Are you new to using an Alko hitch lock?
This story happened on: 09/03/2012
This is just a word of warning really. Our last caravan was the first we had that came complete with the receiving device for the Alko hitch lock. When you've fathomed out how to connect the hitch lock to the receiver then there is another problem - the red ball that goes under the hitch itself. Don't forget to remove it when you take off the main lock. It is so easy to leave it in position and try to hitch up with the ball still in place.
You may think that you will eventually notice, but if you are distracted then it can go un-noticed. We were on a site in Wales not long after we had got our last van. We came to hitch up to go home and we left the red ball under. The trouble is, we lifted the handle when the hitch was directly over the towball and it had nowhere to fall. We lowered the hitch onto the towball and checked the button and it was showing green (the ball was still in the hitch and it was resting on the towball, so it would have been - everything was showing OK.) We connected the electrics and the over-ride brake cable, and after saying our goodbyes to the assembled company, we got it and attemped to head off the pitch.
Well you can guess the rest really. As we moved forward, the hitch slid off the tow ball and fell to the floor, the over-ride hand brake cable came into action and then broke. We wondered what on earth had happened, but it soon became obvious. Never again will we forget to take out the little red (maroon) ball that goes under the hitch.
......... and while I'm writing, do remember to keep a spare over-ride brake cable. You can't get them easily in the middle of Ceredigion.
David
Disco2003
Caravanner from South Glamorgan