted, it would work.

OP,

Much appreciated info. Looking forward to trying it.

Hi Mick,
Unfortunately I don't know anybody close by with a caravan, mesured the spacer this morning and it's actually 3/4", hopefully it'll do, thinking about it really I won't get caught out, cause if it doesn't work out, I can go to a camping shop about 25 miles away from where it is stored that "should" have an alko towball in stock.
Thanks Mick

Mcgyver said:

Hi Mick,
Unfortunately I don't know anybody close by with a caravan, mesured the spacer this morning and it's actually 3/4", hopefully it'll do, thinking about it really I won't get caught out, cause if it doesn't work out, I can go to a camping shop about 25 miles away from where it is stored that "should" have an alko towball in stock.
Thanks Mick

Click to expand...

Where abouts in the world are you?
If you can't hitch it up with that tow ball, just take the spare off and try without it, or try hitching up with the back door open. That's my plan of attack if it doesn't hitch up now.

there's loads on ebay for about £15. surely better than a wasted journey ?

@ Mick, living on the side of a hill in county Cavan (really in the sticks!!), in fairness there is only a handful of reputable dealers in southern Ireland, plenty of caravan sales that don't do parts or want to know anything about the caravan once you've towed it out their gate.
Thanks for the good suggestion Mick.

@OP, why didn't I think of just going on to ebay, thanks OP.

mick 1986 said:

Where abouts in the world are you?
If you can't hitch it up with that tow ball, just take the spare off and try without it, or try hitching up with the back door open. That's my plan of attack if it doesn't hitch up now.

Click to expand...

omg!! The most simple solution and no one else as even thought of just opening the back door lmao! There I was thinking we would have to replace are alko ball with the swan neck for the back wheel clearance.:doh:

Buttons said:

omg!! The most simple solution and no one else as even thought of just opening the back door lmao! There I was thinking we would have to replace are alko ball with the swan neck for the back wheel clearance.:doh:

Click to expand...

Don't count your chickens yet, I opened mine, hitched on, then.....oh ****....I forgot about the jockey wheel handle.....DOH!!!!
However, the caravan still hitches on fine with a little wiggle of the alko hitch lock, and I'm using an 87mm towbar riser!!

Depending on the Alko model you can get a detachable handle for use with 4x4 that makes it a bit easier. Mine is the double sided model. You remove the red plastic handle and fit this replacement when needed. Works better but still not perfect. Check this out.

Alko Retro Fit 4x4 Handle For Caravans on eBay (end time 05-Apr-11 15:49:24 BST)

There are loads on e-bay if you search alko handle. Hope this helps.

p.s LOL when I read about hitching with door open. Wondered how long it would take somebody to work out you can't shut door for jockey wheel!

Just an update and bit of feedback!

As it happens, the Caravan was fitted with a "Winterhoff" Stabiliser and as of yet, no such problem as with the AlKo as it doesn't clash with the spare wheel at all. So, if you really don't want to muck about with removing the wheel or opening the door to hitch up change the stabiliser or get a van with a "Winterhoff" unit fitted.

I hope this helps.