Isuzu Trooper Owners Club UK™

Dread · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 0:47 Post subject: Towing

Hi people.

I have just bought a new caravan, and pick it up in March. But have just been told that because it has a stabalizer in the tow hitch (alk-ko) I will not be able to hitch to the trooper (94) without taking the sparewheel off? have any of you had ,heard , or got over this problem? It sounds expensive to me.

Thanks, Dread.

Google · Sponsor

brains · ****** Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 897

rubbish m8 it goes no where near the spare ,the stableizer is conected to the tow bar with an aditional bracket bolted to the ball.
i think they are trying to sell you some more stuff that you dont need but you will need the stableizer to stop the caravan from weaving .

TimBanham · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:23 Post subject:

Actually I had real problems on mine

Go and buy yourself a 3/4 inch spacer and longer bolts from somewhere like halfords and put that on and you will have no problems. (only a couple of quid!)

Just make sure that you have cleaned the tow ball as dirty balls mess up the alko fitting

(Brian - for info the issue with the alko is that the handle is so long that when unhitched fouls the bottom of the spare wheel - no issue once connected)
_________________
3.0TD LWB Citation

Peter Bonnell · ***** Joined: 17 Dec 2005 Posts: 621 Location: Rotherham

Also make sure you get the AL-KO tow ball aswell , they stand further off than a standard one , I use a 2 inch spacer and have no problems at all

TimBanham · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:33 Post subject:

Peej · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:49 Post subject:

Chris B · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:18 Post subject:

Also ... if its the AL-KO type then make sure there is no trace of grease or oil on the ball - the stabiliser operates by clamping a set of nylon pads around the ball and relys on friction to operate correctly
_________________
Isuzu Rodeo Denver Max LE | 265/65R18 BF Goodrich AT LTM No.60

TimBanham · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:47 Post subject:

You can remove the plastic part of the handle as well and this will remove the problem.
_________________
3.0TD LWB Citation

andrewk · ** Joined: 16 Oct 2003 Posts: 101 Location: Oldham

TimBanham · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 15:22 Post subject:

Andrew

Is this the sort of towball you mean

http://www.towsure.com/product.asp?p=1331

Cheers
_________________
3.0TD LWB Citation

Chris B · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 16:18 Post subject:

I get away with a normal AL-KO ball and a small 3/4" spacer, back up to the caravan then open the rear door before coupling up ... it gives me enough room to hitch up then drop the stabiliser handle and shut the back door. It is a case of weighing the job up carefully as it misses by a few inches.
_________________
Isuzu Rodeo Denver Max LE | 265/65R18 BF Goodrich AT LTM No.60

Richardhw · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 0:25 Post subject:

It also depends on the model of stabiliser mine is an alko 1300 which only has a short handle so no problems at all,although I dont believe it is as good as the ones with the longer handles (something to do with the friction pads)

drmuir · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:03 Post subject:

you can buy a replacement handle from towsure much shorter and removes once locked down makes job much easier .

Dougie .

Dread · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 20:00 Post subject: Towing

Hi, Thank you to all.
Sad

Very good advice , have gone with the alk-ko towball and had a 1" steel spacer made longer bolts and have tried it on mates new van and it's close 3/8" with door closed as i can't get close to his van with door open! will have to see on the 16th if I got it right. if not the towsure advice seems to be good , THANKS AGAIN, NICE TO HAVE THIS CHANNEL OF GOOD ADVICE AND A FAIR BIT OF HUMAN COMMUNICATION. Very Happy

Dread