alko hitch advice please!!

[jamestopdog]

Hi All, fairly new to this site, so after a bit of advice please, I have just bought myself a chevrolet astro, which i intend to use for a odd bit of wilding!! but also am just in the process of getting a caravan. The caravan has a alko hitch, Im wondering what sort of tow bar to get as I believe the alko ball is different? can anyone help please? i know most of you have motorhomes/campervans but Im sure someone will have the knowledge.
On my travels I have also spotted a couple of possible wild camping sites so will let you all know how they turned out once tried!! (Im from sussex btw!)

 

[Black dog]

A standard tow hitch is fine, but you will need the special Al-ko towball. This is a standard 50mm ball, but has extra clearance between the ball and the baseplate to allow for the extra bulk of the stabiliser mechanism. You might get away with a standard ball, but the Al-ko ones aren't too expensive.

You will need to carry a strip of emery paper and/or a bit of white spirit and a rag to clean the ball. Basically, the ball must be clean and bright before hitching up - EVERY time. Any trace of grease or oil will contaminate the friction pads, and rust will eventually lead to the hitch creaking and groaning like a ship at sea. Keep it clean, and the Al-ko hitch is a brilliant device. All the problems I have had with mine have been as a result of grease or rust on the ball. (If you have anyone else to move the van for you, eg at service time or during storage, make sure they know this too.) Grease on the pads renders them useless, but also the grease seems to bake on with the heat and make the van stick to the towball - no fun if you are trying to unhitch in a rainstorm! (Ask me how I know...)

 

[jamestopdog]

Thanks for the advice Black dog. Pick up my van tommorow, cant wait!