Caravan stuck on tow ball

has the small handle fully moved up to unlock it from the ball? I'd expect it to be more difficult to separate now the two parts are removed as you have less leverage on the hitch head and the tow ball isn't fixed to anything 

Hi, when trying to unhitch (with the small handle fully raised) it just raised the back of the car up with it. Also, the hitch wouldn't click up in place like it normally does. 

A knotty problem.

I wonder if it’s possible to remove the two black circular covers on the sides of the Alko head (as you would normally have to do if you wanted to push out the friction pads for a routine pad change).

Then you may be able push a small drill bit into the hole, drill out the pads to an extent making them weak enough just to break up and fall to bits, releasing the tow ball.

Might also be easier to work on if you re-attached the head to the caravan, giving you more leverage.

Looking very closely at it though, there seems to be chunk of metal in an odd place towards the front of the tow ball almost as if something has come loose and jammed in place. Could you loosen the two screws visible (they look a bit like Allen key screws) and dismantle the whole thing?

If it were me, I’d pop the assembly back to the dealer and let them sort it out, under warranty.

Same as Freddy 55 suggests it should be warranty work.

I've had another look at the assembly and managed to free the hitch off the tow ball. The front friction pad and split and one half had got stuck jamming everything up. Once I got this piece free the tow ball came off easily. I imagine the dealership is gonna say it's a consumable part but not great value for a 6 month old caravan and 3 trips.

Thanks for all your advice.

Hello, Ive had this issue on different caravans and different tow cars and came to the conclusion that it only ever happened when using levelling ramps.  Didnt matter whether the van was drove up or reversed up them. My solution is, if ramps are needed, get the caravan level but dont apply the  caravan handbrake, chock the wheels front and back. Then I am able to remove the hitch from the ball as normal, once the vehicle is clear then apply the handbrake of the caravan.  Dont know if this was your scenario but it works for us. Im sure someone will come along and explain the technicalities but like I say this works for us.

Thanks for the tip. I use a AWD motor mover so never need to hitch/unhitch on ramps.

The front pad appears to be quite fragile. I've just come back from a trip and upon arrival the hitch was creaking badly and when unhitching it was difficult to remove but did eventually pop free. On top of the car towball was the remnants of the front pad.

I later spoke to a caravan engineer who alluded to idea that the hitch had been harshly coupled to the car, i.e. Towball not exactly aligned to the hitch.....not sure I buy that,  but I well check how I couple up in the future.

Interesting problem, I first had this happen a couple of years ago, (been caravanning for nearly 35 years), eventually the coupling came off dropping a curved friction pad out which I replaced. Then this week the same thing happened, the Elddis agent said it’s not covered by guarantee and relieved me of £20 for a small piece of plastic, what a rip off! I now have to fit it. They said if the hitch is slightly out of alignment when hitching up it can cause this problem.