Are you new to using an Alko hitch lock?

And they still made you a Community Champion!!?

Dave

There must be a shortage of breakaway cables. We have just had our caravan serviced and asked for this to be replaced as it was badly worn. It took almost two weeks for the dealer to get this. I suppose I should have asked for the old one back to use as a spare. 

Had the  hook come away from the cable at Ashridge Farm- went to the local garage, and they had a replacement breakaway cable! They said it had been on the shelf for years, so I was really lucky.

I also have the same hitchlock and red ball. I won't say that what you did can never happen to me, but as a matter of routine, after hooking up I always raise the whole outfit an inch or so on the jockley wheel winder (that is car and caravan) to check that the two are properly locked together before driving off. Had you done that ......  

But don't be tempted not to use the little red ball!

We had an Alko hitch lock but eft our little red ball in the long grass when camping near Rome.I didn't bother to get another.

When towing in France, one day we found the 'van much more lively than usual, On investigation we found that although the hitch lock had been fitted, at our last campsite someone had prised out the little red covers and then pushed out and stolen the friction pads.

New pads were not cheap but very easily fitted. Too easily!

But at least I had the satisfation of knowing that since the van was then four years old and had been towed around 40,000km the stolen pads were due for replacement soon!

Hi everyone,

on the subject of brakes, while away with caravan (edge of Dartmoor) last week we had to have the alko type handbrake assembly renewed & replaced- the fitter managed to scource one at short notice and fit it, the old handbrake did not have a slight bend in it to properly function with the alko hitch on our Abbey caernarfon 2000 model, I imagine the alko hitch was fitted some time after the van was manufactured- this info may alert others (incidentally had full service on van 3 days prior to holiday) 

Thanks for all the replies.  We did actually break the little handle thingy off the red ball, so ended up buying a new one.  I'don't think I would ever make the same mistake again, but on this occasion, I was just distracted by the audience of people who had come to bid us farewell - so there were one or two who saw me make an idiot of myself.  That how it goes!

David

yes it is me for logging into "together" but fdor logging in to the caravan qweb site i am corkerrobert@gmail .com