Towing a caravan with a Freelander

Anyone with experience of towing a 'van' with an Al-Ko 'friction type' hitch and a Freelander got around the problem of the lever catching on the spare wheel when hitching and unhitching.
Al-Ko do have an alternative handle but it's both expensive and poorly designed. Currently I either remove the spare wheel to hitch up or remove the handle off the hitch until it clears the spare then replace it.

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

I've fitted a 1 1/2" spacer which extends the reach of the towbar. Never had a problem fitting the alko hitch and never had to remove the spare. I have just changed the caravan and that has the winterhoff hitch, again no problem.

+1 above, had to put spacer on my old Freelander tow bar so that mine worked fine, before that i used to twist the hitch slightly until the lever cleared the spare wheel then twisted it upright before pushing all the way down!

Thanks guys I'll try the spacer mod.

Bugsy said:

Thanks guys I'll try the spacer mod.

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Hi.I've also fitted a spacer.Have you tried hooking up at an angle,I find that helps.

I tried the angle approach but the door hits the jockey wheel. Spacer and a bit of angle I'll try today.

Don't forget that the FL has a higher tow bar download than a normal car.

do not for get to buy the extra long bolts when you buy the spacer

I had the same problem and bought a used Alko handle off eBay, its great.
You should also change your towball, for one with an extended neck, as the standard towball is unsafe to use with the alko stabilising hitch. Check it out on the internet.
I hope this bit of info will be of some help to you.